Chelsea Durand Photo

Sierra Leone, Chancer McPatrick among eight Breeders’ Cup workers at Belmont Park for Chad Brown

by NYRA Press Ofiice

• Sierra Leone, Chancer McPatrick among eight Breeders’ Cup workers at Belmont Park for Chad Brown
• Thorpedo Anna breezes at Saratoga for G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff
• Tapit Trice works for G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic
• Scottish Lassie breezes for G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
• Far Bridge, Big Invasion all set for Breeders’ Cup engagements
• De Paz sends out Smokin’ Hot Kitty, Stonewall Star for Empire Showcase stakes

Chad Brown was trackside Saturday to watch eight of his Breeders’ Cup hopefuls breeze over the Belmont Park dirt training track, including Grade 1 Classic contender Sierra Leone and the dual Grade 1-winning Juvenile contender Chancer McPatrick.

Brown has won 18 Breeders' Cup events with his four main track scores coming with Wavell Avenue in the 2015 Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland; Good Magic in the 2017 Juvenile at Del Mar; and with Goodnight Olive in the Filly and Mare Sprint in 2022-23 at Keeneland and Santa Anita, respectively.

The four-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner is well positioned for more main-track success heading into next weekend's World Championships with Sierra Leone [Classic], Domestic Product [Dirt Mile], Ways and Means [Filly and Mare Sprint], Raging Sea [Distaff], and the promising 2-year-old Chancer McPatrick [Juvenile].

"We've been down this road before and we've brought a good group in - particularly on the dirt," Brown said. "We've won dirt races before at the Breeders' Cup - including at Del Mar with Good Magic. We’ve had some close finishes in the Distaff running second three times. Overall, I don't know that I've had as many dirt horses that will be this prominent in the wagering as I have this year. That core group of horses on the dirt - some of them are likely to vie for favoritism.”

Brown has saddled 45 graded stakes-winners this year, including 14 Grade 1 winners split evenly between turf and dirt.

His turf contingent at the Breeders' Cup will include Virgin Colada [Juvenile Fillies Turf], Zulu Kingdom [Juvenile Turf], Carl Spackler [Mile], Chili Flag [Mile], and Gina Romantica [Mile].

"We have some chances in many of the races we're participating in," Brown said. "These are tough races and with each race it's hard to get the horses there and healthy and in good condition all the way across the country. It's a very solid group."

Klaravich Stables’ Domestic Product worked a sharp solo half-mile in 48.31 as he prepares for the two-turn Dirt Mile after impressive scores in the one-turn mile Grade 3 Dwyer in July at Belmont at the Big A and a last-out neck win over Prince of Monaco traveling seven furlongs in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial on August 24 at Saratoga Race Course.

“He worked good. We plan on running in the Dirt Mile,” noted Brown of the sophomore Practical Joke colt, who is entered as second preference in the six furlong Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Flanagan Racing’s Chancer McPatrick worked a solo half-mile in 49.01. The McKinzie colt is undefeated in three starts each completed in breathtaking rallying style, taking his maiden in July and the Grade 1 Hopeful in September while at Saratoga ahead of a 2 3/4-length score in the local Grade 1 Champagne traveling a one-turn mile.

“He worked great and galloped out super,” Brown said. “He's always been a classy, intelligent young horse and he's continued to develop. I've been very impressed with him.”

Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing and Peter Brant’s dual graded stakes-winner Sierra Leone went a solo half-mile in 49.81, galloping out strongly through the turn. This effort followed a half-mile effort in 49.25 last week here.

“He had a monster work last week and I wanted him to work just a tick easier,” Brown said. “It went perfect, and he galloped out super. He's ready to go.”

The 3-year-old Gun Runner colt’s last score came in the Grade 1 Blue Grass in April at Keeneland. He has hit the board in four graded starts since, including a gritty nose defeat to Mystik Dan in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby where he battled gamely down the lane to finish a nose the better of familiar and familial foe Forever Young, who reopposes.

“If he handles the track and gets the right set up and trip [he can win],” Brown said.

