Keeneland: Letruska ships to Del-Mar Saturday; BC competitors work

St. George Stable’s homebred-superstar mare Letruska finished her Keeneland preparations Saturday morning for her awaited start in the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Distaff in 2 weeks at Del Mar.

. With fitness instructor Fausto Gutierrez searching, Letruska jogged twice around the main track quickly after 6:30 a.m. EDT and has arrangements to depart before midday for a van flight to Indianapolis to board a FedEx-flight to California.

A winner of 6 of seven starts in 2021, including the Spinster (G1) here Oct. 10, Letruska has divided her time throughout early morning training hours between Keeneland’s main track and the all-weather training track.

” Whatever has gone well for her given the Spinster,” stated Gutierrez, who had Letruska based here the majority of the summer and for almost two months following her success in Personal Ensign (G1) on Aug. 28 at Saratoga.

Letruska has-raced at seven tracks in the U.S., given that coming here from Mexico in 2019. However, she has never run at Del Mar.

” It is a long-trip out there, and this (travel schedule) will provide her a few additional days to get acclimated,” said Gutierrez. He had an earlier flight Saturday and prepared to be in California to meet Letruska when she gets to Del Mar later today.

Seven horses with aspirations to contend in the Nov. 5-6 Breeders’ Cup– including four stakes winners during Keeneland’s Fall Stars-Weekend on the opening weekend of the Fall Meet– worked over a grass course identified excellent Saturday early morning.

Peter Brant’s Blowout (GB), winner of the-First Lady (G1) and a candidate for the $2-million Filly and Mare Turf-(G1) on Nov. 6, worked a half-mile on her in:50.80 for trainer Chad Brown. (Click on this link for a-video of the work.).

Phoenix Thoroughbred III’s Tiz the Bomb, winner-of the Bourbon (G2) and a prospect for the $1 million Juvenile Grass on Nov. 5, worked 5 furlongs on his own in 1:01.80 for fitness instructor Kenny McPeek. (Click on this link for a video of-the work.).

Also working for McPeek was-Arriba Arequipa’s Reina de Mollendo (ARG), who-covered 5 furlongs in 1:06.40 on her own in preparation for a-possible Filly and Mare Turf start. (Click here-for a video of the work.).

Fitness instructor Wesley Ward worked a trio of runners headed by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg’s Golden Pal, the Woodford (G2) winner.

Winner of last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf-Sprint (G2) and a candidate for this year’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), Golden Friend drilled 5 furlongs in 1:00.80 with divides of:24.20,:37.20,:49, and 1:00.80. (Click on this-link for a video of the work.).

Other Ward employees were Hat Creek Racing’s Averly Jane, the Indian summer winner, and Gregory Kaufman’s Kaufymaker, second in the Indian summer. Working-together for possible starts in the $1 million Juvenile Grass Sprint, the undefeated Averly Jane covered five-furlongs in 1:03.40, and Kaufymaker went the distance in 1:03.80. (Click here for a video of the-works.).

Calumet Farm’s Channel Feline, prepping for a possible second-start in the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), worked 5 furlongs on his-own in 1:02.20 with splits-of:25.20: 38.60: 50.40, and 1:02.20 for fitness instructor Jack Sisterson.

Three other possible Breeders’ Cup runners published deal with the fast primary track.

Working for Calumet and Sisterson was-Lexitonian, who covered five furlongs in 1:00.60. Winner of the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) two-starts back, Lexitonian is a candidate for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).

Peter Brant’s Dunbar Roadway, runner-up to Letruska in the Juddmonte Spinster (G1), worked a half-mile in 49 for fitness instructor Chad Brown in preparation for a likely 3rd start in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Attempt To Dream Stable’s American Sanctuary, 4th in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), worked a half-mile in:48.40 for fitness instructor Chris Davis. He is possible-for the $2 million TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).