Pletcher Runners Have Final BC Works

Five of trainer Todd Pletcher’s Breeders’ Cup hopefuls had their final breezes for next weekend’s championships Thursday.

• Expected GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile favorite Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song) covered five furlongs in 1:01.20 (9/22) (video). “Liam’s Map was outstanding,” Pletcher said. “Got into a very steady rhythm, was very relaxed, very comfortable. I told Javier to let him pick it up a little bit the last part on the radio. [Liam’s Map] just really lengthened his stride, leveled off. Looked good finishing, galloped out exceptionally well. Very, very happy with him.”

• GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff contender Got Lucky (A.P. Indy), winner of the track-and-trip GI Juddmonte Spinster S. last time, breezed four panels in :48.40 (9/27) in company with stablemate Zambian Dream (Chi) (Morning Raider {Ire}). “It was a standard Got Lucky-type breeze,” Pletcher offered. “She’s a filly that knows the difference between practice and game time. That was a typical :49-type half for her–just a maintenance work. I thought her gallop out was good. I think she’s done well since the Spinster.”

• GI Acorn S. winner Curalina (Curlin) is also pre-entered in the Distaff, with her second preference being the GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Sprint. The sophomore worked in :48.20 (5/27) Thursday alongside GII Fayette S. hopeful Race Day (Tapit). “Typical breeze from her,” said Pletcher. “Very straightforward, very much on the bridle throughout. Good gallop out. Pretty much the standard excellent breeze we’ve come to expect from her. She continues to handle the track. Her appetite’s been great here. Think she’s actually put on a few pounds since [finishing second in the GI Beldame Invitational S. Sept. 26]. Very, very pleased.”

• Rounding out Pletcher’s Thursday workers were Azar (Scat Daddy) and Thrilled (Uncle Mo), who are pointing to the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, respectively. They covered four furlongs in tandem in :48 flat (3/27). “They went very well,” he said. “For horses that have run only on the turf so far in their careers, they both handled the dirt here really well. I thought it was a good energetic breeze from both of them.”