The European Breeders' Cup challengers who arrived at Keenland on Friday night cleared quarantine Sunday at around 7 p.m. All European runners are now on site except for the Aidan O'Brien-trained team that is expected to arrive at the European quarantine barn around 8 o'clock tonight.
They will not been seen out on the track until Thursday once they have cleared quarantine.
On a very cold Monday morning, the Jessica Harrington-trained duo of Cayenne Pepper (IRE) (Filly & Mare Turf) and Oodnadatta (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) were the first horses onto the training track just after 6:30. Both trotted a full circuit before heading back to the barn.
Their work riders were happy with their horses and reported that they have settled into their new surroundings well. Harrington is due to be on site Wednesday morning.
English 2000 Guineas winner Kameko (Mile) headed the next group joined by the John Gosden trained trio of Lord North (IRE) (Turf), Mehdaayih (GB) (Turf) and Terebellum (IRE) (Filly & Mare Turf). The Gosden trio trotted one circuit before heading back to the barn.
Kameko trotted for one circuit and then did a light canter for one circuit. Maddy O'Meara, Kameko's regular work rider reported him to be in fine shape.
“He seems in really good form. He traveled over well and is settled. I think he was pleased to get out onto the training track for a leg stretch.”
James Fanshawe accompanied by his wife Jacko were at the training track to see Audarya (FR) (Filly & Mare Turf) exercise. She did a trot and a light canter by herself with her work rider Geoffrey De La Sayette reporting she “moved like a dream.”
Fanshawe, who is having his first Breeders Cup runner, said: “Flew over yesterday and it's great to be here. The filly looked great out on the track so I'm very pleased.”
Nazuna (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) spent plenty of time on the track trotting and did a very light canter.
Mighty Gurkha (Juvenile Turf Sprint) accompanied Cadillac (IRE) (Juvenile Turf) and Tarnawa (IRE) (Turf) onto the training track and did a nice canter covering a circuit under regular work rider Michael Murphy. “In great form, really pleased with that,” he said.
Tarnawa was slightly on her toes when first stepping on to the training track but soon became at ease and looked in great shape.
Ubettabelieveit (IRE) (Juvenile Turf Sprint) was ridden by his trainer Nigel Tinkler this morning and looked well. They trotted two circuits of the training track and did a very light canter.
“The horse is absolutely fine,” Tinkler said. “Rowan Scott, who rides him on Friday, is flying out today so he will have a sit on him tomorrow morning.”
Safe Voyage (IRE) (Mile) and Siskin (Mile) came out together both trotting a circuit of the training track before having a light canter.
John Quinn the trainer of Safe Voyage is traveling over with his son and assistant Sean and will be at the training track tomorrow morning.
Glass Slippers (GB) (Turf Sprint) was due to have a canter on the turf track but because of the frost in the ground rerouted to the training track. She did a light canter and Jimmy Gee, representing trainer Kevin Ryan, reported all to be well with the filly.
Jockey Mickael Barzalona was at the training track to watch his mount Sealiway (Juvenile Turf) exercise this morning.
Barzalona, who already has a Breeders' Cup victory to his name when partnering Talismanic to win the Turf in 2017, said: “I flew over on Friday and I'm delighted to be here. The weather is colder than I expected but its brilliant to be out at the training track to see Sealiway. I'm very much looking forward to riding him and the plan is to sit on him tomorrow or Wednesday.”
Japanese representatives Pingxiang (Dirt Mile) and Jasper Prince (Sprint) did two laps of the training track before heading back to their barn. Both horses are now very familiar with their surroundings and connections have been very pleased with their preparations.
The post Breeders’ Cup: First Group Of European Challengers Step Out At Keeneland appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
