Bullet Move for Likely BC Juvenile Favorite
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Zayat Stables homebred American Pharoah handily worked five furlongs in :58 3/5 on Monday, Oct. 20 at Santa Anita Park as the son of Pioneerof the Nile continues work toward the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), where he likely will be favored to win a third straight grade I race.
Trained by Bob Baffert, American Pharoah has worked three times since his Sept. 27 victory in the Frontrunner Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita, which marked his second grade I score after taking the Del Mar Futurity Sept. 3. Monday's move earned the bullet denoting the fastest time among 31 works at the distance.
The Baffert barn also sent out last year's XpressBet Sprint (gr. I) winner Secret Circle on Monday and the 5-year-old son of Eddington handily completed six furlongs in 1:10 2/5 while working from the gate. The move was fastest of 10 at the distance.
Also at Santa Anita, Distaff (gr. I) contender Iotapa worked six furlongs in a handy 1:12 and Classic contender Majestic Harbor handily completed a six-furlong move in 1:11 3/5. Those works ranked third and fourth of 10 at the distance. Turf Sprint (gr. I) contender Unbridled's Note handily completed five furlongs in :59 3/5, seventh fastest of 31 moves at the distance.
At Keeneland, Judy the Beauty worked five furlongs in a bullet :57 4/5. Trainer Wesley Ward is training Judy the Beauty up to the DraftKings Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I), where the 5-year-old Ghostzapper mare will make her first start since winning the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (gr. III) Aug. 17 at Del Mar. Judy the Beauty finished second in last year's Filly & Mare Sprint.
Also at Keeneland, Darley Prix Morny (Fr-I) runner-up Hootenanny continued preparations for the Juvenile Turf (gr. I). The first stakes winner for freshman sire Quality Road breezed five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 on firm turf, the fastest of four turf moves at the distance.
In his first work since winning an allowance-optional claiming race Oct. 3 at Keeneland, grade II winner Bourbon Courage worked five furlongs in :59 3/5 at Keeneland Monday in preparation for the Sprint.
At Belmont Park | BloodHorse.com Track Profile">Belmont Park, True North Stakes (gr. II) runner-up Bakken completed five furlongs on a fast track in 1:00.27 as he prepares for the Sprint.