By Steve Sherack
ARCADIA, CA – The imposing Bill Mott-trained duo of Just F Y I (Justify) (Juvenile Fillies) and champion Elite Power (Curlin) (Sprint) immediately caught the eye as the curtain was lifted at Santa Anita with a spectacular sunrise beneath the San Gabriel mountains on Breeders' Cup eve.
Japanese superstar Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the Mile, began her marathon training session, while the horse to catch in the Dirt equivalent 'Rising Star' Zozos (Munnings) left the pony raring to go.
John Gosden, represented by potential race favorites for the Filly & Mare Turf and Turf with the brilliant duo of Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), made his way through the less congested apron as the lively 'Breakfast at the Breeders' Cup' crowd packed into the legendary Clockers' Corner viewing area at the top of the stretch.
Aidan O'Brien, also in town from the other side of the pond, will be loaded for the Championships as well. Standouts from his arsenal include: River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) for the Juvenile Turf; Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the F/M Turf; and, of course, the G1 Epsom Derby winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Turf.
Elite Power back to defend his Sprint title and feeling good exiting the track pic.twitter.com/4wdhwZMYbs
— Steve Sherack (@SteveSherackTDN) November 2, 2023
Royal Ascot last out G2 Queen Mary S. heroine Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), one of three entered for former Wayne Lukas assistant George Weaver in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, made a nice impression while sporting a white bridle as she gets ready to face off versus the boys from her rail draw.
Speaking of white bridles and former Lukas assistants, the Todd Pletcher-trained 'Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) has also stood out in the mornings during training hours this week. The blaze-faced chestnut is the 7-2 morning-line favorite for a fantastic renewal of Friday's Juvenile. Co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners will also be well-represented by unbeaten Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the Juvenile Fillies.
Locked | Sherackatthetrack
After assembling a highlight reel of morning breezes since his game win in this summer's GI Pacific Classic–do yourself a favor and head to XBTV's fantastic website if you haven't already done so yet–Classic horse to beat 'Rising Star' Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) was feeling mighty good during a light gallop while giving his exercise rider a workout of his own just two days out from the $6-million main event.
Stacked with nine Breeders' Cup runners, including Classic duo Dreamlike (Gun Runner) and Bright Future (Curlin) and Turf standout Up to the Mark (Not This Time), owner Mike Repole was in good form as always while making the rounds with jockey, err, daughter Gioia, who was sporting a pair of the family's blue-and-orange silks.
Shirl's Speight (Speightstown), a rallying second at 55-1 in last year's Mile, couldn't be looking any better in the flesh at the age of six as he seeks to go one better. Could he be sitting on another big effort at a price?
Shirl's Speight | Sherackatthetrack
'Rising Star' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) made her way through the purpled-out paddock as training hours began to wind down. The daughter of Beholder's many admirers in attendance included her trainer Richard Mandella as well as a big Spendthrift Farm crew, led by owners Eric and Tamara Hughes Gustavson, and Ned Toffey and Mark Toothaker.
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