October 28, 2019 : Breeders’ Cup Distaff entrant Midnight Bisou, trained by Steven M. Asmussen, exercises in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California on October 28, 2019. Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders’ Cup/CSM
Blue Prize – Merriebelle Stable’s Blue Prize had her second routine gallop Monday morning at Santa Anita after arriving from her Keeneland base on Saturday for the Distaff.
“I will push her a little more tomorrow,” trainer Ignacio Correas IV said as Blue Prize completed her morning activity under exercise rider Hiram Rosario.
La Force – La Force, whose only career stakes success was here at Santa Anita, had a 1m gallop under exercise rider Caesar Garcia before daylight today, as she prepares for what is likely to be the final start of her career in Saturday’s Distaff. The 5yo mare is “happy and doing well,” said her conditioner Patrick (Paddy) Gallagher.
“We don’t need to do much with her now leading up to the race,” Gallagher said. “The owners are very excited and looking forward to seeing her run in their first Breeders’ Cup race.”
La Force is slated to be sold at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale two days after the race.
Midnight Bisou – Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stable and Allen Racing’s Horse of the Year candidate Midnight Bisou put in the final work of her Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff prep on Monday morning, leaving Barn 59 at just past 6:30 with exercise rider Angel Garcia aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen and proceeding to work 4f in 50 4/5. Assistant Scott Blasi escorted the four-time Grade 1 winner by pony to and from the Santa Anita main track. Asmussen was not on hand.
“She went a half and all of our works were typical Monday week-of works,” Blasi said. “We’re not trying to impress anybody. We just try to keep her happy and fast and loose. She came back and cooled out nicely and seems to be coming into the race in good shape.”
The work was her fourth at Santa Anita since arriving about a month ago and follows a 4f in 50 3/5 on Oct. 7, 5f in 1:01 3/5 on Oct. 14 and 5f in 1:00 2/5 on Oct. 21. Today’s move ranked 35th of 45 at the distance.
Mo See Cal – Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen’s Mo See Cal galloped a mile at San Luis Rey Downs training center today with conditioner Peter Miller observing. The California-bred 4yo filly breezed 5f in 1:01 1/5 at San Luis Rey on Saturday morning. Miller confirmed that the cross-entered last-out Santa Anita allowance winner will run in the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff in lieu of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
Ollie’s Candy – Under the guidance of exercise rider Juan Leyva, the daughter of Candy Ride turned in a jog Monday as she readies for her start in the Distaff.
Though she brings underdog status into Saturday’s race, Ollie’s Candy has plenty of class to draw upon as she has finished worse than third just once in nine career starts. The John Sadler trainee captured the Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar in July and enters off a third-place finish in the Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 29.
Paradise Woods – One day after working 5f in 1:00 flat over the Santa Anita track, trainer John Shirreffs said the multiple Grade I winner had emerged from the move in good order.
As much as Paradise Woods can test the patience of her connections with her quirks, her raw ability has more than made up for any frustration she has caused along the way. Her two wins this year have come by a combined 12 ¼ lengths and all five of her career victories have come at Santa Anita.
Secret Spice – The consistent 4yo filly Secret Spice stretched her legs today with an easy jog around the main oval under exercise rider Sarafin Caramona while readying for the Distaff. Trainer Richard Baltas has enlisted Hall-of-Fame jockey John Velasquez to rider the daughter of Discreet Cat.
“We could have run in either the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint or the Distaff, but feel she’s a little better around two turns,” Baltas said. “However, I think the 1 1/8-mile distance is probably her limit.”
Serengeti Empress – Joel Politi’s Serengeti Express trained Monday morning at Churchill Downs and is scheduled to ship to Santa Anita Tuesday for Saturday’s Distaff.
“She ships tomorrow, but I am not sure if I will,” said trainer Tom Amoss who underwent surgery for appendicitis last week in Louisville. “Katy Allen will be traveling with her.”
Street Band – One day before boarding her scheduled flight to California, Street Band ran through the fog at her home base at Churchill Downs and worked 5f over a fast track in “59 3/5,” according to her trainer Larry Jones.
“She went very well,” Jones said. “She was nice and relaxed, which allowed (jockey) Sophie (Doyle) to use her watch to time the work. She finished well and cooled out well. I’m tickled with her.
“This was the exact same work she had last week. She’s ready. She’s right on target.”
Street Band is scheduled to arrive along with a large contingent by plane from Kentucky at approximately 9 a.m.
New to the Paulick Report? Click here to sign up for our daily email newsletter to keep up on this and other stories happening in the Thoroughbred industry.
Copyright © 2019 Paulick Report.
