BC Trainer Report

BREEDERS' CUP FEATURE

OCTOBER 27, 2014

BC Trainer Report

by James Scully

Since its inception in 1984, the Breeders' Cup has been the target for top

stables around the world. And many of the biggest trainers in Thoroughbred

racing will be represented by multiple starters in this year's races at Santa

Anita.

The two-day, 13-race event drew a record 201 pre-entries and handicappers

will spend plenty of hours breaking down all the horses. But this is an

opportunity to focus upon the conditioners, providing statistics and a look at

their horses in the Breeders' Cup.

Among trainers in this year's Breeders' Cup, with a minimum of three wins,

David Hofmans leads the way with a 20 percent win rate (three-for-15). He will

be represented by only Home Run Kitten, who enters the Turf Sprint off a victory

in the Eddie D. Stakes down the hillside course at Santa Anita.

Michael Stoute ranks second by win percentage, 17.6 percent. We'll take a

closer look at the English-based trainer below.

Here is a breakdown of some major trainers in this year's Breeders' Cup:

Todd Pletcher (103-7-11-13 Breeders' Cup record)

The leading conditioner in the United States, Pletcher has earned the Eclipse

Award for champion trainer an unprecedented six times and is poised to easily

capture a fifth straight earnings crown. As of October 20, the Pletcher stable

has bankrolled $19,737,598 in 2014, more than $8 million ahead of Chad Brown in

second, and is scoring at an overall 24 percent clip (208-for-854).

Pletcher's Breeders' Cup record (6.7 percent win) does not come close to

matching his typical heady win rate at high-profile meets like Saratoga,

Gulfstream, Belmont and Keeneland,. He ranks second in overall starts (103) but

only seventh by wins, going 17-1-1-2 the last two years at Santa Anita.

His number of Breeders' Cup horses is down significantly; Pletcher

pre-entered a record 18 in 2006, but he started eight horses in 2013 and is

represented by only five entries this year.

Breeders' Cup horses:

Angela Renee (Juvenile Fillies) – She is the Juvenile

Fillies morning line favorite following her comfortable 1 1/2-length Chandelier victory at

Santa Anita on September 27. Bernardini filly has won two-of-four starts, placing in a pair of

graded stakes.

Carpe Diem (Juvenile) – Two for two in his career, son of Giant's

Causeway earned a 100 BRIS Speed rating when rallying from just off the pace in

the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, scoring by a widening 6 1/4-length margin

while making a spectacular two-turn debut at the Juvenile's 1 1/16-mile

distance.

Daredevil (Juvenile) -- Provides a formidable one-two punch,

impressively winning both career starts on wet tracks. Speedster registered a

Juvenile field-best 104 Speed rating taking the Champagne at Belmont Park.

Feathered (Juvenile Fillies) -- Posted a smart 9 3/4-length maiden win

at Saratoga two starts back and exits a rallying third in the Frizette at

Belmont. Out of a Dynaformer mare, she could appreciate the stretch out to two

turns.

Isabella Sings (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – A debut winner on Belmont's

turf, she established herself as a top contender with a neck second in the

Natalma at Woodbine. Daughter of Eskendereya is bred to relish two turns and

will show speed.

Outlook: Pletcher is focused upon juvenile events this year and two-year-olds

have accounted for four of his seven Breeders' Cup victories, including three

wins in 2010 (Juvenile, Juvenile Turf and Juvenile Fillies Turf). His only

victory at Santa Anita the past two years came via Shanghai Bobby in the 2012

Juvenile and Havana finished second in the same race last year. His youngsters

could make a serious impact.

Bob Baffert (83-10-11-3)

Baffert ranks second by wins among Breeders' Cup trainers, trailing D. Wayne

Lukas 19-10, and the Hall of Famer appears well-represented this year with a

couple of likely favorites, American Pharoah and Secret Circle, as well as Horse

of the Year contender Bayern.

His 12 percent win clip compares favorably and four of his Breeders' Cup

victories have come at Santa Anita, including New Year's Day (Juvenile) and

Secret Circle (Sprint) last year as Baffert rebounded from a disappointing

zero-for-10 stint in 2012. Baffert pre-entered eight horses for the 2014

Breeders' Cup but Midnight Lucky has been scratched from the Filly & Mare

Sprint.

