        |
|
 |
Del Mar Debutante Pacific Classic Day Pat O'Brien Stakes King's Plate results Del Mar Oaks |
|
|
 Havre de Grace and trainer Larry Jones under the twin spires on Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs |
Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs was bright and sunny again but not as cold as the horses continued their preparations for the Breeders' Cup World Championships. With the event stretched out to 15 races over two days and many horses arriving at the track on Tuesday, traffic out on the main track after the break was even heavier today, and more horses went out on the turf course at 10:00am.
Here are photos for 57 of the horses on the track or schooling in the paddock, all different from Tuesday. Click the small picture to see a larger version. All the horses for today are different from yesterday, with no repeats.
 Havre de Grace, looking to become the second female to win the Classic, was one of the first horses on the track after the break Wednesday morning and galloped 1 mile with trainer Larry Jones on board. She will maintain the same routine for the rest of the week and could possibly visit the paddock and starting gate. “This is just part of our normal routine leading into a race,” said Jones. “Yesterday, wasn’t routine for us (when he took Havre de Grace to jog one day after working), but everything else has been how we normally do things. We couldn’t be any happier with her.” |
 Game on Dude went for a 1 mile gallop on Wednesday morning under exercise rider Jorge Alvarez. It was Game On Dude’s first trip across the Churchill Downs surface since shipping in Tuesday afternoon from Santa Anita. “It’s a tough race, all of them are tough,” Baffert said of the Classic, in which Game On Dude has drawn post 8 under jockey Chantal Sutherland. “These are the best horses in the world and everything has to go perfect leading up to the race. Most importantly, the horse has to fit and give it his all. I know this one does and will.” |
 Ice Box schooled in the starting gate and then galloped 1 mile in preparation for the Classic. Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito said, "I think all of the rust is off him. I can stand here and make excuses. But we have three races now and this is what we’ve been thinking about. He had his finest hour here last year. He’s a live longshot, he was 20-1 when he won the Florida Derby." |
 Alpha galloped 1 1/4 miles under exercise rider Rob Massey in preparation for the Juvenile. “I’m not sure how we’re going to make up five lengths on Union Rags,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “We’re coming into the race great. We were the only 2yo in the last race in the Champagne making our second start, so this is our third start. Hopefully we improve each start.” |
 Animal Spirits galloped 1m Wednesday morning in his first trip back to the track after walking Tuesday following his final pre-race work Monday. Exercise rider Scotty LeLeux was in the saddle aboard the Al Stall Jr. entrant in the Juvenile Turf. “The more seasoning you can get, the better off you are,” Stall said. “We’re not trying to crash-course him, but every little bit you get right until the very last minute helps.” |
 Ann of the Dance jogged to the wire followed by a 1 1/2m gallop under assistant trainer Heather Irion. “She’s so little, but she’s got a big, big heart. That’s why Marty (Wolfson) bought her (for Farnsworth Stables after her last outing in the Alcibiades). If you look at her race replays, you’ll see that she got knocked into the rails and bumped into, and she’s only half the size of the others, but she kept fighting. When she ran against the boys (winning an optional claiming race at Arlington by 6 1/2 lengths) they smashed into her but she pinned her ears back and went right on through. We’re very excited for (the Juvenile Fillies Turf).” |
 Announce was part of a group of seven European runners that went out at 8:45 a.m. for some light exercise on the main track. Bred and raced by Juddmonte Farms, Announce is trained in France by Andre Fabre. She nearly added a second consecutive Group 1 victory to her list of accomplishments on Oct. 2 when second by a nose to fellow Filly and Mare Turf contender Nahrain in the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp. |
 Apriority jogged 1 mile and then galloped for 1 1/2 miles. Trainer David Fawkes had to ship his horses in early due to poor weather at his Calder base. “I’ve seen that happen with horses before and I’ve been around long enough to know it will probably happen again with horses,” Fawkes said of the many disruptions in the plans. |
 Caleb's Posse schooled in the paddock Wednesday afternoon. Trainer Donnie Von Hemel said, “Because the Dirt Mile was the more likely spot for us, we decided to use the Indiana Derby as a prep. We were stabled in Chicago (Arlington Park), so there wasn’t a lot of travel for us. We figured we’d pop over to Indiana and then to Kentucky. We didn’t want to have to make another trip back East.” Caleb’s Posse finished third in the Indiana Derby, behind fellow Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile contenders Wilburn and Shackleford. “It’s hard to say why he didn’t run a little better, but it’s not surprising that we ran third in a race like that.” |
