Salama, Yahilwa, 'Veneda' Work for Distaff

Jockey Julien Leparoux was pleased with the Oct. 22 workout of Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) contender Salama, the Peru-based filly whose Breeders' Cup Challenge victory in the June 21 Cesar Del Río Suito (Per-III) at Hipodromo De Monterrico landed her an automatic entry to the Oct. 30 Keeneland race.

Breezing in company with fellow Charlie LoPresti-trained runner Lurego, the 3-year-old Desert Party filly started two lengths back and finished on even terms outside her workmate, running :24 1/5, four furlongs in :48 3/5, and 1:00 3/5 on the gallop-out.

"She went good, she's a pretty good work horse," Leparoux said. "She did it very easy, very nice down the lane, and galloped out very good."

Salama was bred in Kentucky by Frankfort Park Farm out of the Royal Academy mare Duchess Maggie and sold to her owner, Maria Santa Stable, at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale for $13,000. She made her first U.S. start Oct. 10 when she ran second in allowance company at Keeneland.

"She hadn't run since last June, so I think that last race helped her a lot," Leparoux said. "I'm glad we had it before the Breeders' Cup, for sure."

Salama goes in deep for the Distaff, up against the likes of last year's Distaff-winning champion Untapable and recent grade I winners Got Lucky and I'm a Chatterbox.

"On paper it's still going to be a tough race, but at mile and a quarter, if they go fast, I don't think the distance will be a problem for her," Leparoux said. "It's Breeders' Cup, you never know."

Also working toward the Distaff was D. P. Racing's Yahilwa, a narrowly beaten third in the Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I) in her most recent start. The Jim Cassidy-trained mare worked five furlongs in :59 under Amie Williams, fastest of 22 breezes at the distance on the day.

Working on her own, Yahilwa reeled off fractions of :12, :23 1.5, :34 4/5, :59 and out six furlongs in 1:11 4/5. Last Thursday, she worked a bullet five-eighths in :58 2/5.

Meanwhile, at Santa Anita Park, Santa Margarita Stakes (gr. I) winner Warren's Veneda worked five furlongs in 1:01.

"She just cruised around; she's ready to go," trainer Craig Lewis said of the California-bred daughter of Affirmative. "The rest is up to her. She was very confident and very relaxed today. She leaves Tuesday for Lexington."