Breeders' Cup Clocker: No shortage of action on dirt and turf

ARCADIA, Calif. – There was a definite chill in the air Wednesday morning at Santa Anita, where the temperature struggled to get out of the 40s for much of the morning. But the unseasonably cold weather was tempered some by all the action heating up on the racetrack, with the majority of this year’s Breeders’ Cup contingent out to train over all three surfaces, including the turf course, which saw its first major flurry of activity Wednesday morning.

There were only three works Wednesday, the stiffest of which was turned in by the Japanese invader MATERA SKY, who breezed a half-mile in 26.62, 50.25 prepping for the Sprint. He finished willingly enough but while never switching off his left lead down the stretch and easing up relatively quickly on the gallop-out.

CASTLE LADY had yet another three-eighths blowout prepping for the Filly and Mare Turf, about the fourth or fifth time the Irish-bred 3-year-old, runner-up in the QE II earlier this month at Keeneland, has done this over the past week. Wednesday morning she went in 13.50, 37.77 before easing up a half-mile in 51.11 while continuing to sustain good energy.

Trainer Steve Asmussen sent his Juvenile hopeful SHOPLIFTED out for a very easy three-eighths blowout in 12.88, 38.53 after the second renovation break. Shoplifted turned in an impressive work here in company with his undefeated stablemate Wicked Whisper six days earlier, and he gives the impression he could be sitting on a big effort Friday.

There were plenty of new faces on the scene Wednesday morning, including Florida shippers MATH WIZARD (Classic) and DIAMOND OOPS (Dirt Mile) along with many of the Kentucky invaders. ARKLOW (Turf) was among more than a half-dozen horses who got a feel for the grass course at 7:30 a.m. He was joined on the grass during that session by a handful of European runners led out onto the course by Frankie Dettori aboard FANNY LOGAN (Filly and Mare Turf) for trainer John Gosden.

Both TRAIS FLUORS (Mile) and CRYSTALLE (Juvenile Fillies Turf) made two full passes around the seven-furlong turf course. Trais Fluors was chaperoned by the outrider the entire way after balking somewhat when first entering the course.

The cool weather had most everyone on their toes Wednesday morning, none more so than GOT STORMY (Mile), who continues to show great energy since arriving locally. IMPERIAL HINT (Sprint) got his first chance to gallop here after going out for just an easy jog Tuesday morning, and proved to be a handful for his rider, clearly wanting to do more while extremely reluctant to pull up into the clubhouse turn.

ELATE (Classic) made another outstanding impression on Wednesday, as did SECRET SPICE (Distaff). DECORATED INVADER (Juvenile Turf) also had a very good morning, and jockey Mike Smith came out just to gallop his mount in the Sprint, Grade 1 winner HOG CREEK HUSTLE.