Breeders' Cup: Friday notes from international horses and more
These are the Friday updates for Breeders' Cup horses in races other than the Classic and the Distaff.
International Report
Military Code was scratched this morning from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. “We weren’t happy 100 percent with Military Code this morning, so we decided to scratch him,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “His x-rays and everything were all clean, but he just wasn’t 100 percent, but as we stand at the moment, the rest of the team is in good order and we look forward to tomorrow.”
As for the other challengers from Europe, it was a early start for as Cathedral (Filly & Mare Turf) was the first horse on the main track shortly after 5 a.m. The plan is for her to do the same tomorrow morning.
Bucanero Fuerte (Turf Sprint) and Arizona Blaze (Turf Sprint) followed soon after. Adrian Murray has been pleased with how both horses have trained during the week and is hopeful that one of his challengers will trouble the judge.
Francis-Henri Graffard’s contenders trained on the main track and Graffard continues to be happy with how his horses have prepared going into the weekend.
Rashabar (Turf) was ridden by race day jockey Joe Leavy who reported the colt was moving well.
Ralph Beckett was trackside overseeing Qirat (Mile) and Amiloc (Turf) who was ridden by raceday jockey Rossa Ryan. She’s Quality (Turf Sprint) cantered behind the Beckett duo.
Beckett said: “They’ve both had a good week training, everyone is happy. Qirat had a slight muscular issue after his run at York in August and then probably needed the run in France last time out when he had a penalty to give away in the Group 2. I’ve always felt like this would really suit him. He is best on a turning track obviously and it was well worth a shot. Amiloc is growing into himself all the time and I’m hopeful he can continue improving.”
Breeders’ Cup Mile
Formidable Man
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: John Velazquez
Morning Activity: Galloped one mile.
Planned Activity: Does not go to the track the morning of the race.
Quote 1: How does he compare with his sire, City of Light, who you also trained?: “Both big, strong horses. Have similar looks. Light bay horses with black socks. Very kind horses. Very eager to train. Both have a tremendous turn of foot. He's a tribute to his sire, between his looks, his attitude, his demeanor and his ability.” – Michael McCarthy
Quote 2: His PPs show that he relishes Del Mar, where he is unbeaten: “We have a little bit of course knowledge here. Del Mar has been a place where he's thrived and he hasn't had to take his racetrack with him, but we're certainly glad that the Breeders’ Cup is down here this year.” – Michael McCarthy.
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
Ag Bullet
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Jockey: John Velazquez
Set: 4:55 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped.
Planned Activity: May jog Saturday morning.
Quote: “She needs to get a good trip. She will be stalking but Johnny (Velazquez) knows what to do. She is doing good right now, so darned good.” – Richard Baltas
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
Praying
Trainer: Robbie Medina
Jockey: John Velazquez
Set: 5:45 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped under Jamie Lopez.
Planned Activity: Will not go to the track Saturday morning.
Quote: On paper, there appears to be plenty of speed and I see Praying being maybe three, four, or five lengths off it. She’s outside (post 10) and that is where she likes to be.” – Robbie Medina
Sweet Azteca
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Set: 5:45 a.m.
Morning Activity: Galloped.
Planned Activity: May jog Saturday morning.
Quote: “She will be stalking. She is doing good like (Turf Sprint) Ag Bullet. They are both tough races.” – Richard Baltas
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
Touch of Destiny
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Luis Caceres
Morning Activity: Galloped one mile.
Planned Activity: Does not go to the track on the morning of the race.
Quote 1: “He's an interesting prospect for us. Has come from Uruguay. He's been here since late this summer, and it seems like he's settled in nicely now. The first couple weeks kind of took him just a little while to kind of get the hang of things, but he's in a nice routine now and a nice groove.” – Michael McCarthy
Quote 2: “He’s a nice horse to be around. Has a big following in Uruguay and does everything right. I can't tell you how he'll fare. I'm not sure how top-class Uruguayan company stacks up to top-class American company. But the horse is giving us all the right signals that he's been a pleasure to be around.” – Michael McCarthy
Quote 3: Have you worked him in company with Journalism?: “He's trained with him more than once, and has certainly held his own. I'm excited to see what he can do here. He might need a race here, an American style of race to get the hang of things, but he's been a quick study. Seems like he trains with a lot of integrity and has a lot of class.” – Michael McCarthy.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
Ultimate Love
Trainer: Mike Trombetta
Jockey: John Velazquez
Quote: Mike Trombetta arrived at Del Mar Thursday afternoon following a trip to Italy. The undefeated Ultimate Love can cover the cost of the trip with a victory in this afternoon’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
“We had the trip planned for two years,” Trombetta said. “We could not go in the summer because we are so busy, so we made it for October.”
Ultimate Love is perfect in three starts and will be ridden for the first time by John Velazquez out of post 1.
“Numbers-wise she fits. She’s the third choice,” Trombetta said. “It’s a big test and I hope she gets a clean trip and a fair shot. Johnny gets on her for the first time. I reached out to (Velazquez’s agent) Kieran (McLaughlin) about riding her and he got right back to me and that indicated we were heading the right direction.”