Brought to you by Tropical Racing
Arcangelo won back-to-back Grade 1 stakes. Can he make it three? The Belmont/Travers champ in a work at Santa Anita. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Breeders’ Cup Notes
LONGINES BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC
ARABIAN KNIGHT Post 12
Breeder: Corser Thoroughbreds LLC
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Saturday
Set: 7:15 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped on main track.
The Quote: “He’s slowly turning into a man right now; he’s still learning. He’s ready to run.” – Bob Baffert
Sunday
Set: 6:30 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped 1 1/2m.
Planned Activity: Will have his final preparatory workout on Monday at 9 a.m.
The Quote: “He’s doing really well. I feel that he should run a good race.” – Bob Baffert
Monday
Set: 8 a.m
Morning Activity: Was first onto the main track after the break and worked 4f in :47 1/5.
Planned Activity: Will walk at the barn Tuesday, then return to the track Wednesday.
ARCANGELO Post 1
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation
Trainer: Jena Antonucci
Saturday
Set: 7 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped a mile under regular exercise rider Robert Mallari.
The Quote: “The most beautiful thing about this sport is if you have the right horse and you have the right rider and you have the right trainer, you can make it happen with any price on any horse. The horse is the equalizer on the price.” – Owner John Ebbert
Sunday
Set: None
Morning Activity: Walked Sunday morning after rear shoe was taken off Saturday afternoon.
Planned Activity: TBD
The quote: “I pulled a left hind shoe off him. Transparency is important. I pulled the left hind shoe off yesterday afternoon and said, ‘Let’s just walk tomorrow. It’s no sense in going to do that (gallop). We’ve got lots of time.’ Whether he kicked the wall or bruised it or hit it, I don’t know. So, we just pulled the shoe off and give him a walk day and assess where we are at.
Monday
Set: NA
Morning Activity: Walked for a second morning after left rear shoe was taken off Saturday afternoon.
Planned Activity: TBD
The Quote: “He just walked today. I wasn’t able to get the shoe back on yet. He walked for about 45 minutes. There’s no reason not to have an extra walk day on him. He’s pretty fresh back there, so I probably won’t be able to get many more walks on him. I’m happy with the direction it’s going. Everything is going the right way.”
(Is there a fear he might not be able to race?): “Fear is not a data point on this. I don’t have a concern.” — Jena Antonucci
“He walked great this morning. I’m very happy with that.
“We’ll assess it as we roll. He may gallop tomorrow. He may walk tomorrow. We’ll stay fluid. Lots of time. That’s a good thing about a 10-day (breeze) schedule, you get lots of time.” – Jena Antonucci
BRIGHT FUTURE Post 11
Breeder: Clearsky Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Saturday
Set: NA
Morning Activity: In transit from Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, to Santa Anita Park. Bright Future worked 4f in 48 2/5 Friday morning at Keeneland in company with Classic candidate Dreamlike. The two galloped out 5f in 1:00 4/5 before shipping to California on Saturday.
The Quote: “Very pleased. Traveling well in hand throughout.” – Todd Pletcher on 10/29 work
Sunday
Set: None
Morning Activity: Bright Future was hand-walked early Sunday morning at Santa Anita after shipping from Kentucky Saturday.
Planned Activity: Will gallop approximately 11/4 miles Monday morning.
Closer Look: With two impressive performances at Saratoga this summer, Bright Future started living up to the name he was given by co-owners Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable. Following a head-scratching eighth of 10 in the June 10 Brooklyn Stakes (G2), the son of Curlin trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher found himself at Saratoga and picked up two victories. The second, a gritty win by a nose over Proxy in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), earned Bright Future a guaranteed berth in the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Monday
Set: 5:30 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped approximately 1 1/4m under exercise rider Hector Ramos.
Planned Activity: Will gallop approximately 1¼ miles Tuesday morning. Time TBD
The Quote: “I think it’s important to place him into the race to get a good tactical position. He’s adaptable enough that they go real fast he doesn’t have to be on the lead, but he does seem to perform at his best when he’s at least involved.” – Todd Pletcher.
