Multiple graded stakes winner and multi-millionaire Gunnevera (Dialed In), who figures to be one of the main threats in the $6-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs, put in a strong work for the upcoming 1 1/4-mile event. Breezing in company with his stakes-placed stablemate, the 3-year-old Cometin (Trappe Shot), at Gulfstream Park West, the 4-year-old covered five furlongs in 1:00.82 with regular race rider Edgard Zayas aboard. The work was the second fastest of 26 at the distance.
“He did it very easy,” said trainer Antonio Sano. “I needed the horse to have a more intense work today and get him stronger for the race. I wanted to wake him up a little bit. The work was very good and he is very happy.”
Gunnevera's prior breeze was a more leisurely five-eighths in 1:02.
Gunnevera is scheduled to have two more works at Gulfstream Park West before heading to Kentucky to make final preparations for the Classic. After finishing in a dead-heat for fifth in the 2017 Classic with champion Arrogate (Unbridled's Song), Gunnevera began this year with a third behind reigning Horse of the Year Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. He then sustained a foot injury while finishing off the board in the Mar. 31 G1 Dubai World Cup and took several months off to recover before coming back to romp in an allowance Aug. 10 at Gulfstream Park. The Margoth colorbearer was last seen finishing second behind Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who also heads to the Classic, in the Sept. 1 GI Woodward S. at Saratoga.
WATCH: Gunnevera breezes at Gulfstream West
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