Horse: Arabian Knight
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Morning Activity: Walked at the barn following final preparatory workout Monday.
Planned Activity: Will jog Tuesday, then gallop for the balance of the week. Will likely also school in the paddock on date TBD.
The Quote: “He came out of his workout well and is doing good. We won't need to do much more with him before the race other than some light gallops.” – Bob Baffert
Horse: Arcangelo
Trainer: Jena Antonucci
Morning Activity: Did not go to track and his connections said he would be withdrawn from the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
The Quote: “We are going to be scratching. We, at this time, need more time. As we have said since Day 1, it is horse first. The journey that he brings us on is exciting and we are grateful for, but we are not going to get clouded by white noise and the excitement of it all. I need to fully figure out where he is and what is going on and I need time to do that. We have such great options out here, resources at our fingertips, so I need to lean into that to make sure that he is well. He is coming out of his skin right now and he looks phenomenal, but I'm not comfortable. The left hind foot is resolving, but we're still not 100 percent there and I want to know what it is. In order to figure out what it is, medications, those kinds of things, take racing out of the conversation. So we have run out of time in that regard.” – Jena Antonucci
Horse: Bright Future
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Morning Activity: Galloped approximately 1 1/4 miles under exercise rider Hector Ramos.
Planned Activity: Will gallop approximately 1 1/4 miles Wednesday morning and visit starting gate. Time TBD.
The Quote: (Thoughts about the post positions of your Classic horses, Dreamlike and Bright Future?) “It was OK. What was it? 10 and 11? Now we dropped down (with the Arcangelo scratch) Vino Rosso I think it was 10 when we won (2019). You've got a good run to the first turn. Honestly, I wasn't too concerned about it either way.” – Todd Pletcher.
Horse: Clapton
Trainer: Chad Summers
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Morning Activity: Backed up to the wire and galloped 11/2m under Rikki Ramdial.
Planned Activity: Same as Tuesday, but will also stand in the starting gate and school in the paddock.
The Quote: “The way the race is supposed to set up on paper, it could not be a better post (7). Arabian Knight has to work to get over, which is a dream scenario for us. We should be able to save a little ground early on in the race which is important when you are going 1 1/4 miles.” – Chad Summers
Horse: Derma Sotogake (JPN)
Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi
Morning Activity: For the first time, he was alone when he went to the track. Entering on the three-eighths-pole gap, he jogged back to the chute, warmed up in the chute and then switched riders from Masa Segawa to jockey Christophe Lemaire. He then had the easiest of breezes (a glorified strong gallop), untimed, coming down the stretch with good energy and galloping out evenly around the bend.
Planned Activity: Possible blowout breeze on Wednesday.
The Quote: “He went very well. He was grabbing the ground well and feels strong. I liked how he felt.” – Christophe Lemaire, jockey
Horse: Dreamlike
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Morning Activity: Galloped approximately 1 1/4 miles with exercise rider Humberto Zamora
Planned Activity: Will gallop approximately 1 1/4 miles and will visit starting gate. Time TBD.
The Quote: (Thoughts about the post positions of your Classic horses, Dreamlike and Bright Future?) “It was OK. What was it? 10 and 11? Now we dropped down (with the Arcangelo scratch) Vino Rosso I think it was 10 when we won (2019). You've got a good run to the first turn. Honestly, I wasn't too concerned about it either way.” – Todd Pletcher
Horse: Missed the Cut
Trainer: John Sadler
Jockey: Luis Saez
Morning Activity: Galloped 1 1/2 m on main track with Juan Leyva up.
Planned Activity: Similar to Tuesday.
The Quote: “I like the post (4). He will be coming from off the pace and he won't be wide.” – John Sadler
Horse: Proxy
Trainer: Mike Stidham
Morning Activity: Had an easy morning, his first since arriving at Santa Anita on Monday from Kentucky. Jogged a circuit and promptly returned. Trainer Stidham expected to be on the grounds Wednesday.
