ELMONT, N.Y. – The top three choices for next Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita put in their final workouts Sunday.
At Santa Anita, American Pharoah, the probable race favorite, worked five furlongs in 1:00.18 with jockey Martin Garcia up.
At Belmont Park, Carpe Diem and Daredevil, who will, in some order, be the second and third choices for trainer Todd Pletcher, worked over the training track. Carpe Diem, the Breeders’ Futurity winner, went a half in 49.00 seconds, while Daredevil, the Champagne winner, worked four furlongs in 47.46 in an eye-catching move.
Daredevil, with Javier Castellano up, worked inside of fellow 2-year-old stakes winner Blofeld. The two went off in a quick 23.65 but still went a sharp 23.81 down the lane. Daredevil galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.71, six furlongs in 1:14.67, and pulled up seven-eighths in 1:30.20.
“He’s a horse that has only run twice. I figured it’d be an education for him to be on the inside,” Pletcher said. “I thought he worked very impressively.”
:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2014: See DRF’s top contenders
Shortly before Daredevil worked, Carpe Diem, with jockey John Velazquez up, worked outside the 3-year-old stakes winner Vinceremos. That pair went together through a first quarter in 24.45 and a second quarter in 24.55. The two galloped out in 1:02.29 and six furlongs in 1:15.92.
Pletcher said, “Carpe was inside last time. I wanted to have him start off on the outside and maybe sit off that horse a little bit, get him to settle, which I thought he did well. He finished good, galloped out good, seemed happy. Good work.”
Pletcher has great respect for American Pharoah but feels good about his chances.
“Both of these colts give you good feels,” Pletcher said. “I think American Pharaoh is a very good horse, so we got to run against him on his home track, but I’m still very confident we’re bringing two very nice horses that are doing extremely well at the moment.”
Speaking of American Pharoah, the dual Grade 1 winner completed his preparations for the Juvenile on Sunday, working five furlongs for trainer Bob Baffert.
American Pharoah worked in company after the third and final renovation break at Santa Anita. American Pharoah started inside his workmate and drew away with authority down the lane.
"Isn't he scary?" Baffert said. "He just does it effortlessly."
Baffert usually works his better horses outside a workmate but said he put American Pharoah inside because "he sees things."
"He'll duck out," Baffert said. "I don't have a problem with him being inside horses."
Other Juvenile contenders working Sunday at Santa Anita were Lucky Player, who went four furlongs in 50.40, and Blue Dancer, who went a half-mile in 49.00. At Aqueduct, the Champagne runner-up Upstart worked five furlongs in 1:00.57.
A field of 13 is expected for the Juvenile when post positions are drawn Monday at 1 p.m. Pacific.
"You've got to draw well, break well," Baffert said. "Todd's horses are good, too."
Breeders' Cup Sprint candidates get in final works
Breeders' Cup Sprint hopeful Palace put in his first local work and final preparation for Saturday's event at Santa Anita on Monday. The five-year-old City Zip horse zipped the four furlongs in :46 2/5 under Danny Rojas.
Based in New York with trainer Linda Rice, Palace exits a loss as the favorite in the Vosburgh at Belmont Park on September 27 -- an effort that followed two consecutive Grade I victories in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap and Forego.
"I actually watched (the work) on HRTV," Rice said from Belmont. "I instructed him to go a half in 47 or 48. It was a little quicker than we wanted, but I understand that the track is pretty fast there in comparison to the New York tracks."
Vosburgh winner Private Zone worked an easy four furlongs. Under regular jockey Martin Pedroza, the son of Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Macho Uno went in :49 2/5 under a tight hold. The work followed a bullet gate move October 18 in 1:09 2/5.
"It was what I wanted," trainer Alfredo Velazquez said. "I would rather him be too slow than too fast. He worked very fast last week from the gate. I'm very happy and he is ready."
Secret Circle and Indianapolis two members of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's seven-horse Breeders' Cup contingent that were not put through final works for the event over the weekend, got theirs in Monday morning.
With regular rider Martin Garcia in the irons, defending Breeders' Cup Sprint champion Secret Circle worked a half-mile in :47 flat.
During the same work period Baffert's other Sprint candidate, Indianapolis, worked four furlongs in company with a stablemate and Juvenile entrant One Lucky Dane went the same distance in :47 2/5 under Rafael Bejarano.
"I got (Indianapolis) in 46 flat," Baffert said. "Mike (Smith) rides him and I wanted him to get a good feel on him."
Garcia had ridden Indianapolis to three wins in as many career starts beginning in November of last year but will go for the Sprint repeat on Secret Circle.
"They're all ready," Baffert said.
Calling the work "spot on," trainer Steve Asmussen was pleased with the four-furlong workout by Sprint hopeful Mico Margarita, who covered the distance in :49 1/5.
Outside the Golden State, Sprint entrant Bourbon Courage worked three furlongs in :34 1/5 on the fast main track at Keeneland on Monday morning.
Working after the morning renovation break and with jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. up, Bourbon Courage galloped out a half-mile in :46.
"Ricardo drove over from Louisville to work him," trainer Kellyn Gorder said. "I got him in 12 and 2, 34 and 1 and out in 46. It was pretty good. I was real happy with him. Ricardo didn't even move on him."
Cutting back to a sprint for the first time since the spring of 2012 when he was a three-year-old, Bourbon Courage won a 6 1/2- furlong sprint at Keeneland October 3 with Santana aboard for the first time.
Following that race, Gorder had indicated the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on November 29 as a possible next start, but a five-furlong work in :59 3/5 on October 20 convinced the connections to pre-enter the Breeders' Cup with the Sprint as his first preference.
Bourbon Courage is scheduled to fly out of Louisville early Wednesday morning.
Working Monday for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint was Acorn and Test winner Sweet Reason, who exercised four furlongs with exercise rider Jorge Sanchez.
"She breezed great," trainer Leah Gyarmati said. "We couldn't be any happier with how she is doing. I got her in 46 and 4."
Santa Anita clockers got Sweet Reason in :47.
In other Breeders' Cup works:
Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful Footbridge put the final touches at Santa Anita with a five-furlong breeze in 1:00 1/5 -- eighth-fastest of 42 moves at the distance -- with Iggy Puglisi up.
"The work went very well," trainer Eoin Harty said. "It wasn't anything too fancy. Just five-eighths in a minute."
Footbridge exits a third-place finish in the Awesome Again over the local course. Jockey Rafael Bejarano gets the return call in the Classic.
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas worked two of his Breeders' Cup two-year-olds. Mr. Z, heading to the Juvenile, went four furlongs in :48 4/5 under jockey Mike Smith, who will ride on Saturday.
"It was a super work, and Mike liked it, too," said Lukas following a phone conversation with the rider.
Later in the morning, jockey Victor Espinoza sent Juvenile Fillies candidate Take Charge Brandi four furlongs in :49.
"It was an easy work. I didn't want much more than that," Lukas said.
Also tuning up for the Juvenile Fillies was the Leah Gyarmati-trained Wonder Gal, who went four furlongs in :47 4/5.
Trainer Peter Miller worked two Breeders' Cup hopefuls at San Luis Rey Downs.
"Both went great," said Miller by telephone after Classic hopeful Big Cazanova worked four furlongs in :47 2/5 under jockey Elvis Trujillo and Breeders' Cup Turf hopeful Finnegans Wake went five furlongs in 1:02 with exercise rider Jose Silva. "They were both breezing."
Both horses are on the bubble for the two rich Saturday races as Miller awaited their fates in the afternoon draw.
"Big Cazanova looks like he's going to be the first also-eligible unless one of the others comes out, and Finnegans Wake should get in from everything I've heard," Miller said. "If Big Cazanova does not get in, he will run in the Las Vegas Marathon Friday instead."
Capo Bastone has been withdrawn from Friday's Dirt Mile and retired, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners announced Sunday.
"Our partners were very much looking forward to running Capo Bastone in his third consecutive Breeders' Cup race, but he came up with some filling in his left front ankle on Friday morning and while he's 100 percent sound, he's simply been too good to us for us to take any chances," Aron Wellman, president of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, said in a release.
Capo Bastone, who scored his signature win in the 2013 King's Bishop, retires with a record of 17-3-2-2, $731,756. Third in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he was last of 13 when trying the Turf Sprint last year. The four-year-old son of Street Boss will be offered as a stallion prospect at Fasig-Tipton November 3.
Obviously pleased his connections with a fast breeze on Saturday (Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com)
Alfredo Velazquez plans a slower work Monday for two-time Vosburgh Invitational winner and Sprint candidate Private Zone than the 1:09 2/5 from the gate he recorded on October 18.
"He's doing real well," the trainer said. "He'll work maybe a half (mile). The last work, he went a little too fast, so Monday I'll try to go as slow as he can, because he's ready."
Regular rider Martin Pedroza will be aboard for the work.
Committed front-runner Obviously is razor sharp for the Mile, a race he finished third in 2012 and fifth last year, after a bullet five-furlong move Saturday on Santa Anita's firm turf in :58 2/5.
