California dreaming: O'Brien adding to Breeders' Cup team

Promising juvenile colts Arizona and Wichita had to settle for filling in the place and show spots behind Godolphin’s brilliant Pinatubo in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes on Saturday, but there’s a strong likelihood that one or both colts will have another chance to earn a top-flight win by running in one of the Breeders’ Cup races at Santa Anita Nov. 1.

In an interview Sunday with the Press Association, trainer Aidan O’Brien said that he was satisfied with how each colt performed in the Dewhurst.

“Arizona ran well, as we were worried about the ground for him,” O’Brien said. “He's a nice-moving horse.”

“Arizona and Wichita are both possible for the Breeders' Cup, although Wichita might be a little bit more of a baby as he wasn't out until later."

Arizona and Wichita, who are both by No Nay Never, could also be joined by fellow 2-year-olds Royal Dornoch, winner of the Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) and Fort Myers, winner of the Listed Star Appeal Stakes.

O’Brien added, "Royal Dornoch is another possible for the Juvenile and Fort Myers who won in Dundalk is another that could go. We'll see how they are in the next few weeks."