Utterly Cool, by Smoke Glacken out of a Housebuster mare, was always bred to be fast. He just happens to be fast on turf, a surface on which champion sprinters Smoke Glacken and Housebuster never raced.
When he starts Saturday in the Grade 3 Summer Stakes, a Win and You're in prep for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, more than his speed will receive a test. So, too, will his class and stamina.
Rainbow View stretched her unbeaten record to four races last Saturday with a relatively easy victory over the well-regarded Fantasia in the Group 1 Meon Valley Stud Fillies Mile, a Win and You're In race at Ascot. Owned by George Strawbridge, Rainbow View is the early favorite for next year's 1000 Guineas.
According to trainer John Gosden's racing manager, Peter Shoemark, no decision has been made regarding Rainbow View's participation in the Breeders' Cup.
Considering the number of horsemen who say they're worried about being part of a full field in the Breeders' Cup Mile, maybe there won't even be a full field in the Breeders' Cup Mile.
The prospect of being one among a 14-horse field going two turns on a tight Santa Anita grass course - and with a short run into the first turn a further factor - definitely lacks appeal. But someone will have luck, get the right trip, and actually win the race, won't they?
With her dominating victory in last Saturday's Grade 1 Oak Leaf Stakes at Oak Tree, Stardom Bound convinced many that she will be very difficult to beat in the Juvenile Fillies. But the undefeated Mani Bhavan, the East's top 2-year-old filly, hopes to inject at least a little suspense in the run up to that Breeders' Cup event with a big performance in Friday's Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland.
After Wait a While scored a sharp victory in the Grade 1 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita last weekend, there was a sense of euphoria among the people closest to her.
Wait a While, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2006, displayed the sort of performance that will make her a leading contender for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf over the same 1 1/4 miles on turf on Oct. 24. She just happens to be unbeaten in three starts on Santa Anita's turf course.
"I couldn't imagine a better prep," said Michael McCarthy, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.
Street Hero, a maiden, won the Grade 1 Norfolk. Vineyard Haven, winner of the Grade 1 Hopeful, has an owner/trainer who is lukewarm at best on the Breeders' Cup. Run Away and Hide, the undefeated Midwest-based colt, has breezed only twice in seven weeks.
Quick: who is Eoin Harty's fastest Breeders' Cup possibility - Well Armed or Colonel John?
Answer: None of the above. Those two share 106 Beyer tops, but late-blooming Past the Point came to hand suddenly at Saratoga, winning a second-level allowance with a 106, and coming right back to earn a 110 for a Woodward placing against Curlin.
After winning the Yellow Ribbon, Wait a While is 3 for 3 at Santa Anita.P
If she wins at six furlongs Saturday at Keeneland, California-based speedster Indyanne might set the pace Oct. 24 in the seven-furlong Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
But trainer Greg Gilchrist cautioned Indyanne must run well in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes before he commits to the Breeders' Cup.
"If she doesn't win, she'd have to have a pretty big excuse," Gilchrist said.
PARIS - Alain de Royer-Dupre expressed himself satisfied with Zarkava's work at Chantilly on Tuesday morning in which the 7-4 favorite for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe swept past her two leaders in a serious one-mile move. Eric Libaud had the same sentiments watching Vision d'Etat worked just as well Monday morning.
ARCADIA, Calif. - The scene was the familiar. There was Curlin, heading out to the track just after first light, exercise rider Carlos Rosas on his back, with assistant trainer Scott Blasi and his trusted pony, Pancho, right alongside. Starting last year, from Louisiana to Arkansas, to Kentucky, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey, and then this year to Dubai, Kentucky, and New York, they have been inseparable.