"It was a really nice drill; he gave us the green light," trainer Phil D'Amato said Sunday morning. "He did it with ease and he's really sharp this morning. He's feeling good, so (it's) kind of mission accomplished."
Breeders' Cup Juvenile early favorite and dual Grade 1 winner American Pharoah worked five furlongs in company for Bob Baffert in 1:00 under Martin Garcia on Sunday over Santa Anita's fast main track. Unraced workmate Lamu was timed in 1:01 2/5.
Tapiture is seeking his first Grade 1 win in the Dirt Mile (Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com)
Baffert also sent Grade 1 romper and Classic hopeful Bayern five furlongs in company with Garcia up in :59 4/5. Workmate American Pride was clocked in 1:00 1/5.
Chandelier heroine and Juvenile Fillies hopeful Angela Renee worked four furlongs in company with Saint Dermot, with each going in an identical time of :51 1/5.
Grade 1-placed Little Alexis, pre-entered for the Filly & Mare Sprint, worked a half-mile in a bullet :45 2/5 for trainer Carlo Vaccarezza, while Grade 1 victor Majestic Harbor, expected for the Classic, went the same distance in :48 3/5 for Sean McCarthy, who termed the move "perfect; just right."
West Virginia Derby winner and Dirt Mile contestant Tapiture went four furlongs in :50 2/5, while Kentucky Oaks queen and Distaff aspirant Untapable went the same distance in :50 3/5. Trainer Steve Asmussen said he was "extremely pleased."
Sprint hopeful and King's Bishop runner-up Fast Anna turned five-eighths for trainer Kathy Ritvo in a bullet, best-of-55, :57.
On Santa Anita's firm turf course Sunday, Turf Sprint candidate Reneesgotzip clocked a half-mile under Edwin Maldonado in :48 2/5 for Peter Miller. Fellow Turf Sprint runner and Gary Mandella trainee Silentio, who was third in the Mile in 2013 and has second preference in that race this time around, was caught in 1:00 4/5 for five furlongs.
Untapable could give trainer Steve Asmussen his first Distaff win (Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com)
Tom's Tribute traveled five-eighths in 1:00 4/5 for Jim Cassidy and is expected to enter the Mile off wins in the Grade 1 Eddie Read and Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap.
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and two of his most successful students, Todd Pletcher and Dallas Stewart, all have their Breeders' Cup horses bedded down under the same shed row at Santa Anita, Barn 89.
Trainer Christophe Clement reports that his horses will ship Tuesday from the East Coast to Santa Anita for their Breeders' Cup engagements.
Dale Romans won't be riding overweight during his Breeders' Cup stint at Santa Anita. The trainer is 70 pounds lighter than when he was here last year, matching the weight loss of fellow trainer Tom Proctor.
"It's nothing formal," Romans said. "We're good friends and we started losing weight together. I just watch what I eat now; it's better for my health."
Santa Anita hosts the Breeders' Cup World Championships for the third consecutive year next Friday and Saturday. General admission tickets are $10 in advance online or $15 at the gate on Friday, and $25 in advance online or $40 at the gate Saturday.
For access to infield only, admission on Friday is $5 and on Saturday $10, both available only via Gate 6 on Colorado Place.
In addition, City of Arcadia residents with ID and children under 14 are admitted free to the infield only on Friday.
Close Hatches recorded a bullet :47.25 ahead of the Distaff (NYRA/Adam Coglianese/Susie Raisher)Breeders' Cup contenders were out in force at Belmont Park Sunday, with Bill Mott, Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher, Christophe Clement, Shug McGaughey and Tom Albertrani trainees stretching out in their last major tune-ups before shipping to Santa Anita.
Distaff threat Close Hatches led the charge for Mott, zipping a half-mile in a bullet :47.25 on the fast main track. She tied for the fastest of 80 moves at the distance on the big oval with the Clement-trained Za Approval, who is on the also-eligible list for the Turf Sprint.
Mott's Classic hope, Cigar Street, covered the same ground in :48, while his Juvenile Fillies pre-entrant, Puca, smoked four furlongs on the fast training track in a best-of-91 bullet :47.18.
Also working for the Hall of Famer on the training track were Bio Pro (Turf Sprint also-eligible), half-mile in :49 2/5, and Tourist (Mile), :48 3/5.
Mott's top Mile candidate, Seek Again, toured five-eighths on the good turf in 1:05 2/5. Stablemate Emollient (Filly & Mare Turf) clocked a bullet 1:02.88, tying with the Brown-trained Bobby's Kitten (Turf Sprint) for the bullet.
Stephanie's Kitten posted a bullet in preparation for the F&M Turf (NYRA/Adam Coglianese/Susie Raisher) Brown's battalion of turf workers also included Stephanie's Kitten (Filly & Mare Turf) and Juvenile Fillies Turf hopefuls Lady Eli and Tammy the Torpedo, who all tied for the fastest of 20 half-mile moves on the lawn in :49.09. Stephanie's Kitten was paired with Testa Rossi (:49.66), while Lady Eli and Tammy the Torpedo worked in tandem.
Likewise breezing in company were Brown's fellow Juvenile Fillies Turf pre-entrants Sivoliere and Partisan Politics, who clocked :49.88 and :49.89, respectively. Juvenile Turf contenders Offering Plan (:50.90) and Startup Nation (:50.95) also worked together. Dayatthespa, expected to join Stephanie's Kitten in the Filly & Mare Turf, completed her move in :50 1/5.
Two other Brown charges geared up on the main track. Zivo (Classic) negotiated five-eighths in 1:00 4/5, and Bakken (Sprint) reeled off a half-mile in :48.
Pletcher's dynamic duo for the Juvenile, Daredevil and Carpe Diem, both breezed four furlongs on the training track. Daredevil blitzed in :47.47 escorted by Blofeld, who went in :47.49. Carpe Diem (:49.08) teamed up with Kentucky Derby also-ran Vinceremos (:49.07) for his work.
Daredevil (inside of workmate Blofeld) sped for the Juvenile (NYRA/Adam Coglianese/Alysse Jacobs) Aside from the aforementioned bullet posted by Za Approval, other Clement workers were Summer Front (Mile) and Irish Mission (Filly & Mare Turf), who strode in :49 2/5 and and :51 2/5, respectively, for a grassy half-mile.
Hall of Famer McGaughey's two pre-entrants also took turf spins. Imagining (Turf) breezed five furlongs in 1:04, and Abaco (Filly & Mare Turf) posted a half-mile in :50 4/5.
For Albertrani, Better Lucky (Mile) toured four furlongs on the main track in :49 4/5, and Twilight Eclipse (Turf) went in :50 1/5.
The Jason Servis-trained Tightend Touchdown (Turf Sprint) breezed five panels on the training track in 1:01 1/5.
At Aqueduct, Juvenile contender Upstart drilled five-eighths in a bullet 1:00 2/5 for Rick Violette Jr.
Since its inception in 1984, the Breeders' Cup has been the target for top stables around the world. And many of the biggest trainers in Thoroughbred racing will be represented by multiple starters in this year's races at Santa Anita.
The two-day, 13-race event drew a record 201 pre-entries and handicappers will spend plenty of hours breaking down all the horses. But this is an opportunity to focus upon the conditioners, providing statistics and a look at their horses in the Breeders' Cup.
Among trainers in this year's Breeders' Cup, with a minimum of three wins, David Hofmans leads the way with a 20 percent win rate (three-for-15). He will be represented by only Home Run Kitten, who enters the Turf Sprint off a victory in the Eddie D. Stakes down the hillside course at Santa Anita.
Michael Stoute ranks second by win percentage, 17.6 percent. We'll take a closer look at the English-based trainer below.
Here is a breakdown of some major trainers in this year's Breeders' Cup:
Todd Pletcher (103-7-11-13 Breeders' Cup record)
The leading conditioner in the United States, Pletcher has earned the Eclipse Award for champion trainer an unprecedented six times and is poised to easily capture a fifth straight earnings crown. As of October 20, the Pletcher stable has bankrolled $19,737,598 in 2014, more than $8 million ahead of Chad Brown in second, and is scoring at an overall 24 percent clip (208-for-854).
Pletcher's Breeders' Cup record (6.7 percent win) does not come close to matching his typical heady win rate at high-profile meets like Saratoga, Gulfstream, Belmont and Keeneland,. He ranks second in overall starts (103) but only seventh by wins, going 17-1-1-2 the last two years at Santa Anita.
His number of Breeders' Cup horses is down significantly; Pletcher pre-entered a record 18 in 2006, but he started eight horses in 2013 and is represented by only six pre-entries this year.
Breeders' Cup horses:
Angela Renee (Juvenile Fillies) – Rates as the possible Juvenile Fillies favorite following her comfortable 1 1/2-length Chandelier victory at Santa Anita on September 27. She's won two-of-four starts, placing in a pair of graded stakes.
Capo Bastone (Dirt Mile) – Winless since August 2013 and unplaced in his last three outings, the late runner would be a massive surprise.
Carpe Diem (Juvenile) – Two for two in his career, son of Giant's Causeway earned a 100 BRIS Speed rating when rallying from just off the pace in the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, scoring by a widening 6 1/4-length margin while making a spectacular two-turn debut at the Juvenile's 1 1/16-mile distance.
