2021 Breeders' Cup clocker report for Wednesday, Nov. 3: Europeans ramp up their training
Del Mar
Weather: FoggyTemp. 56Track: FastTurf: Firm
DEL MAR, Calif. – While the North American horses wrapped up all of their serious work for this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup at various venues around the country last weekend, the Europeans, who arrived late on the scene, are still playing a little catch-up in that regard. Many of them took care of that issue here Tuesday morning, including Team Ballydoyle, all of whom got the chance to really stretch their legs over the main track here Tuesday under the watchful eye of trainer Aiden O’Brien.
The weather was also part of the story Tuesday at Del Mar. Unseasonably chilly, damp, and hazy conditions again greeted horsemen when the track opened at 5:30 a.m. and prevailed throughout the four-hour training session, and a heavy layer of fog descend over the area, obscuring much of the track for the first hour or so of training after the renovation break.
The lone official work for a potential Breeders’ Cup starter on the clocker’s tab was credited to Thunder Love, the first horse on the also-eligible list for the Juvenile Turf Sprint, who went a strong half-mile on turf around the very wide dogs in 25.86 for the first quarter-mile and 50.51 for the half. Thunder Love had to deftly dodge a couple of gallopers approaching the finish line.
He was followed shortly thereafter by stablemate Cachet, who blew out three furlongs, with her final quarter in 25.20 before sustaining nice momentum running out into the turn in preparation for the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
The turf course looked a little like Interstate 5 at rush hour from 7:15-7:30, with up to nearly two dozen European-based Breeders’ Cup contenders being put through their paces over the narrow confines of the local strip, including the potent six-horse string of trainer Charlie Appleby, led by Space Blues (Mile), Walton Street (Turf) and Yibir (Turf).
Audarya was the first over the course, and while not officially breezing, galloped a strong six furlongs at well better than a two-minute clip, giving every indication she’s not going to give up her Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare crown without a fight, despite breaking from post 12.
Stablemates Hierarchy and Dubawi Legend also cruised around the firm course at a strong pace before blowing out their final quarter-mile down the stretch in 28.28. Hierarchy broke off about six or seven lengths in front and maintained that margin throughout. Others who caught the eye on the grass were Appleby’s Juvenile Turf pair of Modern Games and Albahr.
O’Brien sent out his seven Breeders’ Cup contenders over the main track a short while later, in groups of four and three horses. All emerged from the fog at the top of the stretch in full flight, sustaining a better than two-minute pace through the wire before finally easing up around the turn at the six-furlong marker.
The majority of the Classic field waited until after the renovation break to train, per usual, with Hot Rod Charlie getting the day’s No. 1 star with another terrific morning, coming down the lane full of run while sustaining that momentum into and around the turn. He’s flourished since shipping down from Santa Anita last week.
Essential Quality galloped for the first time over the local strip after an easy day yesterday and looks none the worse for wear following an extremely impressive final work at Churchill Downs on Sunday. Stablemate Knicks Go was the last Breeders’ Cup contender of them all to train this morning, looking his usual aggressive self through a strong 1 1/2-mile gallop. Art Collector was also full of run and a real handful for his rider while continuing to make a very positive impression. He was fortunate to avoid a potentially dangerous situation, with a loose horse storming out of control for several minutes around the track just as he completed his morning’s activity.
Three Breeders’ Cup entrants blew out almost simultaneously on the main track after the break, with the fog making it impossible to get a watch on them. The group included stablemates Jasper Prince and Matera Sky for trainer Hideyuki Mori. Matera Sky was all out and full of run through the wire prepping for his second try at the Sprint. The third of the group was A Case of You, who broke from the gate and zipped down the lane and into the turn, sharpening his speed for the Turf Sprint.
Others who made very favorable impressions from what could be seen were Dogtag, Private Mission, Following Sea, Malathaat, Teona, Ce Ce, Royal Flag, Rougir, and the Brad Cox pair of Juju’s Map and Shedaresthedevil. Letruska also did her thing again today, breaking away from the pony full of run before coming to hand readily down the backstretch. Didn’t get the best of vibes from Echo Zulu this morning, but was unable to follow much of her gallop due to the foggy conditions after the break.