First group of domestic shippers arrives for Breeders’ Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. – The first plane of domestic shippers for the Breeders’ Cup races arrived in Southern California on Tuesday, a group that included BC Classic hopeful Prayer for Relief and Little Alexis, a candidate for the BC Filly and Mare Sprint.

The other arrivals included Rainha Da Bateria (Juvenile Fillies Turf), Private Prospect (Juvenile), Fast Anna (Sprint), Danny Boy (Juvenile Turf), Flying Tipat (Juvenile Fillies Turf), and Cristina’s Journey (Juvenile Fillies).

Even though the Breeders’ Cup races will not be run until Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Santa Anita, there are benefits from an early arrival, nearly three weeks out, according to Carlo Vaccarezza, who trains Little Alexis.

“I think three weeks are perfect,” he said. “They can get adapted.”

Little Alexis was fourth in the Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing on Sept. 20 in her most recent start. Vaccarezza described the trip as “uneventful.”

Dale Romans trains Prayer for Relief, Danny Boy, Flying Tipat, and Cristina’s Journey. He said Flying Tipat is not definite for the Juvenile Fillies Turf, but he wanted to send her to California in case she showed further development in the coming days.

“I didn’t want her to be here and see the switch come on,” he said from Kentucky on Wednesday.

The next domestic flight is scheduled for Oct. 21, track officials said. In the days after that, there will be more frequent arrivals from throughout the United States and Europe. All horses are expected on the grounds Oct. 29 to comply with Breeders’ Cup regulations.