Ben's Cat before the 2014 Jim McKay Turf Sprint. Photo by Laurie Asseo.

Ben’s Cat before the 2014 Jim McKay Turf Sprint. Photo by Laurie Asseo.

From a Maryland Jockey Club release

Several runners pointed to Preakness weekend undercard stakes posted their final pre-race moves this morning.

Working in company over a fast track before the morning renovation break at Churchill were Conquest Stables’ Conquest BigLuck E and Gabe Grossberg and Sagamore Farm’s Commute.

“They went in :47 and 2 and galloped out in  a minute,” Norm Casse, assistant to his father, trainer Mark Casse, said of the works that tied for the second-fastest of 55 Saturday morning. “Conquest BigLuck E will go in the Sir Barton and Commute in the Chick Lang.”

The $100,000 Sir Barton at 1 1/16 miles and the $100,000 Chick Lang at six furlongs will be run on the Preakness undercard. Both races are restricted to 3-year-olds.

D.P. Racing’s Yahilwa, winner of the Sixty Sails (G3) at Hawthorne in her most recent start, worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 at Churchill. Trained by Jim Cassidy, Yahilwa is nominated to the $150,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff (G3) to be run at 1 1/8 miles on the Black-Eyed Susan undercard.

Gearing up for a start in the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint, ageless multiple stakes-winning Maryland-bred star Ben’s Cat worked Saturday at Laurel Park.

“He just went an easy, slow half-mile in 49,” legendary Mid-Atlantic horseman and Hall of Fame-elect trainer King Leatherbury said. “He’s right on schedule.”

The 9-year-old Ben’s Cat was second to Bold Thunder in his 2015 debut, a $55,000 allowance run at the same five furlongs on turf as the McKay. Ben’s Cat has won the McKay three times, including the past two years.

War Correspondent worked five furlongs in 1:01.12 Saturday at Belmont Park in preparation for next Saturday’s Longines Dixie (G2). The Christophe Clement-trained colt turned in the fourth fastest of 25 clockings recorded at the distance.