Rich Tapestry, Big Macher in Sprint Works

Hong Kong's Rich Tapestry and California's Big Macher each worked Oct. 25 at Santa Anita Park in preparation for the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I).



Rich Tapestry went five-eighths in 1:01, while Big Macher went a half mile in :47 2/5.



Vincent Sit, Rich Tapestry's regular exercise rider from Hong Kong, has been with the horse since his arrival last month, and rode the gelding in the work. Trainer Michael Chang was due to arrive from Hong Kong Oct. 26.



Trainer Leonard Powell, in whose barn Rich Tapestry resides, oversaw the move, accompanying Rich Tapestry and Sit to the track with a pony.



"He finished the last quarter really fast," said Powell. "I got him the last quarter in :22 and change. He started really easy. That's the way they do it in Hong Kong—they don't go in :59s like we do. They just work fast the last quarter."



Sit, who has also been galloping a few horses for Powell, said Rich Tapestry went very well.



"He felt very good, and was eager," said Sit.



After the work, Powell and his pony brought Rich Tapestry and Sit back to the barn through the paddock.



A 6-year-old son of Holy Roman Emperor—Genuine Charm, by Sadler's Wells, bred by Moyglare Stud Farm in Ireland, Rich Tapestry won the Oct. 4 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (gr. I). He became the first horse from Hong Kong to win in the U.S., and he earned a "Win and You're In" berth to the Sprint.



Silas Yang Siu Shun, Won Tai Wai, Ho Chi Keung, and Cheung Yuk Tak own Rich Tapestry.



Jockey Tyler Baze worked Big Macher, and both Baze and trainer Richard Baltas were pleased afterward.



"He was awesome and full of energy," said Baze. "He couldn't be more ready."



Baltas noted that Big Macher cooled out from the work in terrific form.



"We took him over to drink water," said Baltas, "and you know how when a horse blows, the water moved around a little? Well, the water didn't move. He blows more when he gallops."



Baltas skipped the Santa Anita Sprint Championship with Big Macher because he feels the gelding runs better fresh.



"Though it wasn't by design, he won the Bing Crosby (gr. I) after a three-month layoff," said Baltas. "We ran him off works, and he ran the best race of his life."



Big Macher's most recent start was a sixth in the Aug. 24 Pat O'Brien Stakes (gr. II) at Del Mar. He won the Potrero Grande Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita earlier this year.



Brendan Bakir's Tachycardia Stable and Tom Mansor own Big Macher. Ballena Vista Farm bred the 4-year-old son of Beau Genius—Insight, by Kris S., in California.