Team
Valor International’s State of Play worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 on
Friday at Keeneland in preparation for a start in the Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Turf (G1) at Churchill Downs on November 5.
State
of Play, with exercise rider David Nava aboard, worked in company over
the main track with the undefeated 2-year-old filly Sweet Seventeen, who
is being pointed for the Pocahontas (G2) at Churchill on October 30.
The filly broke off two lengths in front, with State of Play making up
ground to finish together with her at the wire. State of Play was
clocked in fractions of :13.40, :25.60, :38 and :49.40. He galloped out
three-quarters in 1:15.60. Sweet Seventeen got the five furlongs in
1:02.
“I
thought he worked super,” said trainer Graham Motion. “He’s been sick,
so he missed a work or two. So there was a fine line between him doing
enough and overdoing it since he’s only got one more work before the
Breeders’ Cup. I was very pleased with how it worked out. I thought it
was about as close to perfect as it could have been.”
State
of Play is undefeated in two career starts, both at Saratoga, winning
the With Anticipation (G2) on September 1. The War Front colt missed a
start in Keeneland’s Bourbon (G3) on October 9 when he spiked a fever,
and Motion elected to train him up to the Breeders’ Cup.
Motion
said he plans to ship to Churchill on Wednesday, October 26. Weather
permitting, he will work both of his Juvenile Turf contenders, State of
Play and Lucky Chappy (IRE), on the turf there on Friday, October 28.
Lucky Chappy, a High Chaparral (IRE) colt also owned by Team Valor,
finished third in the Bourbon in his first U.S. start.
Also
working next Friday over the main track at Churchill will be Motion’s
Juddmonte Spinster (G1) winner Aruna. Aruna is under consideration for
either the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (G1) or Emirates Airline
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).
Trainer Graham Motion reported that Andreas Jacobs’ Sanagas (GER) was
“super” Friday morning following his track-record-setting win in
Thursday’s Sycamore. “He’s a really nice horse. Yesterday was the best
race he’s run. He was very professional. He has been a little quirky.
For a 5-year-old he’s been quite immature.” Motion reported that the
Sycamore might be the last start of the year for the 5-year-old Lomitas
(GB) gelding. “I might put him away for the year. He’s kind of done his
thing, and I’m not sure I want to run him in Florida. We’ll see. I think
he can be a really fun horse next year.”