Clocker: American Gal goes fast, but easily

Santa Anita
Main track: Fast
Turf: Firm
Weather: Overcast
Temp. 58

ARCADIA, Calif. - The gang is just about all here for the 2016 Breeders’ Cup, with all of the important work done and everybody just trying to keep their horses happy and healthy in the final days leading up to Friday and Saturday’s big event.

Only a handful of Breeders’ Cup contenders turned in works Tuesday. Temperatures were a bit on the cool side when training began over a tight and fast main track at 5 a.m. The firm turf course opened at 7:30 a.m. for the quarantined European horses and again at 10:00 a.m. for all other Breeders’ Cup starters.

AMERICAN GAL (Juvenile Fillies) had some big acts to follow when she went out to work during the designated training session for Breeders’ Cup horses after the second renovation break, with the rest of trainer Bob Baffert’s Breeders’ Cup contingent having turned in impressive works over the past couple of mornings. And she did not disappoint, putting her abundant speed on display with jockey Mike Smith aboard. American Gal broke off nearly four lengths behind an unraced stablemate, rated a couple of lengths back after a blistering 22.90-second opening quarter, angled a bit wide into the stretch, readily ran down her overmatched partner near midstretch, and edged about a half-length in front at the wire following a 46.43 half-mile. Smith never found the need to offer a hint of encouragement. The pair galloped out pretty much on even terms, with American Gal pulling up five-eighths in 59.62. It was an impressive run, but still leaves the question as to whether she can carry her speed two turns in the Juvenile Fillies.

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The remainder of Tuesday’s Breeders’ Cup works were little more than maintenance-type blowouts, beginning with PAULASSILVERLINING (Filly-Mare Sprint), who cruised an easy half-mile in the dark in 51.23. HOLY LUTE (Turf Sprint) followed right behind American Gal, covering three-eighths over the main track in 36.27 while under wraps to the wire before galloping out a half-mile in 49.45. COASTED (Juvenile Fillies Turf) was the only worker on the grass, breezing an easy three furlongs around the wide dogs in 36. MONGOLIAN SATURDAY (Turf Sprint), the defending Turf Sprint champion, angled to the rail at the end of a routine gallop to blow out an eighth-mile in 12.46 before being eased up into the clubhouse turn. He did not receive an official work from the track clockers.

Five Europeans visited the turf at 7:30, among them likely Mile favorite LIMATO and the Japanese invader NUOVO RECORD (Filly-Mare Turf), who has been on the grounds for several days. Limato was part of a contingent that included DUTCH CONNECTION (Mile), ULYSSES (Turf), QUEEN’S TRUST (Filly-Mare Turf) and HOME OF THE BRAVE (Turf Sprint).

The Europeans did little more than stretch their legs, getting a feel for the course while galloping no more than approximately five furlongs apiece. Ulysses got a bit hot, but can be forgiven since this was his first day in new surroundings. He did make a favorable impression coming by the wire, ears pricked, as did Limato, who was eager to do more once breaking out of a jog before coming to hand readily down the lane.

A second set of Europeans visited the main track a short while later, among them SPECTRE (Mile), who looked to have good energy galloping down the stretch, and KARAR (Turf Sprint), who also got a bit warm but seemed to be moving quite well, ears pricked, on dirt.

Both CALIFORNIA CHROME (Classic) and BEHOLDER (Distaff) had another great morning, galloping within minutes of one another. California Chrome, who arrived here Sunday, turned in a second straight very impressive two-mile gallop. Beholder was absolutely full of run, as she’s been all week long, pulling her rider from the quarter-pole to the seven-eighths pole in 41 and change before pulling up on the clubhouse turn. UNBRIDLED FOREVER (Distaff) also had herself another good morning, galloping with great energy and giving every indication she, too, is peaking as she heads into Friday’s much-anticipated Distaff.