Vequist, Fire At Will Notch First Works as 3-Year-Olds

Two winners of Breeders' Cup races for 2-year-olds at Keeneland, Vequist and Fire At Will, resumed breezing Jan. 9 in South Florida, their first steps toward running as 3-year-olds.

Vequist, who captured the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), a win expected to propel her to an Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly, breezed four furlongs on a fast track at Palm Meadows Training Center in :49.45. The Butch Reid-trained daughter of Nyquist  also won last year's Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course for owners Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, and Swilcan Stable.

"She had a really nice easy half a mile this morning," Reid said. "She did it very well, just what I was looking for, a nice and easy first half-mile. Real happy with her first move."

Three Diamonds Farm's Fire At Will worked at Gulfstream Park, where he was timed in :53.42 for a half-mile. The Mike Maker trainee was a three-time stakes winner last year, capturing the off-the-turf With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga, the Pilgrim Stakes (G2T) at Belmont Park, and the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf Presented by Coolmore America (G1T).

Maker said the slow breeze was by design, and he intends to have the Declaration of War colt pick up the tempo in a breeze next week.

"He looks super. The rest did him well," Maker added.

Although his connections have not settled on a specific spot to begin his year, they may try him at some stage in a race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby provided he trains on dirt to their satisfaction.

Reid is pointing Vequist for Gulfstream's Feb. 27 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) over a one-turn mile.