Kat’s Eye: Stevens, Pharoah Generate Buzz at Santa Anita

The excitement was building this morning at Santa Anita Park as the Breeders’ Cup World Championships approach.
Signs and banners were everywhere, lining the fences in the paddock with morning schooling underway when I arrived, just as the sun started to peak over the San Gabriel Mountains. Clocker’s Corner was a little more populated than usual, and tents, temporary buildings and additional security fencing were in place as I walked toward the gap in the track that leads to the barns on the backside.
I paused for a minute, just as Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Prayer for Relief, trained by Dale Romans, was finishing his gallop.

A handsome horse, even more majestic when positioned against the most picturesque backdrop in Thoroughbred racing.

I made my way deliberately to trainer Richard Mandella’s barn to check on Beholder.  After a solid workout on Saturday, the 4-year-old filly spiked a fever, causing her to be pulled from the Distaff. 
Richard told me she was feeling a little better this morning. Her head was up and her eyes were bright as she greeted me, and she showed a little spark as I stroked her nose and she playfully tossed her head and tried to grab the strap of my camera. 

It’s a relief for such a talented horse to be heading out of the woods, but I’m sorry we won’t get to see her run next Friday. 
As I strode toward the barns farthest from the grandstand, I noted the saddlecloths with horses’ names and their races embroidered on them, hanging up outside of various barns.

It’s a welcome sight and a helpful tool for photographers, giving us a map to the record 201 horses pre-entered in the 13 races that will be held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

I stopped to get my bearings, watching the hot walkers and exercise riders getting horses ready to head toward the track, when a man asked if he could help me find someone. As we chatted, he shared with me that he had been in the business, working the Southern California circuit, for 35 years. We both expressed how much we loved mornings at the track and being around horses, with his devotion being such that it brought him back from two previously failed attempts to retire. 
He introduced himself as Sergio, an assistant in trainer Gary Mandella’s barn, and offered to introduce me to the mounts that he was preparing for Breeders’ Cup races. 
Saddled and ready to gallop was Valiant Emilia, the 5-year-old mare who will be making her North American debut on Halloween. I checked on her after she trained (her saddle towel had not yet arrived, so I was unable to pick her out on the track.) and she was bright and happy, munching on oats and carrots.

Back out on the track, I saw the scantily tailed American Pharoah striding out. I’m really looking forward to watching this impressive 2-year-old run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Saturday, and I plan to keep an eye on him as he begins his 3-year-old season.

I parked near the chute, close to the gap where riders come onto the track, to catch some photos of the teams gliding around the final turn and heading into the home stretch. 
Dirt Mile contender Pants On Fire looked relaxed and fluid, and cross-entered Big Bane Theory (he’ll run in either the Mile or the Dirt Mile) trotted past me like he was walking on air, his head held high and his mane blowing in the light morning breeze.  

Four-year-old gelding and Classic pre-entry Imperative posted a 6-furlong workout in 1:12.20, running side-by-side with a stablemate for a little competition.

A small crowd had gathered in the chute, and I saw the fit and handsome frame of Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens astride a gray filly.

Later in the morning, it would be reported that Gary, who is coming back after total knee replacement surgery in July, will be aboard Sivoliere, the Irish filly owned by Martin Schwartz and trained by Chad Brown, in the Juvenile Fillies Turf on Oct. 31. I’ll say, he looked good!
Training was ending and the sun was starting to heat up the grounds as I turned toward the parking lot. I swung by trainer Bob Baffert’s barn on the way out to say good morning. It’s hard to miss Bob’s barn because of the plaques listing the many Breeders’ Cup and other notable victories that his horses have won that wrap around the two buildings he occupies. 

I found him in his office, attending to paperwork. He had a quick smile for me when I asked how his morning had gone, and he asked me “What’s the word? What’s the buzz?” 
I told him that people like the way that Pharaoh is looking, and that I was anxious for him to put his saddle towels on his horses in the coming week so that I’ll know who’s who. He laughed, and we agreed to see each other plenty in the coming days.
A long line of horses was being led in a parade to school in the paddock as I reached my car and pointed it toward home.

I’ll be back on Sunday, when we’ll encamp for a week and I’ll post updates on California Chrome and other notable entries. 
My first Breeders’ Cup … I can hardly wait!