company: breeders’ cup conference title: breeders’ cup

Company: BREEDERS’ CUP

Conference Title: Breeders’ Cup Report

Conference ID: 6391588_1_mtEm07

Moderator: Jim Gluckson

Date: October 27, 2021

Operator: And we now have Mr. Cox with us on the line.

Jim Gluckson: Okay. Great. Brad, Jim Gluckson here at Del Mar. How are you today?

Brad Cox: I’m great, Jim. How are you?

Jim Gluckson: Great. Great. Congratulations on an outstanding year for all your horses and your

connections. Wanted to begin, of course, with this tremendous duo in Knicks Go and Essential

Quality that you have lined up for the Classic. Just kind of talk about this experience of having

these two terrific horses going for the biggest prize here at the end of the season.

Brad Cox: It's been a great year for both horses and, obviously, they both performed well the second half

of last year, the last quarter of 2020. So, it's been a great year. Both horses have stayed in good

form for the most part.

Knicks Go had a little bit of a setback obviously. We felt like we may have rushed him a little bit

with the Pegasus with the quick turnaround shipping halfway across the world or to the other side

of the world for the Saudi Cup and then the Met Mile. But aside from those two bumps in the

road, he's been ultra consistent and proud of what he's accomplished.

Essential has never missed a beat. He ran a big race in the Derby. His only defeat in his career

and to argue that he’d probably ran the best race that day, one of the better races, to end up

fourth. But both horses have had great years and hopefully we can add to their resume at

Breeders’ Cup Saturday.

Jim Gluckson: Very good. I wanted to ask you about their work schedules before they come here to

California.

Brad Cox: Yes. They both worked three-quarters this past weekend. Knicks Go I believe was (112 and

2). He actually broke off the half-mile pole at Churchill that takes you back around the three-

quarter pole. Essential broke off at the (5/8ths pole) and went up to the (7/8ths pole), I had

Essential (112 and 4) on my watch (1:13 on the work tab).

So, both are doing really, really well. We're going to have another work this weekend, probably

not quite as far, but they're both doing well and excited about putting them on the plane on

Monday.

Jim Gluckson: All right. Obviously, post positions will be drawn on Monday, but how does the race set

up, you have different styles, how would the race set up for Knicks Go?

Brad Cox: Well, they're not – obviously, they're not going to get in each other’s way, that's good for me.

But Knicks Go, there’s some other speed in the race, it looks like just looking at the horses, the

(probables) and I think he is the speed of the speed and we're not going to take that away from

him. We're going to ask him to run out of there and establish position early.

And what anyone else does is up to them. But we are going to be very aggressive and hopefully

he gets the lead going into the first turn and he's able to clear off. I think that gives him his best

opportunity to win.

Jim Gluckson: All right. All right. Well, Brad, thank you. Let's see if we have some media on the line

who would like to ask you some questions.

So, (Shelby), let's turn that over to the media and have them get in the queue.

Operator: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question, please signal by pressing “star,” “1” on your

telephone keypad. Please state your media outlet before posing your question. If you're using a

speaker phone, please make sure your mute function is turned off to allow your signal to reach

our equipment. Again, please press “star,” “1” to ask a question. We'll pause for just a few

moments to allow everyone an opportunity to signal for questions. We'll take our first question

from Jon Stettin.

Jon Stettin: Hey, Brad. How are you? Congratulations on a phenomenal year and a phenomenal

Breeders' Cup last year as well.

Brad Cox: Thanks, Jon. I'm great. How are you doing?

Jon Stettin: I'm good. Interesting question for me, if Knicks Go were to win the Breeders' Cup Classic at

two turns the year after the Breeders' Cup Mile at two turns, it would be just an unbelievable

resume for a racehorse.

So, my question is kind of twofold. What do you think that would mean historically resume-wise

for him, especially as a stallion prospect. And if you had to, without giving away any secrets that

you don't want the competition to know, if you had to put your finger on one thing that maybe

helped Knicks Go improve so much, I mean, he was always a really nice horse and always had

that potential, but he improved significantly once you took over his training.

