Dollar Bill, Abreeze Prepare for Kentucky Cup Classic

Gary and Mary West's Dollar Bill, the expected starting highweight for the Sept. 14 Kentucky Cup Classic at 117 pounds, breezed four furlongs in :49 1/5 Sept. 8 at Churchill Downs. The work was the fourth fastest of 40 at the distance.

"So far, so good," trainer Dallas Stewart said. "It was a good work. He's an honest horse and I'm sure he'll show up on Saturday."

Pat Day will have the mount on Dollar Bill. The other Kentucky Cup Classic probables with assigned weights are Tenpins (116), Pure Prize (115), Abreeze (114), There's Zealous (114), Hero's Tribute (113), Miner's Prize (113), and Nothing Flat (112).

Last year's Kentucky Cup Juvenile winner Repent was assigned top weight of 119 pounds, followed by Balto Star and Sir Bear at 118 pounds, but none are expected to start.

Abreeze, who finished ahead of Dollar Bill in the Saratoga Breeders' Cup when the horses were second and third, respectively, will have his final work for the race Sept. 10 at Saratoga, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. Abreeze is scheduled to arrive at Turfway Sept. 13 following a van ride from New York.

Abreeze won a $35,000 claiming race at Belmont in June and has quickly climbed the ranks. He won two allowance races prior to his second-place finish in the Saratoga Breeders' Cup.

"It's unbelievable how well he's doing," McLaughlin said. "Every time we put him up to a test, he answers. He was bothered slightly by the loose horse in the Saratoga race, but he still ran well. He's shown he belongs with these horses.

"He's a speedy horse, and we thought he'd do well at Turfway. I wish there wasn't as much speed as there is with There's Zealous and Tenpins, but he can rate if he has to. He's really doing excellent right now."

Jockey Richard Migliore will be in from New York to ride Abreeze.