Daredevil (Juvenile) -- Provides a formidable one-two punch, impressively winning both career starts on wet tracks. Speedster registered a Juvenile field-best 104 Speed rating taking the Champagne at Belmont Park.
Feathered (Juvenile Fillies) -- Posted a smart 9 3/4-length maiden win at Saratoga two starts back and exits a rallying third in the Frizette at Belmont. Out of a Dynaformer mare, she could appreciate the stretch out to two turns.
Isabella Sings (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – A debut winner on Belmont's turf, she established herself as a top contender with a neck second in the Natalma at Woodbine. Daughter of Eskendereya is bred to relish two turns and will show speed.
Outlook: Pletcher is focused upon juvenile events this year and two-year-olds have accounted for four of his seven Breeders' Cup victories, including three wins in 2010 (Juvenile, Juvenile Turf and Juvenile Fillies Turf). His only victory at Santa Anita the past two years came via Shanghai Bobby in the 2012 Juvenile and Havana finished second in the same race last year. His youngsters could make a serious impact.
Bob Baffert (83-10-11-3)
Baffert ranks second by wins among Breeders' Cup trainers, trailing D. Wayne Lukas 19-10, and the Hall of Famer appears well-represented this year with a couple of likely favorites, American Pharoah and Secret Circle, as well as Horse of the Year contender Bayern.
His 12 percent win clip compares favorably and four of his Breeders' Cup victories have come at Santa Anita, including New Year's Day (Juvenile) and Secret Circle (Sprint) last year as Baffert rebounded from a disappointing zero-for-10 stint in 2012. Baffert pre-entered eight horses for the 2014 Breeders' Cup but Midnight Lucky has been scratched from the Filly & Mare Sprint.
BC horses:
American Pharoah (Juvenile) – Broke his maiden in sensational fashion second time out in the Del Mar Futurity, registering a 103 BRIS Speed rating for the 4 3/4-length decision, and exits a 3 1/4-length romp in the local prep, the September 27 FrontRunner at Santa Anita. Son of Pioneerof the Nile looms a serious wire-to-wire threat.
Bayern (Classic) – Speed is his game, posting smashing front-running wins in the Haskell Invitational (106 Speed rating), Pennsylvania Derby (109) and Woody Stephens (108) in his last four starts, and his last-place Travers finish came over a deep track at Saratoga. Speed-friendly track at Santa Anita could aid his chances of getting the 1 1/4-mile distance.
Fed Biz (Dirt Mile) – Hasn't been a factor in this event the past two years (eighth in 2012 and sixth in 2013) but will enter in strong form this year, recording a convincing win in the San Diego before runner-up finishes in the Pat O'Brien and Awesome Again. Nearly defeated Shared Belief in the latter, falling a neck short in a valiant performance.
Indianapolis (Sprint) – Lightly-raced colt was on Kentucky Derby trail after opening career with a pair of sharp wins over the winter, including a 4 1/4-length tally in six-furlong San Pedro, and came back from eight-month layoff with a nice triumph in a recent Santa Anita allowance. Must overcome a lack of seasoning but can be considered a wildcard due to his immense potential.
One Lucky Dane (Juvenile) – High-priced son of Lookin at Lucky exits a 9 1/2-length maiden win going two turns at Santa Anita in his third start. Promising sort will be an outsider against a deep field of rivals.
Secret Circle (Sprint) – Following the same pattern as last year when he came back from a lengthy layoff with an October prep race before the main event. Proved best as the 5-2 Sprint favorite in 2013, rallying from just off the pace to a neck decision, and prepped for his title defense with a good third in the October 4 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, his first race since early February. Very formidable.
Tiz Midnight (Distaff) – She'll need a career-best to challenge, but four-year-old exits a respectable second to Beholder in her stakes debut, the September 27 Zenyatta, and could prove to be the speed of the speed. Filly will attempt to outperform expectations with further improvement.
Outlook: With major contenders in four events, Baffert probably expects to add to his Breeders' Cup trophy case. He's got a home-field advantage at Santa Anita.
Bill Mott (77-9-10-5)
With nine wins, Mott is tied with fellow Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey for third all-time. Five were recorded in the Distaff and he'll send out this year's likely favorite, Close Hatches.
Mott scores at an 11.6 percent rate in the Breeders' Cup, three coming in California, the last via 2012 Distaff winner Royal Delta. Two of his eight pre-entries this year will need assistance from the also-eligibles list.
BC horses:
Bio Pro (Turf Sprint) – An allowance winner most recently at Belmont Park, Bio Pro is stuck five spots down on the also-eligibles list and will be a huge longshot if he makes the starting gate.
Cigar Street (Classic) –Registered one of the top BRIS Speed ratings in 2013, a 115 for his victory in the Skip Away early in the year, but wasn't seen again under silks for nearly 17 months. He shows two starts in preparation, including a game win in the September 27 Homecoming Classic at Churchill Downs, but needs to move forward significantly from that effort to challenge.
Close Hatches (Distaff) – Established her dominance in the division by opening the year with four straight stakes wins, including June's Ogden Phipps at Belmont over top rivals Beholder and Princess of Sylmar, but surprisingly came up flat in the October 5 Spinster at Keeneland, finishing a well-beaten fourth at 1-5 odds. That looks like an aberration and four-year-old filly appears capable of rebounding given her fine second in last year's Distaff at Santa Anita.
Emollient (Filly & Mare Turf) – She likes Santa Anita's turf, finishing only a length back in fourth in last year's Filly & Mare Turf and winning the Rodeo Drive over the course on September 27, but will need to raise her game against a deep group of challengers, including several quality invaders from Europe.
Puca (Juvenile Fillies) – Exits a 16-length maiden win over a short field at Belmont Park in her third career start and will face a stiff class check in her stakes bow.
Quality Rocks (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – After opening her career with a pair of wins on synthetic tracks, she was transferred to Mott and turned in a solid second in her turf debut, the October 8 Jessamine at Keeneland. Daughter of Rock Hard Ten figures to be up close from the start and rates as a possible sleeper.
Seek Again (Mile) – Proved to be a game winner of the Fourstardave at Saratoga two starts back but experienced a troubled trip last time, checking in sixth in the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland. With Wise Dan's absence, he's among the best U.S hopes but is in tough versus a talented group of European-based rivals.
Tourist (Mile) – Likely can make the field from the also-eligibles list (needs two defections) and would add to the pace, but it's probably best to look for more down the road from the promising three-year-old colt.
Outlook: The Distaff is a forte and Mott has been in this position before – previous winners Ajina (1997), Escena (1998), Unrivaled Belle (2010) and Royal Delta (first Distaff in 2011) all lost their final prep race. Close Hatches is the big gun and it's difficult to get excited about his remaining Breeders' Cup stock.
Chad Brown (23-2-3-3)
Brown leads all trainers with 12 pre-entries and easily captured the trainer's title during the Belmont fall meet. He has enhanced his reputation as a turf conditioner through the Breeders' Cup, with all eight of his top three finishes coming in grass races, and will bring a strong contingent of turf horses into this year's event.
BC horses:
Bakken (Sprint) – Speedster possesses a nice set of BRIS Speed ratings but has raced sparingly, with two starts this year and no stakes wins to his credit. He didn't fire when shipping to Santa Anita last year and it's tough to make a strong case for his chances.
Big Blue Kitten (Turf) – Rallied to finish a respectable second to Hillstar in the recent Canadian International but his only win since August 2013 has come in a restricted stakes. No factor in this race last year and he'll face an extreme class test once again.
Bobby's Kitten (Turf Sprint) – Poised to make first career start at less than a mile and brings quality speed to the race. Exits a fine third in the September 14 Woodbine Mile, his best performance since the spring, and finished a close third as the favorite in last year's Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.
Dayatthespa (Filly & Mare Turf) – Cross-entered to both the Mile and Filly & Mare Turf, her best chance comes in the latter. The 1 1/4-mile distance represents a challenge, but five-year-old mare is arguably in career-best form, registering a 103 BRIS Speed rating for her commanding Grade 1 victory in the October 4 First Lady at Keeneland. Will be up close from the start.
Lady Eli (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Two for two in her career, daughter of Divine Park will contend for favoritism. She overcame a troubled trip to win her debut by a nose and captured the September 28 Miss Grillo at Belmont Park with ease, registering a 112 BRIS Late Pace rating while scoring by three lengths. Very formidable.
Offering Plan (Juvenile Turf) – Rallied to an easy debut maiden win over New York-bred rivals before a respectable third in the September 28 Pilgrim at Belmont Park, earning commendable BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers after a wide trip. His ability to finish makes him an interesting candidate for a top three finish at an expected price.
Partisan Politics (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Broke her maiden second time out in the P.G. Johnson at Saratoga but checked in a non-threatening fourth in the Miss Grillo last time. More Than Ready filly possesses a decent late kick but doesn't rate as one of Brown's main contenders in this event.