What would you put your finger on if there was one thing that you did that kind of turned him

around or woke him up or turned him into the horse that he is right now?

Brad Cox: Well, I don't know if there's anything that we did with him in regards to training. I think he just

developed. We got him and he had come off a little bit of a freshening. He's a happy, sound

horse. We had actually – we were able to get – we were able to win the second level allowance

and that was our only run with him and then he had a setback, he had an injury.

And we talked about retiring him, it was kind of like breeding season had already started. So,

obviously, it was not going to be no good retiring him at that point. We brought him back and it

was a big if if we would bring him back or if we would start, if he wasn't doing any good, we would

have retired him, but he was training better than ever under our care.

And I think the biggest thing is once you said – you already said he has been a good horse from

the beginning, I mean, obviously, his great one win (at the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland) was

kind of a fluke. He followed it up with a big race in the Breeders' Cup. I think what he did, he was

able to kind of catch his breath, get a breather and develop. Horses are supposed to get faster at

four and five and he was a really fast 2-year-old.

So, I think he just developed. I don't know if there was any one thing we did with him. I mean,

we do train him. We do let him gallop along. And we do let him breathe, I mean, his breathing, I

mean, he has huge gallop-out so we put a lot of air into him.

But we just kind of train him. We don't really train him any different than we do any of our other

horses. He's able to take more training. He's able to breathe faster and work faster because he's

a better horse than most all of our other horses or most of our horses, not all of our horses.

But he's a very, very good horse. And we allow him to really stretch his legs and do what he likes

doing. He loves to train.

So, I don't know – I guess that kind of answers your question. But I think the biggest thing is

probably he's always been a very good horse and he just developed as an older horse with time,

lots of time when horse go from two to three or three to four and there's an improvement, there's

normally a gap.

They just don't all of a sudden get better. There's a gap of – it allows the horse to mature,

recover from the rigors of training and racing, and they come back and their body catches up with

them physically and they move forward.

Jon Stettin: As you were saying, that maturity was the word that kept popping into my mind, so I think

that's a good argument for sometimes allowing some of these better younger horses to mature

and see how good they can get. Just, if you would, just touch on that resume aspect of winning

the Mile and then coming back and winning the Classic, that's just – that's one for the Breeders'

Cup record books if you can pull that off. So, what are your thoughts on that?

Brad Cox: Well, yes, yes. Yes. And that would be an amazing achievement for him to be able to win the

Dirt Mile and run as fast as he did. And, obviously, I think if he wins the Classic, he would

obviously be up close or be on the lead and would run some solid fractions the first part and

hopefully finish out well.

So, we'll see how it goes. But it would definitely – it would definitely go down as one of the better

I'd say span of the Breeders' Cup in regards to accomplishments over the last – ever since the

inception of the Breeders' Cup really.

Jon Stettin: Yes. I know. I agree. Thank you. Thank you, Brad. Appreciate the answer.

Brad Cox: Thank you.

Operator: And, again, if you would like to ask a question, please press “star,” “1.” As a reminder, please

say your media outlet before asking your question. We'll take our next question from Nick Grant.

Nick Grant: Hi, there. Nick Grant, Press Association in England.

Brad Cox: Hey, Nick. How are you?

Nick Grant: Yes. Good, thank you. Good, thank you. It's just a couple of questions on the Classic.

Obviously, there's going to be loads of pace in there because Medina Spirit will presumably, he's

going to perhaps hassle Knicks Go upfront. Would that be a concern and equally, those two have

kind of taken each other on a little bit. Will that play into Essential Quality's hands because he's

going to presumably come on really, really strong?

Brad Cox: Yes. I mean, if they're head and head and they're going (46), I mean, yes, it's hard to think

that if they're up there going that quick, that fast that early that there's a possibility that one of

them could back up or both of them back up. And if it does, like you said, it definitely plays in the

role – into the role of Essential Quality.

