O'Neill horses put in Breeders' Cup work

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Richard's Kid and Handsome Mike, both trained by Doug O'Neill, had workouts Thursday at Santa Anita Park. The two horses are pre-entered for next week's $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.

Richard's Kid, a two-time winner of the Pacific Classic, worked six-furlongs in 1:15.40.

"There was not a lot of deep thought going on," O'Neill commented as to why Richard's Kid worked in company with Cinco de Mario. "I wanted to see a good three-quarters and let him finish up good, which he did. I got him in 1:14 with him finishing up faster than he started off. He galloped out great, so we're very pleased. "

Richard's Kid has won two of five starts this year since arriving back from Dubai. Formerly trained by Bob Baffert, the 7-year-old won the Prove It Stakes and Cougar II this summer with a second to Game On Dude in the Hollywood Gold Cup and a pair of thirds in the Pacific Classic and Awesome Again Stakes.

Pennsylvania Derby winner Handsome Mike went six-furlongs in 1;15.20. The 3- year-old is also pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

"Today was a day for maintenance works and an excuse to give them an easy day tomorrow and then we'll get right back into our normal good gallops right into the race," O'Neill explained.

Handsome Mike won the PA Derby as a 19-1 longshot in a field that included Travers co-winners Golden Ticket and Alpha. O'Neill's colt has just the one win in six starts this year for $706,000.