Golden Horn Clears Quarantine and Canters

In the rainy predawn, Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) favorite Golden Horn stepped out of quarantine and took an easy couple of laps around Keeneland's Polytrack training track.

Anthony Oppenheimer's son of Cape Cross (IRE) jogged clockwise around the track with stablemate Cymric, who is entered in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT), and a pony. At 4-5 on the morning line, Golden Horn is one of the key European contenders in the Breeders' Cup World Championships, having won four group I races out of seven lifetime starts.

He comes into the Turf off victories in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) and the QIPCO Irish Champions Stakes (Ire-I).

"We're really pleased with the horse; he has taken everything in stride," said Barry O'Dowd, the traveling head lad for trainer John Gosden. "We've done all our work at home basically. (On Wednesday) we'll have a little canter around the training track, and hopefully when the boss arrives we'll go to turf course on Thursday.

"He has raced around bends before but in America it is a little bit different. We'll get him into a rhythm going around the bends and familiarize him with the place. That's what it's all about."

On hand to watch him on the track was Golden Horn's jockey, Frankie Dettori, who arrived early for the Breeders' Cup to get a feel for the track. On Oct. 27 he took his Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) mount Illuminate on an easy canter around the training track.

"Tomorrow we're going to take (Illuminate) on the grass to stretch her legs, for me as well," Dettori said. "I haven't been here in over 20 years. There is not that much difference, but you have to keep an eye on the bias. The tracks in America change from day to day. I've got a chance to settle down and look at some races beforehand and come up with a plan."

Golden Horn will break from post 1 in the Turf and has well-known pacesetter Shining Copper next to him in post 2. Dettori said he is confident the favorite will adjust to whatever pace scenario unfolds.

"I'd rather the 1 than 12," Dettori said. "There is a bit of speed next to me, I've heard, but (Golden Horn) can stalk the pace. He has been a dream horse for me. Every challenge we've asked, he has passed and now he has another challenge. I'm going to embrace it because it will be my last time on him."

Darley had announced after the Arc it had purchased a 50% interest in Golden Horn. The colt will stand at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket next year.

Regarding other European Breeders' Cup contenders, three entered in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) jogged a couple of laps around the training track. They were Secret Gesture, trained by Ralph Beckett; Miss France, trained by Andre Fabre; and, Queen's Jewel, trained by Freddy Head.

Bawina and Impassable, also Filly & Mare Turf entrants, went one circuit around the main track before visiting the paddock. Meanwhile, Breeder' Cup Mile (gr. IT) defending champion Karakontie   did a steady canter around the training track under jockey Stephane Pasquier. Other Mile contenders on the training track included Esoterique, Make Believe, Mondialiste, and Time Test.

The horses from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable arrived at the quarantine barn at 9:45 p.m. EDT Monday. They will get the chance to stretch their legs Oct. 28.

The Ballydoyle contingent includes Gleneagles, the lone overseas challenger in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I); Alice Springs—Juvenile Fillies Turf; Found—Turf; Hit It a Bomb and Shogun—Juvenile Turf (gr. IT); War Envoy —Las Vegas Dirt Mile (gr. I); and Waterloo Bridge—Sentient Jet Juvenile (gr. I). Shipping with the Ballydoyle horses was Legatissimo, the 8-5 favorite in the Filly & Mare Turf.