Multiple Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti and dual grade I winner It's Tricky had their final works over at Belmont Park Oct. 26 in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup next week at Churchill Downs.
Gio Ponti, with exercise rider Jerry Fogarty up, worked five furlongs in company over the inner turf in 1:02. The 6-year-old son of Tale of the Cat broke off about 1 1/2 lengths behind stablemate Chardsey, and finished a length in front.
“It was a very, very good work,” said Christophe Clement, who trains Gio Ponti for Castleton Lyons. “He was very relaxed and I was pleased with his gallop-out. He will ship to Kentucky on Tuesday (Nov. 1).”
As was the case last year, Gio Ponti was pre-entered in both the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I), which was listed as his first preference, and the Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT).
“He will most likely go to the Mile,” said Clement of Gio Ponti, who in 2009 was runner-up to Zenyatta in the Classic and last year finished second to Goldikova in the Mile.
Ladies’ Classic (gr. I) candidate It’s Tricky, working in company with stablemate Redding Colliery, was credited with a five-furlong work in a bullet 1:00 over the main track, with clockers catching her going a half-mile in :47 3/5.
“It was a very nice work; we were happy,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin of It’s Tricky, winner of the Acorn and Coaching Club American Oaks (both gr. I). “We worked her last Tuesday, and with the rain coming, we decided to work her today. She’s plenty fit, so we won’t do anything more with her. We did something different, went to the main track today; it’s in good shape, it’s a little quieter, and it picks her head up to go somewhere different. All systems are go.”
McLaughlin said his remaining Breeders’ Cup contenders—Alpha (Juvenile), Miss Netta, (Juvenile Fillies), Trappe Shot (Dirt Mile), and Rattlesnake Bridge (Classic)—will work this weekend, with all scheduled to ship by van to Churchill Downs on Monday, Oct. 31.
