Tuesday’s Breeders’ Cup Trackside Report

Upon entering the main gate at Keeneland, you can always count on being greeted with a warm welcome. Mother Nature didn’t exactly treat this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup runners as kind as heavy rain and damp conditions took centerstage in Lexington Tuesday morning.

With temperatures hovering in the low-to- mid 50s, Tom Leach and Ellis Starr’s trackside commentary–along with a jumbo infield television screen simulcasting the day’s trackwork–proved invaluable, especially with dark and gloomy conditions prevailing until a late 7:59 a.m. sunrise in the Bluegrass.

Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) (F/M Turf), on the wrong side of a controversial disqualification in the GI Beverly D. this summer, had a nice bounce in her step over the sloppy going as she jogged along the outer rail. The Chad Brown-trained BC Turf duo of Big Blue Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) and Slumber (GB) (Cacique {Ire}) also made a nice impression during their morning preparations.

Salama (Desert Party), winner of Peru’s ‘Win and You’re In’ G3 Clasico Cesar del Rio Suito for the Distaff, has quickly adjusted to American-style training since joining the Charlie Lopresti barn this summer. Her former connections in South America reportedly began training her with a saddle well before her second-place finish in her U.S. bow at Keeneland earlier this month.

A good portion of the loaded European contingent, meanwhile, headed by the Arc winner and Turf 4-5 morning-line favorite Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), opted for the nearby all-weather training track just before 8 a.m. Defending Mile hero Karakontie (Jpn) (Bernstein) was also part of that group out for light exercise.

As the rain began to let up, prominent owner/breeder Ken Ramsey joined the pair of aforementioned commentators in the loge boxes above the wire while one of his Turf entrants Shining Copper (Aragorn {Ire}) made an appearance on the main track.

“Pacemaker sounds a lot better,” Ramsey, sporting a red Ramsey Farm jacket, said with a laugh when the chestnut was referred to by the duo as Big Blue Kitten’s rabbit.

With the regularly scheduled track maintenance break scrapped due to the soggy conditions, training continued without a halt until 9:30 a.m. while Keeneland President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Thomason took in the action from the apron.

The Trackside Breakfast Marquee, always a popular destination during Breeders’ Cup week, was well-attended throughout the morning. Trainers Todd Pletcher, Chad Brown, Larry Jones, and Kelly Breen; owners Vinnie Viola, Terry Finley and Jerry Crawford; and popular international broadcaster Nick Luck were all spotted.

Sporting a pair of bell boots, West Point’s hard-knocking GI Man O’ War S. winner Twilight Eclipse (Purim), who will make his third straight appearance in the Turf, immediately caught the eye while entering the track. Filly & Mare Sprint longshot Merry Meadow (Henny Hughes) was certainly easy to spot thanks to her exercise rider’s bright pink jacket. And the speedy Private Zone (Macho Uno), equipped with red reins and a matching bridle, was not to be outdone while arching his neck nicely while jogging the wrong way.

With plenty of fall foliage providing a spectacular backdrop throughout the grounds, a decent group of media and horsemen began to fill the Keeneland paddock–decked out, of course, in Breeders’ Cup purple –while the Wertheimer et Frere duo of Impassable (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (Mile) and Bawina (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (F/M Turf) schooled shortly after 9 a.m.

With training hours winding down, two of the better-looking individuals on the grounds–Greenpointcrusader (Bernardini) and Isotherm (Lonhro {Aus})–served notice to their Juvenile rivals with their smart pieces of morning exercise, respectively.

After Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile)’s late Tuesday afternoon arrival, the excitement continues to build as the two-day Championships rapidly approach.