Havre de Grace has solid work at Keeneland

By: SPORTS NETWORK

 

Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farm received good news Monday morning about his Breeders' Cup Classic candidate Havre de Grace. Trainer Larry Jones told Porter about the four-year-old's five-furlong workout at Keeneland.

"Larry just called me and said she worked in 58 and 3/5ths," Porter reported on the farm's website. "He was very happy with it and said she did it within herself. It was nice and easy for her. Winslow Homer had worked shortly before her in 59 and 1/5ths, which was great for him. Larry said we don't have to do much with her since she is so fit. She hadn't done anything but gallop since October 1st and she was ready to do something. She is a very fast work horse and Gabe (jockey Gabriel Saez) couldn't do much to get her to go much slower, but she has always been a fast work horse and that time is just perfect.

"One more work at Churchill next Monday and we will be ready."

Sitting atop the NTRA Thoroughbred Poll since early September, Havre de Grace defeated colts and geldings in the Woodward Handicap at Saratoga over the Labor Day weekend. In her last race she easily handled other females in the Beldame Stakes by more than eight-lengths.

The filly also won the Azeri, Apple Blossom and Obeah Stakes this season. Her only blemish was a second to Blind Luck by a nose in the Delaware Handicap in July. While Havre de Grace has won both starts since the loss Blind Luck failed to fire in the Lady's Secret on October 1 and was eased down the stretch. Blind Luck will not start in the Breeders' Cup.

Havre de Grace has earned $1,323,000 this year and nearly $2.2 million in her career.