The one thing about Essential Quality, he's very – he's shown his ability to adapt to pace, I mean,

if it's a hot pace, he can sit off and come running. And if it's a soft pace, he can sit close. It's

probably not – it's not going to be a soft pace. So, we're thinking that they'll probably get away

from him the early part and he'll be running around the turns and down the length.

Nick Grant: Yes. And just quickly if I could on Shedaresthedevil, you're taking on Letruska again, how

do you feel about her going into the Distaff?

Brad Cox: Well, she's done really well. So, I mean, I'm excited about getting a rematch with Letruska

around two turns. Our one race around two turns this year, we were able to beat her and then

she was able to get the upper hand on us around one turn in the Ogden Phipps at Belmont. So,

looking forward to facing her again around two turns for sure.

Nick Grant: Yes. It's great to see you doing well. We're familiar with the Qatar Club out here so that was

a – it's good to see you training for those guys and doing well.

Brad Cox: Thank you, appreciate that.

Nick Grant: Yes. Thank you, Brad. Good luck.

Brad Cox: Thank you. Thank you.

Operator: We'll take our next question from Art Wilson.

Art Wilson: Yes. Brad, I'm with the Southern California News Group. Do you ever sit back and allow

yourself to wonder what it is you've done to deserve the two favorites or the two arguably, the two

favorites in the Classic on Saturday?

Brad Cox: No, I don't. We're fairly busy. We have a lot of horses and a lot of good horses. We have a

very large stable, so I don't really have a lot of time to think about – sit around and think about

what we have accomplished. I'm just trying to move forward and prepare these horses, and it's

always game day for the most part.

We're running horses in various locations throughout the country. So, no, I don't look back a lot

on what we have achieved. I kind of think training a horse is a lot like maybe an NFL football

coach, I mean, yes, it's fun to win a game and I always say you can win a race, you can enjoy it

for about 15 minutes and then you have to start putting a game plan ready or getting some ideas

ready in regards to training and mapping out a schedule for these horses.

So, it's demanding. It's thrilling. It's fun, I enjoy it but it is a lot of work and I don't really think too

much about what we have accomplished as opposed to moving forward and trying to do bigger

and better things. I mean, there are a lot of things we would like to do.

And one thing it's obviously the Breeders’ Cup Classic, it is a huge race here in America and it's

something that we've only had one chance. We ran Owendale in the Classic a couple of years

ago, he didn't fare very well. So, hopefully, we can be a little more effective next Saturday.

Art Wilson: Yes. One of your two horses wins the Classic, are they horse of the year?

Brad Cox: I think so. Yes. I don't think that's – I don't know how they wouldn’t be, to be honest.

Art Wilson: Right. And my final question real quick, of course, Knicks Go is a 5-year-old and Essential

Quality only three, at this point in the year, does the older horse have an advantage still or has

the 3-year-old caught up to the older horses and it’s really a non-factor?

Brad Cox: I think in this case, it's a non-factor. I think there's a very good crop of 3-year-olds. Essential

has really developed physically. He seems to be developing physically all the time. And I'm not

saying he's completely finished developing, he's three, but he is off to stud after the Breeders'

Cup.

So, he looks tremendous and he's doing well. And I would have to say right now that they're

pretty much on par.

Male: Okay. Great.

Art Wilson: Good luck this weekend. Thank you.

Operator: And we have no more questions in the queue at this time.

Jim Gluckson: All right. Very good. Brad, thanks so much for joining us today.

Brad Cox: Thanks, Jim.

Jim Gluckson: Good luck to you and we'll see you out here in California.

Brad Cox: All right, Jim, you have a good evening. Thank you.

Jim Gluckson: Take care now. Bye-bye.

Brad Cox: Bye.

