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Halladay and Valiance post final Breeders' Cup works with Pletcher on verge of 5K milestone

by Ryan Martin

Trainer Todd Pletcher looked on as Halladay [Mile] and Valiance [Distaff] breezed on the Belmont dirt training track Saturday morning in preparation for next weekend's Breeders' Cup World Championships to be held November 6-7 at Keeneland Race Course.

Harrell Ventures' Halladay, winner of the Grade 1 Fourstardave last out on August 22 at Saratoga Race Course, worked solo through a half-mile in 49.21 seconds over the fast dirt training track.

"I was happy we were able to get it in today. The track dried out pretty nicely considering all of the rain we've had," Pletcher said. "Halladay was a touch keen early on. He went off a little quick but then he relaxed, settled quickly, finished up strong and galloped out well. I was happy with that."

Saturday's work was the third breeze back for the 4-year-old War Front gray after scratching out of the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile on October 3 at Keeneland with a hind leg infection.

Halladay, who captured the Tropical Park Derby in December at Gulfstream Park, has posted a trio of triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures over his last four starts, recording wins in an optional-claimer [102] on the Gulfstream turf in April; a 1 ¼-length score in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch [103] at the Spa in July; and a 105 Beyer for his pacesetting Fourstardave effort.

"He's had a couple of extra days in between works," Pletcher said. "We haven't been able to do a whole lot here with all of the rain and sloppy conditions. He was just feeling good, which is an indication that he's sharp and ready."

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Martin S. Schwartz and China Horse Club's Valiance enjoyed success at the highest level last out in the nine-furlong Grade 1 Spinster on October 4 at Keeneland. The victory marked the first graded stakes win for the 4-year-old Tapit gray, who registered a solo half-mile breeze in 49 flat Saturday.

"Valiance maintains form really well. Not only was her work good, but she galloped out well. She seems to be doing as well as she can at the moment," Pletcher said.

Valiance, a six-time winner from eight starts, was purchased for $650,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. Out of the Grade 1-winning Empire Maker mare Last Full Measure, Valiance entered the Spinster from the off-the-turf Eatontown at Monmouth Park in August.

"When you go into races like this, they're going to be one of many Grade 1 winners in their respective races," Pletcher said. "Both horses are in good form and doing well, we just need everything to go smoothly between now and then and have some racing luck."

Jockey Luis Saez will pilot both Halladay and Valiance in their respective Breeders' Cup races.

Pletcher pre-entered five horses for next weekend's Breeders' Cup with his 2-year-old contenders Likeable [Juvenile], Mutasaabeq [Juvenile Turf], and Union Gables [Juvenile Fillies Turf / second preference Juvenile Turf Sprint] posting their final works on Thursday at Belmont.

The 53-year-old Pletcher, a seven-time Eclipse Award-winner, has saddled winners of five American Classics and 11 Breeders' Cup races. He enters Saturday's 10-race Belmont card just one win shy of 5,000 for his career.

The veteran conditioner will send out a trio of starters Saturday at Belmont as he looks to reach the milestone, including Kitten by the Sea [Race 2], Cap de Creus [Race 6, the $80,000 Zagora] and Jerry the Nipper [Race 7].