Soft Ground No Problem for Secret Gesture

Qatar Racing and Newsells Park Stud’s Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and trainer Ralph Beckett were unfazed by the wet weather at Keenelenad Wednesday morning. The conditioner ponied his GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf contender out to the training track, where they walked one time around before he cut her loose to canter around on her own.

“She’s an athletic, good moving filly, and she handles good ground, but the form book says she handles soft ground too,” Beckett said. “I thought she looked well this morning, she likes to travel, she’s as fresh as paint, and as hard as nails. I don’t know for sure if this is her last race, but she has been great for the stable, and it has been great to have the opportunity to train her.”

On the board in a trio of Group 1 events, the bay captured the G2 Middleton S. at York May 14 and was fourth in the Curragh’s G1 Pretty Polly S. June 28. Making her first trip to America over the summer, she captured a wet renewal of Arlington’s GI Beverly D. S. last time Aug. 15 over a yielding course, but was disqualified and placed third for interfering with the reopposing Stephanie’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) in the stretch. Fellow F/M Turf contender Watsdachances (Ire) (Diamond Green {Fr}) was promoted to first and Stephanie’s Kitten was moved up to second.

“After the run in the Beverly D, the plan was to come [the Breeders’ Cup], although we considered bringing her back over for the [GI] Flower Bowl [Invitational S. at Belmont] and also the [GI] E.P. Taylor [S. at Woodbine], but that might have been too soon in terms of having her fresh,” Beckett said.

Kentucky-based jockey Florent Geroux will step in for regular rider Jamie Spencer in the Breeders’ Cup Saturday.

“All the owners were happy for him to take the ride,” Beckett remarked. “She’s not a complicated filly, and he’s riding very well and knows this track.”