Stellar Wind, Masochistic Lead Parade of California Breeders’ Cup Works

By Margaret Ransom

Hronis Racing’s champion Stellar Wind, getting ready for her highly antipated matchup with fellow champions Songbird and Beholder in the November 4 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI), worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 under exercise rider Jose Contreras at Santa Anita on Friday in company with stablemate and grade 1 winner Hard Aces, who went in 1:01.

“I was real happy with her breeze this morning,” Sadler said of last year’s Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old filly. “She broke three (lengths) behind Hard Aces, was outside him all the way and a half-length in front at the wire. She’ll have one more breeze before the Distaff next Friday. It was a very nice work — her usual work – no deviations from what we’ve been doing with her previously. She looked good doing it, so we’re happy.”

Stellar Wind had fractional times of :25 1/5, :37 2/5 and :48 4/5, with a six-furlong gallop out of 1:13 1/5.

A year ago, Stellar Wind finished second to Stopchargingmaria in the Distaff at Keeneland and will attempt to better that finish in what may be her stiffest test against top fillies and mares like undefeated Songbird and three-time Eclipse Award winner Beholder. The chestnut daughter of Curlin will run in the Distaff carrying two straight wins over Beholder and also attempt to become her trainer’s first win from 36 previous starters on Racing’s Championship Day.

“Her last few races have been in small fields where we can’t let the front-runner – one that good – out of sight,” Sadler said. “I think Victor (Espinoza, her regular rider) recognized that so we’ve kind of had to change her style, and it’s worked. Under those circumstances, that was the plan.

“We’ve had a lot of placings (in Breeders’ Cup races) — second, second, third, third, but it’s not a sensitive issue. Last year, c’mon, we were supposed to get put up.

“I feel like we won it last year.”

Also working Friday morning was Los Pollos Hermanos’ and Jay Em Ess Stable’s grade 1 winner Masochistic, who logged a bullet six furlongs in 1:11 3/5 for trainer Ron Ellis. The 6-year-old gelding, who won his only two races of the year including the Triple Bend Stakes (GII) at Del Mar in August, was clocked in splits of :35 2/5, :47 and :59 2/5 and 1:24 3/5 for the seven furlongs galloping out.

“It was at least as good as any of his works ever,” Ellis said before adding the son of Sought After will have his final Breeders’ Cup drill next Saturday.

Other Breeders’ Cup workers on Friday were:

Renlo Investments’ Lady Shipman (Turf Sprint), who worked a half-mile in :48 2/5 under Mike Smith for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The Midshiman filly was clocked the the last quarter in :24 2/5.

Mile contender What a View (Mile) worked six furlongs in 1:13 flat with Tyler Baze up in company with stablemate King’s Palace, who logged the distance in 1:15 4/5.

Grade 3 winner Champagne Room (Juvenile Fillies) worked six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 under Mike Smith for trainer Peter Eurton.

Zuma Beach Stakes winner Big Score (Juvenile Turf) worked four furlongs for Tim Yakteen in :50 2/5 in company with stablemate Thorn Legacy, who was clocked in :51.