Highland Falls, whose Group 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup win last
month qualified him for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, breezed Friday morning at Churchill
Downs as he continues to train for the $7 million race Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
Trained by Brad Cox for breeder-owner Godolphin, the
4-year-old Curlin colt went five furlongs in 1:01.6 on the fast main track. In
his first two breezes after his Sept. 1 victory at Saratoga, he worked
half-miles in 49.8 and 48.6 seconds.
Highland Falls was one of the 27 graded-stakes winners who
had timed works Friday in the U.S. and Canada.
Highland Falls (Curlin), a Grade 1 winner (2024
Jockey Club Gold Cup), worked five furlongs in 1:01.6 at Churchill Downs on
Friday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 20 works at the distance. His
previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his
last start he won the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main
track at Saratoga on Sept. 1 for trainer Brad Cox.
Stilleto Boy (Shackleford), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Santa Anita
Handicap), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Turfway Park. It was the
38th fastest of 43 works at the distance. This was his first work since his
last race. 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.
Tapit Trice (Tapit), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Blue Grass), worked
four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the fifth fastest of 55
works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last
start he won the Woodward (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Belmont
at the Big A on Sept. 28 for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Crupi (Curlin), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Suburban), worked four
furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the fifth fastest of 55 works
at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start
he placed third in the Woodward (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at
Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 28 for Pletcher.
Gun Song (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Black-Eyed Susan), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Belmont Park. It was
the eighth fastest of 55 works at the distance. This was her first work since
her last race. In her last start she placed second in the Cotillion (G1) going
1 1/16 miles on the main track at Parx Racing on Sept. 21 for trainer Mark
Hennig.
Hit Show (Candy Ride), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Lukas Classic),
worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 29th
fastest of 102 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last
race. In his last start he won the Lukas Classic (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the
main track at Churchill Downs on Sept. 28 for Cox.
Maryquitecontrary (First Dude), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Inside
Information), worked four furlongs in 47.2 seconds at Gulfstream Park. It was
the fastest of seven works at the distance. This was her first work since her
last race. In her last start she placed fifth in the Princess Rooney
Invitational (G3) going seven furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on
Sept. 21 for trainer Eddie Plesa.
Moira (Ghostzapper), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Beverly D.), worked
five furlongs in 58.6 seconds at Woodbine. It was the fastest of 18 works at
the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at
Woodbine. In her last start she placed second in the E. P. Taylor (G1) going 1
1/4 miles on the turf at Woodbine on Sept. 14 for trainer Kevin Attard.
Musical Mischief (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Locust
Grove), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the
14th fastest of 102 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago
going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she won the Locust
Grove (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Sept. 14
for trainer Michael McCarthy.
Neat (Constitution), a Grade 2 winner (2024 National Museum of
Racing Hall of Fame), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Keeneland. It was
the 28th fastest of 46 works at the distance. His previous work was six days
ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed third in the
Global Tote Gun Runner going one mile on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 8
for trainer Rob Atras.
Red Route One (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2024 New Orleans
Classic), worked four furlongs in 51.2 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the
92nd fastest of 102 works at the distance. His previous work was 26 days ago
going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he won the Prairie
Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Prairie
Meadows on July 6 for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Steal Sunshine (Constitution), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Gulfstream
Park Mile), worked four furlongs in 48.3 seconds at Gulfstream Park. It was the
second fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was six days
ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he placed fifth
in the Stephen Foster (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill
Downs on June 29 for trainer Bobby Dibona.
Trademark (Upstart), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Clark), worked four
furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Keeneland. It was the 15th fastest of 46 works at
the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he
placed fourth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at
Churchill Downs on Sept. 25 for trainer Vicki Oliver.
Goliad (War Front), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Mint Millions,
2024 Thunder Road), worked six furlongs in 1:12.8 at Santa Anita. It was the
only work at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four
furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Mint Millions (G3) going
one mile on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7 for trainer Richard Mandella.
