While Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) contender Wise Dan captivated the attention of many on the Keeneland grounds with his morning breeze Oct. 20, four other hopefuls for the Nov. 2-3 World Championships at Santa Anita Park were also on the Lexington worktab.
Lael Stables and All In Stable's Willcox Inn worked for the first time since his runner-up finish to Wise Dan in the Oct. 6 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT). With assistant Hilary Pridham aboard for trainer Mike Stidham, the 4-year-old Harlan's Holiday colt worked four furlongs in :48 4/5. Clockers caught Willcox Inn in splits of :12 3/5, :24 4/5, :37 1/5, :48 3/5, with a five-furlong gallop out in 1:01 3/5.
"He starts off nice and relaxed and finishes with a lot of energy; he finished the last eighth in :11 and change and then a good gallop out all the way around the turn, and that's what we wanted," Stidham said.
Stidham said Willcox Inn would have one more work in a week, then ship to California on Oct. 28.
Shortleaf Stable's Atigun and Magic City Thoroughbred Partners' Golden Ticket , two 3-year-olds trained by Ken McPeek, each worked five furlongs under Danny Ramsey.
Atigun, who is pointed at the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. II), was clocked in 1:01 3/5. The Istan colt most recently was in New York, where he was third in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), sixth in the Jim Dandy (gr. I), and fourth in both the Travers (gr. I) and TVG Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (gr. I).
Golden Ticket, dead-heat winner of the Travers, was clocked in 1:02 2/5. The son of Speightstown , who has worked on three consecutive Saturdays at Keeneland, is a candidate for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) on Nov. 3.
McPeek said the horses could work again at Keeneland before they leave for California Oct. 28.
Tri-Star Racing's Brown Almighty, runner-up in the Oct. 7 Bourbon (gr. III), worked a half-mile in :49 2/5 under jockey Kent Desormeaux for trainer Tim Ice. The Big Brown colt is pointed at the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) Nov. 3.
The morning work tab also featured a bevy of other name horses prepping for upcoming engagements.
Dogwood Stable's Aikenite , fourth in the opening-day Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (gr. III), and Spendthrift Farm, George Bolton and Stonestreet Stables' Dominus , sixth in the Shadwell, worked a half-mile together in :48 4/5 for trainer Todd Pletcher. Aikenite is being pointed to the $100,000 Ack Ack (gr. III) at a mile Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs, according to assistant Michael Dilger.
Ashbrook Farm's San Antone, nominated to the Oct. 27 Fayette (gr. II), worked a half-mile in :51 flat for trainer Rusty Arnold.
Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Cease, runner-up in the Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) in his most recent start, worked a half-mile in :50 4/5 for trainer Al Stall Jr. in preparation for the $400,000 Clark (gr. I) scheduled for Nov. 23 at Churchill. Also working toward a possible Churchill start for Stall was Ramona Bass' undefeated Applauding, the Keeneland record holder for six furlongs on Polytrack (1:07.76), who went a half-mile in company in :47 4/5.