Sivoliere (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Regally-bred daughter of Sea the Stars will be piloted by Gary Stevens in her first U.S. start. She's run better on ground with less give to it, which could benefit her over expected firm conditions at Santa Anita, and displayed good class overseas. Sivoliere may not be the most imposing European shipper on paper but remains eligible to run well from off the pace.
Startup Nation (Juvenile Turf) – New York-bred colt opened career with a pair of convincing wins, defeating state-bred maiden foes prior to a 4 1/2-length romp in the With Anticipation at Saratoga, but fell short as the 1-2 favorite in the September 28 Pilgrim at Belmont Park, finishing fourth. Will look to rebound and deserves serious consideration.
Stephanie's Kitten (Filly & Mare Turf) – Big chance to give Brown his second win in this event in three years (Zagora captured 2012 edition). Stephanie's Kitten opened the year with a couple of unplaced efforts before posting consecutive runner-up finishes, but she was dropping too far back during early stages before rallying belatedly. Displayed noticeable improvement last time, the September 27 Flower Bowl at Belmont, racing up close from the start before crushing rivals, and the multiple Grade 1 heroine is hitting her best stride at the right time of year.
Tammy the Torpedo (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Easily broke her maiden first time out at Saratoga, looking like a filly with a bright future when rolling from off the pace to a 3 1/4-length decision, but came up short in third as the favorite in the Miss Grillo. Daughter of More Than Ready can't be completely dismissed from win consideration in a highly-contentious field.
Zivo (Classic) – Loves Belmont, earning 103 and 104 Speed ratings in his last two outings at "Big Sandy," both at 1 1/4 miles, and turned in a huge effort rallying for second in the September 27 Jockey Club Gold Cup after being steadied repeatedly during the race. New York-bred has really come on at age five but carrying his form forward to Santa Anita, with his deep closing style, is a difficult proposition.
Outlook: Brown could be labeled a "turf maestro" following this year's Breeders' Cup – he has a legitimate chance to win several grass races.
Steve Asmussen (32-4-4-2)
Asmussen brings a respectable 12.5 percent win clip into the Breeders' Cup and has fared well at Santa Anita. He didn't have the stock last year with only three starters, but upset the 2012 Dirt Mile with 15-1 Tapizar and recorded three seconds (all 9-2 or higher) at that year's edition in Arcadia, California.
BC horses:
Lucky Player (Juvenile) – Exits a career-best effort in the September 6 Iroquois at Churchill Downs, posting a narrow upset at 11-1, but the runner-up (Bold Conquest) and third-placer (Hashtag Bourbon) did not run well in subsequent starts versus graded rivals and Lucky Player steps up to face a deep group in this year's Juvenile.
Mico Margarita (Sprint) – Figures to be overlooked following stakes wins at Remington Park and Mountaineer, but four-year-old colt merits respect given his current form – he's posted BRIS Speed ratings of 103 (last time) and 101 (twice) in his last three outings. Class concerns remain but don't be shocked to see him jump forward with a strong effort.
Regally Ready (Turf Sprint) – The 2011 Turf Sprint winner at Churchill Downs, seven-year-old gelding also collected three wins on the course that season but has lost a step when it comes to sprinting nowadays. Received little respect from the committee on the also-eligibles list, needing six defections to make the field.
Tapiture (Dirt Mile) – Cuts back in distance off a pair of commendable efforts, registering century-topping Speed ratings for a victory in West Virginia Derby and a runner-up effort in Pennsylvania Derby, and he's displayed a fine finishing kick in three outings since the Kentucky Derby. Don't know if he'll be able to run down the speed at Santa Anita, but three-year-old belongs in the mix of serious win contenders.
Unbridled's Note (Turf Sprint) – Finished second in 2012 and fourth last year in this event but is unplaced in all three outings this year and ranked sixth on the also-eligibles list, one spot ahead of stablemate Regally Ready. Appears unlikely to factor if he does make the field.
Untapable (Distaff) – Connections hope to see her make amends for a dreadful experience in last year's Juvenile Fillies in which she was eased after experiencing extreme trouble. Three-year-old filly is five-for-six this season, the only setback coming against males in the Haskell, and arrived early at Santa Anita, training locally the entire month of October with a recent five-furlong bullet work (:58). Classy filly is the likely second choice to Close Hatches.
Outlook: Asmussen has proven that he can get his horses ready for the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita and his 2014 contingent appears to be in good form (excluding the also-eligibles). He may not come away with any wins, but his horses appear capable of challenging in at least a couple of spots.
Aidan O'Brien (88-8-12-7)
Irish-based O'Brien is a huge supporter of the Breeders' Cup, targeting multiple races each year, and he's done his best work in the Turf, earning a fourth win in the 1 1/2-mile event when Magician posted a 12-1 upset last year. He'll send the colt back for a title defense and also has the filly Chicquita pre-entered.
BC horses:
Chicquita (Turf) – Her success on "good ground" overseas could bode well for her chances. After displaying top-class form at age three last season, she sold for a record price at an Irish auction ($8.073 million) in November. Her Coolmore connections brought her back in mid-September and despite dropping all three outings, she's performed respectably twice against good company, the only subpar showing coming from an extreme post position in the Arc. Don't underestimate O'Brien's ability to get the most out of his horses despite a demanding schedule as Chicquita makes her third start in a four-week window.
Kingsbarns (Mile) – Winless from six starts since 2012, he appears unlikely to make the main body of the field from the also-eligibles list (needs eight defections).
Magician (Turf) – Magician was off since June and had never raced at 1 1/2 miles prior to last year's Turf, but he won't be an unknown quantity this year. The four-year-old colt captured a Group 3 stakes at the Curragh before recording runner-up finishes to The Fugue and Noble Mission in Group 1 events during the spring/summer, and he's been freshened up since a second in the Arlington Million, a tactic that worked so well last November at Santa Anita. He's one of several capable international raiders in this event.
Qualify (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Exits a Group 3 triumph at the Curragh and is bred to appreciate the stretch out to a two-turn mile. She wasn't a serious factor in two previous stakes attempts versus better company, but Qualify remains eligible to keep improving off a confidence-building win and shouldn't be easily dismissed from win consideration.
The Great War (Juvenile) – He's raced exclusively on turf but is bred to flourish on a dirt surface with similar bloodlines to multiple Grade 2-winning millionaire Departing (both are by War Front and are out of full sisters). The $1 million yearling purchase hasn't performed up to lofty expectations so far but does show three wins from seven starts, including a convincing listed stakes tally last out on September 28. Faces a difficult challenge in a deep Juvenile field.
War Envoy (Juvenile Turf) – Looks like a serious player in this spot. A bit disappointing early in his career, the son of War Front brings improving form into the Breeders' Cup. He posted a third in an Irish Group 3 event and a second in an English Group 2 race before rallying to be a close fifth in a Group 1 test on the Arc undercard at Longchamp. Could continue to show more at Santa Anita.
Outlook: O'Brien is very adept shipping his horses to America and European-based horses tend to show up with their best over the Santa Anita turf course, producing four wins in 2013.
Sir Michael Stoute (34-6-2-3)
A 10-time champion English trainer, Stoute handles most of the Queen's best horses and is one of the most respected horsemen in the world. The four-time Turf winner has recorded four of his six Breeders' Cup victories at Santa Anita.
Dank (Filly & Mare Turf) – Showed an affinity for the course winning last year's Filly & Mare Turf but has been dogged by a foot problem and won't bring the same form into this event, recording a pair of non-threatening efforts in her lone appearances this year. She had won three of her previous four starts before last year's Breeders' Cup and is probably facing a deeper field this year, but Dank is still a talented mare who is unbeaten from two Grade 1 attempts in America.
Telescope (Turf) – After a solid sophomore season, Telescope has improved significantly at age four. He displayed high class in his last two outings, a third in the Juddmonte International and a second in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and his easy seven-length tally in the Group 2 Hardwicke three starts back was flattered by runner-up Hillstar's recent victory in the Canadian International at Woodbine. When Stoute announced in September that he was skipping the Arc and pointing the four-year-old son of Galileo to the Turf, it was easy to take notice. Telescope prefers good-to-firm ground and will take some beating.
Outlook: Stoute does a great job targeting big races and his horses will show up with their best at Santa Anita – he's won a Breeders' Cup race over the course in four of the last five editions (2003, 2008, 2009 and 2013).
Trainers with multiple Breeders' Cup wins like Richard Mandella (seven), Neil Drysdale (six) and John Gosden (four) are conspicuous by their absence in this year's Breeders' Cup.
Andre Fabre (44-4-5-7) and Freddy Head (6-3-0-1) have both proven dangerous in past editions and will be represented by a lone starter, with Fabre sending out Arc runner-up Flintshire in the Turf and Head responsible for Anodin in the Mile.
Flintshire's improving form must be respected and he's in good company following his second-place finish to Treve last time -- eight also-rans from the Arc have shipped over to win the Turf. Anodin doesn't rate as a top contender, but he shows some respectable performances this season and is a full brother to three-time Mile winner Goldikova.
D. Wayne Lukas (pre-entered four two-year-olds) and Shug McGaughey (a pair of older grass horses) both have multiple entries, but none rate as serious win prospects.