BC horses:

American Pharoah (Juvenile) – Broke his maiden in sensational fashion

second time out in the Del Mar Futurity, registering a 103 BRIS Speed rating for

the 4 3/4-length decision, and exits a 3 1/4-length romp in the local prep, the

September 27 FrontRunner at Santa Anita. Son of Pioneerof the Nile looms a

serious wire-to-wire threat.

Bayern (Classic) – Speed is his game, posting smashing front-running

wins in the Haskell Invitational (106 Speed rating), Pennsylvania Derby (109)

and Woody Stephens (108) in his last four starts, and his last-place Travers

finish came over a deep track at Saratoga. Speed-friendly track at Santa Anita

could aid his chances of getting the 1 1/4-mile distance.

Fed Biz (Dirt Mile) – Hasn't been a factor in this event the past two

years (eighth in 2012 and sixth in 2013) but will enter in strong form this

year, recording a convincing win in the San Diego before runner-up finishes in

the Pat O'Brien and Awesome Again. Nearly defeated Shared Belief in the latter,

falling a neck short in a valiant performance.

Indianapolis (Sprint) – Lightly-raced colt was on Kentucky Derby trail

after opening career with a pair of sharp wins over the winter, including a 4

1/4-length tally in six-furlong San Pedro, and came back from eight-month layoff

with a nice triumph in a recent Santa Anita allowance. Must overcome a lack of

seasoning but can be considered a wildcard due to his immense potential.

One Lucky Dane (Juvenile) – High-priced son of Lookin at Lucky exits a

9 1/2-length maiden win going two turns at Santa Anita in his third start.

Promising sort will be an outsider against a deep field of rivals.

Secret Circle (Sprint) – Following the same pattern as last year when

he came back from a lengthy layoff with an October prep race before the main

event. Proved best as the 5-2 Sprint favorite in 2013, rallying from just off

the pace to a neck decision, and prepped for his title defense with a good third

in the October 4 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, his first race since early

February. Very formidable.

Tiz Midnight (Distaff) – She'll need a career-best to challenge, but

four-year-old exits a respectable second to Beholder in her stakes debut, the

September 27 Zenyatta, and could prove to be the speed of the speed. Filly will

attempt to outperform expectations with further improvement.

Outlook: With major contenders in four events, Baffert probably expects to

add to his Breeders' Cup trophy case. He's got a home-field advantage at Santa

Anita.

Bill Mott (77-9-10-5)

With nine wins, Mott is tied with fellow Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey for

third all-time. Five were recorded in the Distaff and he'll send out this year's

likely favorite, Close Hatches.

Mott scores at an 11.6 percent rate in the Breeders' Cup, three coming in

California, the last via 2012 Distaff winner Royal Delta. Two of his eight

pre-entries this year will need assistance from the also-eligibles list.

BC horses:

Bio Pro (Turf Sprint) – An allowance winner most recently at Belmont

Park, Bio Pro is stuck five spots down on the also-eligibles list and will be a

huge longshot if he makes the starting gate.

Cigar Street (Classic) –Registered one of the top BRIS Speed ratings

in 2013, a 115 for his victory in the Skip Away early in the year, but wasn't

seen again under silks for nearly 17 months. He shows two starts in preparation,

including a game win in the September 27 Homecoming Classic at Churchill Downs,

but needs to move forward significantly from that effort to challenge.

Close Hatches (Distaff) – Established her dominance in the division by

opening the year with four straight stakes wins, including June's Ogden Phipps

at Belmont over top rivals Beholder and Princess of Sylmar, but surprisingly

came up flat in the October 5 Spinster at Keeneland, finishing a well-beaten

fourth at 1-5 odds. That looks like an aberration and four-year-old filly

appears capable of rebounding given her fine second in last year's Distaff at

Santa Anita.

Emollient (Filly & Mare Turf) – She likes Santa Anita's turf,

finishing only a length back in fourth in last year's Filly & Mare Turf and

winning the Rodeo Drive over the course on September 27, but will need to raise

her game against a deep group of challengers, including several quality invaders

from Europe.

