Private Zone Strong in Five-Furlong Work

Trainer Jorge Navarro got exactly what he wanted from Private Zone, the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) hopeful who worked a solid five furlongs in :59 on a fast track at Keeneland Oct. 18.

"I can't ask for anything more," Navarro said. "He did that nice and easy. The main objective now is to keep him happy. We brought him early so he could get used to the surroundings."

Private Zone, with Carlos Marquez aboard, set splits of :11 1/5 for the opening furlong, :22 2/5 for the quarter-mile, and :34 3/5 for three furlongs. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13 3/5.

The 6-year-old Macho Uno   gelding originally was scheduled to work from the gate, but Navarro said he decided "not to mess with it. He's an older horse. We didn't want to take any chances and have him go back to his old tricks. He's an old man. He knows how to get ready for a race."

Navarro was referring to a few incidents during races several years ago in Panama, when Private Zone tossed his rider or just stopping running. That hasn't been the case in the United States; Private Zone is a four-time grade I winner from six furlongs to a mile around one turn.

Navarro said the ownership team of Good Friends Stable has decided on the Oct. 31 Sprint for Private Zone, who in his last start easily won the Forego Stakes (gr. I) on the lead at Saratoga Race Course.

"You saw him when he came back from the work; it's like he did nothing," Navarro said. "(Marquez) said afterwards he doesn't know what kind of horse they'll have to bring (to the Sprint) to beat him. I don't know how many gears he has. They all better be ready."

Plans call for Private Zone to have an easy half-mile work Oct. 24 at Keeneland. "I want him to go a half in :50 or :51, but I doubt it," Navarro said with a laugh.