Klaravich Stables’ Grade 1-winner Ways and Means worked a half-mile in 48.63 in company with Grade 3-winner Shidabhuti.

Brown said he is particularly pleased with how Ways and Means has prepared for the Filly and Mare Sprint, entering on a trio of well-rated scores when beating elder allowance company [career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure] on June 6; a 2 1/2-length victory over next-out Grade 2 Raven Run-winner Emery in the Grade 1 Test presented by Ticketmaster; and a four-length romp in the local Grade 2 Gallant Bloom on September 29.

“She's done super. The work went great. I'm really happy with Ways and Means,” Brown said.

Brown indicated Peter Brant’s Shidabhuti – an allowance winner on October 13 at Keeneland – will point to the Grade 3, $200,000 Go for Wand on Cigar Mile Day December 7 here.

Alpha Delta Stables’ Kentucky homebred Raging Sea worked 49 flat in company with Go for Wand aspirant and Alpha Delta-owned Occult.

“Raging Sea did fine and Occult will head to the Go for Wand as well,” Brown said.

Raging Sea will have one less foe to chase down with the departure of the retiring Idiomatic but she may have lost a potential pace set up in the process.

"I hate to hear it. I've been in that position before," Brown said. "I feel bad for the connections and for the fans. They want to see the top horses run."

Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss and Michael Caruso’s undefeated Zulu Kingdom worked a half-mile in 48.63 in company to the inside of Running Bee.

“He worked fabulous,” Brown said of the Ten Sovereigns colt, who arrives at the Grade 1 Juvenile Turf from scores in the Prix Chapeau Rouge in June at Saint-Cloud for former trainer Andre Fabre; along with wins for Brown in the Grade 3 With Anticipation in August at the Spa and the local Grade 2 Pilgrim last out on September 28.

Resolute Racing’s Virgin Colada worked a half-mile in 50.11 in company with multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Fluffy Socks.

“More of the same from her. On the dirt, she's sort of an average workhorse but I loved her mechanics today and how she got through the lane,” Brown said. “She can be a little bit of a looky-loo kind of horse, but today she was focused and switched her leads perfect and galloped out - very professional. The time doesn't matter for me - it was how she did it. I was very pleased with her.”

Virgin Colada graduated on debut in July at Saratoga ahead of closing runner-up efforts in both the Listed P.G. Johnson in August at Saratoga and the Grade 2 Miss Grillo on October 6 here.

***

Thorpedo Anna breezes at Saratoga for G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff

Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and Magdalena Racing’s multiple Grade 1-winner Thorpedo Anna breezed five furlongs on Saturday in 1:01.24 on the Oklahoma dirt training track at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, Thorpedo Anna, with exercise rider Danny Ramsey up, posted the sharp work in company with multiple stakes-placed 4-year-old gelding Denington [1:01.24]. Thorpedo Anna sat off until the quarter-pole and galloped out well past her stablemate. The Fast Anna dark bay has been working weekly en route to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff on November 2 at Del Mar.

McPeek took to the social media platform X to film and describe the move.

“It’s a gorgeous fall morning here in Saratoga. This is Denington on the inside and Thorpedo Anna on the outside, going five-eighths. The instructions for him - to stay right next to Denington until the quarter-pole,” McPeek said.

Thorpedo Anna boasts a 9-7-2-0 record with $2,803,663 in earnings, including Grade 1 wins in the Cotillon last-out on September 21 at Parx Racing, Saratoga’s CCA Oaks and DK Horse Acorn, along with the Grade 2 Fantasy - all this year. She also showed her ability when beaten a head by Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic-contender Fierceness in the Grade 1 DraftKings Travers in a brave attempt versus colts in the Spa’s premier event.

***

Tapit Trice works for G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic

Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable’s Grade 1-winner Tapit Trice breezed a half-mile in 49.21 seconds Saturday over the Belmont Park dirt training track as he prepares for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 2 at Del Mar.

Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, the 4-year-old Tapit gray captured the nine-furlong Grade 2 Woodward last-out on September 28 at Belmont at the Big A. The victory added to graded scores in the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup in July at its namesake oval, the Grade 1 Blue Grass last April at Keeneland and the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby one month before that at Tampa Bay Downs.