Puca (Juvenile Fillies) – Exits a 16-length maiden win over a short

field at Belmont Park in her third career start and will face a stiff class

check in her stakes bow.

Quality Rocks (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – After opening her career with

a pair of wins on synthetic tracks, she was transferred to Mott and turned in a

solid second in her turf debut, the October 8 Jessamine at Keeneland. Daughter

of Rock Hard Ten figures to be up close from the start and rates as a possible

sleeper.

Seek Again (Mile) – Proved to be a game winner of the Fourstardave at

Saratoga two starts back but experienced a troubled trip last time, checking in

sixth in the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland. With Wise Dan's absence, he's

among the best U.S hopes but is in tough versus a talented group of

European-based rivals.

Tourist (Mile) – Likely can make the field from the also-eligibles

list (needs two defections) and would add to the pace, but it's probably best to

look for more down the road from the promising three-year-old colt.

Outlook: The Distaff is a forte and Mott has been in this position before –

previous winners Ajina (1997), Escena (1998), Unrivaled Belle (2010) and Royal

Delta (first Distaff in 2011) all lost their final prep race. Close Hatches is

the big gun and it's difficult to get excited about his remaining Breeders' Cup

stock.

Chad Brown (23-2-3-3)

Brown led all trainers with 11 entries and easily captured the

trainer's title during the Belmont fall meet. He has enhanced his reputation as

a turf conditioner through the Breeders' Cup, with all eight of his top three

finishes coming in grass races, and will bring a strong contingent of turf

horses into this year's event.

BC horses:

Bakken (Sprint) – Speedster possesses a nice set of BRIS Speed ratings

but has raced sparingly, with two starts this year and no stakes wins to his

credit. He didn't fire when shipping to Santa Anita last year and it's tough to

make a strong case for his chances.

Big Blue Kitten (Turf) – Rallied to finish a respectable second to

Hillstar in the recent Canadian International but his only win since August 2013

has come in a restricted stakes. No factor in this race last year and he'll face

an extreme class test once again.

Bobby's Kitten (Turf Sprint) – Poised to make first career start at

less than a mile and brings quality speed to the race. Exits a fine third in the

September 14 Woodbine Mile, his best performance since the spring, and finished

a close third as the favorite in last year's Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.

Dayatthespa (Filly & Mare Turf) – Cross-entered to both the Mile and

Filly & Mare Turf, her best chance comes in the latter. The 1 1/4-mile distance

represents a challenge, but five-year-old mare is arguably in career-best form,

registering a 103 BRIS Speed rating for her commanding Grade 1 victory in the

October 4 First Lady at Keeneland. Will be up close from the start.

Lady Eli (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Two for two in her career, daughter

of Divine Park will contend for favoritism. She overcame a troubled trip to win

her debut by a nose and captured the September 28 Miss Grillo at Belmont Park

with ease, registering a 112 BRIS Late Pace rating while scoring by three

lengths. Very formidable.

Offering Plan (Juvenile Turf) – Rallied to an easy debut maiden win

over New York-bred rivals before a respectable third in the September 28 Pilgrim

at Belmont Park, earning commendable BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers after a

wide trip. His ability to finish makes him an interesting candidate for a top

three finish at an expected price.

Partisan Politics (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Broke her maiden second

time out in the P.G. Johnson at Saratoga but checked in a non-threatening fourth

in the Miss Grillo last time. More Than Ready filly possesses a decent late kick

but doesn't rate as one of Brown's main contenders in this event.

Sivoliere (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Regally-bred daughter of Sea the

Stars will be piloted by Gary Stevens in her first U.S. start. She's run better

on ground with less give to it, which could benefit her over expected firm

conditions at Santa Anita, and displayed good class overseas. Sivoliere may not

be the most imposing European shipper on paper but remains eligible to run well

from off the pace.

Startup Nation (Juvenile Turf) – New York-bred colt opened career with

a pair of convincing wins, defeating state-bred maiden foes prior to a 4

1/2-length romp in the With Anticipation at Saratoga, but fell short as the 1-2

favorite in the September 28 Pilgrim at Belmont Park, finishing fourth. Will

look to rebound and deserves serious consideration.

Stephanie's Kitten (Filly & Mare Turf) – Big chance to give Brown his

second win in this event in three years (Zagora captured 2012 edition).

