Sumwon sparkles in Sat. work

[Kasept]

Dee Tee Stables' SUMWONLOVESYOU signaled her readiness for next Friday's scheduled start working a sharp 6f under regular rider Willie Martinez Saturday morning in 1:13.3 at Churchill Downs. The effort, according to trainer Chuck Simon, "couldn't have gone better," with Sumwon receiving the added benefit of picking up an unscripted workmate as part of the a.m. drill.

Commencing at the 5/8ths pole, the daughter of Came Home zipped the first quarter in :23.4, the half in :47.4 (:24.0) and 5f in 1:01.1 (:13.1), before coming home around the clubhouse turn strongly in :12.2 (1:13.3). While the work itself stands on its' own merits as a tuneup for her scheduled start 5/25, it was the workmate that made the spin interesting...

Sumwon picked up a Tom Proctor filly, who had begun her work at the half mile pole, as the Dee Tee colorbearer began her own run in earnest. Having spotted the filly a bit more than a length, Sumwon "dug in" according to Martinez and chased the foe from the inside into the stretch. Drawing even with her rival nearing the finish line, Sumwon drew off past the wire and into the turn where her work was targeted to end, making the final segment of the breeze the best part of the work...

The unexpected competition for Sumwonlovesyou? Proctor's stakes winning 3yo grass filly MOONEE PONDS, whose :48.3 half mile was 8th of 42 tries at the distance, and who was recently favored in The Edgewood Stakes at Churchill... Sumwon was blowing appropriately after the effort and cooled out quickly afterwards.

Willie had nothing but praise for Sumwon after the work. "She does everything you ask, Chuck," Martinez told Simon. "She didn't want to be behind that filly and really dug in." Martinez added that she changed leads on cue as well and responded to his cuckling at her perfectly.

Chuck will undoubtedly add his perspective here and on the ChuckBlog later today, but this was a perfect tightener for the start, and it's "all systems go" for Friday...