Tag: Breeders’ Cup

A look at some of the horses set to complete in various Breeders' Cup races at the World Championships Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita, including their morning activity, planned activity, and comments from their trainers.

LONGINES BREEDERS' CUP TURF

Horse: Gold Phoenix

Trainer: Phil D'Amato

Set: 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

FANDUEL BREEDERS' CUP MILE

Horse: Du Jour

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Set: 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

Horse: Exaulted

Trainer: Peter Eurton

Set: 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

Horse: Mawj (IRE)

Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor

Set: 7:30 a.m.

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

Horse: Master of the Seas (IRE)

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Set: 5:30 a.m.

Morning Activity: Light gallop

Planned Activity: Same as Saturday

BIG ASS FANS BREEDERS' CUP DIRT MILE

Horse: Cody's Wish

Trainer: Bill Mott

Morning Activity:

Planned Activity:

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, winning 10 times, finishing second once and third four times. He is undefeated in seven starts at a mile.

Cody, along with his dad, Kelly, his mom, Leslie, and 10-year-old sister Kylie, are making their first trip to California. On Wednesday, they will be honored at the annual National Turf Writers and Broadcasters' Awards Dinner.

Young Cody has developed a special bond with the horse, who is named for his pal. Cody Dorman was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. He is confined to a wheelchair and communicates via tablet.

The horse met Cody Dorman when he was a weanling in a 2018 Make-a-Wish Foundation visit to Godolphin's Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Kentucky.

The connection was instantaneous, love at first sight.

“From the very start, I never questioned it or tried to figure it out,” Kelly Dorman said. “I appreciated it and admired it for what it is. I know what it does to me. It will make the hair stick up on our neck and send chills down your spine.”

The Dormans visited Cody's Wish at Saratoga in August before he ran third in the 1 1/8-mile Whitney Stakes (G1) (which snapped a six-race winning streak). Mott brought the horse out of his stall and he immediately went to Cody, who was patiently waiting for him.

The horse walked up to Cody's wheelchair, acknowledged his friend with a nuzzle.

“For some reason, there seems to be something there,” Mott said. “Horses tend to be sometimes frightened from something different or they can be very inquisitive. The horse is very inquisitive about him.”

Cody's Wish won the Vosburgh (G2) at Aqueduct in his last start on Oct. 1.

After the Dirt Mile, Cody's Wish will start his new career as a stallion at Darley's Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. A stud fee will be announced after the Breeders' Cup.

“Cody (Dorman) will be able to see him whenever he wants,” Kelly Dorman said. “It's nice. Cody loves being around the horse and Cody's Wish loves being around him, too. It's like they have some kind of language … they speak to each other. You can't hear it, but you certainly can feel it.”

Cody's Wish will be ridden by Junior Alvarado in the Dirt Mile. Of all of the 14 races over the two-day Breeders' Cup, Cody's Wish will certainly be the overwhelming sentimental favorite.

“He is going to be the fan favorite and one of the favorites in the race,” Mott said. “It's a horse race and anything can happen. Wouldn't it be great if he went out on top? It would be really special for a lot of reasons. Even if the story wasn't part of it, it would be great, but the story would make it really special.”

Horse: Practical Move

Trainer: Tim Yakteen

Set: 7 a.m.

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

Horse: Zozos
Trainer: Brad Cox
Set: 7:45 a.m. ET

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

PNC BANK BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT

Horse: Clearly Unhinged

Trainer: Michael McCarthy

Morning Activity: Worked 4f in :47 4/5 with Umberto Rispoli up

The Quote: “I was very pleased with the way she did it.” — Michael McCarthy

Horse: Kirstenbosch

Trainer: John Sadler

Set: 7:45

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

BREEDERS' CUP TURF SPRINT

Horse: Caravel

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

Horse: Motorious

Trainer: Phil D'Amato

Set: 6:45 a.m.

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

Horse: Live In The Dream (IRE)

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

FANDUEL BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE

Horse: Muth

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

Horse: Wine Me Up

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Set: 7:15 a.m.

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

NETJETS BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES

Horse: Brightwork

Trainer: John Ortiz
Set: 7:30 a.m.
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 and her works, we decided to go back to the drawing board and put a line through that race. I think it was a learning curve for her as well as myself.

“I've been galloping her most of the time myself. We know she's fast. We've just been letting her settle. We've slowed down her gallops and we've slowed down her works. I was very happy with her work today and so was Ricardo.”

