Breeders' Cup Contenders Already Training at Keeneland

Though the Breeders' Cup is still more than four weeks away, some leading contenders in the World Championships are already on the grounds at Keeneland, even those not aimed at prep races during the track's fall meet. China Horse Club and WinStar Farm's Life Is Good, fresh off a victory in the Oct. 1 Woodward Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack, jogged early Oct. 5 at Keeneland. The four-time grade 1 winner is being pointed to the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 5. Also training Wednesday was fellow Classic contender Hot Rod Charlie for trainer Doug O'Neill, and the Chad Brown-trained Jack Christopher, who could run next in either the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) or the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), both Nov. 5. Additional Breeders' Cup prospects, Jackie's Warrior and Clairiere, recorded works over the weekend at Keeneland for trainer Steve Asmussen. Arriving Oct. 4 at Keeneland from Prairie Meadows was trainer Tim Martin and Thomas Lepic's Tyler's Tribe. Undefeated in five starts by a combined 59 3/4 lengths, the Iowa-bred could run next in either the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) or the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T), both on Future Stars Friday, Nov. 4. "He will go to the track Friday," Martin said. "I'm looking at both races. He's never been on the grass, and I'd like to see how he handles it."