Rich Strike Likely Breeders’ Cup Classic Bound

~ Echo Zulu, Epicenter Work, Breeders’ Cup Work Tab, Videos
~ Stakes Probables, Meet Leaders 

LEXINGTON, Ky.— RED TR-Racing’s Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Rich Strike apparently will be headed to the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) to be run here Nov. 5, according to trainer Eric Reed.

“Rich Strike is doing as good as he ever has, and Rick (owner Rick Dawson) feels that he deserves the chance to take on the best in the world,” Reed said.

The deadline for pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships is Monday at noon ET.

The other option for Rich Strike following a runner-up effort in the Lukas Classic (G2) to Hot Rod Charlie was the $750,000 Clark (G1) Presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25.

Reed plans to bring Rich Strike to Keeneland from his base at the Mercury Equine Center this afternoon with the colt scheduled to gallop Monday morning before moving Monday afternoon to the barns on Rice Road that will serve as the home to all Breeders’ Cup runners. Rich Strike is expected to work Tuesday morning.

Echo Zulu, Epicenter Work 

L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ champion Echo Zulu started a busy morning of trainer Steve Asmussen’s possible contenders for the 39^th Breeders’ Cup World Champions here Nov. 4-5.

With exercise rider Wilson Fabian aboard, Echo Zulu drilled 5 furlongs in :59.40 in company with Marsalis. The move was the fastest five-eighths of 30 this morning over the fast main track. Echo Zulu is being pointed to the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).

Next was Peter Blum Thoroughbreds’ Society. With jockey Florent Geroux aboard, Society worked 5 furlongs in :59.80 in company with Ten Gauge. A winner of five of six starts, including the Cotillion (G1) in her most recent outing, Society is being pointed to the $2 million Distaff (G1).

Three Chimneys Farm’s $2 million NetJets Juvenile Fillies (G1) prospect Grand Love worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 and galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:14.20 with Geroux aboard. Grand Love worked in company with Tres Soles.

Also working before 6 a.m. was Stonestreet Stables’ Clairiere, who breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.80 with Joel Rosario aboard in company with Brilliant Colors. Clairiere, like Society, is being pointed to the Distaff.

Following the first track renovation break that ended at 7:30, Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Classic (G1) hopeful Epicenter worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 with Rosario up in company with Uncle Berkley.

“He’s a nice horse and I am just glad to be on him,” Rosario, who has ridden Epicenter in his past seven races, said. “He’s more mature and looks like he has grown and is stronger. He finished up good; training really good.”

This was the fourth local work for Epicenter, who has compiled a 7-4-3-0 record in 2022 highlighted by a victory in the Runhappy Travers (G1) in his most recent start.

“This morning was more of the same,” owner Ron Winchell said. “He did what he needed to do.”

Winchell picked up two more possible Breeders’ Cup hopefuls Saturday when homebreds Wicked Halo won the Lexus Raven Run (G2) and Gunite took the Perryville (L). Wicked Halo could go to the Filly and Mare Sprint and Gunite to the $2 million Qatar Racing Sprint (G1).

Breeders’ Cup Work Tab At Keeneland

Kimari and Nakatomi, two of trainer Wesley Ward’s possible Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) hopefuls, worked 5 furlongs in company in 1:03.60. Kimari, owned by the partnership of Jonathan Poulin, Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor, also is under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel and Bottle Rocket Stable own Nakatomi.

