Mise En Scene on the track at Keeneland. Coady Photography
Highfield Princess, Mishriff, Nashwa, Mise En Scene, Chain Of Love, Silver Knott
Breeders’ Cup Notes/Edited
LEXINGTON, Ky.— Mise En Scene (GB) (Filly & Mare Turf) did a strong canter over 7f under regular work rider Katie Webb. She wore cheekpieces for the first time this morning which she will wear in the race on Saturday.
Webb said, “Mise En Scene did a nice strong canter this morning and went very well. She took to the cheekpieces great, and I couldn’t be happier with her at this stage.”
Her trainer James Ferguson arrives in Kentucky tonight having flown from Australia where he saddled Deauville Legend to finish fourth in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. James’ father John has been overseeing preparations and said, “She’s eaten up everything, Katie Webb who rides her every day is thrilled with her, she had a canter around the main track, lovely and settled and I think James will be very happy when he arrives tonight. The plan is for her to jump out of the gates tomorrow and it’s all systems go. From what I saw this morning she looked great to me.”
Chain Of Love (JPN) (Filly & Mare Sprint) the sole Japanese runner breezed 5f in 1:01 4/5 over the fast main Keeneland track. Kate Hunter representing connections said, “She was quite lonely in quarantine when she first arrived but there’s now a pony keeping her company and she seems much happier. She breezed this morning which is usual for Japanese horses to do on a Wednesday before a weekend race. Her trainer Mr. (Michihiro) Ogasa was very pleased with what he saw. She is on a one-way ticket and will go to stud here in America.”
Charlie Appleby’s horses were the last to leave quarantine this morning and all went on the turf track. Silver Knott (GB) (Juvenile Turf) led the string then each horse cantered separately.
After the exercise Appleby said, “That was perfect for today. At this stage I don’t think there’s any real standouts neither any I’m not pleased with. They all traveled over great, and all seem in good form. All the riders are happy so we’ll take it each day at a time, but I couldn’t be happier.”
Highfield Princess (FR) (Turf Sprint) was the first European contender to leave the quarantine barn Wednesday. Her race day jockey Jason Hart landed in Kentucky Tuesday and was on track to exercise her this morning on the training track.
“I’m very happy with her, nice and alert, she seems in good order,” Hart said. “We just had a canter round the training track. I think we’ve got a lovely draw in the gate, six. Obviously, Golden Pal is two away from us in eight and again looks like the one we all have to beat. It would be great to get a nice lead into the race off him and we’ll see how it goes. I’m really looking forward to it.”
The John and Thady Gosden duo Mishriff (IRE) (Turf) and Nashwa (GB) (Filly & Mare Turf) were next out on the training track who both cantered a circuit. Mishriff was ridden by Pappu Deora and Nashwa by Benario Goncalves de Paiva.
John Gosden arrives in Kentucky today and will be on track tomorrow. Ted Voute, Racing Manger to Mishriff’s owner Prince Faisal was trackside to watch Mishriff exercise.
“Mishriff looks great, he traveled over very well and at this stage the team couldn’t be happier, Voute said. “John Gosden always guides us as to race plans and the Breeders’ Cup Turf has been on the agenda for a long time now. Saturday will be his final race before he goes to stud in France. He’s been a magnificent horse for Prince Faisal and the Gosden team, so it would be wonderful if he could go and win at the weekend.”