“I think that was his coming-out-party, so to speak,” Pletcher said. “He’s a horse that we … click to read more …
CLAPTON Post 7
Breeder: Arindel
Trainer: Chad Summers
Saturday
Set: 7 a.m.
Morning Activity: Worked 4f in 48 3/5 under Antonio Fresu. First work at Santa Anita since arriving from Belmont Park on Oct. 21.
The Quote: “It’s kind of what we wanted. We worked him three-quarters at Belmont last week before we came here. We just wanted him to get used to the track, get a feel for things, look around. With everyone coming on the track, we actually caught some company, but it was fine.” – Chad Summers
Sunday
Set: None
Morning Activity: Walked the shedrow the day after working 4f in 48 ⅗ on Saturday.
Planned Activity: Scheduled to gallop at 7 a.m.
The Quote: “He is not going to win the race on flash. He will win the race by grinding it out and by keeping on coming. He loves to compete and we’re hoping he works out the right trip with (jockey) Tyler (Gaffalione).” – Chad Summers
Monday
Set: 7 a.m.
Morning Activity: Jogged 2m under Rikki Ramdial
Planned Activity: Will back up to the wire and gallop 1 1/2 miles Tuesday.
The Quote: “We are not going to overdue anything this week. We want to have an easy week. We will go to the gate on Wednesday and school in the paddock. Everything is good.” – Chad Summers
DERMA SOTOGAKE (JPN) Post 5
Breeder: Shadai Farm
Trainer: Otonashi Hidetaka
Saturday
Set: 7:30 a.m.
Morning Activity: The UAE Derby (G2) winner did some figure-eight footwork to loosen up while in the chute and then had cantered a mile and a half before returning home with morning trackwork-mate and fellow Japanese invader Meikei Yell. Masa Segawa was aboard Derma Sotogake.
Sunday
Set: 6:30 a.m.
Morning Activity: Walked with Ushba Tesoro (JPN) to the track, proceeded to the chute for circles and figure-eight warmup exercises, did a lap and a half of the main track in a canter and then returned promptly to the barn.
Planned Activity: More of the same tomorrow with a possible breeze expected midweek.
Monday
Set: 7:30 a.m
Morning Activity: Warmed up with footwork and walking through the parade ring before even more walking and warming up throughout the grounds. Eventually took a couple easy laps, one jogging and one cantering around the Santa Anita main track. All in all, it was approximately one hour of training.
Planned Activity: Will breeze Tuesday
DREAMLIKE Post 10
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Monday
Set: 6:30 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped approximately 1 ¼ mile with exercise rider Dominic Merrit
Planned Activity: Will gallop approximately 1 1/4 miles. Time TBD.
The Quote: “He won a maiden race at Saratoga. Then he came back with a little bit of a disappointing effort in a Saratoga allowance but redeemed himself with a fast-closing second in the Pennsylvania Derby. He was third in the Wood Memorial when he was still a maiden. He’s a horse that we’ve always had high expectations for as well and kind of compared him a little bit to Bright Future in terms of one that’s shown a lot of talent and is just on the verge of delivering that.” – Todd Pletcher
MAGE
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Declared out of the Classic after being diagnosed with a fever before his scheduled Sunday flight from Lexington, Kentucky, to Santa Anita. Will be pointed to the Pegasus World Cup (G1) Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park. “It was a slight temperature. At this level, to run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic against horses like these, you have to be at 100 percent, you can’t be at 90 percent. This is not something that knocks you out for several months or a year. It’s a minor hiccup, but it’s disappointing.” – Co-owner Ramiro Restrepo.
MISSED THE CUT Post 4
Breeder: Framont LTD
Trainer: John Sadler
Monday
Set: 5 a.m.
Morning Activity: Jogged a mile under Juan Levya.
Planned Activity: Scheduled to gallop at same time Tuesday morning.
The Quote: “He will go to the gate one day this week.” – John Sadler.
PROXY Post 13
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Mike Stidham
Saturday
Set: Keeneland
Morning Activity: Breezed 4f in 48 2/5 at Keeneland, 29th-fastest of 106 works at the distance.
Planned Activity: The Clark Stakes (G1) and Oaklawn Handicap (G2) winner will walk the shedrow on Sunday before shipping from Kentucky to California on Monday.
