Wildcat Heir's Breeze Tops Tuesday Workout Tab

Training activity among Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships contenders at Belmont Park was not nearly as hectic Tuesday as it was Monday, with only four main track works and one grass work.

One of the most impressive works of the day was a five-furlong breeze by TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) contender Wildcat Heir, whose clocking of :59 2/5 was the best among 21 horses working that distance.

Trainer Ben Perkins Jr. said that although the son of Forest Wildcat owned by New Farm had only one start this year – a victory in the Teddy Drone Stakes at Monmouth Park – he decided to pre-enter him in the Sprint because he is doing well and appears to have recovered from the setbacks earlier this year. Stewart Elliott, who was aboard for the workout and who rode Wildcat Heir in the Teddy Drone and last year's Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I), will ride the horse in the Sprint.

Perkins said he worked Wildcat Heir in tandem with stablemate Wild Jam, who was timed in 1:02, because he needed a stiff work. Judging by the time, that is exactly what he got.

The Tuesday works and times were:
--Wildcat Heir (TVG Sprint), five furlongs, :59 2/5
--Private Vow (Bessemer Trust Juvenile), six furlongs, 1:14 4/5
--Sundrop (Emirates Airline Filly & Mare Turf), five furlongs, 1:04 1/5
--Stellar Jayne (Emirates Airline Distaff), five furlongs, 1:01 4/5
--Shakespeare (John Deere Turf), five furlongs, turf, 1:00 4/5

Trainer Rick Mettee, who is handling Godolphin Racing-owned Sundrop and Stellar Jayne for trainer Saeed bin Suroor, said both horses are training well.

"The track was playing a little slow today after all the recent rain," Mettee said. "But I am pleased with how both worked. Stellar Jayne went well and finished up good. I think she's exactly where she should be. She's had two runs and she hasn't come under tremendous pressure in either one of her races. We still have a fresh horse. I did not expect much out of Sundrop on the dirt. She is a grass filly all the way and she is a modest filly when working by herself. I plan to work her in company and on the grass next week."

A 4-year-old daughter of Wild Rush, millionaire Stellar Jayne has won eight of 20 starts, including the grade I Ruffian at Belmont on Sept. 11. Stablemate Sundrop, who will be the first horse bred in Japan to start in a Breeders' Cup race, was a group III winner in England before coming to the U.S. in August. The Sunday Silence filly has finished fifth in both her U.S. starts, both grade I stakes.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Mike McCarty's Private Vow "worked very well" and "has done extremely well" since winning the Futurity (gr. II) at Belmont last month. The son of Broken Vow  has won three of four starts, the only blemish on his record a second-place effort in his career debut.

Shakespeare, who was timed in :35 3/5 for the final three furlongs of his work over a turf course labeled good, "went well and finished well through the stretch," according to his Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Owned by Dell Ridge Farm and William Schettine, the 4-year-old son of Theatrical is undefeated in five career starts, including a win in the grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational at the John Deere Turf distance of 1 1/2 miles over the Belmont course.