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Simple Pleasure: Graded Racing On Opening Day In Arcadia

Boxing Day is not a holiday observed on the American calendar–thanks, Revolutionary generation. However, the day after Christmas is circled in red by the horse racing cadre because it means one thing: Opening Day at Santa Anita Park.

This Tuesday, an 11-race card kicks off at 2 p.m. ET under the picturesque San Gabriel mountains in Arcadia, California–six of which are graded stakes.

To entice the horseplayer, the Classic Meet sports a $1 Pick Six, a 14 percent takeout on both the .50 Early and Late Pick 5, and we will see the return of the $3 All-Turf Pick 3, which was announced during the recent Autumn Meet.

As for the graded lineup, of course the feature is once again the GI Malibu S. for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs on dirt.

Trainer Bob Baffert has GSW Speed Boat Beach (Bayern), GSW Fort Bragg (Tapit) and GISP Hejazi (Bernardini) ready to go. The Hall of Famer, who won last year's edition with 'TDN Rising Star' Taiba (Gun Runner), is seeking his sixth win in the Malibu. That would tie fellow Hall member Richard Mandella for most wins all-time in the race.

The 3-year-old fillies take the stage in the GI La Brea S. going seven furlongs. GISP Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief) looks to be the leading contender. The Michael McCarthy-trainee was most recently sixth at 'The Great Race Place' in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Nov. 4.

Baffert, who has won the last two La Breas, and with a record of nine overall, enters GSP Fast and Shiny (Bernardini), while trainer Brad Cox ships in SW Howl (Practical Joke).

Anisette | Benoit

In the GI American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles on turf, GISW Anisette (GB) Awtaad (Ire) is the standout. The Leonard Powell-trainee won the GI Del Mar Oaks and GII San Clemente S. at Del Mar earlier this year. Most recently, Anisette was the runner-up in both the GII Rodeo Drive S. Oct. 7 and GIII Autumn Miss S. Nov. 5, both at Santa Anita.

Alongside the three Grade Is are the same number of Grade IIs, which all carry a purse of $200,000. The GII San Gabriel S. for 3-year-olds and up at nine furlongs on turf includes Easter (Fr). The Phil D'Amato-trainee won his first start for his new barn in the GII Seabiscuit H. at Del Mar Nov. 25. The 5-year-old Australian-bred by Exosphere (Aus) was previously based in New York with trainer Graham Motion.

The GII San Antonio S. is for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Present are Stilleto Boy (Shackleford), winner of this year's GI Santa Anita H.; GSW Newgrange (Violence); MGSW Brickyard Ride (Clubhouse Ride); and GSW Salesman (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Add in South American import Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify), who is a Argentinian multiple Group 1 winner, and this makes for a pretty salty affair.

In what might be the most open battle on the whole card, the GII Mathis Mile S. over the grass for 3-year-olds includes GSP Almendares (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), SW Dandy Man Shines (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) and GSP Panic Alarm (Ire) (Kuroshio {Aus}).

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Breeders’ Cup Monday Bulletin: Locals, International Challengers On Track

GI Breeders' Cup Classic contender Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) was first onto the main track Monday morning when he worked a bullet five furlongs in :59 flat, will walk at the barn Tuesday, and then is planned to return to the track Wednesday.

“He's healthy, he's working well. There have been no hiccups,” Baffert said. “He's ready. I know this is going to be a tough race, but if he brings his 'A' game, I don't really care who's running against us. That's my focus with him.”

The colt made an auspicious debut at Keeneland during the 2022 Breeders' Cup under card. The seven-length romp and a subsequent resounding victory at Oaklawn Park put him squarely in the Kentucky Derby discussions until he was sidelined for half a year. He returned to the races in the GI Haskell S., finishing third in an effort Baffert says showed Arabian Knight had some growing up to do:

“The race was a disaster,” Baffert said of his runner's effort in which he relinquished the lead late. “He was too fresh and wouldn't rate on the lead. I think it showed his immaturity. But despite the outcome, we did learn from it.”

