Booklet Has Final Drill for Sunshine Classic

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(from Gulfstream report)
John Oxley's Booklet had his final workout on Sunday in preparation for Saturday's Sunshine Millions $1 million Ocala Breeders Sales Classic at Gulfstream Park, where the 4-year-old has posted a grade one win.

"He had a good workout on Sunday at Palm Beach Downs," trainer John T. Ward, Jr. said of Booklet's trial. "I got him going five-eighths in 1:01 4/5 breezing. I'm very pleased with it and that'll be his last major work. He's coming up to the race in excellent fashion."

Booklet showed his liking for Gulfstream last year when he won the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) and followed with a score in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. I). He was fourth in the Florida Derby (gr. I) after that. Booklet then was second in the Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland and finished 12th in the Preakness Stakes on May 18.

Ward gave Booklet an extended rest and didn't run him again until Nov. 19, when he won an allowance race at Churchill Downs. In his next and last start, Booklet pressed the early pace before weakening and was fourth in the Fred W. Hooper Handicap (gr. III) at Calder Race Course on Dec. 28.

"He ran well in the Hooper, especially seeing how Calder is a tricky track to run on," Ward said. "That race sets him up nicely for the Sunshine Millions Classic."

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