Asmussen Trainees Light Up Oct. 16 Keeneland Worktab

Trainer Steve Asmussen, who hopes to build on his record of eight victories in the Breeders' Cup World Championships, had five candidates for this year's event work over Keeneland's main track the morning of Oct. 16.

Grade 1-winning fillies Clairiere  and Society  worked five furlongs in company in a bullet :59.80. Both are gearing toward the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

Leading 3-year-old Epicenter , the runaway winner of the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1), drilled five furlongs in company in 1:00.20. He will take on older horses for the first time in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

Also working for Asmussen were champion Echo Zulu  (Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1)) and Grand Love  for the NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Both breezed five furlongs with workmates, with the 3-year-old Echo Zulu timed in 1:02.80 while Grand Love stopped the clock in 1:00.60.

"They put in good, solid moves," Asmussen said. "They came out of it good and cooled out nicely, and we've got Jackie's Warrior   (working) tomorrow. I am extremely pleased with how the preparation has gone. The weather has been excellent. The racetrack is in good shape and I love the shape they are in."

Trainer Wesley Ward also sent out two of his Breeders' Cup candidates to work Sunday morning on the Keeneland main track.

Kimari , considered for both the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) and the Filly and Mare Sprint, worked five panels in 1:00.60, while Nakatomi  (Sprint) breezed a half-mile in :48.80.