Breeders’ Cup 2019: Get the latest plans for Santa Anita from Aidan O’Brien, Charlie Appleby, Jessica Harrington, Roger Varian and Simon Crisford
THE Flat season in Europe is beginning to wind down – but some of our stars of the turf will soon be heading Stateside.
The 36th Breeders’ Cup will be staged at Santa Anita in California on 1-2 November. With over $30 million up for grabs, some of the leading trainers in Britain and Ireland have updated us on their runners.
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
“Anthony Van Dyck will head to the Turf over a mile and a half, it’s a race we think will suit him.
“The War Front colt Fort Myers won nicely in Dundalk the other day and he will go over for the Juvenile (dirt).
“The fillies that finished first and second in the Flying Five, Fairyland and So Perfect, are in good form and will go for the Turf Sprint.
“Circus Maximus could go for the Mile, but there is also Ascot (QEII) for him. We will finalise our plans this week.”
Trainer: Simon Crisford
Horse: A’Ali
Target and best odds: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (6-1)
“I couldn’t be happier with him, his preparation is going really well.
“We are schooling him up to go round a bend as he has only raced over a straight so far. He has been switching his leads well and doing it all nicely.
“Fast ground will suit him, we are putting a bit of match practice into him and getting him going left-handed and getting him as ready for it as we possibly can.
“He is a little terrier so he will handle the atmosphere.”
Trainer: Roger Varian
Horse: Daahyeh
Target and best odds: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf (5-1)
“We haven’t done much with her since the Rockfel, but she came out of it really well and we will steadily build her up over the next fortnight.
“You never know until you head over and race there, but I think she has a good mind and I think she has the right profile to head over there.
“It’s a sharp mile with two bends and I think that will suit her. She has plenty of speed.”
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Horse: Old Persian
Target and best odds: Breeders’ Cup Turf (10-1)
“Old Persian is pencilled in for the Turf, he won the Northern Dancer on his last start.
“He came out of that race well and it was always the plan to aim him towards this race at Santa Anita.
“He acts well around Meydan, he won well at Woodbine, these flat left-handed tracks suit him. For a mile and a half horse he has a gear change.”
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Horse: Line Of Duty
Target and best odds: Breeders’ Cup Mile (12-1)
“Line Of Duty will drop back to the mile, he won the Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs last year.
“It’ll be different ground but Santa Anita is a fair track, even when the surface is quick it’s almost sponge-like.
“His last three runs have been solid. I wasn’t disappointed with his run at Longchamp, the ground was very testing. He came out of it fine and the return to tight turns and better ground will suit him.”
Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Horse: Albigna
Target and best odds: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf (6-1)
“She’s very well and handled her race in France well, I’m delighted with her. She’s a possible for the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf.
“Depending on how she is and how she’s going at home later this week, we will make our decision off the back of that.
“She goes on anything, she has won on quick ground so there are no worries there. She has only been round a bit of a bend, but she is well-balanced so I see no reason why that would be problem.”