LEXINGTON, KY – Over the past few days while I was in Lexington, I have asked friends and family who are not attending the same question quite a few times. “Who looks good?”
So I decided to share my opinion of this week’s highlights with TDN more readers. Quick disclaimer: I haven’t seen every single Breeders’ Cup horse, but I have seen many of them.
It’s the World Championship, so of course every horse here looks great. This list is just a few of the horses that have really caught my eye in the morning based on physical condition, mental calmness and/or movement on the track. It is purely based on impressions on the track, not on past performances.
- FLIGHT ROUTE (Tapit) – Classic
As expected, the undefeated Flightline looks just as good as when he ran. I had the honor of watching my favorite GI Breeders’ Cup Classic grow from when he was a pony until he was sold at Fasig-Tipton’s Saratoga Sale thanks to amazing breeder Jane Lyon. This was my first time seeing him since and he certainly did not disappoint. Everything about the bay that stands out just makes the athletes scream. He gobbles the ground with ease and the only indication of pure force and power is his rider Juan Leyva’s grip and defensive stature in the saddle as he struggles to hold back. build what coach John Sadler calls a hurricane. . Flight track is all business both on the track and when visiting the barn or parking lot. He has the same catwalk that all bloodline agents and beach analysts look for and never changes a hair despite the plethora of media following every action. his throughout the week. In short, Flightline is as advertised.
- MALATHAAT (Curlin) – Distaff
To sum it up in a word, Malathaat is a queen. She does everything she learns by the end of the class. Amid the great white flames, stunning physicality, and eagerness to gallop, the colorist Shadwell immediately captured the attention of anyone present. Coach Todd Pletcher sent her out with horses this week when rider Amelia Green said the little girl knew the race was approaching and was ready to roll in the morning. Bay is quite content with her treachery and is ready to get out of the situation as soon as she is without him. Her impeccable track record at Keeneland showed her love for the surface and she passed it off easily every morning.
I was having a hard time trying to decide if I liked the aforementioned champion Malathaat or her one-year younger teammate Nest, who has been nothing short of outstanding this year. Unfortunately, seeing both in the flesh did not help me choose the Nest, which is also quite eye-catching on the track. If Malathaat is the queen, then Nest is definitely the princess. She jumped out beside the horse and stood for attention as she waited to let loose. After being signaled, the bay will start to operate and permanently operate on the cruise control system. Like its cage mate, the Nest couldn’t have looked better in terms of skin, coat, or movement.
- CAVE ROCK (Arrogate) – Juvenile
Cave Rock is another person whose physicality is definitely befitting of his strong performance. Despite the simple brown scarf, runner Bob Baffert immediately attracted attention as he entered the track. He has a very good mind, especially for a 2-year-old who has never raced outside of California. He remained focused while jogging backwards with assistant coach Jimmy Barnes and kept that focus throughout his gallop and even on Wednesday’s sailing tour. The media-filled field is waiting for Flightline and Cave Rock to stroll alongside their groomsmen like a dog walking, never looking back. His calm and cool demeanor is reminiscent of his great, late king. Returning to his galloping journey, the dark bay was very light under his feet and moved over the surface of Keeneland quite beautifully.
- CARAVEL (Mizzen Mast) – Turf Sprint
While she’s a long canvas on paper, Caravel couldn’t have looked better in the morning. The gray pony moved like a freight train, darting around the Keeneland oval like a mare on duty with her neck bent, her back beautifully rounded. Then, when I saw her on the grass, Caravel walked with her head down and relaxed, the complete opposite of her track personality.
- MODERN GAMES (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) – Miles
The modern game looks like the happiest horse on the planet. He always cocked his ears and had a very pleasant expression on his face, no matter what he was doing. Chestnut, who was looking for his second World Championship title, stormed the track aggressively, making sure he wasn’t missed by any onlookers. The European invader’s chestnut coast sparkled like a new coin and he was fit as a playboy.
- REGAL GLORY (Animal Kingdom) – Mile
Regal Glory is just an insanely cool horse in every sense of the word. The flashy chestnut has the presence to match her track record as she hits the track. Training late when the track is quieter, Regal Glory jogs the track with enthusiasm every morning, holding her head high and listening intently as she turns to her adoring fans. She paddles on the ground with ease and will only look better on grass. Black man Peter Brant is another who couldn’t look beyond the state of the coast and muscle.
If his morning appearance is any indication, Epicenter looks ready to make a ruckus. The Gulf is a big muscular ball with a glittering mantle to match. The sophomore is hugged by the rider and/or attached to a pony by his trainer’s side every morning, which is a sign that he’s ready. Epicenter moves on the track with big strides, powerful and quite at home on the Lexington oval.
- Credible Idea: Jackie’s Warrior (Music by Maclean) (Acceleration), Catch me red (Pioneerof the Nile) (Screw on the pitch), Laurel River (Into Mischief) (Dirt Mile), Taiba (Gunman) (Classic), Atom (Girvin) (Adolescent filling), Forte (Violence) (adolescent), Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) (Miles), Life is good (Into Mischief) (Classic), Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) (Classic) and And the winner is (Oscar Performance) (Juvenile pitch).
