Eccentric Worked on Turf, while Nitrogen Impressed on the Track at Keeneland
The Chilean champion covered 1000 meters in 1:05.80 as part of her preparation for the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), while the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) contender shined on the dirt, drawing high praise from trainer Mark Casse
LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Morning trackwork at Keeneland is steadily gaining intensity as the Breeders’ Cup on October 30 and 31 draws near, with several leading contenders completing key breezes over recent days. Among them was the Chilean champion Eccentric (Ivan Denisovich), who continues to progress in her preparation to face the world's top turf stayers.
The Haras Don Alberto homebred, aiming for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1-2400m), worked Tuesday over the turf course, covering 1000 meters in 1:05.80. The breeze was overseen by the Wesley Ward barn, who has been assisting with her conditioning since her arrival in the United States following a stellar campaign in Chile under trainer Patricio Baeza.
Track conditions were far from ideal, with the turf course labeled soft and dogs set far out on the course, circumstances that resulted in relatively slow times. Consequently, clockers noted that final times should be judged with appropriate context.
Eccentric earned her automatic spot in the World Championships by capturing the Gran Premio Club Hípico de Santiago-Falabella Breeders’ Cup (G1) over 2000 meters, and she now faces an immense challenge going against males.
Nitrogen Shines for Casse
Another runner capturing significant attention was Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro), one of the prime contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). The champion conditioned by Mark Casse covered 800 meters Wednesday morning in :48 flat over the main track, leaving a sparkling impression.
"She couldn't have done it any better. We asked her to pick it up a little bit and she responded immediately. She's just incredible," Casse remarked, noting that, unlike her usual routine, the filly showed plenty of eagerness to gallop out strong past the wire.
Nitrogen enters the event following victories this season in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Saratoga and the Beldame Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park, credentials that establish her as a formidable force in her division.
Also under Casse's supervision, Measure (Essential Quality) and Voyager (Justify) worked together, blitzing 800 meters in :47 flat—the fastest time among 16 breezes at the distance on Wednesday morning. The former is pointed toward the Distaff, while her stablemate, winner of the Natalma Stakes (G1), will look to make her mark in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).
Also tuning up for the Juvenile Fillies, Frizette Stakes (G1) winner Dotsy (Tacitus) worked 800 meters in :48.20 for trainer John Grabowski.
Action on the Turf
The grass track hosted several other notable works. Bacio (Maclean's Music), winner of the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) in England and a primary aspirant for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1), drilled 1000 meters in 1:04 under the eye of Wesley Ward.
Adonius (Soldier's Call), a contender for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), went 600 meters in :38.20 with John Velazquez in the saddle. The veteran jockey came away very pleased, praising the colt's energy and stride.
Trainer Brendan Walsh worked Lush Lips (Ten Sovereigns) and Expensive Queen (Lope de Vega) together on the turf in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). The former, with Tyler Gaffalione aboard, covered 800 meters in 1:00.40, while her stablemate registered 1:00.80.
Classic Q (Classic Empire), another major Casse contender for the Filly & Mare Turf, worked 800 meters in :48.40 on the main track following her recent victory in the First Lady Stakes (G1).
As the main figures enter the final stretch of their preparations, Keeneland is fully immersed in Breeders' Cup fever. Among so many standout names, Eccentric keeps South American hopes alive for a landmark triumph on Kentucky's turf.
