We round up some of the key quotes from connections ahead of Future Stars Friday at the Breeders' Cup.
The likely favourite for the Juvenile Fillies Turf is Cheveley Park Stakes runner-up Meditate, who trainer Aidan O’Brien has nominated as one of his best chances at this year’s Breeders’ Cup.
“Meditate is one I really like stepping up in trip and I think that, coupled with going round a bend, will help her,” he said.
“She’s never lost a kilo since her last run, we’ve given her the chance to back out in her work but there are no negative signs. She’s also got a good mind and is a hardy filly whose constitution will also help her with the distance.”
Richard Fahey is looking forward to saddling Midnight Mile, who supplemented Doncaster debut success with a Group Three victory in Newmarket’s Oh So Sharp Stakes.
“Midnight Mile is a completely different filly to The Platinum Queen with more scope and is learning as her races come along,” he said.
“She put in a good performance at Newmarket where she would have been a very unlucky loser. She’s progressing quickly and has been a lot more professional.”
O’Brien also has a leading hope for the Juvenile Turf in Victoria Road, but the betting is headed by Charlie Appleby’s Autumn Stakes winner Silver Knott.
“The soft ground was to blame for his disappointing run in the Champagne Stakes, but on a sounder surface he put in a good effort in the Autumn Stakes and has come out of that well,” said the Moulton Paddocks handler.
“He could be a French Derby horse and follow the same route as Modern Games (last year’s winner)."
The opening night of Breeders’ Cup action is completed by the Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies, both run on dirt.
Bob Baffert’s Cave Rock is all the rage for the colts’ race after three wins from as many starts, while Todd Pletcher is looking forward to running Forte, who won a Grade One at Keeneland four weeks ago.
He said: “I certainly don’t think it (track experience) hurts anything. Getting a two-turn experience and being over the over the same surface and track you’re gonna run the Breeders’ Cup on I think could be an advantage.
“He’s had a good experience since he ran in the Breeders’ Futurity.”
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