Three-time Grade 1 winner Fierceness logged his final
preparation, and Skippylongstocking breezed a bullet half-mile Friday morning, training
at Saratoga ahead of their date in the Breeders’ Cup Classic next Saturday.

They were among at least nine horses who got in their final
timed works before they are expected to be shipped west in the coming days for championship
races at Del Mar.

Saratoga

Fierceness worked his half-mile in 48.98 seconds over the Oklahoma
dirt training track. Owned by his Kentucky breeder Repole Stable and trained by
Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, the talented City of Light sophomore worked a
half-mile in 48.98 seconds in company with Illuminare, who was timed at 49.22
seconds, according to New York Racing Association clockers. Fierceness, under
regular exercise rider Danny Wright, started slightly behind his workmate
before drawing up on the outside nearing the lane to finish in front at the
wire, galloping out in 1:02.2.

“It was another good breeze from him. He is pretty
consistent with the way he goes every time. He appears to be doing it
effortlessly,” Pletcher said. “I was happy with the way the breeze went and the
way he’s been doing. … It was kind of the same thing we’ve been doing. Sit
right off his workmate, join up, finish together and kind of gallop out on his
own.”

Out of Stay Thirsty mare Nonna Bella, Fierceness is a full brother
to graded-stakes winner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf contender Mentee,
another Repole homebred.

“He’s finished with his breezes. He’s all set for the
Juvenile Turf,” Pletcher said about Mentee. “All the New York horses are going
to ship on Sunday.”

Futurity runner-up Gate to Wire was the first
also-eligible for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and drew into the body
of the race when filly Celandine came out. The Munnings chestnut worked a
half-mile in 49.0 seconds after adding blinkers last Friday on the Belmont Park
dirt training track.

“I thought he worked very well with the addition of blinkers
last week. He too has all of his preparations done,” Pletcher said. “We are
happy that he drew in.”

Pletcher added that Tapit Trice, like Fierceness a contender
for the Classic, is likely to work Saturday at Belmont Park, but the rest of
his Breeders’ Cup crew is about done with their local preparations.

“I’m going to drive down to Belmont here shortly, probably
will give him another breeze tomorrow,” Pletcher said from his Saratoga barn of
Tapit Trice, who won the Woodward (G2) on Sept. 28. “It was only his third
start of the year, so we are playing catch-up a little bit. It looks like he
might be rounding into form at the right time.”

Grand Sonata won the Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) on Sept. 7
at Kentucky Downs and secured a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The 5-year-old
Medaglia d’Oro dark bay worked a half-mile in 51.55 seconds over the Oklahoma
turf last Friday.

“His preparations are all done,” Pletcher said. “It is on to
the Turf.”

Multimillionaire Skippylongstocking breezed a
half-mile in a bullet 47.93 seconds on Friday on Saratoga’s Oklahoma dirt.

Owned by Daniel Alonso and trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., the
5-year-old Exaggerator horse is pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Classic with
his second preference listed as the Dirt Mile next Saturday at Del Mar. He
completed Friday’s move in company with The Queens M G, covering the
first quarter-mile in 24.0 seconds and quickening slightly down the lane.

Washonn Rochester, assistant to Joseph, said
Skippylongstocking checked all the boxes before heading West.

“I thought he worked good. We worked him in company with a
decent filly. He did what we wanted to do and galloped out nicely,” Rochester
said. “He was outside of The Queens M G, and he did exactly what the rider
asked. Just sit off. He can be a bit keen. And then when they get down the
lane, just finish up together and gallop out the five-eighths. I think we are
on the right path.”

Breeders’ Cup Distaff candidate Batucada breezed a half-mile
in 48.2 seconds solo on the Oklahoma, with splits of 12.6, 23.6, 48.2 and
1:01.4.

“She worked excellent. We worked her alone,” Rochester said.
“The same thing, exactly what we wanted to do, she got it done. She can be a
bit fast at times. She can be rank. Today it was perfect and executed well.”

Batacuda was pre-entered for the Distaff while also eyeing
the one-mile Bayakoa (G3) on next Saturday’s Del Mar undercard.

As for The Queens M G, Joseph has said the
dominant winner of the Adirondack (G3) in August at the Spa likely will turn to
the one-mile listed Tempted next Saturday at the Big A.

Belmont Park

Undefeated 2-year-old May Day Ready worked a
half-mile in 49.6 seconds Friday over the Belmont Park dirt training track in
preparation for a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf next Friday at
Del Mar.

Owned by KatieRich Stables and trained by Joe Lee, the Tapit
bay will look to parlay her win-and-you’re-in, nose score in the Jessamine (G2)
on Oct. 4 at Keeneland to a first Breeders’ Cup win for the conditioner with
his first starter. Frankie Dettori, aboard for all three starts, will retain
the mount at Del Mar.

