By Steve Sherack
LOUISVILLE, Ky – With the iconic Twin Spires illuminated in Breeders' Cup purple and the backstretch sky beginning to light up in stunning orange hues just before sunrise, the action began to pick up on a very brisk Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. at Churchill Downs.
The Classic-bound Gunnevera (Dialed In) was the first to grab the eye with his blue reins and bridle as Breeders' Cup runners began to flood the track during the reserved private training window.
Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), two lengths to the good of that popular aforementioned chestnut while successfully switching to dirt in come-from-behind fashion in Saratoga's GI Woodward S. Sept 1, stole the show during the pre-dawn training hours, breezing four furlongs in a visually impressive :49 3/5 with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott keeping close tabs aboard his stable pony.
Two-time Canadian Classic winner and painful GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up 'TDN Rising Star' Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro was clearly in a playful mood as the mercury hovered in the low 40s, lunging and jumping multiple times down the lane and continuing on around the clubhouse turn.
Two very talented youngsters in 19 1/2-length GII Pocahontas S. heroine Serengeti Empress (Alternation) and GI Darley Alcibiades S. victress and 'TDN Rising Star' Restless Rider (Distorted Humor) shared the racetrack ahead of their highly anticipated showdown in Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
All eyes were on the sensational dual G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) (Turf) as she had her ears up while taking in her new surroundings along with her John Gosden-trained stablemate and four-time Group 1 winner Roaring Lion (Kitten's Joy) (Classic). Both merely just stretched their legs in the one-mile chute before heading back to the barn area. It was the pair's first trip to the track after clearing the regulatory 48 hours in quarantine.
There were plenty of other notable European raiders out once the sun rose beneath cloudless skies, including: runaway G1 Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) (Classic); G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest heroine Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) (Mile); and MG1SW Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) (Turf).
The stunning, blaze-faced defending GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Talismanic (GB) (Medaglia d'Oro) proved well worth the wait taking a spin over the grass course as the remaining media flocked to the rail just before 10 a.m. The unbeaten 2-year-old East (GB) (Frankel {GB) (JFT) also made a favorable impression strutting her stuff over the lawn, too.
Other highlights from a busy Monday morning included a four-furlong breeze in :49 from Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) (Distaff) shortly after the main track opened for business at 5:45 a.m. with owner Jeff Bloom in attendance.
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