Street Sense, with jockey Calvin Borel in the irons, wins the 133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, earlier this year. - reuters

new york, (reuters)

Kentucky Derby champion, Street Sense, had a strong workout at Churchill Downs yesterday in preparation for next week's $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic.

The three-year-old son of 2002 Dubai World Cup winner, Street Cry, clocked 1:00.80 over five furlongs with Calvin Borel in the saddle.

"We got what we needed," trainer Carl Nafzger told reporters. "We just need to keep him going. He's ready.

"We need to just go up there to Monmouth and do our thing."

Street Sense and Preakness Stakes winner, Curlin, are among the favourites for the mile-and-a-quarter Classic at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, on October 27.

Borel said Street Sense was "doing so well right now it's unbelievable".

The colt won the $-million Travers Stakes in August before being beaten by Hard Spun in last month's Kentucky Cup Classic.

Owner, James Tafel was hoping a Breeders' Cup triumph by Street Sense would secure Eclipse Awards as 2007 Horse of the Year and top three-year-old.

Tafel will retire the colt following the Classic, which is expected to draw a stellar field including Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun, Whitney Handicap winner Lawyer Ron, Tiago and Any Given Saturday.

"He (Street Sense) is on top of his game," said Tafel. "It's bittersweet but we're looking forward to a great race because I think it is as tough a Classic as I can remember."