Hopper (Declaration of War), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023
Oaklawn Mile, 2022 Affirmed), worked three furlongs in 35.8 seconds at Woodbine.
It was the fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was seven
days ago going three furlongs at Woodbine. In his last start he won the Oaklawn
Mile (G3) going one mile on the main track at Oaklawn on April 1 for trainer
Bob Baffert.
Repo Rocks (Tapiture), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Westchester,
2023 Toboggan), worked four furlongs in 46.9 seconds at Parx Racing. It was the
fastest of 26 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last
race. In his last start he placed second in the Parx Dirt Mile going one mile
on the main track at Parx Racing on Sept. 21 for trainer Jamie Ness.
Yes I Am Free (Uncaptured), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023
Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint, 2022 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint), worked three
furlongs in 36.0 seconds at Palm Meadows. It was the sixth fastest of 14 works
at the distance. His previous work was 14 days ago going three furlongs at Palm
Meadows. In his last start he placed eighth in the Mighty Beau going five
furlongs on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 8 for trainer Laura Cazares.
Alpha Bella (Justify), a Grade 3 winner (2024 La Prevoyante),
worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the fourth fastest
of 18 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. 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.
Bizzee Channel (English Channel), a Grade 3 winner (2021
Arlington), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Turfway Park. It was the
28th fastest of 43 works at the distance. This was his first work since his
last race. In his last start he placed third in a starter allowance race going
1 1/16 miles on the turf at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Sept. 19 for trainer
Jonathan Thomas.
Dean Delivers (Cajun Breeze), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Smile Sprint),
worked four furlongs in 51.8 seconds at Delaware Park. It was the 29th fastest
of 38 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In
his last start he placed third in the Vosburgh (G3) going seven furlongs on the
main track at Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 28 for trainer Edward Allard.
Happy American (Runhappy), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Louisiana),
worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 78th
fastest of 102 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last
race. In his last start he placed eighth in the Lukas Classic (G2) going 1 1/8
miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Sept. 28 for trainer Neil Pessin.
Heroic Move (Quality Road), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Steve Sexton
Mile), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Keeneland. It was the 10th
fastest of 46 works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going
five furlongs at Louisiana Downs. In his last start he placed second in the
West Virginia Governor’s (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at
Mountaineer on Aug. 4 for trainer Robertino Diodoro.
Hidden Connection (Connect), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Pocahontas),
worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 68th
fastest of 102 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago
going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed 12th in
the One Dreamer going one mile and 70 yards on the turf at Kentucky Downs on
Sept. 5 for trainer Bret Calhoun.
Jonathan’s Way (Vekoma), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Iroquois), worked
five furlongs in 1:01.6 at Churchill Downs. It was the eighth fastest of 20
works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four 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.
La Cara (Street Sense), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Pocahontas), worked
five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Churchill Downs. It was the fourth fastest of 20
works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs
at Churchill Downs. In her last start she won the Pocahontas (G3) going one
mile on the main track at Churchill Downs on Sept. 14 for trainer Mark Casse.
Liberal Arts (Arrogate), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Street Sense),
worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Churchill Downs. It was the fifth fastest of
20 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four
furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed sixth in the Lexington
(G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 13 for trainer
Robbie Medina.
Runninsonofagun (Gun Runner), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Bold Ruler),
worked four furlongs in 47.0 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the fastest of 55
works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last
start he placed third in an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main
track at Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 19 for trainer John Toscano Jr.
A renowned bloodstock agent, Donato Lanni is a familiar sight at Thoroughbred auctions, regularly inspecting and later bidding on young equine prospects.
DEL MAR LEADERS (Through Sunday) Jockeys / Wins Hector Berrios / 6 Antonio Fresu / 6 Kazushi Kimura / 5 Tiago Pereira / 4 Juan Hernandez / 4 Umberto Rispoli / 4
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has had luck in the past in this Saturday’s feature at Del Mar, the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Heâ€
Photo: NYRA / Coglianese Photo Locked, winner of an optional-claiming allowance race at Aqueduct last month in his first start of the