Barbaro Updates: 115
updates are now here.
Update 917: Rain, rain, rain, rain, as predicted. I assume training will be a washout this morning at Fair Hill. Likely I will have a couple to shedrow, but that will be about it. The Barbaro update will again be later this morning at its earliest. I'll stop by Michael Matz's barn to see Peter after training hours.
Sue McMullen sent this early preview of the European runners for the Breeders' Cup:
A comprehensive round-up of European runners will follow next week, after the post draw on Wednesday morning, but in advance of that it's worth noting various bits of information on some of the horses. First, the awesome, globe-trotting mare Ouija Board is pleasing connections ahead of her attempt to reclaim her crown in the Fillies and Mares and she is described as 'thriving' and currently showing no sign that her very long season has taken its toll (this shouldn't be underestimated as it has indeed been a long one). This will be her final appearance in the BC, after which, all being well, she will follow last year's route and head to Tokyo then Hong Kong. But owner Lord Derby has stressed they will take it one race at a time and knowing his love and pride in this wonderful mare, the minute she shows signs of having had enough, they will call it a day. The ultimate test of whether a horse is 'over the top' is sometimes the race itself as it is only then that they are really stretched, but the signs are hopeful and she is currently regarded as the best chance of a European victory. Frankie Dettori will ride and after partnering her in a recent gallop, he was very bullish about her chances. Our horses certainly travel and I'm sure her fans in the US will be pleased to see her one last time.
Hurriance Run will be reunited with French champion jockey Christophe Soumillion in the BC Turf. This somewhat suprising news follows Soumillion's alleged falling out with Hurricane's trainer Andre Fabre, after which he was replaced by Mick Kinane for Hurricane's run in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Neither have had much to say about this riding engagement and Fabre has been quite dismissive saying that jockeys are not his main concern and he's more interested in the horse's ability and the conditions he will face. Since winning the King George in great style (and it was the manner of Soumillion's victory celebrations that allegedly upset Fabre) Hurricane has been beaten three times, in the Arc trial, the Arc itself and the Champion Stakes. The first of these wasn't so much a race and more of a piece of work and the Arc was not run to suit him. In what is likely to be his last race it would be wonderful to see this top horse, who is a great favourite of Fabre's and who has been such a force over the last couple of seasons, return to winning form. He needs a good pace and plenty of cover, so hopefully he'll get both.
Alex Solis has been booked to ride John Gosden's Sleeping Indian in the Mile as regular pilot Jimmy Fortune will be serving a suspension. Alex has ridden for Gosden previously, when the latter was training in California and when he has sent horses to the US.
Without his adversary George Washington in the race, connections of Araafa are very confident of his chances in the Mile and he's been in great form, better it is said than before his good run in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes when he ran second to George. He also had a good view of George's tail in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, but managed to finish in front of him in the Irish equivalent when George pulled a muscle. John Valazquez rides and all trainer Jeremy Noseda now hopes for is that he travels well and gets a good draw in the race as it is likely to be a big field.
Watchers on the backstretch at Churchill shouldn't expect to see Araafa do any fast work, as he is set to do his final piece of serious work today and will just be ticking over on the run up to the race.
The Godolphin horses are all said to be doing well and of their two contenders for the Mile, Librettist and Echo of Light, Frankie Dettori is reported to be favouring the latter as he seems to be in particularly good form.
More to follow next week.
Update 916: I just spoke to Peter Brette, who visited Barbaro this afternoon. Peter took Barbaro out for a pick of grass before the rain started. He groomed him, changed his bandages and fed Barbaro a couple of apples. Another good report. I asked Peter how Round Pond was doing in Keeneland. He said she was doing well, and likes the Polytrack, which they had suspected. She will likely work this weekend (Sunday) before they have to ship to Churchill Downs.
A couple of people have already answered my question in Update 915: Ouija Board. I think that places Better Talk Now in great company!
Update 915: Just spoke to Lisa Davison, who is at Keeneland with Graham Motion's two Breeders' Cup horses, Better Talk Now and Film Maker. They traveled (flew) to Keeneland on tuesday of this week, and will remain at Keeneland until they have to leave, which I think is the end of October, at which time they will head to Churchill Downs.
On wednesday they had an easy spin around the training track, thursday and friday they both galloped about a mile and a half / five eighths on the main track (both tracks are Polytracks). They will likely both work this weekend, most likely sunday. Lisa said both horses are doing well, and she was very positive about the Polytrack. They seem to bounce across it while getting very good footing. Lisa noted that turf horses seem to be doing pretty well on the Polytrack, something that we have heard before. There seem to be quite a few other Breeders' Cup horses at Keeneland, Lisa has seen both Lava Man and Gorella.
Graham has a few other horses at Keeneland and they are having a pretty good meet, including a winner today. Better Talk Now is a prior Breeders' Cup race winner. Do you know which other horse(s) fall in that category who are planning to run in this year's Breeders' Cup ?
Update 914: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (thursday night). I just spoke to Peter who had heard from Michael. Peter is again planning to visit Barbaro this afternoon, so I will try to get another update later.
I caught up with Joe Deegan, Perfect Drift's exercise rider. He says Perfect Drift is doing as well as ever. All is well. Today he galloped a pretty handy mile. Tomorrow he is scheduled to work (5/8ths) and that will be his last serious piece of work before the Classic. The plan would be then to walk him on sunday, jog monday and back to galloping tuesday.
Lava Man worked this morning in preparation for the Classic: Lava Man, Other O'Neill Horses, Work at Keeneland. The following is an excerpt:
"We had a great morning," O'Neill said. "Lava Man looked great, Tony did his job perfectly -- we just wanted a maintenance work for each of these horses, and that's exactly what we got."
Romero said he was thrilled with the way Lava Man is training off his seventh consecutive win for the year, the Oct. 7 Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) during the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting.
"He's put on some good weight here and he's stronger than ever," the exercise rider said. "I'm very happy with the way he's pulling; he feels better than he did before the Pacific Classic, even. Bernardini is a tough horse to beat, but he should watch out with the way our horse is training."
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Me first, wow
Posted by: SusanO in MI at October 27, 2006 4:56 PM