Planned Activity: Expected to jog and gallop routinely on Wednesday.
Horse: Saudi Crown
Trainer: Brad Cox
Set: N/A
Morning Activity: Jogged at Santa Anita after arriving Monday from Kentucky.
Planned Activity: Will gallop Wednesday.
Closer Look: Aguilar a Key to Secret Weapon's Success
Ever since his rise from Breeders' Cup newbie in 2016 to entering the event in 2023 as one of the most successful trainers in Breeders' Cup history, trainer Brad Cox has been quick to recognize his entire team and their importance to his operation. One of those key team members and one could even call him the “secret weapon” is groom Darwin Aguilar.
Aguilar has been working for Cox for eight years and said he got the job because one of his sisters was a hot walker for the barn and told him how much she liked it.
When asked what he liked most about working with horses, Aguilar said, “looking at my horses in their stalls and seeing that they look good. And, then taking them to the paddock and looking at them. I like seeing they are doing and looking good.”
Cox has entrusted Aguilar with many of his top horses, including two-time Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner and champion Monomoy Girl and 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Essential Quality. This year, his horses include Saudi Crown and Wet Paint.
“Monomoy Girl is still one of my favorite horses,” Aguilar said. “I sometimes go visit her and her new colt. And, watching her win the 2018 Breeders' Cup Distaff is one of my favorite racing memories.”
“He's a good horseman, and he's just a good person period,” Cox said. “But, he's a very, good horsemen. He's very aware of what's going on with his horses and, always if there's an issue, he not only brings it to my attention or the assistant's attention, but he's also knowledgeable and knows what to do. When there is an issue whether it be a puffy ankle or a bruised food or skin irritation or whatever it may be, he's very aware of what's going on. He loves horses, he dedicated, loyal, a top class employee. They don't get any better. He's one of the best.”
As for Aguilar, he's very modest about his role in Cox's success. His best advice for keeping the horses looking so good is “when you see them poop, go in with a muck basket and take it out.”
Horse: Senor Buscador
Trainer: Todd Fincher
Jockey: Geovanni Franco
Morning Activity: Galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Dennis Means.
Planned Activity: Similar to Tuesday. Trainer arrives Wednesday night.
The Quote: “I like the post (9). – Jockey Geovanni Franco.
“The post is good and the horse is good too, so we are happy at the moment.” – Todd Fincher
Horse: Ushba Tesoro (JPN)
Trainer: Takagi Noboru
Set: 6:45 a.m.
Morning Activity: Entered from the three-eighths-pole gap, jogged back to the chute, galloped about 1 3/4 miles and then schooled in the paddock for about 20 minutes before returning to the barn.
Planned Activity: Expected to have a blowout breeze on Wednesday and school at the gate.
Horse: White Abarrio
Trainer: Richard Dutrow Jr.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Morning Activity: Galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Emily Ellingwood.
Planned Activity: Will go to the track between 6:30 and 6:45 to gallop 1 1/2 miles, then visit the starting gate.
The Quote: “My brother wanted an outside post. That's what he would have liked. I haven't talked to him about the post position (2 with the scratch of Arcangelo) yet. It's not the outside but I just feel like that, it's my opinion, that him and Irad are going to have to work that out. He's so durable that wherever he's at he's fine. Wherever his early position is he'll be able to work things out. He's got such a turn of foot that I just don't think that it's going to be a problem. Some horses can't regroup. He can regroup.” – Chip Dutrow, Richard's brother and assistant.
Horse: Zandon
Trainer: Chad Brown
Morning Activity: Galloped a mile and a half.
Planned Activity: Will gallop a mile and a half.
Closer Look: “He looked super. He seemed to like the track. He worked a couple days ago and just had a walk day when he shipped and just trotted a bit yesterday, once around. It was his first day back out of a work, so he just grabbed the bit a little bit. Not bad, but he'll settle down tomorrow and he always seems to settle well as he gallops through the week.” – Chad Brown
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