Comments
ELMONT, N.Y. – The top three choices for next Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita put in their final workouts Sunday.
At Santa Anita, American Pharoah, the probable race favorite, worked five furlongs in 1:00.18 with jockey Martin Garcia up.
At Belmont Park, Carpe Diem and Daredevil, who will, in some order, be the second and third choices for trainer Todd Pletcher, worked over the training track. Carpe Diem, the Breeders’ Futurity winner, went a half in 49.00 seconds, while Daredevil, the Champagne winner, worked four furlongs in 47.46 in an eye-catching move.
Daredevil, with Javier Castellano up, worked inside of fellow 2-year-old stakes winner Blofeld. The two went off in a quick 23.65 but still went a sharp 23.81 down the lane. Daredevil galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.71, six furlongs in 1:14.67, and pulled up seven-eighths in 1:30.20.
“He’s a horse that has only run twice. I figured it’d be an education for him to be on the inside,” Pletcher said. “I thought he worked very impressively.”
:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2014: See DRF’s top contenders
Shortly before Daredevil worked, Carpe Diem, with jockey John Velazquez up, worked outside the 3-year-old stakes winner Vinceremos. That pair went together through a first quarter in 24.45 and a second quarter in 24.55. The two galloped out in 1:02.29 and six furlongs in 1:15.92.
Pletcher said, “Carpe was inside last time. I wanted to have him start off on the outside and maybe sit off that horse a little bit, get him to settle, which I thought he did well. He finished good, galloped out good, seemed happy. Good work.”
Pletcher has great respect for American Pharoah but feels good about his chances.
“Both of these colts give you good feels,” Pletcher said. “I think American Pharaoh is a very good horse, so we got to run against him on his home track, but I’m still very confident we’re bringing two very nice horses that are doing extremely well at the moment.”
Speaking of American Pharoah, the dual Grade 1 winner completed his preparations for the Juvenile on Sunday, working five furlongs for trainer Bob Baffert.
American Pharoah worked in company after the third and final renovation break at Santa Anita. American Pharoah started inside his workmate and drew away with authority down the lane.
"Isn't he scary?" Baffert said. "He just does it effortlessly."
Baffert usually works his better horses outside a workmate but said he put American Pharoah inside because "he sees things."
"He'll duck out," Baffert said. "I don't have a problem with him being inside horses."
Other Juvenile contenders working Sunday at Santa Anita were Lucky Player, who went four furlongs in 50.40, and Blue Dancer, who went a half-mile in 49.00. At Aqueduct, the Champagne runner-up Upstart worked five furlongs in 1:00.57.
A field of 13 is expected for the Juvenile when post positions are drawn Monday at 1 p.m. Pacific.
"You've got to draw well, break well," Baffert said. "Todd's horses are good, too."
– additional reporting by Jay Privman
Breeders' Cup Sprint candidates get in final works
Breeders' Cup Sprint hopeful Palace put in his first local work and final preparation for Saturday's event at Santa Anita on Monday. The five-year-old City Zip horse zipped the four furlongs in :46 2/5 under Danny Rojas.
Based in New York with trainer Linda Rice, Palace exits a loss as the favorite in the Vosburgh at Belmont Park on September 27 -- an effort that followed two consecutive Grade I victories in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap and Forego.
"I actually watched (the work) on HRTV," Rice said from Belmont. "I instructed him to go a half in 47 or 48. It was a little quicker than we wanted, but I understand that the track is pretty fast there in comparison to the New York tracks."
Vosburgh winner Private Zone worked an easy four furlongs. Under regular jockey Martin Pedroza, the son of Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Macho Uno went in :49 2/5 under a tight hold. The work followed a bullet gate move October 18 in 1:09 2/5.
"It was what I wanted," trainer Alfredo Velazquez said. "I would rather him be too slow than too fast. He worked very fast last week from the gate. I'm very happy and he is ready."
Secret Circle and Indianapolis two members of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's seven-horse Breeders' Cup contingent that were not put through final works for the event over the weekend, got theirs in Monday morning.
With regular rider Martin Garcia in the irons, defending Breeders' Cup Sprint champion Secret Circle worked a half-mile in :47 flat.
During the same work period Baffert's other Sprint candidate, Indianapolis, worked four furlongs in company with a stablemate and Juvenile entrant One Lucky Dane went the same distance in :47 2/5 under Rafael Bejarano.
"I got (Indianapolis) in 46 flat," Baffert said. "Mike (Smith) rides him and I wanted him to get a good feel on him."
Garcia had ridden Indianapolis to three wins in as many career starts beginning in November of last year but will go for the Sprint repeat on Secret Circle.
"They're all ready," Baffert said.
Calling the work "spot on," trainer Steve Asmussen was pleased with the four-furlong workout by Sprint hopeful Mico Margarita, who covered the distance in :49 1/5.
Outside the Golden State, Sprint entrant Bourbon Courage worked three furlongs in :34 1/5 on the fast main track at Keeneland on Monday morning.
Working after the morning renovation break and with jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. up, Bourbon Courage galloped out a half-mile in :46.
"Ricardo drove over from Louisville to work him," trainer Kellyn Gorder said. "I got him in 12 and 2, 34 and 1 and out in 46. It was pretty good. I was real happy with him. Ricardo didn't even move on him."
Cutting back to a sprint for the first time since the spring of 2012 when he was a three-year-old, Bourbon Courage won a 6 1/2- furlong sprint at Keeneland October 3 with Santana aboard for the first time.
Following that race, Gorder had indicated the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on November 29 as a possible next start, but a five-furlong work in :59 3/5 on October 20 convinced the connections to pre-enter the Breeders' Cup with the Sprint as his first preference.
Bourbon Courage is scheduled to fly out of Louisville early Wednesday morning.
Working Monday for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint was Acorn and Test winner Sweet Reason, who exercised four furlongs with exercise rider Jorge Sanchez.
"She breezed great," trainer Leah Gyarmati said. "We couldn't be any happier with how she is doing. I got her in 46 and 4."
Santa Anita clockers got Sweet Reason in :47.
In other Breeders' Cup works:
Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful Footbridge put the final touches at Santa Anita with a five-furlong breeze in 1:00 1/5 -- eighth-fastest of 42 moves at the distance -- with Iggy Puglisi up.
"The work went very well," trainer Eoin Harty said. "It wasn't anything too fancy. Just five-eighths in a minute."
Footbridge exits a third-place finish in the Awesome Again over the local course. Jockey Rafael Bejarano gets the return call in the Classic.
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas worked two of his Breeders' Cup two-year-olds. Mr. Z, heading to the Juvenile, went four furlongs in :48 4/5 under jockey Mike Smith, who will ride on Saturday.
"It was a super work, and Mike liked it, too," said Lukas following a phone conversation with the rider.
Later in the morning, jockey Victor Espinoza sent Juvenile Fillies candidate Take Charge Brandi four furlongs in :49.
"It was an easy work. I didn't want much more than that," Lukas said.
Also tuning up for the Juvenile Fillies was the Leah Gyarmati-trained Wonder Gal, who went four furlongs in :47 4/5.
Trainer Peter Miller worked two Breeders' Cup hopefuls at San Luis Rey Downs.
"Both went great," said Miller by telephone after Classic hopeful Big Cazanova worked four furlongs in :47 2/5 under jockey Elvis Trujillo and Breeders' Cup Turf hopeful Finnegans Wake went five furlongs in 1:02 with exercise rider Jose Silva. "They were both breezing."
Both horses are on the bubble for the two rich Saturday races as Miller awaited their fates in the afternoon draw.
"Big Cazanova looks like he's going to be the first also-eligible unless one of the others comes out, and Finnegans Wake should get in from everything I've heard," Miller said. "If Big Cazanova does not get in, he will run in the Las Vegas Marathon Friday instead."
Capo Bastone has been withdrawn from Friday's Dirt Mile and retired, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners announced Sunday.
"Our partners were very much looking forward to running Capo Bastone in his third consecutive Breeders' Cup race, but he came up with some filling in his left front ankle on Friday morning and while he's 100 percent sound, he's simply been too good to us for us to take any chances," Aron Wellman, president of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, said in a release.
Capo Bastone, who scored his signature win in the 2013 King's Bishop, retires with a record of 17-3-2-2, $731,756. Third in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he was last of 13 when trying the Turf Sprint last year. The four-year-old son of Street Boss will be offered as a stallion prospect at Fasig-Tipton November 3.
Obviously pleased his connections with a fast breeze on Saturday (Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com)
Alfredo Velazquez plans a slower work Monday for two-time Vosburgh Invitational winner and Sprint candidate Private Zone than the 1:09 2/5 from the gate he recorded on October 18.
"He's doing real well," the trainer said. "He'll work maybe a half (mile). The last work, he went a little too fast, so Monday I'll try to go as slow as he can, because he's ready."
Regular rider Martin Pedroza will be aboard for the work.
Committed front-runner Obviously is razor sharp for the Mile, a race he finished third in 2012 and fifth last year, after a bullet five-furlong move Saturday on Santa Anita's firm turf in :58 2/5.
