Thursday's Breeders' Cup Report

ARCADIA, Ca – A large group of fans at an absolutely packed Clockers' Corner let out a nice roar as California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) galloped by at sunrise just a tick before 7 a.m. two days out from the main event.

Steve Coburn, a former minority owner in the 2014 Horse of the Year, was among the large crowd (and quite easy to spot with his trademark cowboy hat), while trainer Christophe Clement chatted with Claiborne Farm's Walker Hancock. Clement will be represented by a trio of Breeders' Cup runners: Lull (War Front) (JFT); Pure Sensation (Zensational) (TS) and Yellow Agate (Gemologist) (JF).

The loose-horse siren provided a brief scare as California Chrome was jogging off, but thankfully the runaway horse was quickly apprehended by an outrider on the far turn.

The two-time Breeders' Cup winner and Distaff bound Beholder (Henny Hughes) hit the track accompanied by a stable pony about 15 minutes later, and a group of eight Euros, including the Sir Michael Stoute-trained duo of Ulysees (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (Turf) and Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}) (F/M Turf), took to the turf course as the action on the main track began to wrap up approaching the renovation break. Suedois (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) (Turf Sprint), unfortunately, was taken off via horse ambulance after some light exercise and will miss Saturday's Turf Sprint with a stress fracture.

Hanging out by the gap as the main track is about to be re-opened is always a fun place to stop by to get a closer look at  the Breeders' Cup runners. Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy) (Juvenile Fillies), sporting a braided mane, the handsome blaze-faced chestnut Texas Ryano (Curlin) (Turf), equipped with a matching nose and browband, and the blinkered Klimt (Quality Road) (Juvenile) were among those who caught the eye.

Trainer Craig Dollase waited on the track as the striking GI Del Mar Debutante S. heroine Union Strike (Union Rags) jogged back to the gap. Trainer Todd Pletcher and WinStar's Elliott Walden, meanwhile, stood by the gate as the unbeaten Theory (Gemologist) made his way to the chute for a quick schooling session.

With temperatures finally starting to heat up–it hit the high 80s by post time at Santa Anita Thursday afternoon–defending F/M Sprint heroine Wavell Avenue (Harlington), the globe-trotting Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and very promising Juvenile Fillies Turf second-choice La Coronel (Colonel John) were among several high-profile runners out strutting their stuff on a sun- splashed morning.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien walked by with his binoculars in hand at 8:05 a.m. as his troops were on their way to get their first look at the track after clearing quarantine. All 12 of the Ballydoyle runners, headed by defending GI Breeders' Cup Turf heroine and G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Arc runner-up Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) had an easy canter on the main track.

The Spendthrift Team of B. Wayne Hughes and Ned Toffey, dealt a crushing blow forcing to scratch and retire Lord Nelson (Pulpit) from the Sprint due to an infection in his right front foreleg, were spotted taking in the action during training hours. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert still had plenty to look forward to, however, as he chatted with Stone Farm's Arthur Hancock as Drefong (Gio Ponti) (Sprint) and Dortmund (Big Brown) (Dirt Mile) continue to impress in the a.m.

Bloodstock agent Pete Bradley had a big smile on his face as the sensational Lady Eli (Divine Park) jogged back after her second straight extremely impressive gallop since arriving from New York. Fellow Chad Brown trainee Practical Joke (Into Mischief) has had a great week here as well.

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez, represented by the one-two punch of Jamyson 'n Ginger (Bernardini) and Colorful Charades (Discreet Cat) in the Juvenile Fillies, took photos with fans as training hours began to wind down.

Parting Thoughts…

While the Classic and Distaff are clearly the weekend's co-headliners, they may not exactly offer much value from a wagering standpoint. For that matter, here are some longshots to consider for some of the other Breeders' Cup races:

• By the Moon (Indian Charlie) (8-1 ML; F/M Sprint): Michelle Nevin really looks to have this filly peaking at the right time and she ran too good to lose last time in the GI Ballerina. Tactical speed should have her sitting in a perfect spot and she seems to thrive with time off between her races.

• Coasted (Tizway) (20-1 ML; JFT): Really looked like she could be any kind in her first two attempts on grass, then failed to land a blow as the chalk over yielding going in the GIII Miss Grillo S. last time. Deserves another shot on firm going to show exactly how good she is.

• Celestine (Scat Daddy) (8-1 ML; TS): Hall of Famer Bill Mott is great with turnbackers and this filly's win in the GI Just a Game S. two back was nothing short of spectacular. Has run some very big races in turf sprints earlier in her career as well.

• Wellabled (Shackleford) (15-1 ML; JT): Certainly has distance questions to answer, but let's see if he gets brave if he can shake clear early over a course that maybe can carry him home at a big price.

• Vyjack (Into Mischief) (10-1 ML; DM): Have a hard time seeing Dortmund (Big Brown) getting beat in here, but Vyjack is coming out of two very quickly run races and has never been better since joining the Phil D'Amato barn. Not impossible if Dortmund and Runhappy go at it early.