Untapable Tops Worktab Sunday at Santa Anita
Image:
Description:
Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Untapable, who suddenly looms as a possible favorite in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) following the defection of Beholder, turned in a bullet five-furlong move at Santa Anita Park Oct. 19.
With trainer Steve Asmussen looking on, Untapable was clocked in :58 3/5, fastest of 67 works at the distance.
Also working for Asmussen was Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile contender Tapiture, the West Virginia Derby (gr. II) winner who got the same distance in :59 3/5. A third Asmussen trainee, Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) prospect Lucky Player, also went five furlongs in :59 3/5.
"They're getting over the track really well," Asmussen said of the trio. "They've settled in nicely."
A five-time winner from six starts in 2014, Winchell Thoroughbreds' Untapable is coming off a victory in the Cotillion Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 20 at Parx Racing. Her only loss this season came when facing males in the William Hill Haskell Invitational (gr. I), when she was fifth at Monmouth Park. Other victories this season came in the Mother Goose (gr. I), Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II), and Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr. III).
Beholder has been taken out of consideration for a repeat bid in the Breeders' Cup Distaff after spiking a high fever the morning of Oct. 19.
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, coming back from a knee replacement surgery earlier this year, was aboard BC Sprint (gr. I) candidate Fast Anna in a five-furlong workout timed in 1:01 for trainer Kathy Ritvo.
Dirt Mile hopeful Tonito M. went five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 for Jerry Hollendorfer, while another Dirt Mile contender, Fed Biz, worked six furlongs for Bob Baffert in 1:12 4/5. Distaff candidate Tiz Midnight also went six furlongs for Baffert in 1:12 2/5.
Filly & Mare Sprint hopeful Little Alexis clocked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 for trainer Carlo Vaccarezza.
On a firm turf course, Tom's Tribute, winner of the grade I Eddie Read, worked six furlongs for James Cassidy in 1:14, while Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) winner Big John B went the same distance in 1:12 1/5 for Phil D'Amato in preparation for the BC Turf (gr. I).
Daddy D T (Juvenile Turf) went six furlongs for John Sadler in 1:12 flat, while Silentio (Turf Sprint) worked seven furlongs in 1:25 for Gary Mandella. Rusty Slipper, third behind Emollient in the Rodeo Drive (gr. IT), worked five furlongs in 1:03 2/5 for Graham Motion.
Big Macher matched Untapable's bullet move of :58 3/5 for five furlongs for trainer Richard Baltas as he approaches a start in the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I).
The Bing Crosby Stakes (gr. I) winner, ridden by Tyler Baze, broke off two lengths outside of workmate Unusual Fleet this morning, drew closer turning for home, then was five lengths clear at the wire as sweeping past at the furlong mark.
"He couldn't be working any better coming up to this race. I'm real happy," Baltas said. "I'm confident in the horse, but it is the Breeders' Cup, obviously. He'll be running against the best horses in the world so even though he's a grade I winner he still has to step it up. I'm confident he's going to run his race."