Dennis' Moment Tops Breeders' Cup Workers at Churchill

Spotlighted by a five-furlong breeze in :58 4/5 from Iroquois Stakes (G3) winner Dennis' Moment, four Kentucky-based runners geared up at Churchill Downs Oct. 11 for next month's Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita.

Dennis' Moment had the quickest of 42 works at the distance. A "Win And You're In" qualifier by virtue of his Sept. 14 victory at Churchill Downs, he is pointed toward the $2 million TVG Juvenile (G1) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita, where the Dale Romans trainee is expected to be one of the favorites. The 2-year-old son of Tiznow  is owned by Albaugh Family Stables.

"This horse is amazing me, even," Romans said. "He gave me goosebumps watching him work today."

The colt is scheduled to breeze again at Churchill Oct. 18 before flying to California Oct. 20 to complete his training at Santa Anita toward the Juvenile, Romans added.

Others breezing Friday at Churchill included Covfefe, who sped five furlongs in 1:00, and Andesite and Mr. Money, both of whom covered a half-mile in :48. Covfefe, winner of the Longines Test Stakes (G1), is a leading contender for the Nov. 2 Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and Andesite and Mr. Money are probable starters for the Nov. 1 Juvenile Turf (G1T) and Nov. 2 Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile (G1), respectively. Brad Cox trains Covfefe and Andesite, and Bret Calhoun trains Mr. Money.

With Mr. Money unraced beyond 1 1/8 miles, Calhoun considers the Dirt Mile preferable to a race such as the Longines Classic (G1) at a mile and a quarter. "Might be fine, but right now I don't want to be experimenting. I want to go with something we know," he said.

A day earlier, Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Serengeti Empress worked a half-mile in :49 at Churchill toward a start in either the Longines Distaff (G1) or Filly & Mare Sprint. Her trainer, Tom Amoss, intends to pre-enter her in both Nov. 2 races, with the Distaff his first preference.

Thursday, roughly 70 miles away at Keeneland, Apogee Bloodstock and Mike Anderson Racing's Abscond recorded the same time in a four-furlong move on the main track. A nose winner of the Natalma Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine, she is pointed toward the Nov. 1 Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T).

"She worked well yesterday and probably will have one more work here before going to Santa Anita," trainer Eddie Kenneally said.

The daughter of Blame  has raced exclusively on grass, with a maiden score at Ellis Park and a runner-up finish to Kimari in the Bolton Landing Stakes at Saratoga Race Course | BloodHorse.com Track Profile">Saratoga Race Course before taking the Natalma over Walk In Marrakesh, another Keeneland-stabled potential Juvenile Fillies Turf starter.

Abscond is cataloged as a racing prospect in the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, she is Hip 1004, selling Nov. 8.

Kenneally's other Breeders' Cup hope is Joseph Sutton's homebred Scabbard, whose regular training base is Churchill Downs. Aimed for the Juvenile, he has compiled a 1-2-0 record from three starts, with stakes placings in the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) and Iroquois.