Pletcher said Tapit Trice’s final breeze before heading West went according to plan.

“He went in 49 [seconds] and he looked good, just what we were hoping for. I liked the way he was moving, and he galloped out with good energy,” said Pletcher, adding that he worked him solo with the Classic approaching. “We didn’t want to do too much.”

Tapit Trice will likely be much colder at the mutuels’ windows than multiple Grade 1-winning stablemate and reigning Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Fierceness, but Pletcher said their run styles give them both a chance.

“Tapit Trice will probably be a little bit further back, and Fierceness will most likely be towards the front,” Pletcher said. “I don’t think they compromise each other's chances.”

Tapit Trice did not wear blinkers for Saturday’s move, which he added four starts back when third in last year’s Grade 1 Travers at the Spa and has competed in since, but Pletcher confirmed they will stay on for the Classic.

***

Scottish Lassie breezes for G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

Sportsmen Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Photos Finish, Corms Racing Stable and trainer Jorge Abreu’s Grade 1-winner Scottish Lassie worked Saturday at Belmont Park in preparation for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 1 at Del Mar.

The daughter of McKinzie breezed after the training track reopened at 7:30 a.m., and was guided through her exercise by jockey Jose Lezcano, who piloted her to victory last out to graduate in the Grade 1 Frizette on October 5 at Belmont at the Big A.

Scottish Lassie worked a half-mile in 49.61 seconds to the outside of Jody’s Pride, the runner-up of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Scottish Lassie sat slightly behind her sophomore workmate early, and the pair was on even terms as they traveled through the lane.

“She was on the outside with Jose, who said he liked the way she galloped out today,” said Abreu. “For times, I had 49 and three, with a nice gallop-out in 1:02, 1:14, and 1:28 and four.”

Abreu said he wanted a maintenance work for Scottish Lassie as her trip to Del Mar nears.

“We gave her a nice easy breeze last week, and I told Jose, ‘I wanted a maintenance work today, but to let her gallop out,’ which is what he did,” Abreu said. “He sat off a little, they didn’t break head and head, and he let her come and do her thing.”

Abreu said that Scottish Lassie should handle the 1 1/16-mile distance of the Juvenile Fillies.

“I don’t think the extra sixteenth of a mile is going to be any problem for her,” Abreu said. “The way she ran last time and won, I’m not thinking any extra sixteenth is going to be any different.”

Lezcano also provided his thoughts of Saturday’s work.

“She breezed good. She’s been breezing the same - very good. She’ll just try for another big effort,” Lezcano said. “She always gallops out good. It is the same thing, a breeze good and gallop out good.”

Scottish Lassie is the first graded stakes-winner for Abreu, who was a longtime assistant for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito and for four-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner Chad Brown before going out on his own in 2016.

As for Parkland Thoroughbreds and Sportsmen Stable’s sophomore filly Jody’s Pride, Abreu confirmed she is on target for the local one-mile Grade 3, $175,000 Pebbles on November 8.

***

Far Bridge, Big Invasion all set for Breeders’ Cup engagements; Clement well represented on Empire Showcase Day

LSU Stables’ three-time Grade 1-winner Far Bridge posted a five-furlong breeze Friday over Saratoga Race Course’s Oklahoma turf training track, covering the distance in 1:02.11.

Trained by Christophe Clement, the 4-year-old English Channel colt went in company tracking one length back of Group 3-placed Irish-bred See You Around [1:02.25] before joining up at the wire.

Clement indicated Miguel Clement, his son and onsite assistant at the Spa, was pleased with the breeze.

“Miguel was very happy with the work,” Clement said. “The horse is due to ship on Sunday. The LSU team is excited, we're excited, so let's go. We just need racing luck and a good trip. Hopefully, we get a good draw and go from there.”

Hall of Famer Joel Rosario will retain the mount after guiding the versatile bay to impressive Grade 1 victories traveling 12 furlongs in his most recent two outings, showing the way in the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer in August at the Spa and a rallying effort last out in the local Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s dual graded stakes-winner Big Invasion worked a half-mile Thursday in 50.80 over the Belmont Park dirt training track in preparation for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint which will be contested at five furlongs.

