ARCADIA, Calif. - Thursday morning was the coolest during training hours here in more than a week. As might be expected, the European runners seemed to thrive, with many of them picking up the pace. That includes all of trainer Aidan O'Brien's Breeders' Cup contenders, as well as both Oasis Dream and Refuse to Bend, who somewhat surprisingly turned in a couple of fast works over the turf course.

Thursday also marked the first appearance at Santa Anita this week for such noteworthy Breeders' Cup starters as defending Classic champion Volponi, Juvenile favorite Cuvee, and the Hollywood Park-based Ten Most Wanted.

As usual, not all of the Breeders' Cup runners have trained up to their races onsite, but some of those who did left strong impressions.

SANTA ANITA
Clear, 60
Main track: Fast
Turf: Firm

Classic

Medaglia d'Oro: Couldn't have had a better final prep for his race than his six-furlong work at Hollywood Park last Sunday. He finished like an express train, covering the last three furlongs in 34.56 seconds, then galloped out even stronger into and around the turn. Made a grand appearance and looks fit and ready for a big effort.

Congaree: Has been battling a quarter crack in a rear hoof but showed no ill effects working six furlongs on Sunday. Even more important, he has bounced out of the work quite well, with three consecutive mornings of eager gallops. Loves his home course. May take some catching if allowed to relax on the lead.

Ten Most Wanted: Looked great this spring at the Derby and looks even better now. Shipped over from Hollywood Park to gallop on Thursday morning and made an impressive appearance: His neck was bowed down to his chest until he entered the stretch, at which point he picked his head up and continued through the lane at a crisp pace. Obviously enters the race on top of his game, but there is still a question of how he will fare facing older horses for the first time.

Distaff

Sightseek: Turned in one of the week's most impressive works, breezing an effortless five furlongs in 59 seconds while under a long hold from start to finish at Hollywood Park on Sunday. Looks fantastic, like one of the boys, and could probably have been a worthy contender in the Classic. Instead, she'll settle for being the horse to beat in the Distaff.

Elloluv: Was not asked for much speed in her final Breeders' Cup work but seems to be training in a similar manner to the way she trained before her second-place finish behind Got Koko in the Lady's Secret.

Adoration: Flashed sharp speed under a loose rein blowing out for the race and will likely be a pace factor from her inside post.

Juvenile Fillies

Halfbridled: Would have liked to have seen just a little more from the heavy favorite in her final work. With the exercise rider obviously under instructions not to go too fast, she started slowly, finished slowly, and galloped out with little enthusiasm. Add that to a tough post-position draw and she suddenly becomes a bit of a question mark at what figures to be a very short price.

Class Above: Nobody turned in a more impressive or efficient final prep for the big day than this filly, who relaxed under a long rein and worked a fast but effortless half-mile before galloping out another furlong in 11 seconds and change. Appears to be coming up to this race at the top of her game.

Zosima: Showed her competitive nature when she was joined during her work on Monday by an older, more experienced colt, whom she held off gamely from the top of the stretch to the wire. Has also bounced back off that work with some good morning gallops.

Victory U. S. A.: Was not asked for any speed in her final prep but finished well and does not seem to be showing any effects from her cross-country trip to New York for the Frizette.

Mile

Oasis Dream: Has trained the best and appeared the most relaxed of all the European horses I've seen this week. However, he may have felt a little too good and done a little too much just 48 hours out from his race when he worked a torrid half-mile in 45 seconds and change over the turf on Thursday. Obviously a very fast horse, but still must prove he can stay the mile.

Refuse to Bend: Was also put to some serious pressure Thursday. Broke out of a two-minute lick to cover his final five furlongs in 1:04 and change on the grass while easily running down and pulling away late from a workmate. Another of the Euro invaders who seems to have handled the trip well.

Designed for Luck: Has had a good week. Worked a very sharp five-eighths and galloped out strongly earlier in the week, and has since returned with several impressive gallops. Looks ready for a big effort.

Six Perfections: Seems to be settling in nicely. Has not been asked to do much in the morning other than canter along easily in company with her stable pony, and gives the appearance of wanting to do more.

Sprint

Shake You Down: Worked a very fast half-mile despite being kept well off the inside rail, getting his final quarter-mile in 22 seconds and change. Bounced out of the drill looking well on the track two days later, although an inside draw may force his hand a bit early.

Zavata: Had to be hard held early and did not relax well in his final work.

Bluesthestandard: Went a fast but easy half-mile, relaxing under a long hold, and obviously loves his home track.

Yankee Gentleman: Turned in an uninspiring half-mile work and appeared a little stiff when returning to the track to gallop on Thursday.

Filly and Mare Turf

Islington: Seems to be adjusting well to her new surroundings. Failed to change leads when blowing out down the stretch on Wednesday.

Yesterday: Has been the most relaxed of the O'Brien horses to train. Was put under pressure for the first time Thursday and may have done more than intended down the stretch, catching and then quickly running by stablemate L'Ancresse at the wire while covering her final three-eighths in 38.48 seconds.

Musical Chimes: Finished up strongly under little pressure with blinkers added to her equipment for her last two works. Looks capable of moving forward off her sharp U.S. debut.

Voodoo Dancer: New York invader was full of herself and eager to gallop Wednesday when she visited the track for the first time after her cross-country trip.

Dimitrova: Training as well as anybody in the field this week. Was under little pressure but finished with interest working seven-eighths over the turf on Wednesday.

Juvenile

Cuvee: The big chestnut with the white blaze face made his first appearance here Thursday morning and did not look to be very comfortable over the track. Displayed some choppy action during his short half-mile gallop - although it's hard to say if that's simply his way of going, having not seen him in person since he made a spectacular career debut at Churchill Downs in May.

Chapel Royal: One of the best-looking 2-year-olds on the scene. He picked up the pace during Thursday morning's gallop, although the question remains whether he wants to go two turns.

Consecrate: Liked the looks of his final prep, which came in company with an older, more experienced mate. Consecrate kept pace under only slight urging to the wire and through the gallop-out around the turn. Would not be surprised to see big improvement off his last.

Turf

High Chaparral: Seemed to flourish in the cooler weather Thursday when allowed to extend his stride after getting a bit hot under the collar the previous morning.

Falbrav: A grand-looking individual who lathered up noticeably the first morning out but showed steady improvement as the week progressed.

Storming Home: Loved his last work on the grass, when he ran down stablemate and Mile contender Sarafan while under tight restraint before galloping out vigorously around the turn.

Johar: Has been impressive in his gallops all week.