May Day Ready, with her regular exercise rider Yosuke Ito
up, worked head and head this morning to the outside of Luis Cardenas-piloted
maiden Change Your Name.

“She backed up to the seven-eighths and galloped to the
half-mile pole. They were basically head-and-head the whole way,” Lee said. “It
was a good work, and I was happy with that. … She seems to have come out of
the breeze in good order. We’ll take a good look at her tomorrow, and if all is
well, she’ll be leaving on Sunday.”

Keeneland

Two horses pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup breezed a
half-mile each Friday morning over Keeneland’s fast main track.

For trainer Rodolphe Brisset, Forego (G1) winner Mullikin,
who is pointed to next Saturday’s Sprint, worked in 47.6 seconds in company
with World Record, who was clocked at 47.8 seconds. Keeneland clockers
caught Mullikin in fractions of 24.4, 36.2, 47.6 and out five furlongs in
1:00.6.

“That is what we were looking for. Nothing fancy,” Brisset
said. “He did it very easily with his regular exercise rider (Pedro Álvarez).
We are where we need to be.”

A winner of his last four races including the John A. Nerud
(G2) in July at the Belmont at the Big A meet, Mullikin is owned by Siena Farm
and WinStar Farm.

Earlier on Friday, undefeated Juvenile Fillies Turf
candidate Kilwin, winner of the $1 million Untapable at Kentucky Downs in
September, covered a half-mile in 48.6 seconds under exercise rider Karine
Continaud.

“The work was fine,” trainer Rusty Arnold said. “Very smooth.
No issues. Nice easy half. She did her major work last week (in 48.4 seconds). Today
was just to keep her in good shape. We weren’t looking for anything spectacular.
Just a maintenance work.”

Arnold was pleased with how Bregman Family Racing’s Totally
Justified, also aimed for the Juvenile Fillies Turf, came out of her Thursday training.

“She galloped this morning,” Arnold said about the runner-up
in Keeneland’s Jessamine (G2). “She was so full of energy that we didn’t even
give her a day off. She went back to the track and was happy.”

Also Friday, Filly & Mare Sprint possibility Pandora’s
Gift went for a strong gallop for owner-trainer Stuart Williams. In her most
recent race she was third in Keeneland’s Franklin (G2) on Oct. 13.

Mullikin, Kilwin, Totally Justified and Pandora’s Gift are
scheduled to depart Keeneland for Del Mar on Monday.

On Wednesday a 25 percent interest in Kilwin and the entire
ownership of Pandora’s Gift will be offered at Keeneland’s inaugural championship
sale at Del Mar.

Graded-stakes winners

There were 24 graded-stakes winners across the U.S. on the
Friday work tab.

Fierceness (City of Light), a three-time Grade 1
winner (2024 Travers, 2024 Florida Derby, 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile), worked
four furlongs in 48.9 seconds at Saratoga. It was the eighth fastest of 24
works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs
at Saratoga. In his last start he won the Travers (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the
main track at Saratoga on Aug. 24 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Far Bridge (English Channel), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Joe
Hirsch Turf Classic, 2024 Sword Dancer, 2023 Belmont Derby Invitational),
worked five furlongs in 1:02.1 on turf at Saratoga. It was the faster of two
works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs
at Saratoga. In his last start he won the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) going 1
1/2 miles on the turf at Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 28 for trainer
Christophe Clément.

Immersive (Nyquist), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Alcibiades,
2024 Spinaway), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Churchill Downs. It was the
12th fastest of 33 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago
going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she won the
Alcibiades (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 4 for
trainer Brad Cox.

East Avenue (Medaglia d’Oro), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Breeders’
Futurity), worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Churchill Downs. It was the fifth
fastest of 33 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going
four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he won the Breeders’
Futurity (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 5 for
trainer Brendan Walsh.

Mullikin (Violence), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Forego), worked four
furlongs in 47.6 seconds at Keeneland. It was the second fastest of 42 works at
the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at
Keeneland. In his last start he won the Forego (G1) going seven furlongs on the
main track at Saratoga on Aug. 24 for trainer Rodolphe Brisset.

Stilleto Boy (Shackleford), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Santa Anita
Handicap), worked five furlongs in 1:00.4 at Turfway Park. It was the fastest
of 15 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five
furlongs at Turfway Park. In his last start he placed seventh in the Lukas
Classic (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Sept. 28
for trainer Ed Moger Jr.

Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), a three-time Grade 2 winner (2024
Charles Town Classic, 2024 Oaklawn Handicap, 2023 Charles Town Classic), worked
four furlongs in 47.9 seconds at Saratoga. It was the fastest of 24 works at
the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at
Saratoga. In his last start he placed second in the Woodward (G2) going 1 1/8
miles on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 28 for trainer Saffie
Joseph Jr.

Arzak (Not This Time), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2024 Shakertown,
2023 Woodford), worked three furlongs in 37.2 seconds at Fair Hill. It was the
fastest of three works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago
going four furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start he placed third in the
Woodford (G2) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 5 for
trainer Michael Trombetta.

Public Sector (Kingman), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2021 Hill
Prince, 2021 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame), worked four furlongs in
50.3 seconds at Palm Meadows. It was the 26th fastest of 37 works at the
distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Palm
Meadows. In his last start he placed seventh in the Seagram Cup (G2) going 1
1/16 miles on the synthetic at Woodbine on July 27 for trainer Joseph.

Baby Yoda (Prospective), a Grade 2 winner (2024 True North), worked
four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the 41st fastest of 84
works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at
Belmont Park. In his last start he placed fourth in the Vosburgh (G3) going
seven furlongs on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 28 for
trainer Bill Mott.

Can Group (Good Samaritan), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Bourbon), worked
four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Palm Meadows. It was the 32nd fastest of 37
works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going three furlongs
at Casse Training Center. In his last start he placed ninth in the Audubon
going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 1 for trainer Mark
Casse.

High Oak (Gormley), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Saratoga Special),
worked four furlongs in 51.0 seconds at Fair Hill. It was the eighth fastest of
13 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four
furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race
going seven furlongs on the main track at Aqueduct on Jan. 6 for trainer Bill
Mott.

May Day Ready (Tapit), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Jessamine), worked
four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the 50th fastest of 84
works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last
start she won the Jessamine (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Keeneland on
Oct. 4 for trainer Joe Lee.

Señor Buscador (Mineshaft), a Grade 2 winner (2023 San Diego
Handicap), worked six furlongs in 1:12.0 at Del Mar. It was the only work at
the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Santa
Anita. In his last start he placed fifth in the California Crown (G1) going 1
1/8 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Sept. 28 for trainer Todd Fincher.

Tiz the Bomb (Hit It a Bomb), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Bourbon),
worked four furlongs in 48.9 seconds at Palm Meadows. It was the 13th fastest
of 37 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In
his last start he won a claiming race going one mile and 70 yards on the
synthetic at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 11 for trainer José D’Angelo.

World Record (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Amsterdam),
worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Keeneland. It was the fifth fastest of
42 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his
last start he won an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at
Keeneland on Oct. 10 for Brisset.

Alpha Bella (Justify), a Grade 3 winner (2024 La Prevoyante),
worked five furlongs in 59.8 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the fifth fastest
of 37 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five
furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she placed second in the Zenyatta
(G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Sept. 29 for trainer
John Sadler.

Angel Nadeshiko (Carpe Diem), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Robert J.
Frankel), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Palm Meadows. It was the
eighth fastest of 37 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days
ago going four furlongs at Palm Meadows. In her last start she placed seventh
in the Ginger Punch going 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic at Gulfstream Park on
Sept. 21 for Joseph.

Artislas (Catalina Cruiser), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Del Mar
Juvenile Turf), worked five furlongs in 59.4 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the
fastest of 37 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going
four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed third in the Zuma
Beach (G3) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 6 for trainer Jeff
Mullins.

Comparative (Street Sense), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Bayakoa), worked
four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 54th fastest of 86
works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going three furlongs
at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed fourth in the Top Flight going
1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on April 14 for Cox.

Getaway Car (Curlin), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Best Pal), worked five
furlongs in 1:00.6 at Santa Anita. It was the 13th fastest of 37 works at the
distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Santa
Anita. In his last start he placed second in the American Pharoah (G1) going 1
1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 5 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Jonathan’s Way (Vekoma), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Iroquois), worked
four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 37th fastest of 86
works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs
at Churchill Downs. In his last start he won the Iroquois (G3) going one mile
on the main track at Churchill Downs on Sept. 14 for trainer Phil Bauer.

Red Flag (Tamarkuz), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Bob Hope), worked five
furlongs in 1:00.4 at Santa Anita. It was the 12th fastest of 37 works at the
distance. His previous work was 19 days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita.
In his last start he won an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main
track at Del Mar on Sept. 7 for Mullins.

The Queens M G (Thousand Words), a Grade 3 winner (2024
Adirondack), worked four furlongs in 47.9 seconds at Saratoga. It was the
fastest of 24 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going
four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed fifth in the Spinaway
(G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 31 for Joseph.