The 5-year-old Declaration of War horse finished a closing second in last year’s Turf Sprint when a neck back of Nobals.

“It was a slow work by design,” Clement said. “He's doing great. He loves the cooler weather. We had a discussion with Mr. Reeves and don't forget he finished second in that race last year. He's very sound. Why not, it's a fun race. Frankie Dettori will ride.”

Big Invasion, bred in Kentucky by John O’Meara, captured the 2022 Grade 3 Quick Call at the Spa and added Woodbine’s Grade 2 Nearctic to his ledger last October. He won the Listed Harvey Pack on September 2 at Saratoga and was last seen finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Eddie D traveling 6 1/2-furlongs at Santa Anita Park.

Clement will be represented by four New York-bred veterans on Sunday’s Empire Showcase Day card at Belmont at the Big A led by Drake’s Passage in the $250,000 Empire Classic as well as City Man in the $200,000 Mohawk and the pair of Silver Skillet and New Ginya in the Ticonderoga.

Robert S. Evans graded stakes-placed homebred Drake’s Passage entered the nine-furlong route for 3-year-olds and up from a troubled last-of-6 effort as the odds-on favorite in an optional-claiming route on August 3 at Saratoga.

“He lost both front shoes coming out of the gate which has never happened to me,” Clement said. “He had no chance. It took me a long time to get him back doing well. I like the way he's been training.”

The 4-year-old Tonalist colt finished fifth in this event last year but does boast nine-furlong state-bred stakes wins at the Spa in last year’s Albany and this year’s Commentator.

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Peter Searles and Patty Searles’ City Man won this 1 1/16-mile turf test for 3-year-olds and up in 2022 en route to Champion NYTB Turf Male honors in 2022/23.

Bred by Moonstar Farm, the 7-year-old son of Mucho Macho Man holds an 11-for-35 ledger that features wins in the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale and Grade 3 Forbidden Apple in 2022. He has banked more than $1.2 million in a stellar career but looks for his first win in his fourth outing this season.

“It might be his last start. We'll talk to Mr. Reeves, but we can't get him quite back to his last form. He's sound and he looks good, so we’ll try again,” Clement said.

In the Ticonderoga, a 1 1/16-mile inner turf test for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, Clement will send a formidable duo of multiple stakes-winner Silver Skillet and Robert Evans’ stakes-winning homebred New Ginya.

Silver Skillet, a 4-year-old Liam’s Map gray bred by Robert Chasanoff, looks to rebound off a fifth in the Yaddo and fourth in the Hettinger - both as the favorite.

For her ventures last year for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Tango Uniform Racing and Steven Rocco, Silver Skillet earned NYTB Champion Turf Female honors with a 7-2-3-0 record that featured a win in the Suzie O’Cain last August at the Spa.

New Ginya returns from an over one-year layoff dating to a fourth in last year’s John Hettinger. The 5-year-old Tonalist bay won the Yaddo ahead of that last effort and looks for a victorious return on Sunday.

“The two fillies have been training well,” Clement said. “It took me a year to get New Ginya back but she's finally doing well. It was just soreness. We turned her out and gave her plenty of time. Silver Skillet has been a little bit unlucky but she's also training well.”

A total of 93 New York-breds are entered for Sunday’s annual Empire Showcase Day, featuring eight stakes races worth a combined $1.6 million. First post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern.

***

De Paz sends out Smokin’ Hot Kitty, Stonewall Star for Empire Showcase stakes

Trainer Horacio De Paz will send out a pair of stakes contenders for Sunday’s Empire Showcase Day card at Belmont at the Big A with Smokin’ Hot Kitty in the $250,000 Empire Distaff and Stonewall Star in the $200,000 Ticonderoga.

Liberty House Racing, America’s Pastime Stables and Mic Duff Stables’ Smokin’ Hot Kitty has been a pleasant surprise on dirt since being claimed by De Paz for $30,000 out of a 1 1/16-mile turf route last April. She made five more starts on turf for De Paz from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles before making the switch to dirt, where her performances led her to step back up to allowance company this spring.

