Trainer Chad Brown sent half of his eight-strong Breeders' Cup contingent out to work Sunday at Belmont, with GI Breeders' Cup Turf contenders Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Money Multiplier (Lookin at Lucky) working five furlongs in company in 1:02.85 over the inner turf. Flintshire, the likely morning-line favorite for Saturday's Turf, is coming off a runner-up effort in the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. Money Multiplier checked in fourth in that Oct. 1 race.
“They looked really good, it was just maintenance for them but they worked fine,” Brown said.
GI Breeders' Cup F/M Turf hopefuls Sea Calisi (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}), winner of the GI Beverly D. S. and GI Flower Bowl Invitational winner Lady Eli (Divine Park) also worked in company over the inner turf course Sunday, breezing five furlongs in 1:03.03.
“They worked together last week well, so I did the same thing this week,” Brown said. “Both horses look very, very strong.”
Brown said eight of his Breeders' Cup contingent will ship out to California Sunday, with Flintshire and Lady Eli departing on Tuesday.
“As long as they come out of the works OK, knock on wood, everything looks good,” Brown said. “All the breezing went well.”
Other Breeders' Cup contenders working at Belmont Sunday:
Al Shaqab Racing and Gerard Augustin Normand's Ectot (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) (Turf), who upset Flintshire in the Turf Classic, went a half-mile in :49.95 over the inner turf course.
“He breezed well and appears to be in great form at the moment,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “He's got a great action, he breezed great and galloped out strongly. He's done everything you would hope after the Turf Classic win. He's come back and trained super.”
Ectot is set to ship to California Tuesday, along with fellow Pletcher Breeders' Cup runners Keen Ice (Curlin) (Classic), Photo Call (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (Mile), Sweet Loretta (Tapit) (14 Hands Winery Juvenile Fillies), Syndergaard (Majesticperfection) and Theory (Gemologist) (both for the Sentient Jet Juvenile). Curalina (Curlin), likely for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, and Juvenile Turf hopefuls Made You Look (Night and Day) and J. S. Choice (Congrats) left for California Sunday morning.
GI Breeders' Cup Mile contender Ironicus (Distorted Humor), coming off runner-up efforts in the June 11 GI Woodford Reserve Manhattan S. and Oct. 8 GI Shadwell Turf Mile, worked four furlongs over the main Belmont track Sunday in :47.88.
“We're disappointed we lost the summer, but all his races have been good,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “Maybe this weekend, it'll be his turn. We feel good about our position. He's done well since his last race here. We'll get him shipped out there. It shouldn't be a problem; we're looking forward to the opportunity.”
Among the Breeders' Cup hopefuls tuning up at Santa Anita Sunday:
GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile contender Dortmund (Big Brown) went four furlongs in :47 flat. Baffert stablemate and GI Sprint runner Drefong (Gio Ponti), working in company with Grade I winner Mor Spirit (Eskendereya), went four furlongs in :47.40. Also working for Baffert, F/M Sprint entrant Enchanting Lady (Tale of the Cat) went four furlongs in :47.40.
Carina Mia (Malibu Moon) (Distaff) worked four furlongs in :47.60 for trainer Bill Mott.
Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}), working for Steve Asmussen, went four furlongs in :48.40.
GI Sprint hopeful Masochistic (Sought After) worked five furlongs from the gate Saturday in 1:00 flat.
“Two works back he worked from the gate,” trainer Ron Ellis explained. “I've done it to keep him sharp because he hasn't run in a while [since Aug. 27 GII Pat O'Brien H.]. It's kind of a routine I've done with him when he's had breaks before and it's worked. As far as I'm concerned, he couldn't be better.”
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