Two months later, he won the GI Pacific Classic over the extended 10-furlong distance and prevailed in a hard-fought contest:

“That was a good race,” he recalled. “I thought Arabian Knight might get beat from the quarter-pole home, but he really dug it. Now he's finally getting into form where we're going to see the best of him.”

Baffert added: “We always thought of him as a top-class horse. You could see that as a yearling, which is why he cost us a pretty penny [$250,000 at KEESEP; $2.3 million 2-year-old at OBSAPR in 2022].”

GI Belmont S. winner Arcangelo (Arrogate) walked the shedrow for the second day in a row Monday after having a shoe removed Saturday afternoon.

“He just walked today,” said trainer Jena Antonucci. “I wasn't able to get the shoe back on yet. He walked for about 45 minutes. There's no reason not to have an extra walk day on him. He's pretty fresh back there, so I probably won't be able to get many more walks on him. I'm happy with the direction it's going. Everything is going the right way.”

Japanese Runners Fine Tune

Japan's Classic contender Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) had a routine warm-up and canter around the Santa Anita dirt track, but things were less than routine when he was schooling at the gate Monday morning. The G1 Dubai World Cup winner kicked out multiple times and was irritable with the gate crew.

“The gate is set lower than in Japan and he's such a big horse that the doors brushed against his hocks in an awkward manner, causing him to kick out,” explained the Breeders' Cup Japan representative Kate Hunter. “The vet checked him over and there are no issues. We will school him again on Wednesday after his breeze. For horses with similar issues, Santa Anita provides green mats that tie to the inside of the starting gate that we will use with him. They hug the hind-end and make it easier. We will now use that with all of our runners.”

Fellow Japanese hopeful Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) (Mile) cantered two laps of the turf with the final half easing up.

Juveniles & Sophomore Sprinters Make Moves

In his final prep for the GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint, Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) worked four furlongs in :47 4/5 and will walk at the barn Tuesday. Back from a long freshening to only begin his 3-year-old year in September, the colt made a strong impression in that seasonal bow, battling for the lead throughout the six furlong contest before ultimately just missing by a head on the wire.

“I really liked his comeback race,” Baffert said. “Since that effort, he's trained really well. I've got the screws tightened on him now.”

Bill Mott, no stranger to a big day at the Breeders' Cup, sent out GI Frizette victress Just F Y I (Justify) to work four furlongs in :48 3/5 with assistant trainer Neil Pozansky in the irons. The Krikorian homebred will try to get her owner his first 'Cup victory in 11 starts via the GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies alongside War Like Goddess' second tilt in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf against the boys.

Of Just F Y I's work, Mott was very happy: “She went well. She had galloped really strong for two days in a row and I didn't want to work her off that. Neil was really happy with her and she looked great to me. He said she felt good and was responsive to whatever he wanted when she started the work.”

Unleash the Europeans

On the international front, the Saturday arrivals were released from quarantine Monday night and will be on track to train Tuesday morning. Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}), in prep for the Turf Sprint, had a strong canter on the grass over five furlongs. He continued to travel with great enthusiasm in the hands of regular work rider Shoshana Cooksley since arriving. His owners Steve and Jolene De'Lemos were trackside to watch their sprinter exercise.

Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), also part of the Mile contingent, had a canter around the main track, gate schooled, and then walked in the gates before backing out in controlled fashion. The Godolphin team swapped riders to do the gate schooling with regular work rider Michael Greig hopping off for Matthew Lawson, who stood her in the gates.

“Mawj exercised very well this morning,” Greig said. “I'm really happy with her. She knows what she needs to do so I just leave it up to her.”

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Proxy, Prince Of Monaco Top Breeders’ Cup Work Tab

Godolphin homebred Proxy (Tapit) had his final serious drill Sunday for an expected start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. The 5-year-old breezed 5 furlongs in 1:02 on the fast track with regular jockey Joel Rosario in the saddle.

