European Breeders' Cup Contingent On Track at Keeneland

A below 30-degree morning Nov. 2 sent many Breeders' Cup contenders to Keeneland's training track in lieu of the main track, including a large group from the European contingent that recently arrived.

The main track did not open for training until 90 minutes after its regular 6 a.m. opening. Training was extended on the main track until 10:30 a.m. and turf training was pushed back to 10:30-11 a.m.

The European challengers who arrived at Keenland on Friday night cleared quarantine Sunday at around 7 p.m. All European runners are now on site except for the Aidan O'Brien-trained team that is expected to arrive at the European quarantine barn around 8 p.m. Monday. They will not been seen out on the track until Thursday once they have cleared quarantine.

On a very cold Monday morning, the Jessica Harrington-trained duo of Cayenne Pepper (Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf, G1T) and Oodnadatta (Juvenile Fillies Turf, G1T) were the first horses onto the training track just after 6:30 a.m. Both trotted a full circuit before heading back to the barn. Their work riders were happy with their horses and reported that they have settled into their new surroundings well. Harrington is due to be on site Wednesday morning.

QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Kameko (FanDuel Mile Presented by PDJF, G1T) headed the next group joined by the John Gosden-trained trio of Lord North (Longines Turf, G1T), Mehdaayih (Turf), and Terebellum (Filly & Mare Turf). Kameko trotted for one circuit and then did a light canter for one circuit.

Maddy O'Meara, Kameko's regular work rider reported him to be in fine shape.

"He seems in really good form. He traveled over well and is settled. I think he was pleased to get out onto the training track for a leg stretch," O'Meara said.

The Gosden trio trotted one circuit before heading back to the barn.

James Fanshawe accompanied by his wife Jacko were at the training track to see Audarya (Filly & Mare Turf) exercise. She did a trot and a light canter by herself with her work rider Geoffrey De La Sayette reporting she "moved like a dream." 

Fanshawe, who is having his first Breeders Cup runner, said: "Flew over yesterday and it's great to be here. The filly looked great out on the track so I'm very pleased."  

Nazuna (Juvenile Fillies Turf) spent plenty of time on the track trotting and did a very light canter. 

Mighty Gurkha (Juvenile Turf Sprint, G2T) accompanied Cadillac (Juvenile Turf Presented by Coolmore America, G1T) and Tarnawa (Turf) onto the training track and did a nice canter covering a circuit under regular work rider Michael Murphy.

"In great form, really pleased with that," Murphy said. 

Tarnawa was slightly on her toes when first stepping on to the training track but soon became at ease and looked in great shape.

Ubettabelieveit (Juvenile Turf Sprint) was ridden by his trainer Nigel Tinkler this morning and looked well. They trotted two circuits of the training track and did a very light canter.

"The horse is absolutely fine," Tinkler said. "Rowan Scott, who rides him on Friday, is flying out today so he will have a sit on him tomorrow morning." 

Safe Voyage (Mile) and Siskin (Mile) came out together both trotting a circuit of the training track before having a light canter.  

John Quinn the trainer of Safe Voyage is traveling over with his son and assistant Sean and will be at the training track Tuesday morning.

Glass Slippers (Turf Sprint, G1T) was due to have a canter on the turf track but because of the frost in the ground rerouted to the training track. She did a light canter and Jimmy Gee, representing trainer Kevin Ryan, reported all to be well with the filly. 

Jockey Mickael Barzalona was at the training track to watch his mount Sealiway (Juvenile Turf) exercise this morning. Barzalona, who already has a Breeders' Cup victory to his name when partnering Talismanic to win the Turf in 2017, said: "I flew over on Friday and I'm delighted to be here. The weather is colder than I expected but its brilliant to be out at the training track to see Sealiway. I'm very much looking forward to riding him and the plan is to sit on him tomorrow or Wednesday." 

Japanese representatives Pingxiang (Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile, G1) and Jasper Prince (Sprint, G1) did two laps of the training track before heading back to their barn. Both horses are now very familiar with their surroundings and connections have been very pleased with their preparations.

Among the marquee names training on the main track was Tiz the Law (Longines Classic, G1), who had a strong gallop under Heather Smullen in his first day back on track since working Saturday.

Arriving across the road from the track at Blue Grass Airport was a flight from New York that included the World Championships contingents from trainers Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher. 

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert traveled from his home in Southern California to Kentucky Monday after entering six horses in the 37th Breeders' Cup. Baffert's sextet, including Classic contenders Authentic, Improbable , and Maximum Security , will ship to Keeneland on Tuesday.

The 2018 Distaff winner Monomoy Girl had her first gallop over the Keeneland track Monday morning. She put in her final work at her Churchill Downs base Saturday and then vanned over to Keeneland Sunday afternoon.

"I don't think I've seen her gallop any better," trainer Brad Cox said. "She looked really good."

Peter Callahan's Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Swiss Skydiver made a favorable impression coming on to the track a little before 8 a.m. and jogging once around the main track under jockey Robby Albarado. Trainer Kenny McPeek said the decision to go into the Distaff was easy compared to deciding whether to go in the Preakness against straight 3-year-olds or the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) against older fillies and mares.

"This was a relatively easy decision compared to the Preakness," McPeek said. "I like to keep my horses within their generations. I like to think of the 2-year-old year as the high school level, the 3-year-old year as the college level and 4-year-olds and up is the pros. The Classic is a very deep field of quality older horses. The Distaff seems a little lighter. I think she's ready to show how good she is against older horses."