Breeders’ Cup Bulletin 10/18/14

· With Hall of Famer Mike Smith aboard, two-time champion Beholder (Henny Hughes) breezed a bullet seven furlongs in 1:23.80 starting behind two workmates at Santa Anita. “She galloped out a mile in [one] 38 and looked really good,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “She’ll have another work; I don’t know when or how long, but it won’t be like this.” The bay successfully defended her title in the GI Zenyatta S. Sept. 27 and in doing so earned herself a chance to attempt a second title defense in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff Oct. 31. 

· GI Breeders’ Cup Classic hopeful California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) worked six panels at his Los Alamitos base in 1:12.20 under regular pilot Victor Espinoza yesterday. “It was just what I wanted,” conditioner Art Sherman said. “He’ll have one more before the Breeders’ Cup.” Winner of both the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S., the chestnut was last seen finishing sixth in the GII Pennsylvania Derby Sept. 20. 

· Hong Kong invader Rich Tapestry (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) breezed five furlongs under exercise rider Vincent Sit in 1:01.40 at Santa Anita yesterday morning. “He went exactly according to plan,” said trainer Leonard Powell, whose care the gelding has been under during his time in the U.S. “We wanted to him to start easy and have a strong finish behind another horse (Romar Success). He did it very easily and the horse is pretty fit now, so from here on it’s about maintenance and keeping him happy.” Aiming for the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint, the bay upset last term’s GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Goldencents (Into Mischief) in his American debut in the GI Santa Anita Sprint Championship Oct. 4. 

·Two-time GI Vosburgh Invitational S. winner Private Zone (Macho Uno) fired a six-furlong bullet from the gate in 1:09.40 under regular rider Martin Pedroza yesterday in Arcadia. “He went good, but a little faster than I wanted him to go,” trainer Alfredo Velazquez said of the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint contender. “He’ll have one more breeze next Saturday. Then he’ll be ready for the money.” 

· Candy Boy (Candy Ride {Arg}) went six furlongs in 1:10.40 at Santa Anita under pilot Corey Nakatani in preparation for a possible start in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 1. “He worked good,” trainer John Sadler said. “He worked in company and he got a fast three-quarters. We’ll decide by tomorrow [whether to pre-enter on Monday for the Classic].” Winner of the GII Robert B. Lewis S. earlier this term, the bay finished a close third last time in the GII Pennsylvania Derby Sept. 20. 

·Trained and owned by Phil Sims in partnership with Jerry Namy, GI Juddmonte Spinster S. upsetter Don’t Tell Sophia (Congaree) worked four panels in :48.80 under jockey Joe Rocco Jr. yesterday at Keeneland. The 6-year-old posted splits of :12.60, :25.20 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.20. “Good and easy. I am just trying to get her there,” Sims said. “She will probably have a similar work next Saturday with a strong gallop during the week.” The bay’s Spinster victory secured her a spot in the gate for the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff Oct. 31 and she will ship to Santa Anita Oct. 26. Click here for video. 

· GI Breeders’ Cup Mile contender Grand Arch (Arch) breezed a half-mile over Keeneland’s main track in :52.20 under jockey Julien Leparoux. “That is the first time I’ve had him on the dirt, and I just wanted to let him stretch his legs,” trainer Brian Lynch said. “He is not very aggressive on his own. He will do a little more next week, five-eighths, and tighten the screws a bit.” Last seen finishing second to two-time reigning Horse of the Year and Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Wise Dan (Wiseman’s Ferry) in this venue’s GI Shadwell Turf Mile Oct. 4, the bay will work again next Saturday and leave for California Oct. 28. With the defection of defending champion Wise Dan due to injury, Hall of Famer John Velazquez will be aboard Grand Arch for the Mile. 

· Ashbrook Farm’s Southern Honey (Colonel John) breezed a half-mile in :46.80 and galloped out five furlongs in :58.80 in Lexington under pilot Julien Leparoux. Most recently second in the GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. here Oct. 4, the GIII Winning Colors S. heroine is under consideration for the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Nov. 1. “She went slightly quicker than I thought she would,” conditioner Rusty Arnold said. “I am going to meet with the owners tomorrow morning and go over everything and we’ll make a decision.”