War Like Goddess taking the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont at the Big A October 7. (Adam Coglianese)
Breeders’ Cup Notes
LONGINES BREEDERS’ CUP TURF
GOLD PHOENIX
Breeder: Mighty Universe Ltd.
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Set: Saturday, 7 a.m.
Morning Activity: Worked 5f in 1:02 on the training track under Tony Gutierrez.
Planned Activity: Will walk tomorrow, then go back to the track to jog on Monday.
Quote: “He’s plenty fit and doing well. There’s not much more to do before Saturday.” – Phil D’Amato
WAR LIKE GODDESS
Breeder: Calumet Farm
Trainer: Bill Mott
Set: Sunday, 9:30 a.m.
Morning Activity: Worked 4f in 49 ⅘ with exercise rider Brittany Troxtell in the saddle.
Planned Activity: Scheduled to walk the shedrow TBA.
The Quote: “It was beautiful. Poetry in motion. She works on the dirt, and she works in :49 or :50; that’s all we want. You could see the rider was just letting her do it. She gets a lot out of working on the dirt, conditioning wise. She is fit enough.” – Bill Mott
Closer Look
As a little girl, Brittany Troxtell liked horses. As a young woman, she loves them. Especially the ones she gets on as an exercise rider at the power-packed barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
Troxtell had herself a busy Sunday morning as she was part of the Mott team fine tuning his all-star lineup as the Breeders’ Cup looms. She worked Casa Creed Sunday, who will run in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). She has been aboard Elite Power, who is gunning for his second straight win in the $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).
Troxtell saved the best for last … click to read more …
Click here for all BC Turf Pre-Entries.
FANDUEL BREEDERS’ CUP MILE
CASA CREED
Breeder: Silver Spring Stud, LLC
Trainer: Bill Mott
Set: Saturday, 8 a.m.
Morning Activity: Worked 4f in company with stablemate Elite Power in 46 2/5 with exercise rider Brittany Troxtell in the saddle.
Planned Activity: Scheduled to walk the shedrow.
The Quote: “We think he is a pretty good horse. In these turf races, it’s all about the trip and the pace and position. You have to have the golden trip and you’ve got to get lucky. Everyone in there is a nice horse; probably half the horses in it could win it.” – Bill Mott
DU JOUR
Breeder: Woods Edge Farm, LLC
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Set: Saturday, 8:45 a.m.
Morning Activity: Worked 4f in :47.40 over the main track.
Planned Activity: Will walk Sunday, jog Monday and gallop into the race.
The Quote: “The time off did him good. He ran great in his last two races at Del Mar. Now we’ll hope for a good draw; post position will be really important.”
(Du Jour is owned by Natalie “Jill” Baffert and Debbie Lani. On whether his wife is his toughest owner): “Previously, when this horse wasn’t running as well, my wife (co-owner) wanted to fire me, but she couldn’t find another trainer that offered her the same deal.” – Bob Baffert
EXAULTED
Breeder: Jack Swain
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Set: Saturday, 7:15 a.m.
Morning Activity: Worked 4f on training track in 47 3/5 with Patrice Roux up.
Planned Activity: Walk day Sunday and probably jog Monday.
The Quote: “That was good enough. I didn’t want to overdo it. I got him in 48 and out five-eighths in a minute and change.” — Peter Eurton
MASTER OF THE SEAS (IRE)
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Set: 7 a.m., Sunday
Morning Activity: Went out for a routine canter, which turned into an accidental breeze that was unofficially timed in 49 2/5.
Planned Activity: Walk day Monday
The Quote: “Unfortunately that wasn’t the plan. All we wanted to do with him was go out for a steady canter, but he didn’t have his hood on and unfortunately, he took off with his rider. It was not quite what we hoped for or what was planned. We will now have to adjust his schedule accordingly with a quiet day tomorrow and he will definitely have the hood on him next time he’s out on Tuesday morning.” – Chris Connett, assistant trainer
MAWJ (IRE)
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Set: 7:30 a.m., Saturday
Morning Activity: Worked 7f in 1:28 1/5 under rider Michael Greig with stablemate White Moonlight.
