Four Classic Contenders Turn in Final Works

Four contenders for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic completed their final preparations Monday, with another hopeful for the race turning in an unofficial work at Arlington Park.

At Arlington Park, Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Evening Attire turned in his final workout when he breezed 5 furlongs in 1:02. With exercise rider Danny Vogt aboard, the son of Black Tie Affair was timed in fractional splits of :25, :37 3/5, and :49 4/5. The 4YO gelding galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:14 4/5.

"This is the way he always works," trainer Pat Kelly said. "He is a very intelligent horse and he always knows exactly what he is supposed to do."

Three Classic hopefuls were in action Monday at Belmont Park. Travers and Jim Dandy Stakes winner Medaglia d'Oro was timed in 1:00 4/5 for five furlongs. Volponi, who has finished second or third in four consecutive grade I or II events since winning the grade III Poker, worked a half-mile in :48. Santa Anita Handicap winner Milwaukee Brew was clocked in 1:01 3/5 for his five-eighths of a mile work.

In an unofficial work at Arlington, Classic contender Macho Uno was sent out for what was to be a routine gallop, but he was timed by trainer Joe Orseno. "He was supposed to open gallop in 15 (seconds for a quarter), 15, and 15, so that was faster than we wanted to go," Orseno said. "But he was going so strong."

Also at Arlington Park, Juvenile contender Sky Mesa worked 5 furlongs in 1:05 4/5, getting fractions of :13 3/5, :26 4/5, :39 4/5, and :53. He galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:19.

Assistant Trainer Donna Ward said, "The time was slower by design than the undefeated son of Pulpit normally works.

"The exercise rider has been cautioned so much not to do it (workout) in :59 seconds," Ward said in reference to Sky Mesa's usual times.

Two Item Limit, who is gearing up for the Distaff, breezed a half-mile in :48 1/5 with splits of :24 2/5 and :36 1/5, while galloping out 5 furlongs in 1:02 and 6 furlongs in 1:15 1/5.

Monday workouts by Breeders' Cup horses:
Horse, Breeders' Cup race, track/training center, distance, workout time

Azeri, Distaff , San Luis Rey Downs, 3 furlongs, 35:60

Banks Hill, FM Turf, Hollywood Park, 5 furlongs, 1.02:20

Dublino, FM Turf, San Luis Rey Downs, 3 furlongs, 35:60

Evening Attire, Classic, Arlington Park, 5 furlongs, 1.02:00

Farda Amiga, Distaff, Hollywood Park, 5 furlongs, 1.00:20

Kalookan Queen, Sprint, Santa Anita Park, 4 furlongs, 46:80

Listen Indy, Juvenile, Santa Anita Park, 5 furlongs, 1.00:20

Macho Uno, Classic, Arlington Park, 3 furlongs, 40:20

North East Bound, Mile, Monmouth Park, 4 furlongs, 48:00

Orientate, Sprint, Churchill Downs, 4 furlongs, 48:20

Sea Jewel, Fillies, Santa Anita Park, 5 furlongs, 1.01:40

Sky Mesa, Juvenile, Arlington Park, 5 furlongs, 1.05:80