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Ward Runners Out on Keeneland Turf

| 5:30 pm

Undrafted (Outside) Trainer: Wesley A. Ward Owner: Welker, Wes, and Kumin, Sol Breeder: Catesby W. Clay Investment LLC Green Mask (Inside) Trainer: Wesley A. Ward Owner: Abdullah Saeed Almaddah Breeder: D. J. Stable, LLC

Trainer Wesley Ward’s six horses pre-entered horses for Breeders’ Cup weekend made appearances over the Keeneland turf Sunday. “Everything went great,” Ward said.

The barn’s 2-year-olds Sheikh of Sheikhs (Discreetly Mine) and two-time stakes winner Ruby Notion (Great Notion) worked in company, going five furlongs in 1:01.80 (video). Sheikh of Sheikhs was pre-entered but not selected into the GI Breeders’ Juvenile Turf and is expected to start in Saturday’s Juvenile Dirt Sprint. Ruby Notion, coming off wins in the Colleen S. and Selima S., is aiming for the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Also working in company were Ward’s horses pointed at the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint: stakes winner Green Mask (Mizzen Mast) and G1 Diamond Jubilee S. winner Undrafted (Purim). Clockers caught the pair going five furlongs in 1:01.80 with an out time of 1:16 (video).

Completing Ward’s Breeders’ Cup contingent, The Great War (War Front) and Judy the Beauty (Ghostzapper) galloped over Keeneland’s turf course Sunday. Judy the Beauty, attempting to defend her title in the GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Sprint, is expected to work Monday morning.

Ward, who has been based at Keeneland for several years, acknowledged his horses could enjoy a home-field advantage this weekend.

“It’s a Breeders’ Cup,” Ward smiled. “They’re coming from all over the world with the world’s best. You’re always crossing your fingers, but you try to get them there the best you can and hope that racing luck gets you there.”