 Cambina jogged 2m Wednesday morning as Mersad Metanovic, stable manager for trainer Jeff Bonde, watched the Filly and Mare Turf entrant. “She’s feeling really good and she’s eating well,” Metanovic said. “I think we’re right on track for Friday.” |
 Caracortado schooled in the paddock a day after arriving by plane from California for the Turf Sprint. Trainer Mike Machowsky said, “He’s only running five furlongs Saturday; he doesn’t need much. He shipped fine and ate up.” The 4yo gelding’s last seven races have been around two turns, but Machowsky put speed on his horse’s mind Sunday when he worked him in 46 seconds flat on the main track at Santa Anita. Caracortado has sprinted five times in his career, winning four and finishing third in the other. He’ll be handled by regular rider Joe Talamo in the Turf Sprint and they’ll start from post 13 in the 14-horse lineup. |
 Cease returned to the track for a 1 mile gallop Wednesday in his first day back to the track since Monday, when he turned in his final prerace work. Exercise rider Marcus Alfred was in the saddle. “First day back, he was reaching and trying,” trainer Al Stall Jr. said. “It looked good.” The 4yo son of War Chant is scheduled to gallop 1 1/2 mile Thursday in preparation for the Marathon. |
 Chamberlain Bridge, defending Turf Sprint champion, continues to impress trainer Bret Calhoun with his training and is showing signs that his head is back in the game after a trying season in which he made the winner’s circle one time in five starts. “He’s never trained better and I say that, but we’ve never really had to train him like this, said Calhoun. “Up until this year, we’ve been able to keep him racing on a regular schedule, but after his first couple of starts this year, we decided we needed to space his races more. It’s never been physical. I think it’s all been between the ears. I do like where he’s at right now.” |
 Champagne d'Oro schooled in the paddock on Wednesday in preparation for the Filly and Mare Sprint. She coems to Churchill off a 4th place effort in the Lady's Secret (G1) at Santa Anita. The 30-1 outsider will break from post 4 on Friday for new jockey Corey Nakatani and trainer Eric Guillot. |
 Compliance Officer jogged on the main track in preparation for the Mile. Regular rider Alex Solis gets the call for trainer Bruce Brown. He comes to Churchill off a 5 race win streak including the West Point, A.T. Cole, and Mohawk Stakes, all against New York bred company. |
 Court Vision galloped 1 mile Wednesday over the main track. Although, he has only had the 6yo Gulch horse in his barn a short while, trainer Dale Romans likes what he sees in his training and what he’s hearing from regular rider Robby Albarado, who has been aboard for 11 of his last 13 races. “He looks great,” said Romans. “I like the way he’s training and Robby tells me he’s never felt him any better.” |
 Creative Cause got his first test of the Churchill Downs dirt surface Wednesday morning in preparation for the Juvenile, as did his trainer Mike Harrington after both arrived from California. “He seemed to like the track,” Harrington said at the end of the colt’s 1 mile gallop. “He got over it really well.” The gray/roan 2yo son of Giant’s Causeway continues his debut day in Louisville by schooling in the paddock during the day’s first race. |
 Customer Base jogged 3f on the turf under Gabriel Sanchez on Wednesday morning with trainer Tom Proctor and Glen Hill Farm president Craig Bernick keeping a watchful eye. “So far, she’s perfect,” Bernick said of the undefeated filly he purchased for $170,000 at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Yearling sale. That afternoon she schooled in the paddock, and goes next in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. |
 Dean's Kitten schooled in the paddock Wednesday afternoon, in preparation for the Turf. He was second, beaten a nose by odds-on favorite Cape Blanco in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic last out. “We would have tried it (1 1/2 miles) a lot sooner, but the opportunity really never presented itself,” trainer Mike Maker said. “I wish we had more 1 1/2 mile turf chances in America. I think he’s at his best with more distance.” |
 Distorted Legacy galloped on the main track in preparation for the Filly and Mare Turf. The Angel Penna trainee drew post 10 and will have regular rider Rajiv Maragh in the irons. She comes to the Breeders' Cup off a runner-up effort in the Flower Bowl Invitational (G1) at Belmont Park. |
 Drill jogged 1 mile with exercise rider Dana Barnes in the saddle Wednesday morning after arriving from California on Tuesday. “He still has a little bit to prove,” Baffert said of the son of Lawyer Ron. “In his last race, he got tired turning for home. I took the blinkers off of him and was hoping that would help because he likes a target to run at, but I think he was too far back last time. We’ll let him get into the race here. He’s still young.” Drill comes off a runner-up finish in the Oct. 1 Norfolk Stakes and won the Del Mar Futurity in September. He drew post 4 in the Juvenile. Martin Garcia has the mount. |
