October 22: Early Breeders' Cup Arrivals Thriving at Lone Star

(October 22, 2004)- All 13 of the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships contenders stabled at Lone Star Park galloped on the main track Friday and appear to be thriving in Grand Prairie, Texas. The connections of Roses in May, Kitten’s Joy, Afleet Alex, Dynever and Wonder Again all expressed pleasure with how their horses have developed since arriving in Texas early this week.

Roses in May (pointing to the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge) and Kitten’s Joy ($2 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf) each got a 1 ½-mile gallop Friday after the renovation break. Whitney Handicap winner Roses in May went first at about 8:30 a.m.

“He’s getting used to it here,” said exercise rider Faustino Orantes. “He keeps getting better and better day by day.”

Roses in May acted up on his way back to the barn, asserting himself by bucking repeatedly on the horse path.

“He can be a little arrogant,” Romans explained. “He thinks he’s the boss.”

Kitten‘s Joy came out immediately after his stablemate and impressed onlookers with his appearance.

“He’s been great, too,” Orantes said. “He’s also getting better and better.”

Afleet Alex ($1.5 million Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile) galloped two miles at 6:30 a.m. Exercise rider Sam Cabrera said the Hopeful winner “went really good.” Earlier, Afleet Alex got a little feisty and reproved Cabrera for refusing him extra hay.

“He busted me in the stomach with his head,” the jockey said.

2003 Lone Star Derby winner Dynever had another long jog and gallop at 7 a.m.

“It was a good gallop this morning,” said Christophe Lorieul, exercise rider and assistant to trainer Christophe Clement. “He seems very happy. He eats well and he likes the track.”

The connections of Wonder Again ($1 million VO5 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf) were apprehensive about sending her to Texas after a disturbing shipping experience in 2002 that ended with a disappointing fifth in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. The mare is thriving in Grand Prairie, however, and had another strong 1 ½-mile gallop with Manu Davy up.

“She just about pulled my arms off,” Davy said.

Other Friday Morning Preparations:

Gold Storm ($1 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint) galloped 1 ½ miles at 6:30 a.m. for trainer C.W. “Bubba” Cascio. “They’re in trouble,” said Dewey Smith, former Quarter Horse jockey and Cascio’s regular exercise rider. “He’s doing really good.”

Bwana Charlie (Sprint) schooled at the gate in addition to galloping, said trainer Steve Asmussen. The winner of the Amsterdam Stakes behaved well, as he always does, according to starter Ross Von Hemel.

Royal Regalia (ranked first among those not selected to the $1.5 million NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile) galloped an “easy half-mile,” according to trainer Justin Nixon. “He settled in real nice. He’s eating real well and doing everything right. We’re here and we’re going to train him like he’s in.”

Others who galloped Friday morning: Sense of Style ($1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies), Magistretti (Turf), Indy Groove (Fillly & Mare Turf), Domestic Dispute (Mile/Sprint) and Culinary (Juvenile Fillies).

Bay Marvel (Sprint) was entered for Thursday’s eighth race at Lone Star Park, a $34,000 starter allowance. The 5-year-old gelding is unlikely to run in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint but the door remains open until Saturday. “I’d say right now it’s about 70% we’ll go in the starter,” owner Bobby Beck said. “We have to make a decision tomorrow. It probably makes a lot more sense to go in the starter, but we’re going to wait and see how it comes up.”

In Other Breeders’ Cup News:

Corey Nakatani’s mounts for the Breeders’ Cup, according to agent Nick Cosato: Dynever (Classic), Sarafan (Turf), Elloluv (Distaff), Blackdoun (Mile), Roman Ruler (Juvenile), Megahertz (Filly & Mare Turf), Sprint (Pt’s Grey Eagle) and Sweet Catomine (Juvenile Fillies).

Known Flight Arrivals

SATURDAY, OCT. 23 (PRIVATE CHARTER FROM ALBANY, NEW YORK) – Birdstone (Classic) and Sun King (Juvenile).

