California Angel, the 2-year-old filly phenom from the stable of trainer George Leonard III, turned in her final work in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at her training base of Indiana Grand. The filly worked five furlongs under former jockey and exercise rider Emmanuel Cosme in an easy 1:01.0.
“She (California Angel) worked really well,” said the soft-spoken Leonard. “Everything went as planned. She will ship out Monday to California.”
California Angel, the daughter of California Chrome, will be sent via Fed Ex Monday, Nov. 1 to her destination in California. Leonard will leave ahead of the filly on Sunday while owners Chris and Alan Walsh of Columbus, Ind. are slated to leave Wednesday. Several friends and family members from Indiana as well as Leonard's home state of Louisiana are also making the journey out to support California Angel for the event.
Purchased for $5,500 at the Ocala Breeders' June Sale, Leonard immediately knew he had a nice addition to his barn.
“I've trained a lot of horses, but I knew right away she was something special,” said Leonard. “I've only had her four months, but she does everything so easy.
“I have the best horse I've ever touched.”
California Angel has had three starts so far, winning two, including the Grade 2, $200,000 Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 13 which was a “Win and You're In” race for the Breeders' Cup. This will mark the first start for the Walsh's and Leonard in the prestigious event.
Leonard is not concerned about the filly's come-from-behind style, nor the sixteenth-of-a-mile decrease in distance she'll have to traverse the Breeders' Cup. In fact, the trainer said he was surprised to see California Angel behind horses since she shows so much speed and desire to run during morning training.
“California Angel has not shown her full potential, with the speed she shows in the morning time,” Leonard said on the NTRA media teleconference on Wednesday. “I know she has so much more potential… I'm hoping with a good draw and a little maturity, she'll be able to be a little closer (early on).”
California Angel breezes at Indiana Grand on Oct. 27
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