Juvenile Champion Corniche Resumes Breezing

Corniche , the champion 2-year-old male of 2021, recorded his first workout as a 3-year-old April 15 at WinStar Training Center, breezing three furlongs in :36 4/5.

The Speedway Stables-owned Quality Road   colt—who went 3-for-3 last year, capped by a front-running victory in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) at Del Mar—began galloping in late January at WinStar in Versailles, Ky.

"He's done really well. With not wanting to rush him to make the (Kentucky) Derby, we're taking it slow, letting him develop physically and let him mature into a 3-year-old," said WinStar farm trainer Destin Heath. "Now he's done everything right. We've got him into the breeze program and he seems to be excelling each and every week." 

Bloodstock agent Marette Farrell, who signed the ticket for Corniche's purchase last year on behalf of Speedway Stables owners Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner, added that the colt is doing "super." Corniche has always carried—and met—high expectations after being sold for $1.5 million from the De Meric Sales consignment at the 2021 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

Farrell said "it would be up to Destin when (Corniche) is ready" to leave the farm. Horses training at WinStar typically receive a foundation of gallops and sometimes short-distance works before heading to the racetrack.

Last year, Corniche raced for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Baffert is currently serving a 90-day suspension for a medication violation involving Medina Spirit in last year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs that resulted in the colt's disqualification. Trainers Tim Takteen and Sean McCarthy are now overseeing horses that had been under Baffert's care in California.

On hand to watch Corniche's breeze was Leah O'Meara of Stonehaven Steadings. Stonehaven Steadings bred the colt with Bart Evans.

"I was practically giddy after seeing him. He floated along effortlessly, as good as he's ever looked," she commented.

Also breezing Friday at WinStar was Americanrevolution , last-out winner of the Dec. 4 Cigar Mile Handicap Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack. He also worked in :36 4/5, though it was not in company with Corniche, Heath said.

"Corniche was at the quarter pole when Americanrevolution was passing the wire," he said of the talent on track at WinStar.

The workout was the second of 2022 for Americanrevolution, a 4-year-old Constitution   colt owned by China Horse Club and WinStar Farm. He is 5-for-7 with earnings of $944,535 for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

"We're looking forward to getting him back to Belmont in the springtime and see what he can do," said Heath. "I would probably think he would have one more breeze, and if he comes out of it well, transition him after that."