Breeders' Cup F&M Sprint Report - Oct 31

Belle of the Hall – The 5yo mare was on a Tex Sutton flight from New York that arrived at noon.

 

Dust and Diamonds – Padua Stable’s Gallant Bloom winner was one of five Breeders’ Cup starters for trainer Steve Asmussen that returned to the track to gallop Wednesday following 4f workouts Monday.

 

“They’re all doing well,” said Asmussen. “They all just had easy gallops. It’s a matter of keeping them all happy now.”

 

Great Hot – Great Hot jogged 1 1/2m Wednesday, a routine that trainer A.C. Avila said would be continued until race day on Saturday.

 

“Everything is good, so we'll stay with the schedule,” the 58-year-old native of Brazil said.

 

Great Hot is one of 10 horses that Avila has in training for the Coudelaria Jessica of Brazilian Luiz Fernando Dannemann.

 

“He has a lot of horses in Brazil, and he had some horses in New York and he called me in 2010 and asked if I'd like to train some horses for him,” Avila said.

 

"We've won some races. Great Hot is one of the best. I've got a few babies that haven't started yet and there are some others they're going to send from Brazil next month.”

 

Groupie Doll – Fred Bradley, trainer Buff Bradley, Carl Hurst, and Brent Burns’ Groupie Doll jogged 1m and galloped 1m under exercise rider Jada Schlenk.

           

Instead of going out at 7:45 a.m. as has been her norm here, Groupie Doll came out a little after 7.

           

After training in the fog, Groupie Doll was en route to the barn area when the horn went off signaling a loose horse on the track that was headed in the wrong direction.

           

“It was not a problem for us,” Schlenk said. “Nothing bothers her. He could have been right next to her and it would not have mattered.”

           

The Groupie Doll team of Kabel, Schlenk and groom Matt Hebert have been providing Buff Bradley with good reports on the filly that is the even money morning-line favorite for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

           

“Her whole attitude is better here than it is at home (at Churchill Downs). She is a different horse out here,” Schlenk said. “She loves this track and it is like she floats over it. She is very happy here.”

           

Buff Bradley is scheduled to arrive Thursday morning and be on hand for a scheduled paddock schooling session in the afternoon.

 

Rumor – The Indian Charlie filly walked the shedrow as she heads toward her Saturday date.

           

“She walked today, she’ll pony tomorrow, and gallop on Friday,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “She’s all but ready.”

 

Switch – Was part of a group of John Sadler-trained horses that jogged 1 1/2m through the early morning fog to the satisfaction of the conditioner.

 

The 5yo daughter of Quiet American finished second in the Filly & Mare Sprint in 2010 and 2011, leaving Sadler and owners Lee and Susan Searing of Arcadia, Calif., to hope that the third time proves the charm.

 

“The first time at Churchill (2010) she broke well and had a good trip,” Sadler recalled. “She had to steady a little on the turn, but she put in a good run to be second. Probably even without the trouble she would have finished second and we were happy to be second. A local horse, the Bret Calhoun filly (Dubai Majesty) ran a great race and won it.

 

“Last year she really got shuffled back much further than we thought she would and then came flying to get second (behind Musical Romance). She ran a very good race.”

 

Teddy's Promise – The 4yo filly walked the shedrow at Santa Anita Wednesday after arriving at 6 a.m. from Betfair Hollywood Park.

   

The California-bred daughter of Salt Lake comes off a fourth-place finish in the California Cup Distaff at about 6 1/2f on the downhill turf course here on Oct. 13.

   

"That was not her preferred surface," said Ellis, pointing out that Teddy's Promise won the La Brea Stakes here at 7f on dirt last winter.

   

"She'll be up close," said Ellis of her running style.

 

Turbulent Descent – The 4yo daughter of Congrats was on board a flight from New York that landed at Ontario Airport at approximately noon Wednesday for trainer Todd Pletcher.

 

“She’s very consistent,” assistant trainer Mike McCarthy said of the Filly & Mare Sprint contender. “Her last race was a little bit uncharacteristic for her (fourth in the Gallant Bloom at Belmont Park). She may not have gotten a great grip of the track, but we know she likes Santa Anita (having won the Santa Anita Oaks in 2011).”

 

Turbulent Descent has been in Pletcher’s barn for only two starts, having previously raced for trainer Mike Puype. She ran in this race last year and finished fifth as the 7-5 favorite at Churchill Downs.