Final Works for Brown’s BC Contingent

Chad Brown, who has the most Breeders’ Cup entries of any trainer this year with 14, supervised 10 of those contenders during their final works for the championships Saturday morning at Belmont.

Leading the calvary were GI Breeders’ Cup Turf contenders Big Blue Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) and Slumber (GB) (Cacique {Ire}), who most recently finished first and second, respectively, in Belmont’s GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. Sept. 26. The duo worked together going a half-mile on the main track, with Big Blue Kitten stopping the clock in :50.33 (30/47) and Slumber going just the slightest bit slower in :50.34 (31/47).

“They’ve been working on the dirt since the Hirsch, just maintenance works,” Brown said. “Big Blue Kitten always works on the dirt. Slumber’s had a long year and the horse is doing fantastic, so it’s just some maintenance. I think they make a good team. It was more of the same from them, just an easy half and both horses cooled out real happy.”

Brown’s third BC Turf contender Shining Copper (Aragorn {Ire}) also breezed a half-mile on the main track, covering the distance in :50.54 (39/47).

The New York-based conditioner also has a trio of runners for the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, all of whom also worked Saturday. Last term’s F/M Turf runner-up Stephanie’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy), winner of the GI Flower Bowl Invitational S. here last time Oct. 3, drilled five furlongs on the turf in company with Dacita (Chi) (Scat Daddy). Dacita went slightly better, covering the distance in 1:03.66 (7/8), while Stephanie’s Kitten was timed in 1:03.76 (8/8).

“They broke off a touch slow,” Brown said. “The fractions were a touch off early, but from there the riders picked it up and they worked well through the lane. They galloped out well and cooled out great.”

Rounding out the F/M Turf group was GI Beverly D. S. heroine Watsdachances (Ire) (Diamond Green {Fr}), who worked in company with GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf hopeful Last Waltz (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The pair breezed five furlongs on the turf in 1:03.23 (5/8).

“Both of them worked really well,” said Brown. “It was only the second time we’ve worked Last Waltz since receiving her and she’s done terrific. She had a nice work last week and this week she’s improved even more. I like what I see from her.”

GII Gallant Bloom H. runner-up Wavell Avenue (Harlington) went four panels on the main track in :48.98 (12/47) in advance of the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

“Beautiful half,” said Brown. “She’s just done maintenance since her second-place finish here in the Gallant Bloom. I love the way she’s coming into the race.”

Brown’s final two workers of the day were 2-year-olds Ray’s the Bar (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus{) and Llanita (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), who will run in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, respectively. The duo covered five furlongs on the turf in 1:02.12 (2/8).

“They worked terrific,” Brown said. “Almost an identical work to last week’s, both of them had plenty left.”