SUNDAY, OCT. 24 (NEW YORK/KENTUCKY) – Abbondanza (Sprint), Artie Schiller (Mile), Bellamy Road (Juvenile), Bowman’s Band (Classic), Dance Away Capote (Graham Motion), Mr O’Brien (Mile), Society Selection (Distaff) and Storm Flag Flying (Distaff).

MONDAY, OCT. 25 (CALIFORNIA) – Blackdoun (Mile), Katdogawn (Filly & Mare Turf), Moscow Burning (Filly & Mare Turf), My Cousin Matt (Sprint), Our New Recruit (Sprint), Personal Rush (Classic), Pleasantly Perfect (Classic), Sharp Lisa (Juvenile Fillies), Singletary (Mile), and Sweet Catomine (Juvenile Fillies).

MONDAY, OCT. 25 (ENGLAND/IRELAND/FRANCE) – Antonius Pius (Mile), Diamond Green (Mile), Mona Lisa (Juvenile Fillies), Nebraska Tornado (Filly & Mare Turf or Distaff), Ouija Board (Turf or Filly & Mare Turf), Powerscourt (Turf), Scandinavia (Juvenile), Six Perfections (Mile), Wilko (Juvenile), Whipper (Filly & Mare Turf) and Yesterday (Filly & Mare Turf). This flight will arrive into Dallas Love Field around 3:30 p.m. CT.

TUESDAY, OCT. 26 (KENTUCKY) - Azeri (Distaff or Classic), Champali (Sprint); Clock Stopper (Sprint), Consolidator (Juvenile), Freefourinternet (Classic), Runway Model (Juvenile Fillies), Silver Tree (Mile) and Stellar Jayne (Distaff).

TUESDAY, OCT. 26 (NEW YORK/KENTUCKY) – Bare Necessities (Distaff), Better Talk Now (Turf), Cuvee (Sprint), Fantasticat (Classic), Film Maker (Filly & Mare Turf), Honor and War (Mile), Request for Parole (Turf), Shaconage (Filly & Mare Turf), Soaring Free (Mile) and Strut the Stage (Turf).

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 27 (CALIFORNIA) – Elloluv (Distaff), Hollywood Story (Distaff), Island Fashion (Distaff), Kela (Sprint), Light Jig (Filly & Mare Turf), Musical Chimes (Mile), Pt’s Grey Eagle (Sprint), Roman Ruler (Juvenile), Sarafan (Turf), Special Ring (Mile), Star Over the Bay (Turf) and Whipper (Mile).

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 27 (NEW YORK) – Ashado (Distaff), Balletto (Juvenile Fillies), Funny Cide (Classic); Ghostzapper (Classic), Midas Eyes (Sprint), Mustanfar (Turf), Newfoundland (Classic), Nothing to Lose (Mile), Proud Accolade (Juvenile), Ready’s Gal (Juvenile Fillies), Riskaverse (Filly & Mare Turf), Speightstown (Sprint) and Super Brand (Filly & Mare Turf).

DOWN THE SRETCH

Classic contender Perfect Drift will arrive at Lone Star Park by van on Monday following a 16 to 17-hour trip from his base at the Trackside Training Center in Louisville, Ky...The lone Breeders’ Cup participant who’s connections have yet to make public their travel plans is Sis City, a surprise pre-entry to the Juvenile Fillies on Wednesday...Breeders’ Cup FanFest will present Texas...The Experience this weekend at Lone Star Park. The experience runs Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration of all things Texan will feature cowboys, roping, live music, artisans, celebrity cook-offs, beer and wine tastings and more in the Courtyard of Champions Tent. Cooking competitions will showcase Tex Mex cuisine on Friday, barbecue on Saturday and chili on Sunday. Tickets are $10 at the tent...Twenty tethered hot air balloons will light up the Grand Prairie sky during Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup FanFest Hot Air Balloon Glow at 7 p.m. in the Lone Star Park parking lot. The public is welcome to walk among the balloons and converse with pilots and crew at the free event...New inductees to the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame will be honored Saturday night at a dinner in Lone Star Park’s Champions room. This year’s Thoroughbred honorees are Will Farish, owner of Lane’s End Texas and Nelson Bunker Hunt, three-time Eclipse Award winner as outstanding breeder.

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