A suicidal skunk darted across the training track at Keeneland yesterday, dodging the hooves of European runners. Meanwhile, organisers frustrated Arc-winning trainer Francis-Henri Graffard by making him wait nearly thirty minutes for a spare pony and rider to accompany his horses for morning exercise.
Later, Graffard felt much happier after watching his top prospect Amusingly complete her morning workout. She defeated male rivals in a Group 1 on Arc day and prepares for a major clash against Aidan O'Brien's Sun Goddess in the Juvenile Fillies Turf tomorrow.
Sun Goddess is a very good filly, but Amusingly is in brilliant shape and I am feeling pretty confident.
Numerous British trainers arrived for their initial inspection of Keeneland yesterday, including Andrew Balding, George Boughey, and Charlie Appleby, with Balding suffering the most from jet lag.
Attention also focused on the Irish contingent, as champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle expressed high hopes for his rides. He pilots Folsom Blues and Green Empress tomorrow, viewing both as strong contenders, and smiled when discussing Willie Mullins-trained Ethical Diamond.
It was unreal what he did last year. We have got a better draw this time and I think he has been a little bit overlooked.
McMonagle and Ethical Diamond hope the warm Kentucky sunshine persists so the ground stays fast. Local trainers like Wesley Ward noted the turf track ran slowly recently, though conditions are expected to dry out. Following a workout on El Cordobes, riders called the surface patchy and well used, but track officials maintained a fresh inside strip and expect ideal weekend conditions. This development benefits Andrew Balding and his top mare Blue Bolt, whom he considers his best ever chance at claiming a Breeders Cup victory.