The plan was to go in company with Godolphin's unraced 2-year-old colt Surveyor (Medaglia d'Oro), but the duo was unexpectedly joined by workers from other trainers. Despite the surprise, trainer Mike Stidham, Godolphin Chief Operating Officer Dan Pride and Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan were all smiles watching from the Grandstand.

“The main thing we were looking for today was that we would let him break off a little bit behind,” Stidham said. “The other horses getting in there was not planned. That just happened. It turned out to be four horses working together. And when Joel took him out – and got him out in the clear – that's what we wanted to see. He needed that type of work; that was the most important work.”

Stidham said Proxy will have a lesser workout Saturday, Oct. 28 or Sunday, Oct. 29 before shipping to Santa Anita Oct. 30.

“Next week will be less of a blowout for the Breeders' Cup,” Stidham said about Proxy's next assignment. “Today's work was exactly what we were looking for. He handled it well and galloped out great and did everything right. We couldn't be happier.”

Also at Keeneland, Peter Brant's Gina Romantica (Into Mischief) worked a half-mile in :50 in company with Lady De Berry (Practical Joke) over the fast main track for trainer Chad Brown.

“She worked good,” said Baldo Hernandez, assistant to Brown who noted that Gina Romantica has had most of her workouts on dirt during her career. “She'll work again next weekend and may work on the grass with In Italian (GB). That's to be determined.”

Both Gina Romantica and In Italian (Dubawi {Ire}) are scheduled to ship to Santa Anita Oct. 30 for the Breeders' Cup.

Also working toward a possible Breeders' Cup start was Nakatomi (Firing Line) for trainer Wesley Ward who breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.60, the fastest of 32 at the distance for the morning.

Out west, Prince of Monaco (Speightstown) and Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) were among a quartet of Breeders' Cup prospects trained by Bob Baffert to record timed workouts at Santa Anita Sunday with both working six furlongs from the gate.

Prince of Monaco, pointed to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile went in 1:12.00 while Speed Boat Beach, headed to the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, blitzed through his work in 1:11.00 to be the fastest of seven moves at the distance.

Also working for Baffert were Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) (5f, 59.60) for the Distaff and Eda (Munnings) (4f, 46.80), who is possible for the Filly & Mare Sprint.

Working for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen were Clairiere (Curlin) (5f, 59.80) and Private Creed (Jimmy Creed) (4f, 48.40).

Dr. Schivel (Violence) worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 for trainer Mark Glatt.

Buttercream Babe (Twirling Candy), a candidate for the Juvenile Fillies Turf for trainer Michael Maker, worked four furlongs in 51.20.

Rounding out Sunday's Breeders' Cup workers were Gold Phoenix (Declan's Warrior) (5f, 1:01.80) and Balladeer (Distorted Humor) 5f, (1:00.00), both candidates for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf.

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White Abarrio, Geaux Rocket Ride Lead Monday Workers

Two contenders for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic worked Monday but, due to foggy conditions at Santa Anita, only one received an official time.

With trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. in from New York to observe, White Abarrio (Race Day) worked five furlongs in 1:00.20. About an hour later, Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) went to the track to work with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith up. Due to the fog, Equibase clockers were unable to determine a final time and distance.

Geaux Rocket Ride's trainer, Richard Mandella, said the Candy Ride colt worked six furlongs.

“We'd liked to have seen it,” the Hall of Famer said. “I saw him come through the finish line, that was it. He worked six furlongs. Mike rode him and said he went well. We'll go with that.”

The official Santa Anita Park Workout Tab for Monday notes “dense fog from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.”

White Abarrio's work was his third since arriving at Santa Anita from New York. Jockey Emily Ellingwood was in the irons.

“He did his business,” said Chip Dutrow, Rick Dutrow's brother and assistant. “He does everything so easy. Just a very smart, classy horse. We thought he nailed it and Emily was happy. It looked like he got just enough out of the breeze.”

Also working Monday towards a potential start in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint was Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) for trainer Bob Baffert. He went three furlongs in 36.40 seconds.

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