Breeders' Cup Pletcher pairs Dreaming of Julia, Shanghai Bobby for final drill

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Todd Pletcher was looking for a suitable partner to bring out more from his undefeated Grade 1-winning 2-year-old filly Dreaming of Julia in her final workout before next Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Who better than Pletcher’s undefeated Grade 1-winning 2-year-old colt, Shanghai Bobby, to do just that?

Pletcher appeared to get the desired result as Dreaming of Julia, who figures to vie for favoritism with Executiveprivilege in the Juvenile Fillies, worked a half-mile in 48.54 seconds Saturday over the Belmont training track.

Dreaming of Julia, with John Velazquez in the irons, started a half-length to three-quarters of a length behind Shanghai Bobby and finished about a neck to half-length in front. She got her last quarter in 24.11 and galloped out five furlongs in a solid 1:01.80.

Shanghai Bobby, who was on the inside under exercise rider Patti Krotenko, went five furlongs in 49.24.

“Her last work was not as stern as this one, I just wanted to make sure that we got a good honest workout from her today with a strong gallop out,” Pletcher said. “It was all very good.”

Pletcher said since Shanghai Bobby went a quicker-than-desired half-mile last week, he wasn’t looking for as much from him Saturday.

“They both needed to go a half, I just felt like they’d make a nice pair, and I guessed right,” Pletcher said. “It was a very well-executed breeze, they finished faster than they started, galloped out well. Shanghai Bobby had a very strong breeze last week – a little quicker than we set out to do – so we didn’t want to do as much today.”

Kauai Katie, who like Dreaming of Julia is 3 for 3 and also owned by Stonestreet Stables, worked five furlongs in 1:01.42, in company with the unraced 2-year-old colt Tiz Chris, named for the son of the late Jess Jackson, founder of Stonestreet. Kauai Katie, who was on the inside, had to be asked a little by exercise rider Annie Finney to keep up with the colt, but got her final quarter in 24.69.

“She wouldn’t be one that you would know is as fast as she is based on her breezes,” Pletcher said. “Unless you really gig her up, she’ll just do what her workmate does, but I think that was a good solid finish and good gallop out.”

Kauai Katie is pre-entered in both the Juvenile Fillies and the Juvenile Sprint. Pletcher seems to be in favor of running in the Juvenile Fillies, but he had yet to finalize plans with Barbara Banke, Jackson’s widow who now heads Stonestreet.

“I think she certainly worked well enough this week and last week that we should give very strong consideration for the Juvenile Fillies,” Pletcher said.

Turbulent Descent, Pletcher’s starter for the Filly and Mare Sprint, had her third straight solid workout, breezing four furlongs in 48.98 in company with the Grade 1 winner Stay Thirsty.

Turbulent Descent, on the outside under Hector Ramos, finished 1 1/2 lengths clear of Stay Thirsty, galloping out five furlongs in 1:02.17 and pulling up six furlongs in 1:15.66. It was the third straight week that Turbulent Descent has turned in an impressive move.

“Since the Gallant Bloom, this filly’s training really well,” Pletcher said. “She’s put up three consecutive very good breezes. I couldn’t be happier with her.”

Pletcher’s horses are scheduled to ship to California on Tuesday, though Hurricane Sandy could have something to say about that.

The Lumber Guy, winner of the Grade 1 Vosburgh, worked four furlongs in 47.78, going a quick opening quarter in 23.44 under exercise rider Ivan San Juan.

“I was afraid he would come home too fast, but the rider told me he geared him down late,” trainer Mike Hushion said. “He said he chirped to him and quickly took a hold of him. He said he had a hard time pulling him up galloping out.”

After putting in several stamina-building, in-company works, Mucho Macho Man worked a half-mile in 48.38 by himself under exercise rider Nick Petro. He went his opening quarter in 24.34 and his last quarter in 24.04, galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.83 and pulling up three-quarters in 1:16.64. Most noteworthy about his breeze was how well he cornered coming into the stretch, something he hadn’t done as well in some of his other breezes.

Tom Albertrani’s pair of Breeders’ Cup candidates, Brilliant Speed and Belle of the Hall, each put in easy half-mile breezes Saturday morning over the training track. Brilliant Speed went a half-mile in 49.51 for the Classic, while Belle of the Hall went in 49.00 for the Filly and Mare Sprint.