Ortiz, the son of a jockey, will be making his Breeders' Cup debut with WSS Racing's Brightwork, but he has plenty of experience working around top level horses having learned from the ground up in the barn of Hall of Famer Bill Mott as well as trainers Graham Motion and Kellyn Gorder.

“I feel like a lot of hard work is finally paying off,” Ortiz said. “But's it definitely has been a team effort. When you have owners like Bill Simon (WSS Racing), John Ed Anthony (Shortleaf Stable) and Steve Cauthen behind you, it gives you a lot of confidence. They've all been really supportive.”

JUVENILE FILLIES TURF

Horse: Gala Brand

Trainer: Bill Mott

Set: 8 a.m.

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

The post Breeders’ Cup Saturday Notes Roundup; Closer Looks At Cody’s Wish, Brightwork appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Following is a look at the morning activity and planned activity for the horses set to compete in the $2-million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 4 at Santa Anita, plus comments from their trainers.

Horse: A Mo Reay
Trainer: Brad Cox

Set: 1st
Morning Activity: Worked 5f in :59 2/5 at Churchill with exercise rider Edwin Vargas.
Planned Activity: Will walk Sunday and ship Monday to California.
The Quote: “Good move. She worked with Saudi Crown. It was a really good morning. It's always good to get these last works out of the way. We probably won't do a whole lot until they get out to California early next week.” – Brad Cox

Horse: Adare Manor
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Set: 7:15 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped on main track .
Planned Activity: Work scheduled for Sunday.
The Quote: “She's never been better. She really likes this track.” – Bob Baffert

Horse: Clairiere
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Morning Activity: Galloped at Santa Anita and then schooled in the paddock.
Planned Activity: Expected to work Sunday.

Horse: Desert Dawn

Trainer: Phil D'Amato

Set: 6:45 a.m.

Morning Activity: Worked 5f under regular exercise rider Sherry Alexander in :59 4/5.

Planned Activity: Will walk on Sunday, jog Monday, and gallop into the race.

The Quote: “We're definitely going to run in the Distaff (she was cross entered in the Filly & Mare Sprint [G1]). She needs an honest pace to run her best race and it (the Distaff) looks like we will get it.” – Phil D'Amato

Horse: Hoosier Philly

Trainer: Tom Amoss

Set: Walked day after bullet 4f in :47 1/5 at Churchill Downs with Edgar Morales up

Morning Activity: Walked

Planned Activity: Will jog Sunday and stand in gate.

The Quote: “She worked in company and with quarter-cup blinkers. She may or may not wear them. She will stand in gate Sunday to get blinkers on her card. If we need it, we have it. The decision will be made at entry time. The work was swift by design. She has really good speed if we want to use it. We will have that discussion after the draw.” — Tom Amoss

Horse: Idiomatic
Trainer: Brad Cox
Set: 2nd
Morning Activity: Worked 5f in :59 3/5 with Kelvin Perez aboard
Planned Activity: Will walk Sunday and ship Monday to California
The Quote: “Idiomatic went really well. She's an unreal work horse. It was an unreal work. She's as good as she can get.” – Brad Cox

Horse: Le Da Vida (CHI)

Trainer: Ignacio Correas IV

Set: Keeneland

Morning Activity: One day after breezing 4f in 49 flat at Keeneland, the Spinster Stakes (G1) runner-up jogged an easy lap at the Lexington oval.

Planned Activity: Expected to ship from Kentucky to California on Monday.

Closer Look: Trainer Ignacio Correas will attempt to win his second edition of the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) by taking a proven path when he tightens the girth on Chilean import Le Da Vida (CHI) in the nine-furlong division-defining test. The Argentine conditioner expressed satisfaction Saturday morning with how the daughter of Gemologist has progressed leading into what will be her toughest task to date, reporting that the multiple stakes winner exited her 4f Friday breeze in :49 flat in good shape and jogged an easy circuit of Keeneland on Saturday.

“Her breeze was brilliant,” Correas said. “She worked too fast last week (4f in a best-of-79 :47 3/5 on Oct. 21) and that wasn't the plan. The plan was an easy work last week and a little bit more this week, so we had to adapt the work. She went easy yesterday and looked great. It was a very nice work and Vincent (Cheminaud, jockey) was very happy with her after the work.”

Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) contender Didia (ARG) and Le Da Vida will be Correas' fourth and fifth Breeders' Cup runners, with his lone victory coming the most recent time the World Championships were held at Santa Anita. On that occasion, his South American import Blue Prize (ARG), who annexed Spinster beforehand, again took home the lion's share in the $2-million Distaff. Sent off at 8-1, she upset odds-on favorite Midnight Bisou in the process.

