Breeders’ Cup Classic: Friday notes and quotes from Del Mar
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez
Morning activity: Galloped 1 3/8 miles under exercise rider Edy Quinteros.
Planned activity: TBD.
The quote 1: What does your horse have to do well to win? “He's just got to run his best race. I think his Jockey Club (G1) was a very good performance. He seems to be training very well. Seems to be improving. He needs to continue to do that, but he's a very honest horse. Always shows up, tries hard and I expect him to do the same.” – Todd Pletcher
The quote 2: Does his outside post position have any impact on him? “I don't think so. We all sit around and worry about post-position draws. You can get good trips from bad posts and bad trips from good posts. But being a mile and a quarter race on a mile track with the long run to the first turn, it should be fine.” – Todd Pletcher
Baeza
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Morning activity: Galloped on the main track.
Planned activity: Same routine Saturday.
The quote: “He had a nice gallop, and he’s looking good. The week has gone very well. The weather down in Del Mar has been beautiful and I’ve had a lot of fun going over to the breakfast, so it’s been a real pleasant time.” – John Shirreffs
Fierceness
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Morning activity: Galloped 1 3/8 miles under exercise rider Danny Wright.
Planned activity: TBD.
The quote: What does he have to do well to win? “He's got to break straight and establish the position that he wants and run his race. His best race gives him a big chance, if he can deliver that.” – Todd Pletcher
Forever Young
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
Morning activity: 1 1/2-lap canter.
The quote: “He is in good shape. It’s the highest-level race in the world, but with only nine runners and little room for randomness, I think we have a real chance.” – Ryusei Sakai
Journalism
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Morning activity: Galloped 1 mile under exercise rider Marc Witkowski.
Planned activity: Does not go to track the morning of a race.
The quote 1: “I think it’s unfortunate that Sovereignty is not in there, but this is probably still one of the best Classics we've seen in about 20 years. We'll bounce out of there and try to be tactical and try to be within four or five lengths of the lead.” – Michael McCarthy
The quote 2: When would you like to see him make the lead? “I'd like to see him up front coming through the quarter pole and improving his position from there. I think any trainer will probably tell you the same thing.” – Michael McCarthy
Nevada Beach
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Morning activity: Galloped under exercise rider Morgan Kervarrec
The quote: “We have big-money Mike (Smith). He is going to have to work out a trip and make some magic. We want to be able to root for him when he turns for home. That is the key to all the races. Turning for home, you hope they are all right there. These are good races. It’s like the playoffs, everybody is good.” – Bob Baffert
Mindframe
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Morning activity: Galloped 1 3/8 miles under exercise rider Carlos Perez.
Planned activity: TBD
The quote: What does he have to do well to win? “He's got a little bit of an outside draw, but there is plenty of time to get position going into the first turn. He’s a horse with tactical speed and so just want to get to that first turn with a clean trip, get into a good rhythm and go from there.” – Todd Pletcher
Sierra Leone, Contrary Thinking
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat, Florent Geroux
Morning activity: Galloped 1 1/2 miles.
Planned activity: Race day.
The quote: “All is excellent.” – Chad Brown