"It was a really nice drill; he gave us the green light," trainer Phil D'Amato said Sunday morning. "He did it with ease and he's really sharp this morning. He's feeling good, so (it's) kind of mission accomplished."
Breeders' Cup Juvenile early favorite and dual Grade 1 winner American Pharoah worked five furlongs in company for Bob Baffert in 1:00 under Martin Garcia on Sunday over Santa Anita's fast main track. Unraced workmate Lamu was timed in 1:01 2/5.
Tapiture is seeking his first Grade 1 win in the Dirt Mile (Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com)
Baffert also sent Grade 1 romper and Classic hopeful Bayern five furlongs in company with Garcia up in :59 4/5. Workmate American Pride was clocked in 1:00 1/5.
Chandelier heroine and Juvenile Fillies hopeful Angela Renee worked four furlongs in company with Saint Dermot, with each going in an identical time of :51 1/5.
Grade 1-placed Little Alexis, pre-entered for the Filly & Mare Sprint, worked a half-mile in a bullet :45 2/5 for trainer Carlo Vaccarezza, while Grade 1 victor Majestic Harbor, expected for the Classic, went the same distance in :48 3/5 for Sean McCarthy, who termed the move "perfect; just right."
West Virginia Derby winner and Dirt Mile contestant Tapiture went four furlongs in :50 2/5, while Kentucky Oaks queen and Distaff aspirant Untapable went the same distance in :50 3/5. Trainer Steve Asmussen said he was "extremely pleased."
Sprint hopeful and King's Bishop runner-up Fast Anna turned five-eighths for trainer Kathy Ritvo in a bullet, best-of-55, :57.
On Santa Anita's firm turf course Sunday, Turf Sprint candidate Reneesgotzip clocked a half-mile under Edwin Maldonado in :48 2/5 for Peter Miller. Fellow Turf Sprint runner and Gary Mandella trainee Silentio, who was third in the Mile in 2013 and has second preference in that race this time around, was caught in 1:00 4/5 for five furlongs.
Untapable could give trainer Steve Asmussen his first Distaff win (Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com)
Tom's Tribute traveled five-eighths in 1:00 4/5 for Jim Cassidy and is expected to enter the Mile off wins in the Grade 1 Eddie Read and Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap.
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and two of his most successful students, Todd Pletcher and Dallas Stewart, all have their Breeders' Cup horses bedded down under the same shed row at Santa Anita, Barn 89.
Trainer Christophe Clement reports that his horses will ship Tuesday from the East Coast to Santa Anita for their Breeders' Cup engagements.
Dale Romans won't be riding overweight during his Breeders' Cup stint at Santa Anita. The trainer is 70 pounds lighter than when he was here last year, matching the weight loss of fellow trainer Tom Proctor.
"It's nothing formal," Romans said. "We're good friends and we started losing weight together. I just watch what I eat now; it's better for my health."
Santa Anita hosts the Breeders' Cup World Championships for the third consecutive year next Friday and Saturday. General admission tickets are $10 in advance online or $15 at the gate on Friday, and $25 in advance online or $40 at the gate Saturday.
For access to infield only, admission on Friday is $5 and on Saturday $10, both available only via Gate 6 on Colorado Place.
In addition, City of Arcadia residents with ID and children under 14 are admitted free to the infield only on Friday.
Close Hatches recorded a bullet :47.25 ahead of the Distaff (NYRA/Adam Coglianese/Susie Raisher)Breeders' Cup contenders were out in force at Belmont Park Sunday, with Bill Mott, Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher, Christophe Clement, Shug McGaughey and Tom Albertrani trainees stretching out in their last major tune-ups before shipping to Santa Anita.
Distaff threat Close Hatches led the charge for Mott, zipping a half-mile in a bullet :47.25 on the fast main track. She tied for the fastest of 80 moves at the distance on the big oval with the Clement-trained Za Approval, who is on the also-eligible list for the Turf Sprint.
Mott's Classic hope, Cigar Street, covered the same ground in :48, while his Juvenile Fillies pre-entrant, Puca, smoked four furlongs on the fast training track in a best-of-91 bullet :47.18.
Also working for the Hall of Famer on the training track were Bio Pro (Turf Sprint also-eligible), half-mile in :49 2/5, and Tourist (Mile), :48 3/5.
Mott's top Mile candidate, Seek Again, toured five-eighths on the good turf in 1:05 2/5. Stablemate Emollient (Filly & Mare Turf) clocked a bullet 1:02.88, tying with the Brown-trained Bobby's Kitten (Turf Sprint) for the bullet.
Stephanie's Kitten posted a bullet in preparation for the F&M Turf (NYRA/Adam Coglianese/Susie Raisher) Brown's battalion of turf workers also included Stephanie's Kitten (Filly & Mare Turf) and Juvenile Fillies Turf hopefuls Lady Eli and Tammy the Torpedo, who all tied for the fastest of 20 half-mile moves on the lawn in :49.09. Stephanie's Kitten was paired with Testa Rossi (:49.66), while Lady Eli and Tammy the Torpedo worked in tandem.
Likewise breezing in company were Brown's fellow Juvenile Fillies Turf pre-entrants Sivoliere and Partisan Politics, who clocked :49.88 and :49.89, respectively. Juvenile Turf contenders Offering Plan (:50.90) and Startup Nation (:50.95) also worked together. Dayatthespa, expected to join Stephanie's Kitten in the Filly & Mare Turf, completed her move in :50 1/5.
Two other Brown charges geared up on the main track. Zivo (Classic) negotiated five-eighths in 1:00 4/5, and Bakken (Sprint) reeled off a half-mile in :48.
Pletcher's dynamic duo for the Juvenile, Daredevil and Carpe Diem, both breezed four furlongs on the training track. Daredevil blitzed in :47.47 escorted by Blofeld, who went in :47.49. Carpe Diem (:49.08) teamed up with Kentucky Derby also-ran Vinceremos (:49.07) for his work.
Daredevil (inside of workmate Blofeld) sped for the Juvenile (NYRA/Adam Coglianese/Alysse Jacobs) Aside from the aforementioned bullet posted by Za Approval, other Clement workers were Summer Front (Mile) and Irish Mission (Filly & Mare Turf), who strode in :49 2/5 and and :51 2/5, respectively, for a grassy half-mile.
Hall of Famer McGaughey's two pre-entrants also took turf spins. Imagining (Turf) breezed five furlongs in 1:04, and Abaco (Filly & Mare Turf) posted a half-mile in :50 4/5.
For Albertrani, Better Lucky (Mile) toured four furlongs on the main track in :49 4/5, and Twilight Eclipse (Turf) went in :50 1/5.
The Jason Servis-trained Tightend Touchdown (Turf Sprint) breezed five panels on the training track in 1:01 1/5.
At Aqueduct, Juvenile contender Upstart drilled five-eighths in a bullet 1:00 2/5 for Rick Violette Jr.
by James Scully
Since its inception in 1984, the Breeders' Cup has been the target for top stables around the world. And many of the biggest trainers in Thoroughbred racing will be represented by multiple starters in this year's races at Santa Anita.
The two-day, 13-race event drew a record 201 pre-entries and handicappers will spend plenty of hours breaking down all the horses. But this is an opportunity to focus upon the conditioners, providing statistics and a look at their horses in the Breeders' Cup.
Among trainers in this year's Breeders' Cup, with a minimum of three wins, David Hofmans leads the way with a 20 percent win rate (three-for-15). He will be represented by only Home Run Kitten, who enters the Turf Sprint off a victory in the Eddie D. Stakes down the hillside course at Santa Anita.
Michael Stoute ranks second by win percentage, 17.6 percent. We'll take a closer look at the English-based trainer below.
Here is a breakdown of some major trainers in this year's Breeders' Cup:
Todd Pletcher (103-7-11-13 Breeders' Cup record)
The leading conditioner in the United States, Pletcher has earned the Eclipse Award for champion trainer an unprecedented six times and is poised to easily capture a fifth straight earnings crown. As of October 20, the Pletcher stable has bankrolled $19,737,598 in 2014, more than $8 million ahead of Chad Brown in second, and is scoring at an overall 24 percent clip (208-for-854).
Pletcher's Breeders' Cup record (6.7 percent win) does not come close to matching his typical heady win rate at high-profile meets like Saratoga, Gulfstream, Belmont and Keeneland,. He ranks second in overall starts (103) but only seventh by wins, going 17-1-1-2 the last two years at Santa Anita.
His number of Breeders' Cup horses is down significantly; Pletcher pre-entered a record 18 in 2006, but he started eight horses in 2013 and is represented by only six pre-entries this year.
Breeders' Cup horses:
Angela Renee (Juvenile Fillies) – Rates as the possible Juvenile Fillies favorite following her comfortable 1 1/2-length Chandelier victory at Santa Anita on September 27. She's won two-of-four starts, placing in a pair of graded stakes.
Capo Bastone (Dirt Mile) – Winless since August 2013 and unplaced in his last three outings, the late runner would be a massive surprise.
Carpe Diem (Juvenile) – Two for two in his career, son of Giant's Causeway earned a 100 BRIS Speed rating when rallying from just off the pace in the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, scoring by a widening 6 1/4-length margin while making a spectacular two-turn debut at the Juvenile's 1 1/16-mile distance.