 Euroears galloped 1 mile under exercise rider Dana Barnes Wednesday morning and will do the same Thursday, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert reported on his Sprint entrant. |
 Farraaj found the early morning track work a bit daunting and on a couple of occasions appeared not to want to go forward, but once settled he did a gentle canter of about half a circuit with traveling head lad Paul Rutter on board, in preparation for the Juvenile Turf. “He is still not quite used to it,” trainer Roger Varian said. “He was not sure which way to go – either left or right. He will get better every day. Neil Callan who will ride him on Saturday, will be on him tomorrow and Friday and that will help. He is still not quite used to it. He was not sure which way to go – either left or right. He will get better every day. Neil Callan who will ride him on Saturday, will be on him tomorrow and Friday and that will help”. |
 Finale has already earned more than the purchase price of $175,000 risked by owners Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor. “He’s really taken to it,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, who started the colt on the dirt and failed to break his maiden in two tries. Once on the grass at Belmont, he won off by more than five lengths and since has taken a pair of minor stakes. “He’s as sharp as he can be.” Finale galloped 1 1/4 mile on the main track Wednesday and then stood in the gate and goes next in the Juvenile Turf. |
 Force Freeze jogged 1 mile under exercise rider Marcos Orneos in preparation for the Sprint. Trainer Peter Walder held the leadshank to walk Force Freeze to and from the track. “Things have just totally turned around since I got this horse, and it’s nice. It’s been a long time coming.” The native of Montreal, Quebec, is well known for his success with runners in the claiming ranks, particularly at Gulfstream Park and Monmouth Park, but this 6yo Forest Camp gelding is his first big-time contender. Owner Saeed Naser Al Romaithi placed the horse in his care at the recommendation of Walder’s veterinarian after Force Freeze ran ninth in the Dubai Golden Shaheen this March. |
 Frolic's Revenge arrived on Tuesday after a van ride from Florida and went to the Churchill Downs main track for the first time on Wednesday morning in preparation for the Juvenile Fillies. “She galloped 1 1/2 mile and she was strong. Very strong. She was very keen,” exercise rider Karyn Wiltek said. “She was liking the track.” “This is a very smart filly,” trainer Milt Wolfson said. “She takes to new things like she’s been doing them all of her life. She’s never seen lights on the track or been in the cold before, but she’s fine with all of it. Everything is copacetic.” |
 Gio Ponti galloped 1 mile Wednesday morning and then schooled in the paddock in the afternoon in preparation for the Mile. “We’ll see what happens after this race,” said Castleton Lyons Commercial Manager Stuart Fitzgibbon, alluding to the speculation that the 6yo Gio Ponti may go to the Hong Kong Gold Cup or make another start before year’s end. “But he is definitely coming home to stand at Castleton in 2012. It will be nice to have him home. He was born and raised on the farm, went away to Christophe for five years, and soon he’s coming home,” said Fitzgibbon. |
 Grace Hall, the undefeated winner of three lifetime starts, galloped 7f and broke from the gate Wednesday morning in preparation for the Juvenile Fillies. “She looked as good going over the Churchill Downs surface as she did going over any other track,” trainer Tony Dutrow said. “She’s happy. This one is a dream come true. She came to us at the end of May and everything has gone as good as possible. We’ll see how nice she is at the end of the day, but she is easy to train, works well, and has excelled and matured.” |
 Grand Adventure jogged on the main track and goes next in the Turf Sprint. The Mark Frostad trainee drew the rail and will have new jockey Javier Castellano in the irons. He was 4th in the Nearctic Stakes (G1) last out at Woodbine. |
 Hansen was an unraced maiden less than 2 months ago. Now he’s a 10-1 morning-line shot in the Juvenile. “This horse showed us a lot in the mornings before he ever ran in a race,” trainer Mike Maker said. “We had high aspirations for the horse, and the Turfway races just fell into our timeline. We broke his maiden and then came back in two weeks for the Kentucky Cup in order to accelerate his progress.” Hansen’s two wins have come by 25 1/2 combined lengths. |
 Hard Not to Like galloped on the main track in preparation for the Juvenile Fillies Turf. New jockey Mike Smith gets the call for trainer Gail Cox out of post 8. She won the Cup and Saucer Stakes against males at Woodbine last out. |
