Del Mar
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Weather: Clear
Track: Fast
Turf: Firm
Temperature: 54°
DEL MAR, Calif. – The turf took center stage Wednesday morning at Del Mar with nearly two dozen Breeders’ Cup contenders availing themselves of the opportunity to breeze or gallop over the firm course, including a very imposing contingent from the barn of trainer Charlie Appleby. All that activity was sandwiched between two very busy main-track sessions, the first of which featured an impressive performance by Distaff favorite Thorpedo Anna, the second another good show from Aidan O’Brien’s army, featuring four-time Group 1-winning sensation and Classic morning-line favorite City of Troy.
A very chilly morning heated up quickly with Ushba Tesoro, one of three Japanese runners entered in the Classic, blowing out a half-mile just minutes after the track opened at 5:30 a.m. He eased through the early stages before leveling out down the lane, posting a 24.60-second final quarter split while seemingly poised for a big effort Saturday.
Thorpedo Anna came along shortly thereafter and was full of run after a relatively easy session here Tuesday. Rolling right along under regular exercise rider Danny Ramsey, she picked up the pace the farther she went while kept out near the middle of the track, galloping a very strong 1 1/2 miles under the cover of darkness, her final quarter at near, or better, than a two-minute clip.
Other highlights prior to the 7:15 a.m. renovation break included an easy half-mile blowout for Sprint-bound Meta Max, who also coasted through a slow opening quarter-mile before zipping down the lane in 24.42. Speaking of the Sprint, nobody looked any sharper Wednesday than Straight No Chaser, who was full of run galloping while a real handful to finally pull up all the way back around into the far turn.
Full Count Felicia (Filly and Mare Turf) also was feeling her oats in the cool weather. She was in run-off mode while near the outside fence by the wire and into the clubhouse turn before finally coming to hand midway down the backstretch. The same can be said, albeit to a lesser degree, of the imposing-looking Three Technique (Dirt Mile), who continues to look good on a regular basis while giving his rider all he could handle.
The turf session began with a couple of significant works from Japanese contenders Rousham Park (Turf) and Geoglyph (Mile), both of whom have given off good vibes here all week. Rousham Park completed five-eighths in 1:02.92, while Geoglyph covered the same distance in 1:03.68, again full of run to the wire. Stablemates Big Evs (Turf Sprint), last year’s Juveniile Turf Sprint winner, and Big Mojo (Juvenile Turf Sprint) also looked good breezing over the turf, the former five panels in 1:03.00, the latter a half in 50.91, completing his final quarter in a razor-sharp 23.56.
Rebel’s Romance (Turf) led a well-orchestrated Team Appleby procession, all cruising along at close to a two-minute pace with Notable Speech (Mile) the sharpest looking of the bunch while really accelerating and full of run from the quarter pole to the wire.
The majority of this year’s Classic field was out after the break. Arthur’s Ride was the most readily recognizable of the bunch, quickening the farther he went, with ears up throughout. Highland Falls was in run-off mode, giving his rider all she could handle to keep him on the ground this morning, while Sierra Leone also made a very favorable impression during his routine gallop.
City of Troy did not get warm in the coat Wednesday, as he had Tuesday, and was on his toes after schooling at the gate with the rest of the O’Brien gang. City of Troy does unmistakably have the action of a horse who would seem to prefer the turf.
The final Breeders’ Cup worker of the morning was a good one, Juvenile contender Hill Road, who zipped a strong half-mile out of the gate in 48 flat while never asked for his best at any point.
Other gallopers of note during the late session included Post Time (Dirt Mile) and Jonathan’s Way (Juvenile), both wanting to do more while side by side down the stretch, and the powerful Arzak (Turf Sprint), who has been a handful on a regular basis over the past several days. Would also be remiss if not mentioning East Avenue (Juvenile), who continues to catch the eye on a regular basis.
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