Stephanie's Kitten opened the year with a couple of unplaced efforts before

posting consecutive runner-up finishes, but she was dropping too far back during

early stages before rallying belatedly. Displayed noticeable improvement last

time, the September 27 Flower Bowl at Belmont, racing up close from the start

before crushing rivals, and the multiple Grade 1 heroine is hitting her best

stride at the right time of year.

Tammy the Torpedo (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Easily broke her maiden

first time out at Saratoga, looking like a filly with a bright future when

rolling from off the pace to a 3 1/4-length decision, but came up short in third

as the favorite in the Miss Grillo. Daughter of More Than Ready can't be

completely dismissed from win consideration in a highly-contentious field.

Zivo (Classic) – Loves Belmont, earning 103 and 104 Speed ratings in

his last two outings at "Big Sandy," both at 1 1/4 miles, and turned in a huge

effort rallying for second in the September 27 Jockey Club Gold Cup after being

steadied repeatedly during the race. New York-bred has really come on at age

five but carrying his form forward to Santa Anita, with his deep closing style,

is a difficult proposition.

Outlook: Brown could be labeled a "turf maestro" following this year's

Breeders' Cup – he has a legitimate chance to win several grass races.

Steve Asmussen (32-4-4-2)

Asmussen brings a respectable 12.5 percent win clip into the Breeders' Cup

and has fared well at Santa Anita. He didn't have the stock last year with only

three starters, but upset the 2012 Dirt Mile with 15-1 Tapizar and recorded

three seconds (all 9-2 or higher) at that year's edition in Arcadia, California.

BC horses:

Lucky Player (Juvenile) – Exits a career-best effort in the September

6 Iroquois at Churchill Downs, posting a narrow upset at 11-1, but the runner-up

(Bold Conquest) and third-placer (Hashtag Bourbon) did not run well in

subsequent starts versus graded rivals and Lucky Player steps up to face a deep

group in this year's Juvenile.

Mico Margarita (Sprint) – Figures to be overlooked following stakes

wins at Remington Park and Mountaineer, but four-year-old colt merits respect

given his current form – he's posted BRIS Speed ratings of 103 (last time) and

101 (twice) in his last three outings. Class concerns remain but don't be

shocked to see him jump forward with a strong effort.

Tapiture (Dirt Mile) – Cuts back in distance off a pair of commendable

efforts, registering century-topping Speed ratings for a victory in West

Virginia Derby and a runner-up effort in Pennsylvania Derby, and he's displayed

a fine finishing kick in three outings since the Kentucky Derby. Don't know if

he'll be able to run down the speed at Santa Anita, but three-year-old belongs

in the mix of serious win contenders.

Unbridled's Note (Turf Sprint) – Finished second in 2012 and fourth

last year in this event but is unplaced in all three outings this year and

ranked sixth on the also-eligibles list, one spot ahead of stablemate Regally

Ready. Appears unlikely to factor if he does make the field.

Untapable (Distaff) – Connections hope to see her make amends for a

dreadful experience in last year's Juvenile Fillies in which she was eased after

experiencing extreme trouble. Three-year-old filly is five-for-six this season,

the only setback coming against males in the Haskell, and arrived early at Santa

Anita, training locally the entire month of October with a recent five-furlong

bullet work (:58). Classy filly is the likely second choice to Close Hatches.

Outlook: Asmussen has proven that he can get his horses ready for the

Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita and his 2014 contingent appears to be in good form

(excluding the also-eligibles). He may not come away with any wins, but his

horses appear capable of challenging in at least a couple of spots.

Aidan O'Brien (88-8-12-7)

Irish-based O'Brien is a huge supporter of the Breeders' Cup, targeting

multiple races each year, and he's done his best work in the Turf, earning a

fourth win in the 1 1/2-mile event when Magician posted a 12-1 upset last year.

He'll send the colt back for a title defense and also has the filly Chicquita

pre-entered.

BC horses:

Chicquita (Turf) – Her success on "good ground" overseas could bode

well for her chances. After displaying top-class form at age three last season,

she sold for a record price at an Irish auction ($8.073 million) in November.

