Breeders' Cup: Europeans Take Spins Around Keeneland

Defending FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) champion Notable Speech (GB) wasted little time getting reacquainted with Keeneland Tuesday morning, leading a strong European contingent onto the track for the first time since clearing quarantine Monday night. The Charlie Appleby-trained runner was among the first European horses on the main track shortly after 7 a.m., exercising alongside stablemate El Cordobes (IRE), who is entered in Saturday's Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). "He's in great shape," exercise rider Colm O'Donaghue said. "He's danced every dance, and he's a professional. He went out there solo this morning, didn't need a lead or anything. It was like his own backyard." Both Appleby runners reportedly traveled well and appeared in good condition ahead of their weekend assignments. Appleby is expected to arrive in Kentucky Tuesday afternoon and will be trackside Wednesday morning. It was a busy but relatively routine morning for the European runners, who were limited to trotting and cantering during their first exercise sessions following their transatlantic journeys. Among the first to emerge on the training track was Miss Yechance (IRE), who appeared shortly after 7 a.m. with regular jockey Jack Nicholls aboard. The Karl Burke-trained filly, a recent winner of the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (G1), is preparing for Saturday's Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1). Assistant trainer James Cowley said the filly handled the trip from England well and has maintained her condition heading into the race. "She looks great in herself and we're really happy with her weight leading into the week," Cowley said. "We won't do a lot with her now. She's where we want her fitness-wise and it's just a case of keeping everything moving and ticking over." Miss Yechance is scheduled for a brief turf workout Wednesday, when she will negotiate the turn and quicken through the stretch. She will have light exercise Thursday and Friday to keep her fresh for Saturday. Although the filly drew post 14, Cowley believes the outside position could work to her advantage. "We're hoping the pace will come from within the inner and we will be the pace from the outside," he said. "We're going to try and use the draw in our favor as she's not overly big, so if she was in the middle of the field and half missed the kick from the gate she could possibly get swallowed up by those big sprinters." Cowley also expressed confidence in Nicholls, who is unbeaten in three starts aboard the filly, including victories in a handicap, a group 3 and a group 1. The O'Brien family also had a strong presence at Keeneland Tuesday morning, with Aidan, Joseph, and Donnacha O'Brien all trackside to oversee their respective runners. Joseph O'Brien led his string aboard a pony, with Folsom Blues among the horses following him onto the main track. Jockey Dylan Browne-McMonagle was aboard Johanna Walsh (IRE), who is entered in the Turf, and reported that the filly was in good form. Puerto Rico (IRE), entered in the Mile, led Aidan O'Brien's contingent onto the track. The group also included Sun Goddess (IRE), who is expected to be among the shortest-priced runners of the weekend in Friday's Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). The filly was ridden by Rachel Richardson, who regularly accompanies many of Aidan O'Brien's leading runners when they travel to the United States. Sun Goddess appeared in excellent condition as she continued preparations for her Friday assignment. Another European hopeful attracting attention is Hell of A Spin (IRE), who will give trainer Adrian Keatley his first Breeders' Cup starter in Friday's Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1). The colt enters off a third-place finish in the Middle Park Stakes (G1) at Newmarket Sept. 26 and will break from post 11 under jockey Mikey Sheehy. "It's a great honor to have a runner in the Breeders' Cup and a massive opportunity," Keatley said. "We are a relatively small yard based in the North of England, so for the horse and ourselves we're punching way above our weight, but we think he has a massive chance." Keatley expressed confidence in Sheehy, who joined his stable earlier this season after twice narrowly missing apprentice riding titles in Ireland. Sheehy's brother Danny rides at Keeneland, giving the young jockey a familiar connection as he prepares for his Breeders' Cup appearance. Keatley described Hell of A Spin as a straightforward, competitive colt with a strong work ethic. "He is a lovely horse who is very straightforward. You wouldn't know he's in the yard," Keatley said. "He loves his work, with a great attitude, who puts his head down and battles hard." Hell of A Spin also is scheduled to be offered at Wednesday's Keeneland Championship Sale, presenting prospective buyers with an opportunity to acquire a Breeders' Cup starter with potential beyond this weekend. Keatley believes the colt has the pedigree and temperament to stretch out to seven furlongs or a mile next season. "He is a genuine group 1 horse," Keatley said. "The team is very much looking forward to the race. We're very hopeful of a huge run." French champion trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has three horses in Kentucky for the championships, including Amusingly (GB) in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, Primetime Emmy (AUS) in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, and Map of Stars (GB) in the Turf. All three reportedly traveled well and have settled into their surroundings. Map of Stars remains on the also-eligible list for the Turf and will need a defection from the main field to secure a starting position.