Jim Gluckson: All right. We're going to now bring in our next guest. We're going to connect her with

Dermot Weld here in Ireland this evening. And let's see if we can bring in Dermot here to talk

about his terrific mare, Tarnawa, please. Dermot, are you on?

Dermot Weld: Yes, I'm here. I am, indeed.

Jim Gluckson: All right. Good. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for joining us.

Dermot Weld: My pleasure.

Jim Gluckson: Congratulations on your Breeders' Cup victory last year. I know it was a very special one.

Dermot Weld: Yes.

Jim Gluckson: Can you describe the feeling that you had knowing that you were where you were and

what went through your mind at the time?

Dermot Weld: Yes, it was a special occasion. I mean, my son Mark – my older son Mark was there and I

watched the race with wife Mary and my second son Chris, and we were expecting a good run

but winning was an extra bonus. And it was exciting. It was great. It was late in the evening over

here, but we enjoyed it immensely.

Jim Gluckson: Another capstone to your career … 21 times course champion trainer in Ireland, winner of

the (Epsom Derby) – Epsom Oaks, Melbourne Cup, Hong Kong Mile, Belmont Stakes and last

year the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, a tremendous career for you. What is it like when you ship

so many places over the world to get horses prepared and to be sharp knowing that it's not an

easy thing to do to get them ready and get them over here and to have them sharp for the races?

Dermot Weld: Yes. Well, that's the challenge. I've always enjoyed it, you know what I mean. In the

early days, I probably was one of the first to travel horses around the world I think there was

because we've won the first international race run in Hong Kong.

And then, of course, we're very fortunate, we won two Melbourne Cups and as I said I've been

winning great ones, east coast, west coast, Midwest for a number of years now.

Jim Gluckson: All right. Well, this time a tough day at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, came out of it, it's a

tough day but you had said she rebounded extremely well. Can you describe her condition

currently and recent workout patterns?

Dermot Weld: Yes. She's a very brave filly and very tough, very genuine. She gives 110 percent every

time she runs. So, naturally, when she came back from Paris, she was tired for a week and we

just let her have a nice easy time, freshened her up, took my time bringing her back. And very

happy with her work over the past week, I think she's come right back. Her weight is good.

Blood picture is good, she's all set to go.

Jim Gluckson: Very good. And the shipping schedule for you – for her, excuse me?

Dermot Weld: Yes. Yes, she'll leave Ireland on Friday morning very early here and she flies over to

England with the other Irish runners and meets up with the English runners and then they all fly

direct from England over to the West Coast.

Jim Gluckson: All right. Very good. Well, Dermot, let's see if we have some questions on the line from

the media.

Dermot Weld: Sure.

Jim Gluckson: (Shelby), please line up the group, please.


telephone keypad. Please state your media outlet before asking your question. Again, please

press “star,” “1” to ask a question. We'll pause for just a few moments to allow everyone an

opportunity to signal for questions. We'll take tour first question from Jon Stettin.

Jon Stettin: Jon Stettin with Past the Wire. How are you this evening, Mr. Weld?

Dermot Weld: Good. Thanks, Jon. Good to talk with you.

Jon Stettin: No, my pleasure. I thought that you ran the best filly in the Arc. I watched the replay a

couple of times and my question is this – pointing for a race the Breeders' Cup or heading into a

race like the Breeders' Cup, do you think it's more advantageous to come in off a win in the Arc or

the alternative, a troubled trip in the Arc that may make a competitive filly like Tarnawa a little bit

more aggressive or a little bit more game and determined?

Is there a preference you would have as to coming in off a win or coming in off that troubled trip

that you had. And do you think that the firm ground at Del Mar coming off the obviously different

type of ground at Longchamp is going to be a factor that will favor her.

Dermot Weld: Jon, firstly, I always want to win. So, we know the win in the Arc – the win in the Arc would

have been special. As I said, Tarnawa is one of those really tough individuals that gives 110

percent. So, she fought like a lioness and, unfortunately, we just came up short in ground that

was extremely testing.