Her Coolmore connections brought her back in mid-September and despite dropping

all three outings, she's performed respectably twice against good company, the

only subpar showing coming from an extreme post position in the Arc. Don't

underestimate O'Brien's ability to get the most out of his horses despite a

demanding schedule as Chicquita makes her third start in a four-week window.

Magician (Turf) – Magician was off since June and had never raced at 1

1/2 miles prior to last year's Turf, but he won't be an unknown quantity this

year. The four-year-old colt captured a Group 3 stakes at the Curragh before

recording runner-up finishes to The Fugue and Noble Mission in Group 1 events

during the spring/summer, and he's been freshened up since a second in the

Arlington Million, a tactic that worked so well last November at Santa Anita.

He's one of several capable international raiders in this event.

Qualify (Juvenile Fillies Turf) – Exits a Group 3 triumph at the

Curragh and is bred to appreciate the stretch out to a two-turn mile. She wasn't

a serious factor in two previous stakes attempts versus better company, but

Qualify remains eligible to keep improving off a confidence-building win and

shouldn't be easily dismissed from win consideration.

The Great War (Juvenile) – He's raced exclusively on turf but is bred

to flourish on a dirt surface with similar bloodlines to multiple Grade

2-winning millionaire Departing (both are by War Front and are out of full

sisters). The $1 million yearling purchase hasn't performed up to lofty

expectations so far but does show three wins from seven starts, including a

convincing listed stakes tally last out on September 28. Faces a difficult

challenge in a deep Juvenile field.

War Envoy (Juvenile Turf) – Looks like a serious player in this spot.

A bit disappointing early in his career, the son of War Front brings improving

form into the Breeders' Cup. He posted a third in an Irish Group 3 event and a

second in an English Group 2 race before rallying to be a close fifth in a Group

1 test on the Arc undercard at Longchamp. Could continue to show more at Santa

Anita.

Outlook: O'Brien is very adept shipping his horses to America and

European-based horses tend to show up with their best over the Santa Anita turf

course, producing four wins in 2013.

Sir Michael Stoute (34-6-2-3)

A 10-time champion English trainer, Stoute handles most of the Queen's best

horses and is one of the most respected horsemen in the world. The four-time

Turf winner has recorded four of his six Breeders' Cup victories at Santa Anita.

Dank (Filly & Mare Turf) – Showed an affinity for the course winning

last year's Filly & Mare Turf but has been dogged by a foot problem and won't

bring the same form into this event, recording a pair of non-threatening efforts

in her lone appearances this year. She had won three of her previous four starts

before last year's Breeders' Cup and is probably facing a deeper field this

year, but Dank is still a talented mare who is unbeaten from two Grade 1

attempts in America.

Telescope (Turf) – After a solid sophomore season, Telescope has

improved significantly at age four. He displayed high class in his last two

outings, a third in the Juddmonte International and a second in the King George

VI and Queen Elizabeth, and his easy seven-length tally in the Group 2 Hardwicke

three starts back was flattered by runner-up Hillstar's recent victory in the

Canadian International at Woodbine. When Stoute announced in September that he

was skipping the Arc and pointing the four-year-old son of Galileo to the Turf,

it was easy to take notice. Telescope prefers good-to-firm ground and will take

some beating.

Outlook: Stoute does a great job targeting big races and his horses will show

up with their best at Santa Anita – he's won a Breeders' Cup race over the

course in four of the last five editions (2003, 2008, 2009 and 2013).

Trainers with multiple Breeders' Cup wins like Richard Mandella (seven), Neil

Drysdale (six) and John Gosden (four) are conspicuous by their absence in this

year's Breeders' Cup.

Andre Fabre (44-4-5-7) and Freddy Head (6-3-0-1) have both proven dangerous

in past editions and will be represented by a lone starter, with Fabre sending

out Arc runner-up Flintshire in the Turf and Head responsible for Anodin in the

Mile.

Flintshire's improving form must be respected and he's in good company

following his second-place finish to Treve last time -- eight also-rans from the

Arc have shipped over to win the Turf. Anodin doesn't rate as a top contender,

but he shows some respectable performances this season and is a full brother to

three-time Mile winner Goldikova.

D. Wayne Lukas and Shug McGaughey are both represented by a pair of entries, but none rate as serious win

prospects.