 Jake Mo, entered in the Juvenile Sprint, was out Wednesday morning on the main track. New jockey Mike Smith gets the call for trainer Allen Milligan and drew post 8 at odds of 20-1. He was 3rd in the Kip Deville last out at Remington Park after winning the Prairie Meadows Juvenile. |
 Jeranimo galloped Wednesday in preparation for the Mile. The Oak Tree Mile (G1) winner will have regular rider Martin Garcia aboard for trainer Mike Pender, and drew post 7 at 20-1 morning line odds. |
 Jersey Town was sent for a gallop on the main track by trainer Barclay Tagg in preparation for the Dirt Mile. The 15-1 shot will break from the 7 post under regular rider Cornelio Velasquez, off a 3rd place finish in the Kelso (G2) at Belmont Park. |
 Karlovy Vary schooled in the paddock on Wednesday. She is the second also-eligible for the Juvenile Fillies Turf, and broke her maiden last out at Keeneland. Garrett Gomez gets the call for trainer George Arnold. |
 Lucky Chappy galloped 1 1/4 miles on the main track in preparation for the Juvenile Turf. Trainer Graham Motion, who saddled Animal Kingdom for his 20-1 upset triumph, was flooded with memories when he returned to Churchill with his five Breeders’ Cup hopefuls. “It was somewhat emotional the first day I came back here. It still is. It wasn’t that long ago. It’s an amazing memory. It’s different in that more people know me now. It’s funny, when you’re walking around most people know you won the Kentucky Derby in this area. It’s great to be back,” said Motion, who reported Animal Kingdom will begin galloping next week in Fair Hill, MD. |
 Majestic City 4-1 morning-line favorite for the Juvenile Turf got his first feel for the turf at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning at about 9:45 when he backtracked from the backside to the frontside, then galloped once around with enthusiasm under a strong hold by trainer/exercise rider Peter Miller. “You can call me the Junior Larry Jones,” Miller joked, referencing the taller and larger trainer who gallops his own horses, including the Havre de Grace, one of the favorites for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. |
 Mr. Commons galloped about 1 1/4 mile strongly in the middle of the main track Wednesday morning just after 7:30am. “He’s doing well,” trainer John Shirreffs said of the Mile entrant. “You know, when we first got him he was very timid. He didn’t want to be in tight. But he’s really grown. He’s much stronger and more confident now. He’s had some tough breaks in his races; hasn’t had things go right for him. Maybe he can get everything to go right Saturday.” |
 My Gi Gi galloped on the main track in preparation for the Juvenile Fillies Turf. She drew the rail and will have new jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard for trainer Brian Koriner. After winning her debut she was a close second in the Happy Ticket at Louisiana Downs and then 4th in the Oak Leaf (G1) at Santa Anita. |
 Nahrain got on the turf for the first time and did a routine canter Wednesday morning. The daughter of Selkirk has yet to be beaten in four starts and is the 7-2 second choice on the morning line for the Filly & Mare Turf. |
 Perfect Shirl galloped on the main track in preparation for the Filly and Mare Turf. The Roger Attfield trainee will have John Velazquez in the irons and drew post 8 at 30-1 morning line. She was 2nd in the Canadian Stakes (G2) at Woodbine last out. |
 Pleasant Prince was sent for a maintenance work by trainer Wesley Ward and goes next in the Marathon. The 12-1 shot drew post 4 and will have jockey Joel Rosario aboard. He won the Pot O'Luck Stakes at Belmont last out. |
 Plum Pretty galloped 1 mile Wednesday morning under Jorge Alvarez in preparation for the Ladies Classic. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert reported that all was well after Plum Pretty shipped from California Tuesday along with his other Breeders’ Cup contenders. The 3yo daughter of Medaglia d’Oro will follow the same routine Thursday morning. She comes off a record-setting romp by 7 1/2 lengths in the Oct. 1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing. |
 Pomeroys Pistol was sent out for a gallop around the track on Wednesday and the schedule will be the same on the following day, provided the weather cooperates. “If the weather is good, she’ll go out first after the break,” said trainer Amy Tarrant, who had just stepped off a plane when reached by phone. "I don’t even know who was on her, to be honest. We’re in Scooter Dickey’s barn and I borrowed his exercise rider. I don’t know his name yet.” Tarrant said that the 3yo daughter of Pomeroy, who was the runner-up in the Test and Prioress at Saratoga this summer, is coming into what will be a tough Filly and Mare Sprint in great shape. “I’ve been traveling, so I’ll feel better when I see her gallop in the morning,” she said. |
 Questing went to the track at 7:30am for light exercise. Trainer John Gosden was traveling from Europe on Wednesday and is expected to be at the track Thursday morning. Questing won her debut at seven furlongs in June and has been narrowly beaten in a pair of turf stakes since. She will make her first start on dirt in the Juvenile Fillies. |
