American Runners Prep in Hong Kong

Mongolian Saturday and Green Mask, the respective winner and third-place finisher in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT), put in their final works Dec. 7 in preparation for the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I).

In his second work at Sha Tin Racecourse in preparation for the US$2.4 million Sprint, at 1,200 meters (six furlongs) around right turns, Green Mask worked 800 meters (half-mile) on turf in :47.3.

"He feels more confident in what to do," said jockey Joao Moreira, who worked the horse for trainer Wesley Ward for the second time. "Last week I had to give him some whacks to get him going, which I didn't have to do today. He definitely worked better. It seems they have him ready to go for the big race."

A 4-year-old Mizzen Mast   gelding owned by Sheikh Abdullah Almaddah, Green Mask won the Paradise Creek Stakes at Belmont Park last year and has placed in four stakes, including the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and a third in the Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-I) at Meydan. Joel Rosario has the mount in the Sprint.

Mongolian Saturday, one of the most electrifying winner's on the Breeders' Cup card, worked 800 meters in :53.8.

"He behaved himself this morning and everything is good," trainer Ganbat Enebish said of the Any Given Saturday colt who has won or placed in all 10 starts in 2015.

The Sprint is one of four group I races on the Dec. 13 card at Sha Tin that has attracted 55 horses from all over the world. The richest race on the card is the US$3.2 million Hong Kong Cup, at 1 1/4 miles. Topping the field for the Cup is defending champion Designs On Rome, an Irish-bred son of Holy Roman Emperor who is now based in Hong Kong, where he has won four group I stakes.