2014 BREEDERS' CUP AT SANTA ANITA PARK

The countdown to the upcoming 31st Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park intensified Oct. 18 with a bevy of workers out at the Southern California track on a pleasant, sun-kissed morning.

Beholder, Candy Boy, Private Zone, and Rich Tapestry were among the workers at Santa Anita preparing for Breeders' Cup races Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Meanwhile, dual classic winner California Chrome had his penultimate drill for the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), going six furlongs at his Los Alamitos headquarters in 1:12 1/5.

At Santa Anita, two-time Eclipse Award champion Beholder went seven furlongs, starting behind two workmates, in a bullet 1:23 4/5 under Mike Smith.

"She galloped out a mile in (one) 38 and looked really good," trainer Richard Mandella said of the defending Distaff favorite. "She'll have another work; I don't know when or how long, but it won't be like this."

Under regular rider Victor Espinoza, California Chrome worked "great," according to trainer Art Sherman. "It was just what I wanted. He'll have one more before the Breeders' Cup."

Los Alamitos head clocker Russ Hudak caught California Chrome in even fractions of :24 2/5 and :48 4/5, with a seven-furlong gallop out of 1:25 4/5.

"He picked it up good in the stretch," Hudak said. "He looked good."

Hong Kong invader Rich Tapestry, who upset Goldencents   by a nose in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (gr. I) in his U.S. debut Oct. 4, worked five furlongs with exercise rider Vincent Sit aboard in 1:01 2/5 under the supervision of trainer Leonard Powell. The 6-year-old bay gelding is residing at Powell's barn until trainer Michael Chang returns from Hong Kong Oct. 26.

"He went exactly according to plan," Powell said of the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) contender. "We wanted to him to start easy and have a strong finish behind another horse (Romar Success). He did it very easily and the horse is pretty fit now, so from here on it's about maintenance and keeping him happy."

Another Sprint contender, Private Zone, two-time winner of the rade I Vosburgh Invitational, worked six furlongs handily from the gate in a bullet 1:09 2/5 with regular rider Martin Pedroza aboard.

"He went good, but a little faster than I wanted him to go," trainer Alfredo Velazquez said. "He'll have one more breeze next Saturday. Then he'll be ready for the money."

Robert B. Lewis Stakes winner Candy Boy, possible for the Classic, worked six furlongs under Corey Nakatani in 1:10 2/5.

"He worked good," trainer John Sadler said. "He worked in company and he got a fast three-quarters. We'll decide by tomorrow (whether to pre-enter on Monday)."

Elsewhere, Todd Pletcher was on hand as Chandelier Stakes (gr. I) winner Angela Renee worked four furlongs in :48 3/5 for the Juvenile Fillies (gr. I).

Cristina's Journey, also being preparing for the Juvenile Fillies, went five furlongs in a bullet :58 3/5 for Dale Romans, .

Also working for Romans were Danny Boy (Juvenile Turf), who went five furlongs in :59 1/5, and Prayer for Relief (Classic) who negotiated the same distance in :59 flat. Exercise rider Tammy Fox termed the move "super" adding, Bring 'em on." 

Juvenile Fillies contender Conquest Eclipse went five furlongs in :58 3/5, also a bullet, for Mark Casse.

Over a firm turf course, Surfer Girl Stakes winner Her Emmynency went four furlongs for trainer Michael Stidham in :48 4/5, while Mile contender Obviously traveled six furlongs in 1:13 1/5 for Phil D'Amato.

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