Ag Bullet is ready for the BC Turf Sprint (seen here after winning the Osunitas Stakes at Del Mar with Umberto Rispoli). (Ernie Belmonte/ Beyond the Wire)
BC’25: Friday at the track
Breeder’s Cup Notes
As the Breeders’ Cup Juveniles enter the starting gate today, we take one last look at the other contenders for Saturday in Del Mar.
FANDUEL BREEDER’S CUP MILE
FORMIDABLE MAN
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Johannes Velázquez
Friday activity: Galloped 1m
Planned activity: Doesn’t go to the track the morning of the race.
The quote 1: How does he compare to his father, City of Light, who you also trained: “Both big, strong horses. They look the same. Light brown horses with black socks. Very friendly horses. Very eager to learn. Both have great foot movement. He is a tribute to his father, in appearance, his attitude, his behavior and his abilities.” – Michael McCarthy
The quote 2: His PPs show he loves Del Mar, where he is undefeated: “We have a bit of race knowledge here. Del Mar has been a place where he has thrived and he hasn’t had to bring his race track with him, but we are certainly happy to have the Breeders’ Cup here this year.” – Michael McCarthy.
PREVAGEN BREEDER’S CUP PEAT SPRINT
AG BULLET
Trainer: Richard White
Jockey: Johannes Velázquez
Set: 4:55 am
Friday activity: Galloped
Planned activity: You can go jogging on Saturday morning
The quote: “She needs a good trip. She’ll stalk, but Johnny (Velazquez) knows what to do. She’s doing good now, so damn good.” – Richard Baltas
PNC BANK BREEDERSCUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT
TO PRAY
Trainer: Robbie Medina
Jockey: Johannes Velázquez
Set: 5:45 am
Friday activity: Galloped under Jamie Lopez
Planned activity: I’m not going to the track on Saturday morning.
The quote: On paper there seems to be plenty of speed, and I can see Bidden perhaps 3, 4 or 5 lengths away. She is outside (post 10) and that is where she prefers to be.” – Robbie Medina
SWEET AZTECA
Trainer: Richard White
Jockey: Juan Hernández
Set: 5:45 am
Friday activity: Galloped
Planned activity: You can go jogging on Saturday morning
The quote: “She’s going to stalk. She’s doing well, just like (Turf Sprint) Ag Bullet. They’re both tough races.” – Richard Baltas
BREEDER’S CUP DIRT MILE
TOUCH THE DESTINATION
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Luis Caceres
Friday activity: Galloped 1m.
Planned activity: Doesn’t go to the track the morning of the race.
The quote 1: “He’s an interesting prospect for us. He’s from Uruguay. He’s been here since the end of the summer and he seems to have settled in well now. It took a while for him to get the hang of things in the first few weeks, but he’s got a nice routine and a nice atmosphere now.” – Michael McCarthy
The quote 2: “He is a great horse to be around. He has a lot of followers in Uruguay and does everything well. I can’t tell you how he will fare. I’m not sure how the Uruguayan top company compares to the top American company. But the horse gives us the right signals that it was a pleasure to deal with him.” – Michael McCarthy
The quote 3: Have you worked with him in journalism?: “He’s trained with him more than once and has certainly held his own. I’m curious to see what he can do here. He may need a race here, an American style of racing to get the hang of things, but he’s a quick learner. It seems like he trains with a lot of integrity and has a lot of class.” – Michael McCarthy.
JOHN DEERE BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES PEAT
ULTIMATE LOVE
Trainer: Mike Trombetta
Jockey: Johannes Velázquez
The quote: Mike Trombetta arrived in Del Mar Thursday afternoon after a trip to Italy. Undefeated Ultimate Love can cover the cost of the trip with a victory in the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf this afternoon.
“We planned the trip for two years,” Trombetta said. “We couldn’t go in the summer because we were so busy, so we made it for October.”
Ultimate Love is perfect in three starts and is ridden for the first time by John Velazquez from post 1.
“Numbers-wise, she’s right. She’s the third choice,” Trombetta said. “It’s a big test and I hope she gets a good ride and a fair chance. Johnny is getting on her for the first time. I contacted (Velazquez’s agent) Kieran (McLaughlin) about riding her and he got back to me right away and that indicated we were going in the right direction.”
#Catch #classic #undercard