Society

Champion Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) and probable champion Epicenter (Not This Time) topped a busy worktab for Steve Asmussen's potential Breeders' Cup starters Sunday morning at Keeneland as the racing world draws closer than two weeks away from the 39th World Championships in Lexington Nov. 4-5. With exercise rider Wilson Fabian aboard, Echo Zulu drilled five furlongs in :59 2/5 in company with Marsalis (Curlin). The move was the fastest five-eighths of 30 Sunday over the fast main track. Echo Zulu, who returned off a layoff to win the GIII...

Trainer Steve Asmussen sent five Breeders' Cup contenders out to work Sunday at Keeneland. Grade I-winning fillies Clairiere (Curlin) and Society (Gun Runner), working in company, went five furlongs in a bullet :59.80 (1/34) in preparation for the Nov. 5 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. The duo worked through fractions of :11.80, :23.80, :35.60, :47.60, :59.80 and out six furlongs in 1:13.20. Epicenter (Not This Time), off since winning the GI Runhappy Travers S. Aug. 27, worked five furlongs in company in 1:00.20 (3/34) in preparation for the Nov. 5 GI...

Taking full advantage of a track that was exceptionally kind to speed throughout the course of the program, Peter Blum's Society (f, 3, Gun Runner--Etiquette, by Tapit) built on a big-figure victory in the GIII Charles Town Oaks when last seen four weeks ago and ran them off their feet for a maiden Grade I victory in Saturday's $1-million Cotillion S. at Parx. Drawn the outside gate in a field of nine, the homebred was clicked up as soon as the gates flew and crossed and cleared all inside traffic,...

Peter Blum's Society (Gun Runner) avenged her lone career defeat to date last time in the GI CCA Oaks with a thoroughly dominating performance in Friday's GIII Charles Town Oaks. Favored on the precipitous drop in class, the beautifully bred chestnut was hustled straight into the lead by Tyler Gaffalione and the duo was pressed along early by 21-1 outsider Chardonnay (Candy Ride {Arg}), with the well-backed Louisiana raider Free Like a Girl (El Deal) not far away in third. Going along easily after four furlongs in a very manageable...

Society handled the stretch out and class hike Saturday evening to become the 12th stakes winner for her fast-starting sire--at least seven of which have been trained by Gun Runner's Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen. Belying odds of nearly 28-1 when unveiled by Wayne Mackey going 6 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland last October, the Peter Blum homebred was subsequently transferred to the Asmussen barn and resurfaced to take a first-level allowance going the same distance in the slop one race after the GI Kentucky Oaks May 6. Two turns...

Those who tried to beat traffic by leaving Churchill Downs after the Derby but before the last race Saturday missed a 'TDN Rising Star', while Belmont had an 11-length victor in the slop a few hours prior. Each may have debuted late, but could make some noise while the season progresses as additional members of this year's outstanding 3-year-old crop. THURSDAY'S INSIGHTS: Godolphin Debuts Well-Bred Tapit Colt at Belmont 6th-Belmont, $90,000, Msw, 5-5, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:23.38, fast, 1 1/2 lengths. A former claimer beat a slew of well-regarded prospects...no, not...