Planned Activity: Will walk Sunday
Quote: “I’m very happy with Mawj. She worked nicely this morning and Michael said she felt good. The team said she traveled down from Keeneland well. She’s eaten well and done everything right since she arrived in Santa Anita. It’s great to be back at the Breeders’ Cup.” – Saeed bin Suroor
Morning Activity, Sunday: Walked the shed row, one day after breezing 7f in 1:28.40 in company with Breeders’ Cup undercard-bound White Moonlight
Planned Activity: Will return to the track on Monday for routine training
Closer Look
Saeed bin Suroor is back at the big show and there is no doubt that he has every chance to add a fourth Breeders’ Cup trophy to his mantle when he saddles Godolphin’s Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1)-bound homebred Mawj on Saturday. The daughter of Exceed And Excel (AUS) will not only seek to become her standout sire’s third Breeders’ Cup winner, but also hopes to emulate dual-Breeders’ Cup-winning half-brother Modern Games (IRE), who landed last year’s Mile. On Saturday, she put the finishing touches on her preparation with worked 7f in 1:28 2/5 in company with Group 2-placed stablemate White Moonlight.
“It was a good work,” bin Suroor said. “On the dirt, … click to read more …
Click here for all BC Mile Pre-Entries
MAKER’S MARK BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF
DIDIA (ARG)
Breeder: La Manija
Trainer: Ignacio Correas IV
Set: 7:30 a.m., Saturday
Morning Activity: Galloped an easy circuit of the Santa Anita main track
Planned Activity: Will have a similar gallop Monday
Closer Look
Dual Grade 1-winning mare Didia continues to impress as she prepares to tackle one of the saltiest fields in the history of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Owned by Merriebelle Stable and trained by Ignacio Correas IV — the same connections of 2019 upset Breeders’ Cup Distaff victress and fellow Argentine-bred Blue Prize (ARG)— Didia seeks an upset of her own against a lineup that features no fewer than seven G1 winners.
In four 2023 starts, the granddaughter of dual Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Lure … click to read more …
Click here for all BC Filly & Mare Turf Pre-Entries
BIG ASS FANS BREEDERS’ CUP DIRT MILE
CODY’S WISH
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Bill Mott
Set: 9 a.m., Sunday
Morning Activity: Worked 4f in 47 ⅕ with assistant trainer Neil Poznansky in the saddle.
Planned Activity: Scheduled to walk the shedrow TBA.
The Quote: “He looked smooth as glass. I was happy that he didn’t go faster. Neil had him just right. Cody’s Wish did it on the bridle. Passing the eighth pole, (Poznansky) released his hold and took his hand off the bridle a little bit and he finished up good and galloped out good.” – Bill Mott
Closer Look
The closing act on the racetrack is here for Godolphin’s Cody’s Wish. The 5-year-old horse, who has tugged on people’s heart strings from coast-to-coast for his unique relationship with a 17-year-old boy, will race for the final time in Saturday’s $1 million Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
His biggest fan, Cody Dorman, and his family from Richmond, Kentucky, will be at Santa Anita to root him on.
“He has been a very good horse, and this is a great story,” Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said.
Cody’s Wish, the defending Dirt Mile champion, will be making his 16th career start. He has never missed the board, … click to read more …
NATIONAL TREASURE
Breeder: Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Set: 9 a.m., Sunday
Morning Activity: Worked 4f in :47 1/5.
Planned Activity: Will walk at the barn on Monday, then return to the track on Tuesday
The Quote: “He looked good out there. I had him galloping out 5f in :59 and change. That last race seemed to wake him back up.” – Bob Baffert
PRACTICAL MOVE
Breeder: Chad Brown & Head of Plains Partners
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Set: 7 a.m., Saturday
Morning Activity: Worked 5f in 1:00 1/5 as final prep for the Dirt Mile.
Planned Activity: Gallop into the race and probably school in the gate and the paddock mid-week.
Quote: “I had him galloping out 6f in 1:12 2/5. He came back to the races strong and is training really well.” – Tim Yakteen
ZOZOS
Breeders: Barry Butzow & Joni Butzow
Trainer: Brad Cox
Set: 7:45 a.m. ET, Saturday
Morning Activity: Worked 5f in 59 4/5 at Churchill with jockey Florent Geroux up.
Planned Activity: Will walk Sunday and ship on Monday to California.
Quote: “He’s on his game right now. I think he’s more on it right now than he was in the Ack Ack. I’m really happy with how he worked today.” – Brad Cox
Click here for all BC Dirt Mile Pre-Entries
QATAR RACING BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT
DR. SCHIVEL
Breeders: William A. Branch & Arnold R. Hill
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Set: 7:45 a.m., Sunday
Morning Activity: Recorded his final work of 1:00 4/5 for 5f under jockey Juan Hernandez in advance of Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint
Planned Activity: Will walk on Monday, then return to the track Tuesday to gallop up to the race.