Late-running Le Da Vida has raced eight times in 2023, winning once, but placing five times, including a determined second in the Spinster. Earlier in the season, she ran an eye-catching 101 Beyer Speed Figure when winning the Lady Jacqueline Stakes at Thistledown and sports an impressive 8-5-2-1 career record over nine furlongs — including that effort.

“I think in this race, she's going to need a little bit of help from the pace, of course, but I am sure she's going to run a very big race,” Correas said. “She always seems to run well and the only race I can't explain is the (Grade 3) Locust Grove (on Sept. 16), where she got very nervous in the paddock. She didn't run a lick that day, but then we schooled her a lot and she ran her race in the Spinster.

“If she runs her race, she will be right there, and if everyone goes crazy on the front end, you never know — she may surprise them. She's going to keep coming and is a very brave filly. I understand she's not considered the top of the class of the race, but at the same time, the winner of the Spinster (Idiomatic) probably won't get that easy trip this time with plenty of speed in the race. She's moving up and I only have one wish with her: I want to see her change leads for once in her life. It could happen whenever — and if she does that, she will have an extra gear. Maybe then she can win.

“Like I said, I think she's going to run a big race — it's just a matter of how big.”

Horse: Pretty Mischievous

Trainer: Brendan Walsh

Set: Churchill Downs

Morning Activity: One day after breezing 4f at Churchill Downs in :49 1/5, 32nd-fastest of 71 works at the distance, the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Acorn (G1), and Test (G1) winner jogged a lap of the Louisville oval.
Planned Activity: Another light day is in store on Sunday before shipping to California for the Distaff on Monday.

The Quote: “She just jogged today and obviously worked yesterday. Her work was very good, just a nice even work. A maintenance work to keep her ticking over until she gets out there. She's fit and ready to go. I'm very, very happy with her. She leaves Monday morning, early, so hopefully it's an uneventful trip and we'll all be out there on Monday.” – Brendan Walsh

Horse: Randomized

Trainer: Chad Brown
Set: Belmont Park
Morning Activity: Breezed 4f at Belmont Park in :49.09, fifteenth-fastest of 34 works at the distance.
Planned Activity: Expected to ship from New York to California for the Distaff on Sunday.

Horse: Sabra Tuff
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Set: Churchill Downs
Morning Activity: Valene Farms' Grade 3-placed filly jogged a lap of the Louisville oval on Saturday morning, two days after breezing 5f in 1:00 3/5, eighth-fastest of 23 moves.
Planned Activity: Last year's Juvenile Fillies (G1) fourth-place finisher is expected to have a routine gallop at Churchill Downs on Sunday before shipping from Kentucky to California on Monday.

Horse: Search Results
Trainer: Chad Brown
Set: Belmont Park
Morning Activity: Breezed 4f at Belmont Park in :48.55, eighth-fastest of 34 works at the distance.
Planned Activity: Expected to ship from New York to California on Sunday.

Horse: Wet Paint
Trainer: Brad Cox
Set: 8 a.m.
Morning Activity: Worked 5f in 1:01 at Churchill with Flavien Prat aboard
Planned Activity: Will walk Sunday and ship Monday to California
The Quote: “Good work. Love what we've seen from her.” – Brad Cox

The post Notes On BC Distaff Contenders; Closer Look At Le Da Vida appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Following is a look at the morning activity and planned activity for the horses set to compete in the $6-million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 4 at Santa Anita, plus comments from their trainers.

Horse: Arabian Knight
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Set: 7:15 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped on main track.
Planned Activity: Gallop Sunday and work Monday.
The Quote: “He's slowly turning into a man right now; he's still learning. He's ready to run.” – Bob Baffert

Horse: Arcangelo
Trainer: Jena Antonucci
Set: 7 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped a mile under regular exercise rider Robert Mallari.
Planned Activity: Similar to Saturday, will gallop a mile at approximately 7 a.m. Sunday
The Quote: “The most beautiful thing about this sport is if you have the right horse and you have the right rider and you have the right trainer, you can make it happen with any price on any horse. The horse is the equalizer on the price.” – Owner John Ebbert

Horse: Bright Future
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Set: N/A
Morning Activity: In transit from Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, to Santa Anita Park.

