All of the major contenders for today’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships went to the Santa Anita track early to stretch their legs before morning workouts ended at 6:30 a.m. PDT
On the cool, crisp morning, with a temperature of 54 degrees under cloudy skies, among those on the track early were Colonel John, Gio Ponti , and Mine That Bird, who will square off against each other in the $5 million Classic (gr. I).
One horse who will race later in the day, D' Funnybone , breezed two furlongs in :24 2/5 under the watchful eye of trainer Richard Dutrow. The son of D’Wildcat is the 5-2 morning line second choice in the Grey Goose Juvenile (gr. I).
Meanwhile, back at the barns the Breeders’ Cup veterinary inspection teams were making their rounds, watching the World Championships entrants jog.
"Everything we have seen so far looks great," Dr. Bryce Peckham said as he and another vet, who are responsible for 25% of the inspections, said after watching a Godolphin horse jog.
The forecast is for a dry, pleasant day for the World Championships in Arcadia, Calif., with an afternoon high temperature of 71 degrees and no precipitation.