The Quote: “He looked good today. This work was sharper than his last one.” – Mark Glatt
ELITE POWER
Breeder: Alpha Delta Stables, LLC
Trainer: Bill Mott
Set: 8 a.m., Sunday
Morning Activity: Defending Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) champion worked 4f in company with stablemate Casa Creed in 46 1/5 under assistant trainer Neil Poznansky.
Planned Activity: Will walk the shedrow on Monday morning; may go to the track.
The Quote: “I don’t have any lack of confidence in him. Look, it’s a horse race and he has to go over there and do it and have a good trip. I have no reason to believe he is not as good as he was last year.” – Bill Mott
Closer Look
When it comes to the $2 million Qatar Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), Elite Power has been there, done that.
Now, his connections hope the 5-year-old son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin can do it again.
Juddmonte’s Elite Power rolls into Santa Anita Park as the horse to beat … click to read more …
GUNITE
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Set: 7:45 a.m., Sunday
Morning Activity: Worked 3f in 36 1/5 at Santa Anita
Planned Activity: Will walk Monday
THE CHOSEN VRON
Breeder: Tiz Molly Partners
Trainer: J. Eric Kruljak
Set: None
Morning Activity: Walked at the barn after 4f workout Saturday, which the trainer caught in :47 4/5 on the training track
Planned Activity: Will walk again Monday before returning to the track.
Closer Look
Trainer Eric Kruljac once got some sage advice from his grandfather, a rancher who sparked his young grandson’s interest in horses: To be successful, keep yourself in the best of company, and keep your horses in the worst of company. That was the mantra by which Walter Markham lived.
And, while perhaps that advice may have been part of Kruljac’s star The Chosen Vron’s racing success, when he ripped through the state-bred competition en route to seven consecutive stakes victories, it appears that his grandson is defying the second half of that equation … click to read more …
Click here for all BC Sprint Pre-Entries
PNC BANK BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT
CLEARLY UNHINGED
Breeder: Rock Brothers Breeding LLC
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Morning Activity: Worked 4f in 47 4/5 with Umberto Rispoli up Saturday
The Quote: “I was very pleased with the way she did it.” — Michael McCarthy
EDA
Breeder: Nathan McCauley
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Set: 6:30 a.m., Sunday
Morning Activity: Worked 4f from the gate in :47 2/5.
Planned Activity: Will walk tomorrow morning, then return to the track Tuesday.
The Quote: “We popped her out of the gate this morning. It was just what she needed.” – Bob Baffert
KIRSTENBOSCH
Breeder: Keith Abrahams
Trainer: John Sadler
Set: 7:45, Saturday
Morning Activity: Worked 5f in 58 3/5 in company with Juan Lopez aboard
Planned Activity: Walk day Sunday
The Quote: “That was very nice for Kirstenbosch. She went very well. She has had a long year, but she is ready to go.” — John Sadler
SOCIETY
Breeder: Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds LLC
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Set: N/A
Morning Activity: Worked 3f in 37 2/5 at Santa Anita
Planned Activity: Will walk Monday
Click here for all Filly & Mare Sprint Pre-Entries
BREEDERS’ CUP TURF SPRINT
CARAVEL
Breeder: Elizabeth M. Merryman
Trainer: Brad Cox
Set: Special turf training session for Breeders’ Cup horses
Morning Activity: Worked 4f in 51 3/5 over the Churchill Downs turf course with Kelvin Perez aboard.
Planned Activity: Will walk Sunday and ship to California Monday
The Quote: “Very pleased with the work. We’re looking forward to getting her back on firm turf course.” – Brad Cox
LIVE IN THE DREAM (IRE)
Breeder: Miss Lorna Doyle
Trainer: Adam West
Morning Activity: Strong “canter” under exercise rider Shoshana Cooksley
Planned Activity: Will gallop Sunday and Monday with a work planned for Tuesday.
The Quote: “I’m very happy with him. He’s been in great form since he came from Keeneland. He felt great this morning with his ears pricked throughout. His jockey Sean Kirrane flies into California on Monday with his trainer Adam West and will work on Tuesday morning.” — Shoshana Cooksley
Morning Activity: Galloped over main Santa Anita track
Planned Activity: Will have similar activity Monday with a work planned for Tuesday.
