10/27/07
Last updated: 10/26/07 7:46 PM
 |
George Washington has his eyes firmly on the BC Classic prize
(Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com) |
Two-time European champion GEORGE WASHINGTON (Ire) (Danehill) stretched his
legs over Monmouth’s muddy main track on Friday, one day before the Aidan
O’Brien charge will tackle the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Although O’Brien described the spin as a “canter on the dirt,” the clockers
timed his last three furlongs in :40.
“It was lovely,” the horseman added. “He had the whole track to himself.”
Also getting in a bit of exercise on the main strip was RED ROCKS (Ire)
(Galileo [Ire]), who will attempt to defend his title in the $3 million Turf
(G1) on Saturday. The Brian Meehan trainee was likewise caught going his final
three-eighths in :40.
“We took him to school around the paddock, jogged a lap and then hack
cantered a lap,” Meehan explained. “We’ll do the same tomorrow, probably.”
While the Europeans weren’t looking for speed in their spins, Juvenile (G1)
contender Z HUMOR (Distorted Humor) was required to rev it up during his
three-furlong blow-out in :36. Trainer Bill Mott decided to drill the bay colt
Friday, with blinkers added, because he was displeased by the move he turned in
Monday at Belmont Park.
|
“He finished poorly in his work at Belmont, although he went (five furlongs)
in 1:00 that day, so we just blew him out and made sure he was OK,” Mott said.
“He went over the track well today. He actually went a quarter of a mile.
“Focus seems to be an issue with him,” he continued. “Part of it was that the
other morning.”
 |
Dylan Thomas will try to achieve an unprecedented Arc-BC Turf double
(Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com) |
On the rain-affected Monmouth turf, O’Brien sent out his two morning-line
favorites, Turf contender DYLAN THOMAS (Ire) (Danehill) and Mile (G1) hopeful
EXCELLENT ART (GB) (Pivotal), for canters.
“They moved well, both of them,” said O’Brien, who accompanied his stars to
the track on a borrowed stable pony. “They’re two very good moving horses.
They’re very low-actioned horses.”
The master of Ballydoyle was pleased with the condition of the turf as of
Friday morning.
“It’s good ground,” O’Brien observed. “It’s really like Ascot. It drains very
quick. If it rains, it will take the water very well now. It’s a credit to them,
that’s some ground after that much rain. It’s like a carpet out there.”
Trainer Carla Gaines was similarly pleased with how Filly & Mare Turf (G1)
favorite NASHOBA’S KEY (Silver Hawk) took to the grass. The undefeated filly
completed a one-mile gallop around the “dogs,” or orange cones placed in the
center of the course.
“She looked good to me,” Gaines said. “Everybody gave me the impression it
was going to be a bog, but it looked like she went right over the top of it.”
|
