Morning in Kentucky began poorly for the writer, who struggled with a pickup truck on the wrong side of the road and a stubborn air-conditioner in five-degree weather.
He notes that cutting across angry locals in a pickup draws prolonged beeping and flashing.
The trip to Keeneland was smoother than the experience of several European Breeders' Cup entries, whose transport plane aborted landing twice in Shannon last week due to strong wind and rain.
Despite the ordeal, all horses arrived intact and left quarantine yesterday for a leg stretch, though their trainers will not appear until today.
The racecourse impressed the visiting press corps, described as a vast, leafy venue in central Kentucky, often called the 'cradle of the thoroughbred', surrounded by rolling paddocks, stud farms and a grandstand framed by orange, red and gold trees.
Notable Speech, aiming for a second Breeders' Cup Mile victory, was out early before sunrise, appearing energetic and attracting American attention.
The O'Brien family made a strong presence; Joseph O'Brien avoided media by riding a pony to oversee Folsom Blue and Johanna Walsh, while Aidan O'Brien answered questions without any sign of jet lag.
He was unfazed by Matt Chapman's bright, homemade "Aidan's Coming To Get You" t-shirt.
Although Ballydoyle's horses drew tough positions, confidence remains, especially regarding Sun Goddess. Aidan said, "She looks very special. She's a bit wide in nine, but she has a great big stride and it might let her use it. It can be busy here in the mornings but she has a great mind, it doesn't bother her."
More activity is expected when trainers Balding, Haggas, Appleby and others arrive early on Wednesday.
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