Bright Future worked 4f in 48 2/5 Friday morning at Keeneland in company with Classic candidate Dreamlike. The two galloped out 5f in 1:00 4/5 before shipping to California on Saturday.
Planned Activity: Will be hand-walked Sunday morning at Santa Anita.
The Quote: “Very pleased. Traveling well in hand throughout.” – Todd Pletcher on 10/29 work

Horse: Charge It
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Set: N/A
Morning Activity: Charge It worked 4f in 48 3/5 Friday morning at Keeneland before shipping to California on Saturday. He also was pre-entered in the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
Planned Activity: Will be hand-walked Sunday at Santa Anita.
The Quote: Pletcher on the work to Daily Racing Form: ” Super impressive like he always is. Finished up really strongly. Great gallop-out, moving super. I'll get with the connections later and we'll make a decision between the two races, but I thought his breeze was good enough to consider everything.”

Horse: Clapton

Trainer: Chad Summers

Set: 7 a.m.

Morning Activity: Worked 4f in 48 3/5 under Antonio Fresu. First work at Santa Anita since arriving from Belmont Park on Oct. 21.

Planned Activity: Will walk the shedrow on Sunday morning.

The Quote: “It's kind of what we wanted. We worked him three-quarters at Belmont last week before we came here. We just wanted him to get used to the track, get a feel for things, look around. With everyone coming on the track, we actually caught some company, but it was fine.” – Chad Summers

Horse: Derma Sotogake (JPN)
Trainer: Otonoashi Hidetaka

Set: 7:30 a.m.

Morning Activity: The UAE Derby (G2) winner did some figure-eight footwork to loosen up while in the chute and then had cantered a mile and a half before returning home with morning trackwork-mate and fellow Japanese invader Meikei Yell. Masa Segawa was aboard Derma Sotogake.

Planned Activity: Another routine day planned for Sunday with a possible walk through the paddock/parade ring.

Horse: Mage

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Set: 7:30-8 a.m. (ET) at Thoroughbred Training Center, Lexington, Kentucky

Morning Activity: Had scheduled workout postponed because of early morning rain.

Planned Activity: Final work Sunday before shipping to Santa Anita on Monday. Work distance TBD.

The Quote: “We want the track to be perfect when he works. We are just going to put the finishing touches on, just another day at the gym for him on Sunday. The 'Rocky' montage is over. The Training Center is his home, his place, his fortress. He loves it there.” – Co-owner Ramiro Restrepo

Horse: Proxy
Trainer: Mike Stidham
Set: Keeneland
Morning Activity: Breezed 4f in 48 2/5 at Keeneland, 29th-fastest of 106 works at the distance.
Planned Activity: The Clark Stakes (G1) and Oaklawn Handicap (G2) winner will walk the shedrow on Sunday before shipping from Kentucky to California on Monday.
The Quote: “Basically today's work was just a half-mile with a decent gallop-out by himself with (Joel) Rosario. We went early in the dark because there was a forecast for possible rain sometime in the morning, so we didn't want to take any chances and went early.

“The work went really well. He was in the bridle going to the pole and Joel said he was very willing and had good energy throughout the work and he had a good gallop-out. We had him in :48 2/5 and out in 1:01 1/5, I think, and he cooled out well. I could not have asked, as they say, for it to have gone any better.” – Mike Stidham

Horse: Saudi Crown
Trainer: Brad Cox
Set: 5:30
Morning Activity: Worked 6f in 1:12 1/5 at Churchill with jockey Florent Geroux up.
Planned Activity: Will walk Sunday and ship to California Monday.
The Quote: “We put him on the inside last week with A Mo Reay and we put him on the outside this week,” Cox said. “I've loved what we've seen from him since the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). A Mo Reay is a good work horse and he's gotten a lot out of his works. By the way he's doing now here in Kentucky, I'm confident he'll run a big race in the Classic.” – Brad Cox

Horse: Senor Buscador

Trainer: Todd Fincher

Set: 7:45

Morning Activity: Galloped 1 ½ m with Dennis Means up

Planned Activity: Similar routine as Saturday

The Quote: “Senor Buscador has been our horse that has had the most bad luck in his racing career, but we have been confident in his ability since he was a 2-year-old.” — Joey Peacock, owner and co-breeder

Closer Look: From the disappointment of an eighth-place finish in last year's Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland, Joey Peacock's Senor Buscador is primed to set his hooves on center stage in Saturday's $6-million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

“It was very disappointing last year in the Dirt Mile,” trainer Todd Fincher said. “But he washed out, which he had never done before and also bled for the first time. It was a legitimate excuse. I was expecting a big race from him last year. He's definitely a Classic horse and I envisioned him getting here one day.”

Senor Buscador is the third foal to race for Peacock's mare Rose's Desert.