Recent Works

October 22

HOT ROD CHARLIE – Breeders’ Cup Classic
Doug O’Neill, 5F Dirt Breezing, 1:00,80

VIRGINIA JOY (GER) – Breeders’ Cup Fill & Mare Turf
Chad Brown, 5F Turf Breezing, 1:01.40

REGAL GLORY (outside) Breeders’ Cup Mlle and ROUGIR (FR) – Breeders’ Cup Fill & Mare Turf
Chad Brown, 4F Turf Breezing 49.20

IN ITALIAN (GB) – Breeders’ Cup Fill & Mare Turf
Chad Brown, 4F Turf Breezing 49.80
Video not available

WILLY BOI – Breeders’ Cup Sprint
Jorge Delgado, 4F Breezing 49.80

JACK CHRISTOPHER (outside) – Breeders’ Cup Sprint and BLAZING SEVENS – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Chad Brown, 5F Breezing, 1:00.20

SEARCH RESULTS (outside) – Breeders’ Cup Distaff
Chad Brown, 5F Breezing 1:02.60 

October 21

DELIGHT (outside) – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and BORN DAPPER
Jonathan Thomas, 4F Turf Breezing 50,40

ANNAPOLIS (inside) – Breeders’ Cup Mlle and MAJOR DUDE – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
Todd Pletcher, 4F Turf Breezing 47.80

CAMPANELLE
Wesley Ward, 5F Turf Breezing 1:01.40

HAPPY SAVER (outside) – Breeders’ Cup Classic and NEVER CHANGE (entered at Keeneland 10/27 R1)
Todd Pletcher, 4F Breezing 48.40

MALATHAAT (inside) – Breeders’ Cup Distaff and NEST – Breeders’ Cup Distaff
Todd Pletcher, 4F Breezing 48.60

LIFE IS GOOD – Breeders’ Cup Classic
Todd Pletcher, 5F Breezing 1:00.40

October 20

FORTE (outside) – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and LOST ARK – Breeders’ Cup Mlle
Todd Pletcher, 4F Breezing 49.20

For all Breeders’ Cup Entries click here

Galloping Out

Godolphin’s Proxy worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.60 under jockey Joel Rosario as he continued preparations toward a possible start in the $750,000 Clark Stakes (G1) Presented by Norton Healthcare at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25. …

Trainer Jonathan Wong said Tommy Town Thoroughbreds’ Empire House would bypass the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) in favor of the $300,000 Chilukki (G3) going a mile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 19. …

Happy Birthday to jockey Martin Garcia, who turns 38 today. Winner of the 2010 Preakness (G1) on Lookin At Lucky, Garcia is a four-time Breeders’ Cup-winning rider. Garcia has one mount this afternoon on Jais’s Solitude in the fifth for trainer Eddie Kenneally.

Closing Day Stakes Probables
Entries taken Wednesday, Oct. 26

$350,000 Hagyard Fayette (G2), 3-year-olds and up, 1 1/8 miles – Ain’t Life Grand (Kelly Von Hemel), Chess Chief (Dallas Stewart), First Captain (Shug McGaughey), Fulsome (Brad Cox), King Fury (Kenny McPeek), Last Samurai (D. Wayne Lukas), West Will Power (Cox).

$300,000 Bryan Station (G3), 3-year-olds, 1 mile on the turf – Axthelm (Saffie Joseph Jr.),Balnikhov (IRE) (Phil D’Amato), Classic Causeway (Kenny McPeek), Churchtown (Roger Attfield), Dakota Gold (Danny Gargan), Double Clutch (Rusty Arnold), Fort Washington (Shug McGaughey), Fuerteventura (Jonathan Thomas), Play Action Pass (Robert Medina), Ready to Purrform (Brad Cox), Speaking Scout (Graham Motion), Stolen Base (Mike Maker), Wit (Todd Pletcher), Wow Whata Summer (James Lawrence).

$200,000 Bowman Mill, 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs – BourbonBash(D. Wayne Lukas), Jeremy’s Jet (Paul McEntee), Quick Hammer (Brad Cox), Raise Cain (Ben Colebrook), Sir Lancelot (Mike Stidham), Two Phil’s (Larry Rivelli). Possible: Hurricane J (Paulo Lobo).

Fall Meet Leaders

Through Oct. 22 (12 days of 17-day season)

Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox, Mike Maker, Kenny McPeek and Wesley Ward have 6 wins each.

Keeneland Press Release/Edited
Main Photo: Rich Strike in a June work at Keeneland. Coady/Keeneland Photo

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