Daredevil (Juvenile) -- Provides a formidable one-two punch, impressively winning both career starts on wet tracks. Speedster registered a Juvenile field-best 104 Speed rating taking the Champagne at Belmont Park.
Feathered (Juvenile Fillies) -- Posted a smart 9 3/4-length maiden win at Saratoga two starts back and exits a rallying third in the Frizette at Belmont. Out of a Dynaformer mare, she could appreciate the stretch out to two turns.
Isabella Sings (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – A debut winner on Belmont's turf, she established herself as a top contender with a neck second in the Natalma at Woodbine. Daughter of Eskendereya is bred to relish two turns and will show speed.
Outlook: Pletcher is focused upon juvenile events this year and two-year-olds have accounted for four of his seven Breeders' Cup victories, including three wins in 2010 (Juvenile, Juvenile Turf and Juvenile Fillies Turf). His only victory at Santa Anita the past two years came via Shanghai Bobby in the 2012 Juvenile and Havana finished second in the same race last year. His youngsters could make a serious impact.
Bob Baffert (83-10-11-3)
Baffert ranks second by wins among Breeders' Cup trainers, trailing D. Wayne Lukas 19-10, and the Hall of Famer appears well-represented this year with a couple of likely favorites, American Pharoah and Secret Circle, as well as Horse of the Year contender Bayern.
His 12 percent win clip compares favorably and four of his Breeders' Cup victories have come at Santa Anita, including New Year's Day (Juvenile) and Secret Circle (Sprint) last year as Baffert rebounded from a disappointing zero-for-10 stint in 2012. Baffert pre-entered eight horses for the 2014 Breeders' Cup but Midnight Lucky has been scratched from the Filly & Mare Sprint.
BC horses:
American Pharoah (Juvenile) – Broke his maiden in sensational fashion second time out in the Del Mar Futurity, registering a 103 BRIS Speed rating for the 4 3/4-length decision, and exits a 3 1/4-length romp in the local prep, the September 27 FrontRunner at Santa Anita. Son of Pioneerof the Nile looms a serious wire-to-wire threat.
Bayern (Classic) – Speed is his game, posting smashing front-running wins in the Haskell Invitational (106 Speed rating), Pennsylvania Derby (109) and Woody Stephens (108) in his last four starts, and his last-place Travers finish came over a deep track at Saratoga. Speed-friendly track at Santa Anita could aid his chances of getting the 1 1/4-mile distance.
Fed Biz (Dirt Mile) – Hasn't been a factor in this event the past two years (eighth in 2012 and sixth in 2013) but will enter in strong form this year, recording a convincing win in the San Diego before runner-up finishes in the Pat O'Brien and Awesome Again. Nearly defeated Shared Belief in the latter, falling a neck short in a valiant performance.
Indianapolis (Sprint) – Lightly-raced colt was on Kentucky Derby trail after opening career with a pair of sharp wins over the winter, including a 4 1/4-length tally in six-furlong San Pedro, and came back from eight-month layoff with a nice triumph in a recent Santa Anita allowance. Must overcome a lack of seasoning but can be considered a wildcard due to his immense potential.
One Lucky Dane (Juvenile) – High-priced son of Lookin at Lucky exits a 9 1/2-length maiden win going two turns at Santa Anita in his third start. Promising sort will be an outsider against a deep field of rivals.
Secret Circle (Sprint) – Following the same pattern as last year when he came back from a lengthy layoff with an October prep race before the main event. Proved best as the 5-2 Sprint favorite in 2013, rallying from just off the pace to a neck decision, and prepped for his title defense with a good third in the October 4 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, his first race since early February. Very formidable.
Tiz Midnight (Distaff) – She'll need a career-best to challenge, but four-year-old exits a respectable second to Beholder in her stakes debut, the September 27 Zenyatta, and could prove to be the speed of the speed. Filly will attempt to outperform expectations with further improvement.
Outlook: With major contenders in four events, Baffert probably expects to add to his Breeders' Cup trophy case. He's got a home-field advantage at Santa Anita.
Bill Mott (77-9-10-5)
With nine wins, Mott is tied with fellow Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey for third all-time. Five were recorded in the Distaff and he'll send out this year's likely favorite, Close Hatches.
Mott scores at an 11.6 percent rate in the Breeders' Cup, three coming in California, the last via 2012 Distaff winner Royal Delta. Two of his eight pre-entries this year will need assistance from the also-eligibles list.
BC horses:
Bio Pro (Turf Sprint) – An allowance winner most recently at Belmont Park, Bio Pro is stuck five spots down on the also-eligibles list and will be a huge longshot if he makes the starting gate.
Cigar Street (Classic) –Registered one of the top BRIS Speed ratings in 2013, a 115 for his victory in the Skip Away early in the year, but wasn't seen again under silks for nearly 17 months. He shows two starts in preparation, including a game win in the September 27 Homecoming Classic at Churchill Downs, but needs to move forward significantly from that effort to challenge.
Close Hatches (Distaff) – Established her dominance in the division by opening the year with four straight stakes wins, including June's Ogden Phipps at Belmont over top rivals Beholder and Princess of Sylmar, but surprisingly came up flat in the October 5 Spinster at Keeneland, finishing a well-beaten fourth at 1-5 odds. That looks like an aberration and four-year-old filly appears capable of rebounding given her fine second in last year's Distaff at Santa Anita.
Emollient (Filly & Mare Turf) – She likes Santa Anita's turf, finishing only a length back in fourth in last year's Filly & Mare Turf and winning the Rodeo Drive over the course on September 27, but will need to raise her game against a deep group of challengers, including several quality invaders from Europe.
Puca (Juvenile Fillies) – Exits a 16-length maiden win over a short field at Belmont Park in her third career start and will face a stiff class check in her stakes bow.
Quality Rocks (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – After opening her career with a pair of wins on synthetic tracks, she was transferred to Mott and turned in a solid second in her turf debut, the October 8 Jessamine at Keeneland. Daughter of Rock Hard Ten figures to be up close from the start and rates as a possible sleeper.
Seek Again (Mile) – Proved to be a game winner of the Fourstardave at Saratoga two starts back but experienced a troubled trip last time, checking in sixth in the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland. With Wise Dan's absence, he's among the best U.S hopes but is in tough versus a talented group of European-based rivals.
Tourist (Mile) – Likely can make the field from the also-eligibles list (needs two defections) and would add to the pace, but it's probably best to look for more down the road from the promising three-year-old colt.
Outlook: The Distaff is a forte and Mott has been in this position before – previous winners Ajina (1997), Escena (1998), Unrivaled Belle (2010) and Royal Delta (first Distaff in 2011) all lost their final prep race. Close Hatches is the big gun and it's difficult to get excited about his remaining Breeders' Cup stock.
Chad Brown (23-2-3-3)
Brown leads all trainers with 12 pre-entries and easily captured the trainer's title during the Belmont fall meet. He has enhanced his reputation as a turf conditioner through the Breeders' Cup, with all eight of his top three finishes coming in grass races, and will bring a strong contingent of turf horses into this year's event.
BC horses:
Bakken (Sprint) – Speedster possesses a nice set of BRIS Speed ratings but has raced sparingly, with two starts this year and no stakes wins to his credit. He didn't fire when shipping to Santa Anita last year and it's tough to make a strong case for his chances.
Big Blue Kitten (Turf) – Rallied to finish a respectable second to Hillstar in the recent Canadian International but his only win since August 2013 has come in a restricted stakes. No factor in this race last year and he'll face an extreme class test once again.
Bobby's Kitten (Turf Sprint) – Poised to make first career start at less than a mile and brings quality speed to the race. Exits a fine third in the September 14 Woodbine Mile, his best performance since the spring, and finished a close third as the favorite in last year's Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.
Dayatthespa (Filly & Mare Turf) – Cross-entered to both the Mile and Filly & Mare Turf, her best chance comes in the latter. The 1 1/4-mile distance represents a challenge, but five-year-old mare is arguably in career-best form, registering a 103 BRIS Speed rating for her commanding Grade 1 victory in the October 4 First Lady at Keeneland. Will be up close from the start.
Lady Eli (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Two for two in her career, daughter of Divine Park will contend for favoritism. She overcame a troubled trip to win her debut by a nose and captured the September 28 Miss Grillo at Belmont Park with ease, registering a 112 BRIS Late Pace rating while scoring by three lengths. Very formidable.
Offering Plan (Juvenile Turf) – Rallied to an easy debut maiden win over New York-bred rivals before a respectable third in the September 28 Pilgrim at Belmont Park, earning commendable BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers after a wide trip. His ability to finish makes him an interesting candidate for a top three finish at an expected price.
Partisan Politics (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Broke her maiden second time out in the P.G. Johnson at Saratoga but checked in a non-threatening fourth in the Miss Grillo last time. More Than Ready filly possesses a decent late kick but doesn't rate as one of Brown's main contenders in this event.
