Got Lucky, Liam’s Map headline Pletcher’s BC worker brigade

Edited Press Release

Trainer Todd Pletcher on Thursday sent out five horses pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for their final works before the October 30-31 event at Keeneland.

Among them was Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) hopeful Got Lucky, working for the first time since she won the October 4 Spinster S. (G1) at Keeneland, and Woodward S. (G1) victor Liam’s Map, who is headed to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

In company with Zambian Dream, Got Lucky breezed four furlongs in :48.40. Clockers caught them in fractions of :12, :23.80 and :48.40, with a gallop-out time of 1:01.40.

“It was a standard Got Lucky-type breeze,” Pletcher said about the four-year-old daughter of A.P. Indy. “She’s a filly that knows the difference between practice and game time. That was a typical :49-type half for her, just a maintenance work.

“I thought her gallop out was good. I think she’s done well since the Spinster.”

Another Pletcher hopeful for the Distaff, multiple Grade 1 winner Curalina, breezed a half-mile in :48.20. Working in company with Race Day, who is headed to the Fayette S. (G2) at Keeneland on Breeders’ Cup Friday, the sophomore miss was caught in fractions of :12.60, :25.40 and :48.20 before galloping out in 1:00.80 and 1:14.

“Typical breeze from her,” Pletcher said about the three-year-old Curlin filly, who has a second preference pre-entry to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). “Very straightforward, very much on the bridle throughout. Good gallop out. Pretty much the standard excellent breeze we’ve come to expect from her.

“She continues to handle the track. Her appetite’s been great here. Think she’s actually put on a few pounds since (her second in) the Beldame (G1). Very, very pleased.”

Liam’s Map, with Javier Castellano aboard, covered five furlongs by himself in 1:01.20. Clockers caught the Unbridled’s Song four-year-old in fractions of :12.80, :24.80, :37.20 and 1:01.20, with gallop-out times of 1:13.60 and 1:26.80.

The move marked the third breeze at Keeneland for Liam’s Map.

“Liam’s Map was outstanding,” Pletcher said. “Got into a very steady rhythm, was very relaxed, very comfortable. I told Javier to let him pick it up a little bit the last part on the radio. (Liam’s Map) just really lengthened his stride, leveled off. Looked good finishing, galloped out exceptionally well. Very, very happy with him.”

Other Pletcher horses breezing four furlongs on the main track Thursday were a pair of two-year-olds pointing to Breeders’ Cup races on grass – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) contender Azar and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) hopeful Thrilled. Together, they were timed in :48 with fractions of :13, :25.40 and :48, and gallop times of 1:00.60 and 1:13.40.

“They went very well,” Pletcher said. “For horses that have run only on the turf so far in their careers, they both handled the dirt here really well. I thought it was a good energetic breeze from both of them.”

On Friday, Pletcher plans to work his remaining Breeders’ Cup contenders with the exception of Stopchargingmaria, who is to breeze Saturday.

“Traditionally, she’s run well with her final breeze six days before the race, so we’re going to stick to that plan,” he explained.

In addition to the Pletcher brigade, four other horses pre-entered to the Breeders’ Cup worked on the fast main track Thursday morning.

Distaff candidate Salama worked a half-mile in company in :48.60 for trainer Charles LoPresti after the morning renovation break.

Jockey Julien Leparoux was aboard for the move in which Salama started two lengths in back of her workmate, Lurego, a five-year-old allowance winner, and finished on even terms. Fractions for the move were :24.20 and :48.60 with a five-furlong gallop-out in 1:00.60.

“She’s a good workhorse and she did it nicely,” Leparoux said. “She was strong in the lane and galloped out well.”

Salama finished second at Keeneland on October 10 while making both her first start since June and U.S. debut.

“I am glad she got the prep race in,” Leparoux said. “I don’t think the distance should be any problem for her.”

Fellow Distaff contender Yahilwa, a narrowly beaten third in the Spinster in her most recent start, worked a bullet five furlongs in :59 under Amie Williams. The time was the fastest of 22 at the distance.

Working on her own, the Jim Cassidy-trained mare reeled off fractions of :12, :23.20, :34.80 and :59 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:11.80. Last Thursday, Yahilwa posted a five-eighths bullet in :58.40.