MOTORIOUS
Breeder: Kirtlington Stud & Mrs Mary Taylor
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Set: 6:45 a.m., Sunday
Morning Activity: Worked an easy 4f on the training track under jockey Kyle Frey in 50 3/5.
Planned Activity: Will walk on Sunday, then jog on Monday and gallop into the race.
The Quote: “His last work was a bullet, so this was just a maintenance work for him today.” – Phil D’Amato
Click here for all BC Turf Sprint Pre-Entries
FANDUEL BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE
MUTH
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Set: 7:15 a.m.
Morning Activity: Worked 5f in 59 2/5 in company with stablemate Wine Me Up.
Planned Activity: Will walk Sunday, then return to the track Monday and gallop into the race.
Quote: “He’s a big, long striding colt and I thought he’d appreciate a route of ground. He’s coming into the race very well.” – Bob Baffert
PRINCE OF MONACO
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, LLC
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Set: 7:45 a.m., Sunday
Morning Activity: Worked 5f in company with stablemate Pilot Commander in 1:00 1/5.
Planned Activity: Will walk at the barn on Monday.
Quote: “I didn’t want anything fast today. He galloped out well.”—Bob Baffert
WINE ME UP
Breeders: Kenneth L Ramsey & Sarah K Ramsey
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Set: 7:15 a.m., Sunday
Morning Activity: Worked 5f in company with stablemate Muth in 59 2/5.
Planned Activity: Will walk tomorrow, then return to the track Monday morning.
Quote: “He’s always been a good work horse. His last race was really good and he’s only had two starts, so he’still improving. I’ve got three really nice horses (Muth, Prince of Monaco) in the race.” – Bob Baffert
Click here all BC Juvenile Pre-Entries
BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF
BRIGHTWORK
Breeders: Wynnstay Inc. & H. Allen Poindexter
Trainer: John Ortiz
Set: 7:30 a.m., Saturday
Morning Activity: Worked 4f in 47 4/5 with jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard.
Planned Activity: Will walk Sunday and ship to California Monday.
Closer Look
Trainer John Ortiz said he is really happy with the way Brightwork has turned around since her first career loss in five starts last out in the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland and after making some adjustments, he and his team are heading into the Breeders’ Cup with a lot of confidence.
“She’s doing really well right now,” Ortiz said. “We were discouraged after the Alcibiades, but after watching her replays … click to read more …
GALA BRAND
Breeders: Desmond Ryan & Martin Schwartz
Trainer: Bill Mott
Set: 8 a.m., Sunday
Morning Activity: Worked 4f in 49 2/5 under Brittany Troxtell. First work at Santa Anita since shipping from Saratoga.
Planned Activity: Will walk the shedrow and Mott said there is a possibility she will school in the paddock at some point Sunday.
The Quote: “I asked for a similar work of what we had been doing at Saratoga and that is what we got. She was a second faster than what she usually works, but the track was probably faster than the training track (at Saratoga). She looked good going over it and the rider said she felt great.” – Bill Mott
LAULNE
Breeder: Franklin Finance S.A.
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Set: None
Morning Activity: Walked at the barn this morning following Saturday’s 4f work in :49 on the training track.
Planned Activity: Returns to the track to jog Monday.
The Quote: “We’ve only had her for nine days, but she was in full training when she was shipped over from France. She was purchased at the Arc Sale (reported price was $793,000). She’s very consistent and has never been off the board in six lifetime starts.”—trainer Phil D’Amato
PORTA FORTUNA (IRE)
Breeder: Whisperview Trading Ltd
Trainer: Donnacha O’Brien
Morning Activity: Remained in quarantine barn after arriving at 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Planned Activity: Expected to clear quarantine Monday night and train Tuesday.
The Quote: “It’s great to be back at the Breeders’ Cup and I’m delighted to be here. The team is happy with how the horses traveled so we’ll see how they are this evening. As with the rest of the horses which arrived yesterday, we won’t be out on the track until Tuesday, so we’ll hand walk them until clearance. Porta Fortuna has had a great season in the UK and Ireland and looks the right sort of horse for this race. I’m really looking forward to the week ahead.” – Donnacha O’Brien
Click here for all BC Juvenile Fillies Pre-Entries
