Shane Foley is hoping to cap another memorable year on the domestic front with top-class success at the Breeders' Cup this weekend.
Foley, principal rider for the stable of leading Irish dual-purpose handler Jessica Harrington, has booted home 92 winners on home soil in 2020, three more than he managed last calendar year.
Those victories included Group One glory aboard Lucky Vega, plus Group Two wins on Cadillac and Cayenne Pepper, both of whom have taken the trip to Keeneland in their stride ahead of respective targets on Friday and Saturday in Kentucky.
Speaking on Wednesday morning local time, having just exercised Makers Mark Filly & Mare Turf-bound Cayenne Pepper, the rider said: "She's feeling great, she's really fresh. The draw (14) doesn't look ideal but we'll have to make do with what we've got.
"The only thing is that we'll hopefully stay out of trouble. I'd have preferred seven or eight but we can't control that.
"This is possibly our minimum trip but we'll be doing our best work at the finish. It's quite warm out here now and I haven't had a walk on the grass yet but I think it'll be drying out all the time."
Cayenne Pepper was originally catalogued to stay in the States for the Keeneland Breeding Stock Sales which opens next week, but that is no longer the plan and the daughter of Australia will be kept in training at four.
Foley said: "There was a change of plan and she's staying in training next year. There's a great programme for her and it could be a massive year - 10 furlongs is her ideal trip as I'm not sure she quite stayed in the (Irish) Oaks."
The jockey, who got his first taste of Breeders' Cup action when guiding Albigna to fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita, warms up for Saturday with a couple of rides for Harrington on Future Stars Friday, including leading Juvenile Turf contender Cadillac.
Foley said: "He has to have a chance, he'll love this quicker ground. He ran okay in the Dewhurst but he got bogged down at the Curragh earlier in the year and it was too soft again at Newmarket.
"Going right back to his debut I said to the people who own him (Alpha Racing 2020) - look, if you're looking for a proper horse then this could be the one.
"There are a couple of people that are involved in the syndicate that are from here too so it'll be absolutely amazing if he can be really competitive. This was always the plan and the idea would be to keep it simple, and sit handy. He stays the trip really well."
Foley is also keen on the credentials of relative outsider Oodnadatta in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
He said: "She's got good form in the Moyglare behind Shale and Pretty Gorgeous. She'll enjoy the ground too and she's a lively outsider if I'm being honest. If I can get her out and get a position from stall one then she'll stay well as there's plenty of pace in the race by the looks of it.
"Hopefully I can get a slot as I'll need a bit of luck.
"I'll settle for one winner out of the three - it'd be marvellous to get a first Breeders' Cup winner."
