Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Proviso, expected to make her next start in the $2 million TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT), worked Oct. 23 for the first time since she won the Abu Dhabi First Lady (gr. IT) for her fourth consecutive grade I victory.
With Kent Desormeaux aboard, Proviso worked around the dogs on the Keeneland turf course and was timed in 1:02 2/5 for five furlongs. Trainer Bill Mott was pleased with the performance.
“She finished up well enough,” Mott said. “She was out in the middle of the racetrack so consequently the time wasn’t real fast. I thought visually it was a good work. Kent said she galloped out strong.”
Mott said Proviso would ship to Churchill Downs at the beginning of the coming week and have one more work at Churchill in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup. Mike Smith, who has ridden the 5-year-old daughter of Dansili during her four-race streak, will be aboard Proviso again in the Breeders’ Cup.
Courageous Cat , third behind champion Gio Ponti in the Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT), is no longer is under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Mott said.
In other Keeneland works, Hot Cha Cha, third in the Juddmonte Spinster (gr. IT) last out, breezed five furlongs in 1:00-flat with regular jockey James Graham aboard.
Trainer Philip Sims caught Hot Cha Cha in fractions of :24 and a half in :48 2/5 before she picked up her pace in the last furlong.
“It was a good work,” Sims said. “It was a minute, a little faster than what we thought she would really do. She finished up really well the last eighth of a mile, galloped out strong, and (we’re) just trying to put some endurance in her right now.”
Hot Cha Cha is scheduled to breeze at Keeneland next weekend before shipping to Churchill Downs for the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT).
Michael Dubb and High Grade Racing Stable’s Breeders’ Cup hopeful, Silver Timber, worked for the first time since he captured the Woodford (gr. IIIT) Oct. 9. With Julien Leparoux aboard, the 7-year-old Prime Timber gelding breezed a half-mile on the main track in company with Unaccountable, in :49 4/5.
“I wanted him to go in :49, and that’s what they did,” said trainer Chad Brown. “Just a nice easy maintenance work.”
Silver Timber, who is pointed to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IIT), won the 5 1/2-furlong Woodford for the second straight year. Brown said Silver Timber probably will breeze again at Keeneland on Oct. 30 and ship to Churchill the following day.