Brown's Breeders' Cup winners in no rush

Trainer Chad Brown had the best year of his career in 2014, highlighted by a trio of Breeders’ Cup wins, achievements that earned him a finalist spot Saturday night for an Eclipse Award as champion trainer along with Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher.

Brown’s Breeders’ Cup winners were Dayatthespa in the Filly and Mare Turf, Lady Eli in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Bobby’s Kitten in the Turf Sprint. Dayatthespa, who was heavily favored to win an Eclipse Award as champion female turf horse, is likely to be retired after being purchased at auction in November, but Bobby’s Kitten and Lady Eli are wintering at the nearby Palm Meadows training center, readying for their 2015 campaigns.

Brown said Lady Eli and Bobby’s Kitten are not expected to race at least until April at Keeneland. Lady Eli is farther along and the more likely of the two to be ready then, with a race like the Appalachian the target. Brown said that “in a perfect world,” he’d like to make the Maker’s 46 Mile with Bobby’s Kitten, but “it’s a long year, and I’m not going to be all-in early.”

Stephanie’s Kitten, who was second to stablemate Dayatthespa in the BC Filly and Mare Turf, is to remain in training this year, Brown said.