Bill
Farish Jr.’s Pool
Play, eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) in his last start, continued
his preparations for next Friday’s $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by
Norton Healthcare (GI) with a five-furlong breeze in 1:01.60 on the fast main
track at Churchill Downs on Friday morning.
Pool
Play worked in company with John Oxley’s Stealcase, who is under
consideration for the Clark Handicap and Cigar Mile (GI) at Aqueduct on Nov.
24.
“They
went off (the first eighth of a mile) in 13 seconds and then did 12s the rest
of the way around,” said assistant trainer Norman Casse, who oversaw the
work for his father, Mark. “It was perfect. I asked them to go 1:02 and they
went 1:01 and change. We like working our good horses with each other and both
of these horses appreciate working in company. They’re two professional horses
and it was nice to let them go out and do it together.
“As
long as Pool Play comes out of the work fine, he is for sure going in the
Clark. We’re still debating on whether to go to the Clark or Cigar Mile with
Stealcase.”
Gary
and Cecil Barber’s
Delegation, third in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI) to Tapizar,
was previously under consideration for the Clark and Cigar Mile, but is no longer
being pointed to either race.
“We
decided he needed more time in between races,” Casse said.