Multiple Group 1 winner 'TDN Rising Star' City of Troy (Justify) was the first horse into the quarantine barn from the 11-horse Saturday evening ship-in for Ballydoyle at Del Mar, as per a Breeders' Cup release, which references information from the International Racing Bureau. The Aidan O'Brien-trained star is scheduled to make a first appearance on track Tuesday morning.
Many of the European horses used the weighing scale in the quarantine barn and connections are reporting positive prognoses for their runners. The arrivals will remain in quarantine until Monday afternoon and most are expected to be on track Tuesday. Many owners and trainers will begin arriving at Del Mar after the weekend with the master of Ballydoyle himself scheduled to land Monday evening ahead of overseeing his several-strong team Tuesday.
Among those still waiting to clear quarantine is Charlie Appleby-trained multiple Group 1 winner Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The European Classic hero comes into the GI Breeders' Cup Mile as a looming figure to accompany his trainer's 50% World Championship win rate en route to attempting a four-peat in the Mile.
“If he ticks all the boxes this week and gets a good draw, he's going to be dangerous,” Appleby said. “That's a word that I use and that's a word that's been documented, but I can't get away from it. He's a Guineas winner, he's a Sussex winner and he's probably one of the most high-profile horses to ever turn up at a Breeders' Cup Mile in what he's achieved in his 3-year-old career. He deserves to be favorite, in my opinion, and has produced a tremendous turn-of-foot in his Group 1 wins.”
Charlie Appleby runners are among several European hopefuls awaiting release from quarantine | Benoit
Appleby continued, “He's traveled well today to California, so the next few hours will be crucial to see how he's adapted to it all. I'm pleased with his training. He had a racecourse gallop last week and I was delighted with it. He came out in good order and then on Thursday, he worked really well before he jumped on the plane. If you have a good draw, you ideally want a nice run around there and to be able to pounce. He travels so well in his races and we've always had this in the back of our minds that the Breeders' Cup would suit him.”
After her Saturday morning work was cancelled due to fog, Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who is pre-entered for the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, was able to get one in Sunday morning on the turf. She was clocked going three furlongs over firm going in :39.60. Charles Eddery was in the saddle and was very happy with the work.
“Soprano has done everything right since landing in Del Mar,” Eddery said. “We were hoping to go on the turf yesterday but unfortunately the mist meant we had to wait until today. She felt in good shape this morning and I'm very happy with her.”
Domestic Hopefuls Go Through Their Paces
Didia was out on track this morning at Del Mar | Breeders' Cup/Eclipse Sportswire
The American-based hopefuls were out Sunday morning as well with MG1SW-Arg & GISW Didia (Arg) (Orpen) working four furlongs in :50.80 over the main track with Geovanni Vences in the irons for trainer Ignacio Correas IV, who also sent out GSW Mufasa (Chi) (Practical Joke) to a four panel work in :47.80.
Multiple Grade I-winner War Like Goddess (English Channel) worked four furlongs on the dirt in :48.60 under assistant trainer Neil Poznansky for Bill Mott.
“She is the same now as she was three years ago. Her workout today was as good as her best workout,” said owner George Krikorian. “She is right on the top of her game and she has not regressed at all. She has done everything you could expect and more. She has been a gift and I'm grateful to have her.”
“She is 7 and we are keeping our options open [for racing next year]. We have not made a decision yet.”
Likewise for Mott, MGSW & MGISP 'TDN Rising Star' Scylla (Tapit) also worked four panels with Poznansky in the irons in :50.80 while GSW Scythian (Tiz the Law) went four furlongs on the turf in :49.40.
From the Steve Asmussen barn, MGSW & GISP Skelly (Practical Joke) went three furlongs in :38.80; MGISW Society (Gun Runner) also went three in :36.40 as did GSW Zeitlos (Curlin), who clocked in at :36.80.
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