Champion Echo Zulu Works Bullet Five-Eighths to Highlight Asmussen's Sunday Morning Lineup

L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ champion Echo Zulu started a busy morning of trainer Steve Asmussen’s possible contenders for the 39^thBreeders’ Cup World Champions here Nov. 4-5.

With exercise rider Wilson Fabian aboard, Echo Zulu drilled 5 furlongs in :59.40 in company with Marsalis. The move was the fastest five-eighths of 30 this morning over the fast main track. Echo Zulu is being pointed to the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).

Next was Peter Blum Thoroughbreds’ Society. With jockey Florent Geroux aboard, Society worked 5 furlongs in :59.80 in company with Ten Gauge. A winner of five of six starts, including the Cotillion (G1) in her most recent outing, Society is being pointed to the $2 million Distaff (G1).

Three Chimneys Farm’s $2 million NetJets Juvenile Fillies (G1) prospect Grand Love worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 and galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:14.20 with Geroux aboard. Grand Love worked in company with Tres Soles.

Also working before 6 a.m. was Stonestreet Stables’ Clairiere, who breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.80 with Joel Rosario aboard in company with Brilliant Colors. Clairiere, like Society, is being pointed to the Distaff.

Following the first track renovation break that ended at 7:30, Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Classic (G1) hopeful Epicenter worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 with Rosario up in company with Uncle Berkley. 

“He’s a nice horse and I am just glad to be on him,” Rosario, who has ridden Epicenter in his past seven races, said. “He’s more mature and looks like he has grown and is stronger. He finished up good; training really good.”

This was the fourth local work for Epicenter, who has compiled a 7-4-3-0 record in 2022 highlighted by a victory in the Runhappy Travers (G1) in his most recent start.

“This morning was more of the same,” owner Ron Winchell said. “He did what he needed to do.”

Winchell picked up two more possible Breeders’ Cup hopefuls Saturday when homebreds Wicked Halo won the Lexus Raven Run (G2) and Gunite took the Perryville (L). Wicked Halo could go to the Filly and Mare Sprint and Gunite to the $2 million Qatar Racing Sprint (G1).