The Quote: “Basically today’s work was just a half-mile with a decent gallop-out by himself with (Joel) Rosario. We went early in the dark because there was a forecast for possible rain sometime in the morning, so we didn’t want to take any chances and went early.
“The work went really well. He was in the bridle going to the pole and Joel said he was very willing and had good energy throughout the work and he had a good gallop-out. We had him in 48 2/5 and out in 1:01 1/5, I think, and he cooled out well. I could not have asked, as they say, for it to have gone any better.” – Mike Stidham
Sunday
Set: Keeneland
Morning Activity: One day after breezing 4f in 48.40, he walked the shedrow.
Planned Activity: Ships to California on Monday
Monday
Set: NA
Morning Activity: Scheduled to arrive from Kentucky on Monday.
Planned Activity: Will likely jog Tuesday morning, with routine training leading up to Saturday’s Classic.
Closer Look
Veteran conditioner Mike Stidham looks to add another iconic international race to his resume when he saddles Godolphin’s Grade 1 winner Proxy in Saturday’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Six days out, all signals from the team … click to read more …
SAUDI CROWN Post 6
Breeder: CHC Inc.
Trainer: Brad Cox
Saturday
Set: 5:30
Morning Activity: Worked 6f in 1:12 1/5 at Churchill with jockey Florent Geroux up.
The Quote: “We put him on the inside last week with A Mo Reay and we put him on the outside this week,” Cox said. “I’ve loved what we’ve seen from him since the Pennsylvania Derby. A Mo Reay is a good work horse and he’s gotten a lot out of his works. By the way he’s doing now here in Kentucky, I’m confident he’ll run a big race in the Classic.” – Brad Cox
Sunday
Set: None
Morning Activity: Walked the shedrow of this Churchill Downs barn.
Planned Activity: Will ship to California Monday.
The Quote: “He’s developed into a top 3-year-old. We always thought he had a tremendous amount of talent and he’s shown that in his five races. He’s a top horse and we have a lot of confidence in him – Brad Cox
Monday
Set: None
Morning Activity: Is en route to California.
Planned Activity: Will jog Tuesday at Santa Anita.
The Quote: “We always knew he was talented. He was just about to make his debut when we had a setback last summer at Saratoga. I give a lot of credit to the owners for their patience. Since his first race in April (at Keeneland), he’s shown how talented he is. I have a lot of confidence in him right now.” – Brad Cox
SENOR BUSCADOR Post 9
Breeders: Joe R Peacock Sr. & Joe R Peacock Jr.
Trainer: Todd Fincher
Saturday
Set: 7:45
Morning Activity: Galloped 1 ½ m with Dennis Means up
The Quote: “Senor Buscador has been our horse that has had the most bad luck in his racing career, but we have been confident in his ability since he was a 2-year-old.” — Joey Peacock, owner and co-breeder
Sunday
Set: None
Morning Activity: Walked shedrow
Planned Activity: Paddock schooling session this afternoon.
The Quote: “He will gallop tomorrow, and he will go to the gate tomorrow or Wednesday.” – Todd Fincher
Monday
Set: 7:45 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped 1 1/2m under exercise rider Dennis Means.
Planned Activity: Same schedule as Monday.
The Quote: The Quote: Regarding post-position draw Monday afternoon: “If I could choose, it would be an outside post.”
Closer Look
From the disappointment of an eighth-place finish in last year’s Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland, Joey Peacock’s Senor Buscador is primed to set his hooves on center stage in Saturday’s $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
“It was very disappointing last year in the Dirt Mile,” trainer Todd Fincher said. “But he washed out, which he had never done before and also bled for the first time. It was a legitimate excuse. … click to read more …
USHBA TESORO (JPN) Post 8
Breeder: Chiyoda Farm Shizunai
Trainer: Takagi Noboru
Saturday
Set: 6 a.m.
Morning Activity: The Dubai World Cup (G1) winner cantered two miles on the Santa Anita main track. Masa Fukami was aboard the dual G1 winner.
Planned Activity: After a trot-up to clear (veterinary protocol) on Friday, a breeze is possible for Ushba Tesoro on Sunday.
