Mind Your Biscuits Back to Work at Churchill Downs

Multiple grade 1 winner Mind Your Biscuits turned in a solid leg-stretcher in the early morning hours Oct. 12 at Churchill Downs, covering five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 in his first work since his victory in the Sept. 29 Lukas Classic Stakes (G3).

Trainer and co-owner Chad Summers said the 5-year-old son of Posse broke off from the half-mile pole and turned in a big gallop out to the five-eighths, clocking the second-fastest of 23 moves at the distance.

"Just kind of let him stretch his legs. He's been wanting to do something for the last couple of days," Summers said. "So we just kind of let him do what he wanted to do. We were happy with him."

With a two-turn victory under his belt to go along with his multiple top-level wins at sprint distances, Mind Your Biscuits remains under consideration to start in either the 10-furlong Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), one-turn Dirt Mile (G1), or six-furlong Twinspires Sprint (G1) in the World Championships at Churchill Nov. 2-3. Those three races are all Nov. 3.

Summers and his partners are still watching how things play out with various contenders in each of those divisions, adding that Mind Your Biscuits will definitely be cross-entered in pre-entries.

"We'll be in at least two of them. You're only allowed to (pre-enter) in two. If we were allowed to be in more, we'd probably pre-enter in about 5 or 6," Summers joked. "With Enable seemingly going to the turf, you'd have to think Roaring Lion is going to the Classic if he were to come. We're waiting on Promises Fulfilled to see if he goes to the Sprint or Dirt Mile and also what goes on with X Y Jet. There are still a lot of moving parts … but we think we're in a good spot now. We'll see how things shake loose."

Mind Your Biscuits captured the 1 1/8-mile Lukas Classic by 4 3/4 lengths, his first win beyond seven furlongs. As important as the victory, the fact the New York-bred runner has appeared to thrive over the host surface for this year's Breeders' Cup also is big for Summers.

"We know he likes Churchill, he just kind of continues to confirm that," Summers said. "We're excited about the Breeders' Cup."

Joining Mind Your Biscuits on the Churchill worktab Friday was graded stakes winner Wonder Gadot tuning up for an expected start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). The Mark Casse-trained filly covered a half-mile in :47 4/5—second fastest of 51 works at the distance—in her first move since finishing third behind Monomoy Girl and winner via disqualification Midnight Bisou in the Sept. 22 Cotillion Stakes (G1).

"The Cotillion was kind of a strange day. The track was off, and they were running slower than I've ever seen them, and we didn't think she fired her best shot," Casse said. "So we gave her a little bit of a break, and today was her first work back."

Wonder Gadot ran one of her best races over the Churchill surface, finishing a half-length behind divisional leader Monomoy Girl in the Longines Kentucky Oaks in May.

"Our feeling is the best race she's ever run in her life was at Churchill, so we'll give her a shot there and then give her a break. That will be her last race of the year," Casse said. "You can't get any more consistent, and what a great filly Monomoy Girl is, but that is one of our thoughts in being there. If you look at Monomoy Girl and say she's the horse to beat … well, she beat us at Churchill, so why not?"

Grade 1 winner and expected Breeders' Cup Classic contender Seeking the Soul also worked at Churchill Friday, going four furlongs in :51.00 in his first major exercise since his victory in the Sept. 29 Ack Ack Stakes (G3). Graded stakes winner Arklow worked four furlongs in :49 4/5 in preparation for a possible start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T).