The Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch reports, the excitement of Breeders’ Cup Week was tempered for the connections of Capt. Candyman Can on Saturday with the news of the sudden death of Dr. Joseph Rauch, a co-owner and breeder of the gelding, who is among the leading contenders for next Saturday’s Sprint. Rauch, a director of the urgent care department at Leesburg Regional Hospital near Ocala, Fla., was 66.

       Trainer Ian Wilkes said he received the news from Rauch’s wife, Rosemary, around 8:30 a.m. Saturday as he prepared to leave Churchill Downs for the Skylight Training Center, where Capt. Candyman Can is stabled.

      “It was a shock for sure,” said Wilkes. “I didn’t know of any health problems that he had. From what I understand he died in his sleep. It’s just hard to believe.”

     Wilkes said he last spoke to Rauch on Monday, shortly after Capt. Candyman Can worked four furlongs in 48.20 seconds over the Pro-Ride surface at Skylight.

     “You couldn’t have a better owner,” said Wilkes on Saturday. “He loved knowing what was going on with his horses but wasn’t the kind of owner who’d call you every day. We spoke about once a week. I was supposed to talk to him again tomorrow after Capt. Candyman Can had his final work for the Sprint.”

      Capt. Candyman Can became a Grade 1 winner when he was placed first following the disqualification of Vineyard Haven in Saratoga’s King’s Bishop. He earned his way into the Breeders’ Cup by virtue of his second-place finish behind 2008 Sprint runner-up Fatal Bullet in Keeneland’s Grade 3 Phoenix on Oct. 9.

      “Dr. Rauch was really excited about the prospect of going to the Breeders’ Cup,” said Wilkes. “He was really having such a good time with this horse.”

      Wilkes said he would discuss the situation with David Zell, who owned Capt. Candyman Can with Rauch, before making a decision on the 3-year-old’s Breeders’ Cup status.

       “I spoke briefly with Mr. Zell’s son Steve earlier today, and right now it looks like we’ll go ahead and run in the Breeders’ Cup because that’s what Dr. Rauch would have wanted,” said Wilkes. “For now I just want to let the shock of all this wear off and allow the horse to work as scheduled on Sunday before making a final decision regarding the Sprint.”

      Capt. Candyman Can was scheduled to board a flight for California from Louisville early Monday morning.

 WORD ON ZENYATTA SOON

 Columnist Art Wilson of the Pasadena Star-News reported that Zenyatta is ready to go. After 13 races against members of her own sex, the daughter of Street Cry will step outside the box and face male horses for the first time if she comes out of her latest workout in good order, according to trainer John Shirreffs.

      The unbeaten 5-year-old mare drilled six furlongs Saturday morning over Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track in 1:12.40 under regular jockey Mike Smith and will be entered to run in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic when entries are taken Tuesday morning barring something unforeseen.

     Zenyatta’s workout was given a “breezing” designation by Hollywood Park clockers, and her time was second-best of 16 at the distance.

     “I think she worked very well,” Shirreffs said. “She looked good, she did it handily, so everybody was happy with it.

      “Today was a good day.”

       Smith, according to Shirreffs, was pleased by the workout.

        “He was really happy,” Shirreffs said. “He said she felt great and that she’s doing really well.”

        Shirreffs said he will observe Zenyatta the next couple of days before he and owners Jerry and Ann Moss make the final decision whether to go in the Classic or the $2 million Ladies’ Classic.

      “I’m just going to look when she goes back to the track to see that she acts as she normally does, that she isn’t too anxious, that she doesn’t break out in a sweat,” Shirreffs said.

      He said he’ll walk Zenyatta today like he normally does the day after she works, and Monday she’ll gallop around the training track a few times.

      She’ll gallop over the main track Tuesday and most likely will be shipped to Santa Anita sometime Wednesday for the Breeders’ Cup.

      “We want to make it as easy as we can on her because Santa Anita will be so hectic,” Shirreffs said.

       Zenyatta, as usual, worked in company with stablemate Green Cat on Saturday. She started about three lengths behind the maiden runner and finished about five lengths in front.

       Zenyatta turned in fractional times of 24.60, 36.60, 48.40 and 1:00.20 before galloping out seven furlongs in 1:25.20.

       Summer Bird, the first horse to sweep the Belmont, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup since Easy Goer in 1989, worked five furlongs on Saturday at Santa Anita in 59.40 seconds.

       “He galloped out strong,” trainer Tim Ice said. “I got him in 1:12.”

       Ice said he’s not worried about how much speed shows up in the Classic. He just wants the Birdstone colt to run his race.

       “My horse will run according to how the pace scenario sets up,” Ice said. “He definitely can lay up close, and I also think he can be four or five (lengths) off it. I think it’s just a matter of seeing how the race sets up, let ‘em break and see where you’re at.

        “If we can get a head start on them (into the stretch), I know we can kick away and my colt, he doesn’t stop until the wire comes.  

         “If they head him, he’s going to have a lot of fight.”

         Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird is scheduled to work five furlongs Monday morning at Santa Anita with Joe Talamo aboard.

HIATT AWARDED WHITE HORSE AWARD

     The Horse.com reports, the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RCTA) 7th Annual White Horse Award, which recognizes racing-related heroic acts on behalf of human or horse, has been awarded to Steve Hiatt of San Pablo, Calif. Steve, a horse van operator in Northern California, is an unsung hero who routinely answers distress calls to transport critically ill or injured horses to the University of California, Davis, veterinary hospital. He has also assisted horsemen and women who have experienced mechanical break downs with a van or trailer full of horses. Steve comes to the rescue day or night, and he does it for the most part for free out of the kindness of his heart.

     Steve Hiatt will be honored at the White Horse Hero’s Luncheon at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, on Thursday. The award luncheon is co-sponsored by the Daily Racing Form, Harris Farms, and Taylor Made Stallions. The White Horse Hero’s Award Luncheon will be co-hosted by Carolyn Conley of HRTV’S morning show “Race Day America” and Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day.

     A silent auction to benefit the RTCA will be held at the luncheon. Items in the auction include signed memorabilia from Laffit Pincay Jr., autographed drawings by world-renown racing cartoonist Peb, and leather halters worn by Rachael Alexandra and several leading Breeders’ Cup contenders, including Mine That Bird. Tickets for the luncheon are still available by contacting the RTCA National Office at 310/419-1640.

      This is the 37th consecutive year of service by the Race Track Chaplaincy of America to those in the horse race industry. The RTCA is an inter-denominational ministry dedicated to providing for the spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and educational needs of the horse racing industry workforce.

     For more information about the Race Track Chaplaincy of America visit RTCAnational.org.

JOCKEY HOONAN-TRUJILLO SUSTAINS CONCUSSION

      Jockey Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo sustained a concussion when she fell off her mount, King Congo, after her saddle
slipped during the stretch run of the fifth race at Golden Gate Fields Saturday.

     Hoonan-Trujillo, who came off King Congo just inside the sixteenth pole, was taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland for a CT-scan.

Jean Anderson contributed to this report