 Secret Circle, the Juvenile Sprint favorite galloped 1 mile under exercise rider Peter Hutton and will do the same Thursday, according to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. The 2yo son of Eddington is unbeaten in two starts, with his last victory coming by 5 1/4 lengths in the Jack Goodman Stakes on Oct. 10. |
 Shkspeare Shaliyah galloped on the main track and will run in the Juvenile Turf for trainer Doodnauth Shivmangal. He won his last 2 starts including the Pilgrim (G3) at Belmont Park. Regular rider Alex Solis gets the call aboard the 15-1 shot who drew post 3. |
 Shumoos did some gate schooling during her time on the track at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. The filly is the only female in the field for the Juvenile Sprint, and the most experienced with six starts. Both of her wins have come against males in Europe. The Juvenile Sprint will be her first start on dirt. |
 Speightscity worked a bullet 1/2 mile in 48 2/5 over the fast track on Wednesday in preparation for the Juvenile. He broke his maiden last out at Saratoga and new jockey Corey Nakatani will be in the irons aboard the 20-1 shot out of post 8 for trainer Gary Contessa. |
 Stopshoppingmaria galloped 1 1/4 miles and then stood in the gate in preparation for the Juvenile Fillies Turf. “I think her work here was so good on Saturday (5f turf in 1:04 2/5) it got some people’s attention,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Being a daughter of More Than Ready it seemed like a natural for us to give her a try on the turf.” |
 Sweet Cat galloped on the main track Wednesday in preparation for Friday's Juvenile Fillies Turf. The 10-1 shot drew post 6 for trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Garrett Gomez. She broke her maiden at Saratoga on Sept. 1 and then was 2nd in the Jessamine (G3) at Keeneland. |
 Tamarind Hall was out for a gallop on Wednesday morning and goes next in the Filly and Mare Sprint. The Jeremiah Englehart trainee will have David Cohen aboard out of post 10. She was 2nd in the Gallant Bloom (G2) at Belmont last out. |
 Tapizar schooled in the paddock Wednesday afternoon under the watchful eye of trainer Steve Asmussen, and will run in the Dirt Mile. He won an allowance at Belmont last out and will have Garrett Gomez aboard out of post 3, at 20-1 morning line. |
 The Factor jogged 1m Wednesday morning under Jorge Alvarez after shipping in from Santa Anita Tuesday. He had been considered a potential Kentucky Derby starter but was sidelined with a hairline fracture of a hind ankle in May and did not resume training until late June. The 3yo son of War Front returned in August to win the Pat O’Brien Stakes, and was fourth in the Oct. 8 Ancient Title at Santa Anita for owners Fog City Stable and George Bolton last time out. He prepped for his start in the Dirt Mile with a bullet 6f in 1:10 1/5 at Santa Anita on Monday. |
 Trappe Shot galloped 1 1/4m under Rob Massey Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is pleased with Trappe Shot’s draw of the outside No. 9 post position for the Dirt Mile. John Velazquez has the mount. “The Factor, Shackleford and Tapizar are 1, 2 and 3, so they’re going to have to go, so we might get back further stalking them. We might be 10 lengths back if they go a half in 44 (seconds). You never know,” McLaughlin said. “It’s a great post position because we don’t have to be involved in all of that. We’re out in the clear.” |
 Turallure took his first spin over Churchill Downs’ main track Wednesday in preparation for the Mile, one day after arriving from Lexington. Trainer Charles Lopresti believes if he can duplicate his effort at Woodbine that he has a good shot against the likes of three-time defending champ Goldikova and Gio Ponti. “He’s happy right now, which is how we like it. There appears to be a lot of speed in the race and he’ll be one of the closers. I think he can be effective from one mile up to 1 1/8. A lot is going to depend on the pace scenario. We’ll just leave it up to (jockey) Julien (Leparoux).” |
 Wilburn enters the Dirt Mile on a three-race win streak, the most recent of which came in the Indiana Derby, a race in which he stalked the early pace before rallying through on the rail. “Julien (jockey Leparoux) got a dream trip in the Indiana Derby,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “The door was open for him, but he definitely stormed through it. You can get a good trip, but he looked good with the good trip. I like the acceleration he showed. I think the trip is extremely important with him. He’s a great big horse, bit, tall and leggy. His confidence is exactly where you’d want it to be coming into a race like this, so we feel good about it.” |
Full info on all the Breeders' Cup races:
Breeders' Cup quick links:
Back to Breeders' Cup Entries main page
Back to Horse-Races.Net main page
| Want to keep up with what's new on this site? Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. |
On the Forum:
| Search Horse-Races.Net: |