Sunday
Set: 6:30 a.m.
Morning Activity: Breezed 4f; not on work tab, hand-timed in 49 2/5
Planned Activity: Will have an easy day Monday with a possible blowout breeze on Wednesday
Monday
Set: 6:50 a.m.
Morning Activity: Leading out a group from the quarantine barn at 6:50 that included Win Carnelian (JPN), Win Marilyn (JPN) and Songline (JPN), he had a routine warmup and canter around the Santa Anita dirt track before parade ring walking and schooling in the gate. The gate schooling did not go as well as planned. The Dubai World Cup (G1) winner kicked out multiple times and was irritable with the gate crew.
Planned Activity: Routine maintenance training scheduled for Tuesday. A blowout breeze on Wednesday.
The Quote: The Quote: “The gate is set lower than in Japan and he’s such a big horse that the doors brushed against his hocks in an awkward manner, causing him to kick out. The vet checked him over and there are no issues. We will school him again on Wednesday after his breeze. For horses with similar issues, Santa Anita provides green mats that tie to the inside of the starting gate that we will use with him. They hug the hind-end and make it easier. We will now use that with all of our runners.” – Kate Hunter, Breeders’ Cup’s Japan representative, overseeing the recruiting, shipping, and general logistics of all Japanese Breeders’ Cup runners
Closer Look
Japan’s best-ever hope to take home the spoils of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), Takagi Noboru-trained Ushba Tesoro, put in a 4f breeze on Sunday morning at Santa Anita, leaving the quarantine barn at 6:15, walking for 15 minutes to wait for the track to open and proceeding to the main track.
Allowed to ease into his work at the half-mile pole and around the far turn, he did not begin lengthening stride and quickening … click to read more …
WHITE ABARRIO Post 3
Breeder: Spendthrift Farm
Trainer: Richard Dutrow Jr.
Saturday
Set: NA
Morning Activity: Scheduled walk day following Friday’s breeze
The Quote: As planned,Richard Dutrow returned to New York after the 4yo colt worked 5f in 59.80 seconds Friday under Emily Ellingwood at Santa Anita.
Chip Dutrow, Richard’s brother and assistant, on the breeze and how the colt looked Saturday: “Very happy with his workout. The rider, Emily, was very pleased. All the connections were very happy with him yesterday. Today, he looks great. After the breeze, everything checks out good today. We’re very happy with that. He came out of the work sharp.”
Sunday
Set: 6:30 a.m.
Morning Activity: First day back on track after Friday breeze. Jogged once around the oval under exercise rider Emily Ellingwood.
Planned Activity: Will go to track between 6:30 and 6:45 to gallop 11/2 miles.
The Quote: “(Emily) was very happy with him. It looks like he came out of the workout really good.” – Chip Dutrow, Richard’s brother and assistant.
Monday
Set: 6:30-6:45 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Emily Ellingwood.
Planned Activity: Will go to track between 6:30 and 6:45 to gallop 1 1/2 miles, then visit starting gate.
The Quote: “We’re very happy with him. I like what I’ve seen. The owners like what they’ve seen; they were both here today. We galloped him this morning and the rider said he felt great. We’re just going to continue to move forward.” – Chip Dutrow, Richard’s brother and assistant
ZANDON Post 2
Breeder: Brereton C. Jones
Trainer: Chad Brown
Saturday
Set: Belmont Park
Morning Activity: Breezed 5f at Belmont Park in 1:00.23, second-fastest of three at the distance.
Sunday
Set: Belmont Park
Morning Activity: Shipped to California from New York
Planned Activity: Arriving in California from New York
The Quote: “They look great, en route,” – Chad Brown, regarding Zandon and Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) hopefuls Randomized and Search Results.
Monday
Set: 7:15 a.m.
Morning Activity: Jogged a circuit of the Santa Anita dirt before returning promptly to the Chad Brown barn. Shipped in Sunday from New York and had worked on Saturday at Belmont Park.
Planned Activity: Will have a routine gallop on Tuesday.
For all of the Longines BC Classic Pre-Entries including Also Entered click here.
For current California daily workouts click here.
