Santa Anita
Wednesday, Nov. 1
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 54
Track: Fast
Turf: Firm
ARCADIA, Calif. – As odd as it may seem, a routine visit to the starting gate likely provided the biggest story during training hours Wednesday morning at Santa Anita, as Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro returned to the blocks for a second time after a less than encouraging experience there 48 hours earlier.
Prior to visiting the gate, Ushba Tesoro had some other business to attend to, namely another unofficial breeze. It began at the six-furlong pole and included four furlongs from the half-mile pole to the wire in 51.96 seconds, completely on his own and looking just as strong and imposing as he had turning in a slightly faster but similarly orchestrated work here several days earlier. He was kept about five to six lengths behind Win Marilyn, who led the way from start to finish, completing the distance in a similar time.
After that it was on to the gate, where Ushba Tesoro spent a good 15 to 20 minutes, showing a lot more composure than he had on Monday, and after which the crew gave him gate clearance to run in the Classic.
Other Classic contenders also made very favorable impressions during routine gallops on Wednesday, among them White Abarrio, who continues to look sharp out of his big work on Friday. The Whitney winner galloped a little farther than usual this morning, about 1 1/4 miles, then schooled briefly in the gate.
Clapton got in a serious little blowout down the lane, zipping to and through the wire while continuing to look good exiting his upset victory in the Lukas Classic.
All the Chad Brown and Brad Cox Breeders’ Cup runners have looked very sharp since arriving here earlier this week, not the least of whom are Zandon, who gives every indication he might outrun his odds on Saturday, and Saudi Crown, who projects as the possible pacesetter in the Classic.
Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out his Classic pair of Bright Future and Dreamlike following the 9 a.m. renovation break after having both out well before dawn the previous morning. Both looked just as good in the light as they had in the dark 24 hours earlier.
The turf course was plenty busy when opened for the international horses at 7:30 a.m. A dozen Breeders’ Cup runners took advantage of the opportunity, including Inspiral, the morning-line favorite for the Filly and Mare Turf, who breezed a half-mile well out in the course around the wide dogs in a sharp 50.22. She was followed by likely Mile favorite Songline, who completed the same distance in a lot more leisurely 54.03, then went around the course a second time to complete her morning’s work.
Jasper Krone and Meikei Yell also blew out for their respective races, the latter completing the final quarter of a quick three-furlong move in 24.31.
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Cody’s Wish was full of run and then some once again on Wednesday, turning in another monstrous gallop during which he completed a mile from the wire once around in 1:53 while tossing out sub 14-second furlong splits most of the way.
The Aidan O’Brien show did not disappoint for the second day in a row, his contingent of 10 Breeders’ Cup contenders all visiting the gate before turning in a brisk gallop at nearly a two-minute pace with the 7-year-old veteran Broome having the distinction of leading the conga line today.
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