While Racing Hall of Fame coach Steve Asmussen calls out in a low voice – workers move is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on October 31 at Keeneland—It’s all systems for a group of workers preparing for the Breeders’ Cup champion-led Jackie’s Warrior and two-time 1st grade winner Claire .
The change in timing for the workouts allowed the track to be upgraded from sloppy to good as Jackie’s Warrior officially hit three tracks at: 37 3/5 under gymnast Wilson Fabian while Clairiere, along with Carlos Rosas, completed 4 easy grooves at: 50 . Asmussen said the surface of Keeneland has fallen a lot and that continues today, despite some overnight rain.
“One thing that stood out for us was how good the surface at Keeneland was for taking the kind of work we did and for[the horses]to feel like they had grown and improved,” Asmussen said. “There are very few surfaces where you can do this kind of work and constantly feel that you’re in this good shape.”
Jackie’s Warrior completed serious preparations for the Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) with a brief burst on Monday, his fourth timed practice of the month. Campaigned by J. Kirk and Judy Robison, Jackie’s Warriors are attempting a comeback from second place in the Forego Stakes (G1) competition on Aug. 27 at Racecourse Saratoga when Cody’s Wish overtake him late.
But it’s the only setback this year for the 2021 champion sprinter as he has already racked up four other starts this year, including Handicap victories Albert G. Vanderbilt ( G1) in Saratoga and Churchill Downs Bets presented by Ford (G1).
Excellent performance as Jackie’s Warrior, the 4-year-old son of Music by Maclean Has not shown his best in Breeders’ Cups before, despite having been favored in both of his previous starts.
In the 2020 TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile tournament presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1), Jackie’s Warrior took the lead before dropping to fourth place. He has largely been assigned to the sprint since that effort. In last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Jackie’s Warriors faded into sixth place after a tax-filled early showdown with Special Reserve . With all four projects completed in October in Keeneland, Asmussen is confident that Jackie’s Warrior can deliver a top end effort this year.
Asmussen said: “He has trained very well here. “Looks so lovely… We brought him in this year because (last year) he clearly didn’t react well to 2 Ragozin (fast speed number attempt) in Racing Parx before shipping to California. That said, there are a lot of yearly variables in the Breeders’ Cup. “
Asmussen said one of those variables last year was the season that saw Jackie’s Warriors start the season in the Kentucky Derby prep run presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, before moving on to shorter races. This year the focus is on sprinting and Jackie’s Warrior has delivered some memorable wins — Vanderbilt has secured his place in history as the first horse to win races Level 1 three seasons in a row in Saratoga.
Asmussen said: “It’s a little sad to think that this is the last time we will deal with him. “He’s given us so much; we’re just proud of who he is.”
Also on Monday, Clairiere looked like she was off the track well in a half-mile breeze as she prepared seriously for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) on November 5 in Keeneland.
Clairiere Winds on October 31 in Keeneland
“She’s just an unbelievable mare; she really is,” Asmussen said. “We love the way she does it here. It’s a big field but we feel like we have a big horse and we love letting her run in it.”
A 4-year-old mixed-race at Stonestreet Stables, Clairiere turned heads in June when she defeated a pair of champions—Malathaat and Letruska —To win the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park. Daughter of Curlin will try to bounce back from fifth place in the Individual Deposit (G1) program on August 27 at Spa.
Monday’s breeze marks Claire’s fifth move this month in Keeneland.
Two other Breeders ‘Cup workers of Asmussen on Monday were Gunite pre-entered in Big Ass Fans Breeders ‘Cup Dirt Mile (G1), and Evil Halo pre-participated in Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).
As both are on a recent winning streak at Keeneland, Asmussen says they don’t need to do much. Gunite finished half a mile with a ratio: 51 3/5 while Wicked Halo posted four rewards with a ratio: 52 3/5.
Asmussen said he wanted to give each horse — both domestic crosses to Winchell Thoroughbreds — a chance to compete in the Breeders’ Cup after seeing what each looked like in recent race wins at Keeneland. Gunite won the Perryville Stakes on October 22; the same day that Wicked Halo secured the Lexus Raven Run Stakes (G2).
“We are very pleased with how the Breeders’ Cup horses are performing,” Asmussen said. “We felt that they were a great fit for it.”
| Horse | Follow | Distance | Time | Assignment |
| Hello West | Keeneland | 4F (Dirt-Good) | : 47 2/5 | acceleration |
| Claire | Keeneland | 4F (Dirt-Good) | : 50 | Distaff |
| Gunite | Keeneland | 4F (Dirt-Good) | : 51 3/5 | Dirt Mile |
| Jackie’s Warrior | Keeneland | 3F (Dirt-Good) | : 37 3/5 | acceleration |
| Evil Halo | Keeneland | 4F (Dirt-Good) | : 52 3/5 | Filly & Mare Sprint |