The 5-year-old daughter of Kitten’s Joy kicked off her campaign with an open-company allowance win traveling one mile here and – after an off-the-board finish in a return to turf – went on to win two more state-bred allowances on the dirt by a combined 11 lengths. The second of those efforts came in her lone start at the nine-furlong Empire Distaff distance, and saw her 6 3/4-length romp awarded a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure.

Smokin’ Hot Kitty makes her second outing in stakes company, her other start a hard-trying third in the state-bred Johnstone Mile Handicap on August 7 at Saratoga Race Course where she took the lead through the three-quarters call under Kendrick Carmouche, but could not fend off multiple graded stakes-placed and returning foe Sterling Silver. She was edged out of place honors by three-quarter lengths by Maggy’s Palace.

“It was not a bad effort. Kendrick made a move to try and get the jump on the other filly and it might have cost her second, but you can’t fault him for trying to win the race,” De Paz said. “It was an honest effort from her.”

De Paz said the bay’s proficiency on dirt has been surprising considering her turf sire.

“A Kitten’s Joy on the dirt – she’s been an overachiever and seems to have gotten better and better, and I think she gained a lot of confidence when we kept her going through the winter when she was hitting the board,” De Paz said. “You look at the breeding and you would never think she’d like the dirt. She seems to be stepping up every time and has taught me a lot since we’ve had her. She’s been a great claim for us.”

While Smokin’ Hot Kitty’s breeding had strongly suggested turf would be her best surface, De Paz was quick to point out some of racing’s top horses who defied their surface expectations.

“That’s the thing about this game is you never know until you try,” De Paz explained. “Cigar started out on the turf; Omaha Beach was on the turf and then was favored for the Derby; Eskendereya for Todd Pletcher… these are Hall of Fame trainers, and you can go by the breeding somewhat, but then you’ve got to try them. You never know.”

De Paz added he looks forward to giving his mare another chance against a talented field that includes Sterling Silver and multiple graded stakes-placed Venti Valentine.

“She’s doing well and likes Aqueduct, so we might as well give it a shot,” De Paz said. “She liked the nine furlongs last time she ran it, so I figured she would handle it. The other filly [Sterling Silver] might outclass us, but you’ve got to give it a shot.”

Carmouche retains the mount from post 4.

Later on the card, De Paz will send out Barry Schwartz’s homebred Stonewall Star for her second effort on turf in the 1 1/16-mile Ticonderoga.

The 4-year-old Flatter filly was last seen finishing a close fourth in the state-bred Yaddo Handicap on August 25 at the Spa where she stalked 2 1/2 lengths off the pace and made a willing rally to come up 1 1/2 lengths shy of the victorious Moonage Daydream.

“She ran OK at Saratoga and the turf had a little give to it, so with her conditions, we entered her in a ‘3X’ on the turf and a ‘3X’ on the dirt and they didn’t go,” De Paz explained. “This was the most logical spot, and she can still go very well on the dirt as well. I was encouraged by her last race on the turf.”

Stonewall Star already boasts four stakes victories on dirt, including an 11-length trouncing of the open-company Wide Country last February at Laurel Park. This year, she captured the state-bred Biogio’s Rose in her third start of the season and followed with a runner-up effort in an off-the-turf running of the state-bred Mount Vernon in June.

De Paz said Stonewall Star was compromised by a pinched beginning in a July optional claiming effort at the Spa, but has improved in the gate since.

“She showed early on that she wanted to be a sprinter and is built like a sprinter, but we stretched her out to give her a try and she took a liking to it,” De Paz said. “She can be a little finnicky in the gate, and I think that’s what cost her the race at Saratoga, but she was better last time. Hopefully, if she can get over that and get a better break and position, she has shown she can compete against that level of horses.”

Jose Lezcano rides from post 8.

De Paz added that recent Grade 3 Matron third-place finisher Yougottahavehope will target the $135,000 Stewart Manor on November 2 off her narrow defeat to Abientot on October 6, while recent maiden-winner Sounds Like a Plan could target the Listed $150,000 Central Park on November 16.