Sivoliere (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Regally-bred daughter of Sea the Stars will be piloted by Gary Stevens in her first U.S. start. She's run better on ground with less give to it, which could benefit her over expected firm conditions at Santa Anita, and displayed good class overseas. Sivoliere may not be the most imposing European shipper on paper but remains eligible to run well from off the pace.
Startup Nation (Juvenile Turf) – New York-bred colt opened career with a pair of convincing wins, defeating state-bred maiden foes prior to a 4 1/2-length romp in the With Anticipation at Saratoga, but fell short as the 1-2 favorite in the September 28 Pilgrim at Belmont Park, finishing fourth. Will look to rebound and deserves serious consideration.
Stephanie's Kitten (Filly & Mare Turf) – Big chance to give Brown his second win in this event in three years (Zagora captured 2012 edition). Stephanie's Kitten opened the year with a couple of unplaced efforts before posting consecutive runner-up finishes, but she was dropping too far back during early stages before rallying belatedly. Displayed noticeable improvement last time, the September 27 Flower Bowl at Belmont, racing up close from the start before crushing rivals, and the multiple Grade 1 heroine is hitting her best stride at the right time of year.
Tammy the Torpedo (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Easily broke her maiden first time out at Saratoga, looking like a filly with a bright future when rolling from off the pace to a 3 1/4-length decision, but came up short in third as the favorite in the Miss Grillo. Daughter of More Than Ready can't be completely dismissed from win consideration in a highly-contentious field.
Zivo (Classic) – Loves Belmont, earning 103 and 104 Speed ratings in his last two outings at "Big Sandy," both at 1 1/4 miles, and turned in a huge effort rallying for second in the September 27 Jockey Club Gold Cup after being steadied repeatedly during the race. New York-bred has really come on at age five but carrying his form forward to Santa Anita, with his deep closing style, is a difficult proposition.
Outlook: Brown could be labeled a "turf maestro" following this year's Breeders' Cup – he has a legitimate chance to win several grass races.
Steve Asmussen (32-4-4-2)
Asmussen brings a respectable 12.5 percent win clip into the Breeders' Cup and has fared well at Santa Anita. He didn't have the stock last year with only three starters, but upset the 2012 Dirt Mile with 15-1 Tapizar and recorded three seconds (all 9-2 or higher) at that year's edition in Arcadia, California.
BC horses:
Lucky Player (Juvenile) – Exits a career-best effort in the September 6 Iroquois at Churchill Downs, posting a narrow upset at 11-1, but the runner-up (Bold Conquest) and third-placer (Hashtag Bourbon) did not run well in subsequent starts versus graded rivals and Lucky Player steps up to face a deep group in this year's Juvenile.
Mico Margarita (Sprint) – Figures to be overlooked following stakes wins at Remington Park and Mountaineer, but four-year-old colt merits respect given his current form – he's posted BRIS Speed ratings of 103 (last time) and 101 (twice) in his last three outings. Class concerns remain but don't be shocked to see him jump forward with a strong effort.
Regally Ready (Turf Sprint) – The 2011 Turf Sprint winner at Churchill Downs, seven-year-old gelding also collected three wins on the course that season but has lost a step when it comes to sprinting nowadays. Received little respect from the committee on the also-eligibles list, needing six defections to make the field.
Tapiture (Dirt Mile) – Cuts back in distance off a pair of commendable efforts, registering century-topping Speed ratings for a victory in West Virginia Derby and a runner-up effort in Pennsylvania Derby, and he's displayed a fine finishing kick in three outings since the Kentucky Derby. Don't know if he'll be able to run down the speed at Santa Anita, but three-year-old belongs in the mix of serious win contenders.
Unbridled's Note (Turf Sprint) – Finished second in 2012 and fourth last year in this event but is unplaced in all three outings this year and ranked sixth on the also-eligibles list, one spot ahead of stablemate Regally Ready. Appears unlikely to factor if he does make the field.
Untapable (Distaff) – Connections hope to see her make amends for a dreadful experience in last year's Juvenile Fillies in which she was eased after experiencing extreme trouble. Three-year-old filly is five-for-six this season, the only setback coming against males in the Haskell, and arrived early at Santa Anita, training locally the entire month of October with a recent five-furlong bullet work (:58). Classy filly is the likely second choice to Close Hatches.
Outlook: Asmussen has proven that he can get his horses ready for the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita and his 2014 contingent appears to be in good form (excluding the also-eligibles). He may not come away with any wins, but his horses appear capable of challenging in at least a couple of spots.
Aidan O'Brien (88-8-12-7)
Irish-based O'Brien is a huge supporter of the Breeders' Cup, targeting multiple races each year, and he's done his best work in the Turf, earning a fourth win in the 1 1/2-mile event when Magician posted a 12-1 upset last year. He'll send the colt back for a title defense and also has the filly Chicquita pre-entered.
BC horses:
Chicquita (Turf) – Her success on "good ground" overseas could bode well for her chances. After displaying top-class form at age three last season, she sold for a record price at an Irish auction ($8.073 million) in November. Her Coolmore connections brought her back in mid-September and despite dropping all three outings, she's performed respectably twice against good company, the only subpar showing coming from an extreme post position in the Arc. Don't underestimate O'Brien's ability to get the most out of his horses despite a demanding schedule as Chicquita makes her third start in a four-week window.
Kingsbarns (Mile) – Winless from six starts since 2012, he appears unlikely to make the main body of the field from the also-eligibles list (needs eight defections).
Magician (Turf) – Magician was off since June and had never raced at 1 1/2 miles prior to last year's Turf, but he won't be an unknown quantity this year. The four-year-old colt captured a Group 3 stakes at the Curragh before recording runner-up finishes to The Fugue and Noble Mission in Group 1 events during the spring/summer, and he's been freshened up since a second in the Arlington Million, a tactic that worked so well last November at Santa Anita. He's one of several capable international raiders in this event.
Qualify (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Exits a Group 3 triumph at the Curragh and is bred to appreciate the stretch out to a two-turn mile. She wasn't a serious factor in two previous stakes attempts versus better company, but Qualify remains eligible to keep improving off a confidence-building win and shouldn't be easily dismissed from win consideration.
The Great War (Juvenile) – He's raced exclusively on turf but is bred to flourish on a dirt surface with similar bloodlines to multiple Grade 2-winning millionaire Departing (both are by War Front and are out of full sisters). The $1 million yearling purchase hasn't performed up to lofty expectations so far but does show three wins from seven starts, including a convincing listed stakes tally last out on September 28. Faces a difficult challenge in a deep Juvenile field.
War Envoy (Juvenile Turf) – Looks like a serious player in this spot. A bit disappointing early in his career, the son of War Front brings improving form into the Breeders' Cup. He posted a third in an Irish Group 3 event and a second in an English Group 2 race before rallying to be a close fifth in a Group 1 test on the Arc undercard at Longchamp. Could continue to show more at Santa Anita.
Outlook: O'Brien is very adept shipping his horses to America and European-based horses tend to show up with their best over the Santa Anita turf course, producing four wins in 2013.
Sir Michael Stoute (34-6-2-3)
A 10-time champion English trainer, Stoute handles most of the Queen's best horses and is one of the most respected horsemen in the world. The four-time Turf winner has recorded four of his six Breeders' Cup victories at Santa Anita.
Dank (Filly & Mare Turf) – Showed an affinity for the course winning last year's Filly & Mare Turf but has been dogged by a foot problem and won't bring the same form into this event, recording a pair of non-threatening efforts in her lone appearances this year. She had won three of her previous four starts before last year's Breeders' Cup and is probably facing a deeper field this year, but Dank is still a talented mare who is unbeaten from two Grade 1 attempts in America.
Telescope (Turf) – After a solid sophomore season, Telescope has improved significantly at age four. He displayed high class in his last two outings, a third in the Juddmonte International and a second in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and his easy seven-length tally in the Group 2 Hardwicke three starts back was flattered by runner-up Hillstar's recent victory in the Canadian International at Woodbine. When Stoute announced in September that he was skipping the Arc and pointing the four-year-old son of Galileo to the Turf, it was easy to take notice. Telescope prefers good-to-firm ground and will take some beating.
Outlook: Stoute does a great job targeting big races and his horses will show up with their best at Santa Anita – he's won a Breeders' Cup race over the course in four of the last five editions (2003, 2008, 2009 and 2013).
Trainers with multiple Breeders' Cup wins like Richard Mandella (seven), Neil Drysdale (six) and John Gosden (four) are conspicuous by their absence in this year's Breeders' Cup.
Andre Fabre (44-4-5-7) and Freddy Head (6-3-0-1) have both proven dangerous in past editions and will be represented by a lone starter, with Fabre sending out Arc runner-up Flintshire in the Turf and Head responsible for Anodin in the Mile.
Flintshire's improving form must be respected and he's in good company following his second-place finish to Treve last time -- eight also-rans from the Arc have shipped over to win the Turf. Anodin doesn't rate as a top contender, but he shows some respectable performances this season and is a full brother to three-time Mile winner Goldikova.
D. Wayne Lukas (pre-entered four two-year-olds) and Shug McGaughey (a pair of older grass horses) both have multiple entries, but none rate as serious win prospects.