Sportsmen Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Photos Finish, Corms Racing Stable and trainer Jorge Abreu's grade 1-winner Scottish Lassie worked Oct. 20 at Belmont Park in preparation for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 1.
The daughter of McKinzie was among the first to breeze after the training track reopened at 7:30 a.m., and was guided through her exercise by jockey Jose Lezcano, who piloted her to victory last out in the Frizette (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack Oct. 5.
Scottish Lassie worked outside of Jody's Pride, runner-up in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, and was about one length behind as they came to the wire to complete a half-mile in :49.50, according to New York Racing Association clockers. Scottish Lassie ranged up to sweep past her workmate into the track's first turn and galloped out strongly in front.
Abreu said he wanted an easier work for Scottish Lassie in her first effort since winning the Frizette by an impressive nine lengths.
"Lezcano said they went pretty well and in the gallop out, she was full of herself," Abreu said. "I told Lezcano I didn't want her to get head-and-head right away. I was just trying to get her to relax. First breeze back, I didn't want her going in 47 or anything like that."
Scottish Lassie is the first graded stakes-winner for Abreu, who was a longtime assistant for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito and for four-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner Chad Brown before going out on his own in 2016.
The veteran horseman said it has been a special experience to prepare a horse of Scottish Lassie's stature for an event like the Breeders' Cup.
"It's nerve-wracking day by day," Abreu said, with a laugh. "But she's doing everything right. She's feeling good and she came out of her race in pretty good shape. She's got a pretty good head on her and has always been that way since Day One."
Abreu added Scottish Lassie will work once more at Belmont on either Oct. 25 or 26 before heading to Del Mar.
Skippylongstocking Leaning Toward Dirt Mile
Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. provided an update on some of his high-level horses that worked this week at Saratoga Race Course, including Skippylongstocking and Batucada.
Daniel Alonso's multiple grade 1-placed multimillionaire Skippylongstocking is under consideration for the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) or $1 million Dirt Mile (G1) Nov. 2. The 5-year-old Exaggerator horse breezed a half-mile in :49.42 Oct. 16 on the Spa's Oklahoma dirt training track.
"He's doing good. He is going to work back again this week—one more work before the Breeders' Cup," said Joseph, Jr. "We haven't decided yet, I would say right now we are probably leaning towards maybe the (Dirt) Mile, but no decision just yet."
Joseph said the two-turn mile configuration at Del Mar could be to Skippylongstocking's benefit.
"If the mile was one-turn, we definitely would not go. The two-turn mile, that definitely plays into the decision," he said.
The multiple graded stakes-winning Skippylongstocking finished third in last year's Dirt Mile won by Horse of the Year Cody's Wish at Santa Anita Park.
Morgan Joseph and Carrie Brogden's Batucada was defeated a head by the heavily favored Chad Brown-trained grade 1-winner Raging Sea in the Oct. 6 Beldame (G2) last-out at Aqueduct. The 4-year-old Union Rags gray worked a half-mile bullet on Wednesday in :47.20 on the Oklahoma, fastest of 22 workers at the distance.
Batucada's Beldame showing, a heartbreaking defeat at odds of 22-1, was enough for connections to consider the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 2, while also eyeing the one-mile Bayakoa (G3) on that day's undercard.
"We haven't decided yet, but she might pre-enter in the Distaff or run on the same day in the Bayakoa," said Joseph. "We were trying to get a graded stakes-placing on her resume, but to run that close behind Chad Brown's filly was a bit of a surprise. It was gutsy, even looked like she might battle back and get it but got the wrong head bob."
The Distaff is shaping up to be an extremely competitive renewal, with the prospective field including reigning champion older dirt mare Idiomatic, multiple Grade 1-winning sophomore Thorpedo Anna, and the aforementioned Raging Sea, among others.
"She ran behind Chad's filly, who is probably going to be the fourth choice in there. You are going to have Idiomatic and Thorpedo Anna, maybe they hook up on the front end and there's a pace collapse," said Joseph. "For us to have a chance at winning or hitting the board, you are going to need a pace collapse. If we do take the chance, it is to be sportsmanlike, and see if a racing result shocker happens."
For his out-of-towners, Joseph, Jr. said grade 1-placed Soul of an Angel is doing well as she prepares for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). The 5-year-old Atreides dark bay won the seven-furlong Princess Rooney (G3) Sept. 21 at Gulfstream Park, where she breezed back three furlongs in :35.46 Oct. 15.
"She is on target for that. She is going to work one more time this week, probably tomorrow," said Joseph. "I feel like we are going with a very good chance with her. You would hope you have some pace, and I think she'll come running."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
