Racing

Pletcher Breezes Dozen Breeders' Cup Hopefuls

Trainer Todd Pletcher has assembled his potential Breeders’ Cup arsenal at Keeneland, where a dozen of his hopefuls for the World Championships Nov. 3 and 4 at Santa Anita worked over the fast main track Thursday morning. 

Heading the dozen was Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) hopeful Bright Future, who arrived here this week from Saratoga. He worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.40. Also working 5 furlongs for a possible Breeders’ Cup start was Charge It, who covered the distance in 1:01.20. 

“We originally were going to work all of our Saturday (Nov. 4) horses tomorrow but with rain in the forecast for tomorrow, we moved it up a day,” Pletcher said. “It was a good morning, and I was pleased with all the works. They did what we wanted them to.” 

Among the dozen workers were three Grade 1 winners from Fall Stars Weekend. 

Coolmore Turf Mile winner Up to the Mark breezed a half-mile in :50.20 in company with 2022 Coolmore Turf Mile winner Annapolis; Darley Alcibiades winner Candied worked a half-mile in :49; and Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity winner Locked worked a half-mile in :48.20. 

The remainder of the Pletcher brigade each worked half-miles: Agate Road (:49.60), Fierceness (:48.40), Life Talk (:49), Life’s an Audible (:50), Noted (:49.60) and Scalable (:49.60). 

Pletcher plans to give his runners one more work here next Thursday or Friday and then ship to Santa Anita on Oct. 28.