Trainer Pat Byrne took a look at weather forecasts for the next few days and decided that Nov. 21 was the best shot at good conditions for the final pre-race work for Chuck and Maribeth Sandford's Almost Famous, a contender for the Nov. 30 running of the $150,000-added Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on the Stars of Tomorrow II closing day card.
The 2-year-old son of Unbridled's Song headed to the fast main track at the Louisville oval just after the morning maintenance break, breezing three furlongs in :36 2/5 under jockey Corey Lanerie.
"The weather looked like it was going to be a little rough for the weekend and our track was in super shape this morning, so I took advantage of it," Byrne said. "We had a good morning and we got all we wanted. He's all set for next Saturday."
Almost Famous will enter the Kentucky Jockey Club off an impressive six-length victory in a Nov. 9 allowance event at Churchill going the Kentucky Jockey Club distance of 1 1/16 miles. All three of his career races have come at Churchill, including a maiden victory in September followed by a fourth-place run behind Delta Jackpot (gr. III) morning-line favorite Coastline in the $60,000-added Street Sense overnight stakes on Oct. 27.
Also working toward a possible Kentucky Jockey Club bid on Thursday was Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Ichiban Warrior, who breezed a bullet four furlongs in :47 4/5. The move was the second-fastest of 27 at the distance; the Todd Pletcher-trained son of First Samurai was runner-up in the Street Sense in his most recent outing.
Probable starters for the 87th running of the Kentucky Jockey Club include Awesome Sky, Dobra Historia, and Laddie Boy. Others possible are Culprit, Financial Mogul, and Sheikinator.
A sharp Thursday morning work by Hidden Brook Fam's Canaryinacoalmine has put the 2-year-old daughter of Birdstone in the picture for the 70th running of the $150,000-added Golden Rod (gr. II), a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-old fillies on Nov. 30.
The Steve Margolis-trained filly, a 3 1/2-length winner in a six-furlong maiden race on the Stars of Tomorrow I program on Oct. 27, zipped five furlongs over a fast track in 1:00 4/5. The move ranked as second-fastest of 15 on the day.
Margolis spoke with Hidden Brook's Dan Hall after the work, and said the Golden Rod is now a possibility for the filly.
"It is going to be a tough race, but she is improving and she's got a pedigree that says she'll run long." Margolis said. "There's also an allowance the same day and we've got a few days to think about it. But right now we're leaning towards the Golden Rod."
With the addition of Canaryinacoalmine, known probable starters for the Golden Rod include Bird Maker, Madly Truly, Naive Enough, Playful Love, Stonetastic, Streethomealabama, and Vexed. Possible are Daddy's Memory, Room Service, and Spangled Banner.