Hard Not to Like Works; Cup Possible

Speedway Stable’s Hard Not to Like (Hard Spun), a two-time Grade I winner this term, tuned up for a possible start in the Oct. 31 GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Turf with a five-furlong work at Belmont Sunday in 1:02.98.

“She had a nice maintenance work, nothing special,” trainer Christophe Clement said of the move. “She looked well to me. She seems to have come back in good order.”

Purchased for $1.5 million at last year’s Keeneland November sale, Hard Not to Like has won this year’s GI Gamely S. and GI Diana S. She most recently disappointed as the favorite when coming home eighth in the Sept. 26 GI Rodeo Drive S.

“The plan is to work her back next week on the turf before I make a final decision, but I will speak with Mr. [Peter] Fluor and we will decide if we want to pre-enter for the Breeders’ Cup on Monday,” said Clement.

Hard Not to Like is catalogued as hip 79 in this year’s Keeneland November sale.