Blue White Fire, an Irish invader for the $100,000 Generous
Stakes for 2-year-olds Sunday, worked three furlongs on Cushion Track in 35.80
seconds Wednesday.
“He breezed nicely,” said Jeff Hughes, assistant to trainer
Dermot Weld. “He was in good form. He was in hand.”
Blue White Fire, victorious in one of four starts in
Ireland, finished fifth in the Group II Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at one mile
on a heavy Curragh course on September 25.
“He needs firm going,” said Hughes. Garrett Gomez will ride
the colt in the Grade III test at one mile on grass. Other probable starters
include Battle Force (Mike Smith), Handsome Mike (Rafael Bejarano), Major Magic
(Joe Talamo), Senor Rain (Martin Garcia) and Stoney Fleece (Joel Rosario).
Major Magic worked five furlongs on turf in 1:01.40 for
trainer Neil Drysdale.
ASSATEAGUE, MORE THAN
LOVE ARRIVE FOR MIESQUE
Joss Saville, assistant to trainer Michael Matz, rewarded
Assateague with a sweet in her stall in Barn 53 North Wednesday in preparation
for the $100,000 Miesque Stakes Friday.
“She loves her sweets,” said Saville after the filly
exercised on the main track for the second morning following her arrival
Monday. She was shipped from Florida to Kentucky and flown here.
Assateague, named after an island inhabited by wild horses
off the Virginia coast, drew post six in a field of eight and will be ridden by
Julien Leparoux, who guided her to a maiden score at Keeneland October 26.
Also on the flight was More Than Love, a maiden winner at
Belmont for John Terranova, who was stabled in Barn 61 North with Bob Baffert.
English invader Island Paradise, victorious in one of two
starts for trainer Charles Hills, drew the rail in the Miesque. She got a feel
of the turf Wednesday morning and will remain here with Paddy Gallagher after
the Miesque.
MITCHELL CATCHES
WHITTINGHAM, EYES FRANKEL
Trainer Mike Mitchell is mixing with elite company these
days. Joining Charlie Whittingham in second place for Hollywood Park
wins with 859 last week, the 63-year-old conditioner has only Frankel ahead of
him at 952.
Mitchell is flattered to be mentioned with either of the
late Hall of Famers. “Charlie was such a great horseman and such a neat guy,
but I think Bobby was the greatest horseman I have ever seen,” said Mitchell
Wednesday.
“I remember when I was getting started here working for
Farrell Jones, we had an unbelievable meet here and won 52 races, but Bobby won
something like 60,” recalled Mitchell.
“They were both great horsemen,” continued Mitchell.
“Charlie bringing Cougar (II) back off a year’s layoff to win the Santa Anita
Handicap was really something. I wouldn’t say that I patterned myself after Bobby,
but I watched the way he did things more closely.”
Mitchell seeks his first victory in the $100,000 Vernon
Underwood Stakes Saturday with a pair of entrants--Pacific Ocean and
Carbonite--in a field of nine.