Dayoutoftheoffice, Essential Quality Breeze for BC

A week before their time on the Breeders' Cup stage at Keeneland Nov. 6 during "Future Stars Friday," some of the country's leading 2-year-olds breezed in Kentucky Oct. 30.

The action included drills from grade 1 winners Essential Quality and Dayoutoftheoffice in preparation for the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare (G1) and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), respectively. The former went five furlongs in 1:01 over a good track at Churchill Downs, while the latter went the same distance in 1:00 2/5 at Keeneland in the mud.

WATCH: Dayoutoftheoffice Works for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies  

Dayoutoftheoffice, 3-for-3, won the July 16 Schuylerville Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Race Course and the Oct. 10 Frizette Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park following a debut victory at Gulfstream Park May 14 for trainer Tim Hamm. Hamm co-owns her with her breeders, Siena Farm.

"I think it was her best work. She finished up really strong and galloped out great," the trainer said. "I weighed working today and went out and looked at the track twice and saw it was opened up. Plus, the timing was a lot better today."

Hear from Trainer Tim Hamm who was very pleased following Dayoutoftheoffice's workout this morning @KeenelandRacing in preparation for the BC Juvenile Fillies! @scotttvg

Breakfast at the Breeders' Cup now continues on TVG. @WinStarFarm pic.twitter.com/7SIP2h7TTI

— TVG (@TVG) October 30, 2020

The Juvenile Fillies, a race in which Junior Alvarado has the return ride, will be her first start running beyond a mile and around two turns.

"We would have run in Alcibiades had the timing been a little bit different," Hamm said of the Darley-sponsored 1 1/16-mile race at Keeneland Oct. 2. "We are looking forward to two turns."

By Into Mischief , Dayoutoftheoffice will represent the first Breeders' Cup starter for Hamm, an Ohio native, who won the 2009 Appalachian Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland at the Lexington oval.

"It is close by for us and I always like coming to Keeneland," he said. "Having the Breeders' Cup here is perfect for us."

Essential Quality, winner of the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) for Godolphin, was one of several Breeders' Cup-pointed 2-year-olds to breeze for trainer Brad Cox. The Tapit  colt finished just ahead of graded-winning turf horse Mr. Misunderstood during an in-company drill.

Others to work for the trainer included Albarta, who went a half-mile in :47 3/5 for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Presented by Coolmore America (G1), and Aunt Pearl, who breezed a half in :48 3/5. Albarta was a last-out second in the Bourbon Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland for owners Donegal Racing and Newton Anner Stud Farm, and Aunt Pearl captured the Jessamine Stakes (G2T) for Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Peter Deutsch, Michael Kisber, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables.  

"We have some really nice 2-year-olds in our barn this year," Cox said. "A lot of them have already shown early promise.

"Essential Quality is growing up well. He's continuing to learn and I'm very pleased with how he's progressing. He has a ton of raw talent which he's shown in both of his starts. We added blinkers to him over the summer to help him focus a little bit more and they've really helped. We have experience around two turns and we have experience at Keeneland, which is always helpful. It's 1 1/16 miles, so it's a short stretch. You need to be in position when you turn for home.

"Abarta had a really nice late kick in the Bourbon to run second. He didn't have the best of trips but really (faced) some adversity that afternoon. I think it's good he has already run well over that course. 

"Aunt Pearl acted like she could really run at the start. She and Essential Quality were two of them that really jumped out to us early in their training and showed they have some ability. The good ones kind of do that—they'll let you know there is a lot of talent there. Given the pedigree, we were optimistic she'd be able to carry her speed around two turns. We thought about taking her to Saratoga over the summer but when Churchill's condition book came out I thought it might be better to keep her at home. It's turned out really well so far."

Also on the Friday work tab at Churchill were trainer Dale Romans' 2-year-old Breeders' Cup prospects, who all worked a half-mile: Girl Daddy (:48 1/5), Sittin On Go (:47 2/5), and Smiley Sobotka (:47 3/5).  Girl Daddy is bound for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and the other two are headed to the Juvenile.

Trainer Mark Casse also worked Juvenile Fillies Turf contender Spanish Loveaffair four furlongs in :48 3/5. 

More than two inches of rain fell in the Louisville area Oct. 29 and it caused several trainers to alter their training for their Breeders' Cup contenders. According to Churchill Downs publicity, there are 27 Breeders' Cup contenders scheduled to work there Oct. 31, including leading females Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver and Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) prospects By My Standards, Global Campaign , Title Ready, and Tom's d'Etat .