2021 Breeders' Cup clocker report for Nov. 1: Max Player, Snapper Sinclair work as N.Y., Euro contingents hit track
Del Mar
Weather: CloudyTemp: 58°Track: Fast
By Mike Welsch
DEL MAR, Calif. – The first sightings of the New York-based Breeders’ Cup contenders along with the European contingent just out of quarantine highlighted training hours Monday at Del Mar, with the action on the racetrack taking place as a prelude to entries for all 14 Breeders’ Cup races being drawn in the paddock several hours later.
Max Player and Snapper Sinclair were the only two of the nearly 200 horses to be entered in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup to turn in official works here Monday. Both are trained by Steve Asmussen.
Both breezes were carried out in near-identical fashion. Max Player cruised four furlongs in 50.05 seconds for the Classic, and Snapper Sinclair went the same distance in 49.95 prepping for the Dirt Mile. The horses went in typical maintenance fashion for Asmussen trainees just five days prior to their upcoming starts.
Juvenile-bound stablemates American Sanctuary and Tough to Tame stretched their legs a bit over the fast strip on Monday but were not credited with official works by track clockers. Daily Racing Form timed American Sanctuary from the wire out in 28.44 for a quarter-mile, and Tough to Tame from the eighth pole around the turn three furlongs in 39.93. Both 2-year-olds are trained by Chris Davis.
It was obvious none of trainer Chad Brown’s large and powerful group of Breeders’ Cup contenders felt any ill effects from the long flight west on Sunday. All were on their toes and full of energy per usual. Among those particularly catching the eye were My Sister Nat, who was pulling her rider around wanting to do more while followed closely by Domestic Spending; Jack Christopher, who always makes a great appearance and looked happy with his ears up passing by the wire; Tribhuvan, a picture of health coming into the Turf off a couple of strong works back home and matching strides in company with Domestic Spending; and Royal Flag.
Portfolio Company, who has gotten rank in some of his races, was in run-off mode down the backstretch during the early stages of his pre-dawn gallop session before coming to hand once settling into the stretch.
Trainer Todd Pletcher’s Breeders’ Cup gang was led by Life Is Good, the likely favorite in the Dirt Mile, and Malathaat, among the main upset threats to Letruska in the Distaff. Malathaat couldn’t have looked any better in her first local appearance, putting in a strong but controlled gallop while followed in close pursuit by Brown’s pair of My Sister Nat and Domestic Spending.
Speaking of Letruska, she returned to the track this morning doing little more than pony riderless shortly before training hours ended at 9:30 a.m.
About a dozen European invaders hit the track after the renovation break and put in a pretty busy morning. A handful jogged two miles, with others reversing direction after jogging a mile or so and getting in an easy canter as well.
Among the group were a trio of defending Breeders’ Cup winners, Tarnawa (Turf), Audarya (Filly and Mare Turf), and Glass Slippers (Turf Sprint). None of the Euros appeared to turn a hair save perhaps for Real Appeal (Mile), who did get a bit hot in the coat.
One who really seemed to enjoy himself and have a good first morning locally was the French-bred but German-based Group 1 winner Sisfahan, who jogged, cantered, and appeared quite happy with himself while spending a good deal of time out on the track getting used to his new surroundings.