Vequist Gets Test Run Over Track for Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Swilcan Stable’s Vequist, who figures to be one of the major players in Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), worked a half-mile in :47.20 and galloped out five-eighths in 1:00.40 under Jorge Vargas for trainer Butch Reid.

Winner of the Spinaway (G1) by 9½ lengths and then second in the Frizette (G1) in her most recent start, Vequist arrived at Keeneland from Parx on Monday.

“I think a work over the track is very important and that is why we came when we did,” Reid said. “She had three or four good gallops and the work was fine. She did work at Saratoga (before the Spinaway) but didn’t before the Frizette because Belmont is just up the road from Philadelphia.”

Reid, whose only previous Breeders’ Cup starter was Afleet Again, who won the 2011 Marathon (G2) at Churchill Downs, never has had a Keeneland starter.

In the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Vequist will be making her first start going around two turns in the 1 1/16-mile race.

“The two turns … the first time doing something, there is always a little concern,” Reid said. “But she’s got a great head and relaxes, and I think we worry about it more than she does.”

Reid said Joel Rosario would have the mount in the Breeders’ Cup.