Santa Anita Notes: Breeders' Cup Horses in Sunday Works

The barns emptied Sunday morning as local Breeders' Cup contenders finished local preparations prior to shipping east for Saturday's Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs. Trainer Bob Baffert worked his entire Kentucky-bound contingent Sunday morning.

"We had to," said Baffert.

Flame Thower, Arabian Light and Point Given all worked Sunday in anticipation of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Gary Stevens was up for Point Given's 1:11.40 six furlong move.

"He worked good, boss," said Stevens of the Thunder Gulch colt.

Flame Thrower drilled five furlongs in :59.40 under Dana Barnes while Arabian Light worked five panels in 1:01.60.

Notable Career completed her Juvenile Fillies preparations by working six furlongs in 1:13.40 under regular rider David Flores.

"She went really nice," said Flores, who will leave for Kentucky Tuesday.

Other Baffert workers included Classic-bound Captain Steve, who drilled three-quarters in 1:12 and Filly and Mare Turf contender Caffe Latte, who breezed six furlongs in 1:14.20.

Flores has two other Breeders' Cup mounts lined up -- Street Cry for trainer Eoin Harty and Euchre in the Classic for trainer Bobby Frankel.

"Everything's good," said Flores. "I just have to take it a day at a time and hopefully, we'll get lucky."

Lexicon and Tout Charmant were among the other Breeders' Cup hopefuls that breezed Sunday. Tout Charmant (Filly and Mare Turf) breezed six furlongs on the turf (dogs up) in 1:16.80 for Ron McAnally while Lexicon covered four panels in :48.40 for trainer Richard Mandella.

Lexicon is not likely to get into the Breeders' Cup Sprint field, being second also-eligible; Mandella may opt to sprint him down the hill in the Morvich Handicap (gr. IIIT) Monday, Nov. 6.

CHRIS McCARRON HOLDING PAIR OF ACES FOR BREEDERS' CUP

Southern California-based jockey Chris McCarron has high hopes heading into Breeders' Cup 2000 at Churchill Downs Saturday.

McCarron is named on probable favorite Riboletta in the $2,000,000 Distaff and Tiznow in the $4,000,000 Classic, as well as six others, including Tout Charmant (Filly and Mare Turf) and Burning Roma (Juvenile).

"I'm loaded for bear," said McCarron. "I'm especially excited about Riboletta and Tiznow. Hopefully the weather will be nice to us and the track will be in good shape. If my horses handle the track back there, I could be in for a big day."

McCarron acknowledged that beating the Kentucky Derby champ in the Classic with Tiznow is a tall order.

"Fusaichi Pegasus is an awful good horse," said McCarron. "I think if he runs the race he did in the Kentucky Derby, then Tiznow will have to run the race of his life. But Tiznow could not be doing any better. He came out of the Goodwood in super shape. Jay (Robbins) is really happy with the way he came out of the race. Talent-wise, and looking at their records, I certainly feel strongly that he fits, that he deserves a shot at the big one."

Tiznow is being widely considered to be the 'now' horse.

"He's been improving all year, he's improved a little bit with each and every start. If he continues that trend, then who knows, maybe I'm on the horse to beat."

McCarron is sitting in the catbird seat with Riboletta.

"She's doing well," said McCarron. "She blew out kinda fast at Churchill the other day but that's a good indication that not only did she come out of the Beldame well, but that she handled the track well at Churchill. It's certainly encouraging."

McCarron's Breeders' Cup mounts include Riboletta -- Distaff (Eduardo Inda); Tiznow -- Classic (Jay Robbins); Craigsteel -- Turf (Christophe Clement); Tout Charmant -- Filly & Mare Turf (Ron McAnally); Out of Sync -- Juvenile Fillies (Nick Zito); Burning Roma -- Juvenile (Anthony Dutrow); Dream Supreme -- Sprint (Bill Mott); and Hap -- Mile (Bill Mott).