The Fugue Leads Euros out of Quarantine at BC
Image:
Description:
Eleven of the 16 European contenders for the Nov. 1-2 Breeders' Cup World Championships cleared quarantine at Santa Anita Park on the morning of Oct. 29, led by Andrew Lloyd Webber's top turf filly The Fugue.
Although trainer John Gosden was not at the California oval (he will arrive in time to supervise morning training on Oct. 30, when The Fugue is expected to gallop on the turf), the 4-year-old daughter of Dansili went to the track with the pony under the watchful eye of head traveling lad Les Reynolds.
Gearing up for a run against males in the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT), The Fugue jogged a circuit of the main track under regular rider Gary Forster before exiting through the paddock, where she walked for several minutes before continuing her journey home to the quarantine barn.
The dark bay filly, who was third to Zagora in the 2012 Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) with a troubled trip, comes off back-to-back group I wins in Europe. She took the Aug. 22 Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-I) by four lengths against her own division at York, then blitzed the boys in the Sept. 7 Red Mills Irish Champions Stakes (Ire-I) at Leopardstown.
Other top contenders stretching their legs for the first day out of quarantine included Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Planteur, who was out bright and early at 5:15 a.m. PDT along with Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) contender Al Thakhira.
Beverly D. (gr. IT) victress Dank, another 4-year-old daugher of Dansili, cut an imposing figure on the track when preparing for her run in the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf.
Juvenile Fillies Turf runners Chriselliam and Vorda, Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) contenders Outstrip and Shamshon, Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) runner Olympic Glory, Filly & Mare Turf contender Romantica, and Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. II) hopeful London Bridge all made appearances as well.
Expected to clear quarantine Oct. 31 are the set from trainer Aidan O'Brien—Breeders' Cup Classic contender Declaration of War, Mile runner Cristoforo Colombo, Juvenile Turf contenders Giovanni Boldini and Wilshire Boulevard, and Turf runner Magician.
Watch The Fugue school at Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup:
[brightcove videoid="2780958659001"]