BC Juvenile Quartet Tunes Up at Keeneland

Reddam Racing’s GI Hopeful S. winner Ralis (Square Eddie) was the first of four GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile contenders to work at Keeneland Friday morning when covering five furlongs in 1:00.80 (5/17).

Working alone under Kieren Fallon, the Doug O’Neill pupil ticked off splits of :12.40, :24.40, :36.60, 1:00.80 and galloped out six panels in 1:14.80 (Video).

“I’m happy, Kieren’s happy and Doug is even happier,” assistant trainer Jack Sisterson said. “His other horses [Nyquist (Uncle Mo) and Sharla Rae (Afleet Alex)] are working this morning at Santa Anita and will be here Sunday.”

Richard Ravin and Patricia’s Hope’s recent GIII Iroquois S. hero Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John) was next up, breezing a half-mile in :49.20 (20/39). With Jose Valdivia Jr. in the irons, the bay clocked splits of :24.40 and :49.20 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.60.

“We’re ready,” said trainer Larry Rivelli, who has never saddled a Breeders’ Cup starter. “Jose said when he was coming down the lane, he was talking to him all the way, ‘Whoa, whoa.’ ”

Cocked and Loaded was followed by GI Champagne S. victor Greenpointcrusader (Bernardini), who worked a best-of-39 four furlongs in :46.20 under jockey Joe Bravo. Working a day earlier than expected due to a rainy Saturday forecast, the Dominick Schettino trainee registered splits of :11.40 and :23.30 (Video).

“That was awesome,” Bravo said. “I threw him a little cross at the wire to ask the question about what he had left and he answered it and saved some for next week.”

Last, but not least, from the Juvenile contingent was GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity fourth-place finisher Sticksstatelydude (First Dude), who completed four panels in :47.20 (3/39). With Lark Carroll aboard for trainer Greg Burchell, the bay was caught in splits of :11.80, :23.80, :47.20 and galloped out in 1:00.20.

“I’m happy with it,” said Burchell, who will school the colt in the gate next week. “The key thing with him is to get him to settle and make one run.”