By Steve Sherack
DEL MAR, CA – Apparently it does rain in San Diego.
Cool temperatures and yes, some light rain, greeted this weekend's Breeders' Cup runners Tuesday morning at the Seaside oval.
Bob Baffert's loaded arsenal–headed by defending GI Breeders' Cup Classic & Sprint winners and 'TDN Rising Stars' Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and Drefong (Gio Ponti)–are now on the grounds after making the trip from Santa Anita in the pre-dawn hours.
Fellow Hall of Fame conditioner Richard Mandella kept a close eye on 'TDN Rising Star' Paradise Woods (Union Rags) (Distaff) and Avenge (War Front) (F/M Turf) as they both did some paddock schooling beneath a very ominous cloud cover shortly after 7 a.m. Just like this year's GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), the speedy Paradise Woods has been training in draw reins throughout the week.
The Euros certainly didn't seem to mind the conditions, including the Sir Michael Stoute-trained duo of 2016 F/M Turf heroine Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and major Turf player Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who were both out at 7:15 a.m. Godolphin representatives from the Charlie Appleby yard Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) (Juvenile Turf) and Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) (F/M Turf) took a spin over the grass about 15 minutes later as the break approached.
International riding sensation Frankie Dettori, popular broadcaster Nick Luck and trainer Simon Callaghan made their way through the grandstand while the main track was being harrowed. Callaghan will be represented by the likely Juvenile Fillies favorite with the unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon).
Trainer Peter Miller and jockey Kent Desormeaux couldn't have been happier chatting about Roy H (More Than Ready)'s outside draw in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint as the GI Santa Anita Sprint Championship winner awaited the track's re-opening by the gap prior to blowing out three furlongs.
'TDN Rising Stars' Beach Patrol (Lemon Drop Kid) (Turf) and Elate (Medaglia d'Oro) (Distaff); Gunnevera (Dialed In) (Classic); Marsha (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) (Turf Sprint); and Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) (Mile) were among the headliners spotted training after the break.
'TDN Rising Star' Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro) appeared to be getting over the surface quite nicely as she prepares to make her dirt debut in the Juvenile Fillies while the physically imposing Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) (Sprint) really caught the eye while jogging the wrong way.
A trio of French runners–Al Shaqab's Karar (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (Mile) and Zelzal (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) (Mile) and Flaxman homebred and G1 Prix de Diane heroine Senga (Blame) (F/M Turf)–have appeared to settle in nicely.
Lady Eli (Divine Park) appropriately headed a Chad Brown set late in the morning, which also included promising Juvenile Fillies Turf contenders in 'TDN Rising Star' Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) and Significant Form (Creative Cause). Lady Eli, of course, is one of the barn's three previous winners of the Friday co-feature.
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