“When my father was alive, he planned all the matings for Rose's Desert,” Peacock said. “Senor Buscador is the last horse we bred together. I have been planning all the matings since Senor Buscador.”

Rose's Desert raced from 2010 to 2013 and compiled a 15-10-5-0 record, winning seven stakes and earning $626,035.

“Her pedigree is sneaky good for a New Mexico bred,” Peacock said. “All of her foals that have made it to the track are stakes winners and we own every one of her offspring.”

Fincher trained Rose's Desert, who has produced six-time stakes winner and $783,509 earner Runaway Ghost by Ghostzapper and three-time stakes winner and $603,681 earner Sheriff Brown by Curlin.

“She was one of the best fillies I've ever had to train and to race,” Fincher said. “She has had unbelievable success as a broodmare. To get one as good as her is unbelievable. Hard to find one that produces as well.”

Senor Buscador has spent the summer in Southern California, starting at Del Mar with a victory in the San Diego Handicap (G2) at a mile and sixteenth and a fourth in the Pacific Classic (G1) at a mile and a quarter. In his most recent start, he was third in the Awesome Again (G1) at Santa Anita going a mile and an eighth.

Aboard for all three rides was 32-year-old Giovanni Franco, who will be seeking his first Breeders' Cup victory this weekend.

“I worked him last year at Churchill Downs before he won the Ack Ack (G3),” said Franco, who was aboard Thursday morning when Senor Buscador worked a bullet 5 furlongs in :59 2/5.

“I filled in one morning for Francisco Arrieta and Senor Buscador worked in :58 (and 1) with Todd's good filly Slammed. I came to California and one morning at Del Mar, I introduced myself to Todd and told him I had filled in that one morning at Churchill.

“He said, 'I owe you one.' A minute later, my agent called and said, 'you got the mount.'”

Their first pairing was a success with the victory in the San Diego Handicap.

“He had an incredible run the last three-eighths,” said Franco, who has 994 career victories. “In the Pacific Classic, things didn't work out the way I wanted it to and would have liked a better trip. In the Awesome Again, he was the only horse that closed ground that day … all day. He is going to have to bring his 'A' game, but I feel he is ready to run big.”

Franco's most recent Breeders' Cup ride came in 2021 at Del Mar when he finished second on Lieutenant Dan in the Turf Sprint (G1) behind Golden Pal.

“If I could have one race back …” Franco said, replaying the race in his head. “I broke like a bullet and I should have gone after Golden Pal. Then we see who gets tired first.”

This story is not close to ending.

“I have a Candy Ride 2-year-old filly and a yearling Hard Spun filly coming,” Fincher said.

And for Franco, whose 1,000-win milestone looms close. Just what if that 1,000th win came in the Classic?

“Hmmmmm,” Franco said, pondering the thought. “That would be like a movie story. It would be sweet.”

Horse: Ushba Tesoro (JPN)
Trainer: Takagi Noboru
Set: 6 a.m.
Morning Activity: The Dubai World Cup (G1) winner cantered two miles on the Santa Anita main track. Masa Fukami was aboard the dual Group 1 winner.
Planned Activity: After a trot-up to clear (veterinary protocol) on Friday, a breeze is possible for Ushba Tesoro on Sunday.

Horse: White Abarrio
Trainer: Richard Dutrow Jr.
Set: NA
Morning Activity: Scheduled walk day following Friday's breeze
Planned Activity: Will Go to the track Sunday between 6:30 a.m. and 6:45 a.m. to jog under exercise rider Emily Ellingwood.
The Quote: As planned, Richard Dutrow returned to New York after the 4yo colt worked 5f in :59.80 Friday under Emily Ellingwood at Santa Anita.

Chip Dutrow, Richard's brother and assistant, on the breeze and how the colt looked Saturday: “Very happy with his workout. The rider, Emily, was very pleased. All the connections were very happy with him yesterday. Today, he looks great. After the breeze, everything checks out good today. We're very happy with that. He came out of the work sharp.”

Horse: Zandon
Trainer: Chad Brown
Set: Belmont Park
Morning Activity: Breezed 5f at Belmont Park in 1:00.23, second-fastest of three at the distance.

Planned Activity: Expected to ship from New York to California for the Classic on Sunday. “It looked like (jockey Luis Saez) was in with plenty of horse (coming around the turn), and I think he made the right decision: Let the other horse (Cowes) set the fractions. We learned something today, that he'll rate. And hopefully we're on to better things. (Iowa) is a little bit smaller state in the horse business, and (winning at Keeneland) just helps everything. We're just tickled to be here.”

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