Godolphin homebred Proxy (Tapit) had his final serious drill Sunday for an expected start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. The 5-year-old breezed 5 furlongs in 1:02 on the fast track with regular jockey Joel Rosario in the saddle.
The plan was to go in company with Godolphin's unraced 2-year-old colt Surveyor (Medaglia d'Oro), but the duo was unexpectedly joined by workers from other trainers. Despite the surprise, trainer Mike Stidham, Godolphin Chief Operating Officer Dan Pride and Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan were all smiles watching from the Grandstand.
“The main thing we were looking for today was that we would let him break off a little bit behind,” Stidham said. “The other horses getting in there was not planned. That just happened. It turned out to be four horses working together. And when Joel took him out – and got him out in the clear – that's what we wanted to see. He needed that type of work; that was the most important work.”
Stidham said Proxy will have a lesser workout Saturday, Oct. 28 or Sunday, Oct. 29 before shipping to Santa Anita Oct. 30.
“Next week will be less of a blowout for the Breeders' Cup,” Stidham said about Proxy's next assignment. “Today's work was exactly what we were looking for. He handled it well and galloped out great and did everything right. We couldn't be happier.”
Also at Keeneland, Peter Brant's Gina Romantica (Into Mischief) worked a half-mile in :50 in company with Lady De Berry (Practical Joke) over the fast main track for trainer Chad Brown.
“She worked good,” said Baldo Hernandez, assistant to Brown who noted that Gina Romantica has had most of her workouts on dirt during her career. “She'll work again next weekend and may work on the grass with In Italian (GB). That's to be determined.”
Both Gina Romantica and In Italian (Dubawi {Ire}) are scheduled to ship to Santa Anita Oct. 30 for the Breeders' Cup.
Also working toward a possible Breeders' Cup start was Nakatomi (Firing Line) for trainer Wesley Ward who breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.60, the fastest of 32 at the distance for the morning.
Out west, Prince of Monaco (Speightstown) and Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) were among a quartet of Breeders' Cup prospects trained by Bob Baffert to record timed workouts at Santa Anita Sunday with both working six furlongs from the gate.
Prince of Monaco, pointed to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile went in 1:12.00 while Speed Boat Beach, headed to the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, blitzed through his work in 1:11.00 to be the fastest of seven moves at the distance.
Also working for Baffert were Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) (5f, 59.60) for the Distaff and Eda (Munnings) (4f, 46.80), who is possible for the Filly & Mare Sprint.
Working for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen were Clairiere (Curlin) (5f, 59.80) and Private Creed (Jimmy Creed) (4f, 48.40).
Dr. Schivel (Violence) worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 for trainer Mark Glatt.
Buttercream Babe (Twirling Candy), a candidate for the Juvenile Fillies Turf for trainer Michael Maker, worked four furlongs in 51.20.
Rounding out Sunday's Breeders' Cup workers were Gold Phoenix (Declan's Warrior) (5f, 1:01.80) and Balladeer (Distorted Humor) 5f, (1:00.00), both candidates for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf.
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