Yes, the main concern I have will be the ground. I appreciated that she had what we would call a

good firm ground in Kentucky and they had rain you must remember earlier that week. I actually

thought the turf track was from what I heard and the reports that I got back from – was just really

nice ground. Just on the quick side of good, that's what we would have called it. Whereas I am

well aware, what we face is going to be a lot quicker and is a concern.

Jon Stettin: Okay. Thank you.

Operator: We'll take our next question from Steve Andersen.

Steve Andersen: Hello. Hi. Steve Andersen with Daily Racing Form saying hi.

Dermot Weld: Hi, Steve.

Steve Andersen: Hi. Your mare did win the Prix Vermeille in 2020 on firm turf. I realize that Longchamp

may classify a little differently. But I wondered if there was any comparison you could draw from

that performance to what you expect on the week Saturday.

Dermot Weld: I'm expecting it to be a lot firmer week Saturday. The Longchamp are good to firm or

firmer ground. I don't really think that's quite as firm as what I expect to find to be quite honest

with you, in Del Mar.

Steve Andersen: Could you argue – I'm sorry – would you agree that she might even be a little bit

unlucky not to be unbeaten this year considering Irish Champion?

Dermot Weld: I would definitely but don't get me going on that.

Steve Andersen: I understand. Can you talk about the jockey situation, please?

Dermot Weld: Yes. Colin Keane would ride her in the Breeders' Cup. After all, he did win on her last

year. He won on her comeback start there in August, he gave her a perfect ride from what we'd

planned in the Irish Champion Stakes. And (Christophe Soumillon) won two Group Ones on her

last year, rode an excellent race on her in the Arc de Triomphe. It wasn't his fault that she was

beaten. He's a retained rider in France for his highness whereas Colin Keane rides most of my

horses in Ireland.

Steve Andersen: I see. And last question, this has sort of been a long-term goal, I mean, you missed –

not missed, but you didn't run in some races early in the flat season in Europe.

Dermot Weld: Yes.

Steve Andersen: So, when you consider her form today and you were highly complimentary of her a

moment ago, can you compare her form now compared to, say, 12 months ago when she was

coming in off of a really sharp win in two races at Longchamp. How would you describe her 12

months apart?

Dermot Weld: I think she's equally good. I actually think she could be a slightly better mare this year.

Steve Andersen: Good. What do you see here today that gives you that indication? Is there – around

the yard is there anything that she does different…

Dermot Weld: Yes, yes, she's got – she's developed every year. She's actually training a couple of kilos

heavier than last year. I appreciate she's an older mare, so I allow for that. But just everything

about her. She's a great professional race horse. She has a wonderful constitution. And this is

what enables me to travel her to different countries because of her strong mental attitudes and as

I said, great constitution.

Steve Andersen: Will this be her final start?

Dermot Weld: It will. Yes.

Steve Andersen: Yes. Okay. And what a career. Thank you very much for your thoughts.

Dermot Weld: My pleasure.

Operator: And again, if you would like to ask a question, please press “star,” “1.” As a reminder, please

state your media outlet before asking your question. We'll take our next question from Liz Price.

Liz Price: Hi. Dermot, it's Liz Price of the Paris Turf. Steve has done a really good job asking you all the

questions that I wanted to ask you. But you just said that this would be her last run, but you have

entered her in Hong Kong.

Dermot Weld: Yes. I should have said…

Male: Yes.

Dermot Weld: …you're quite correct to make that point. This will be her last season I should have said

racing. She is, of course, entered in Hong Kong and that will be reviewed after she runs hopefully

in the Breeders’ Cup.

Liz Price: Okay. Well, that’s me then. Have a good day.

Dermot Weld: Thanks, Liz.

Operator: We'll take our next question from Nick Grant.

Nick Grant: Good evening, Dermot. Nick Grant at the Press Association in England.

Dermot Weld: Yes. Yes, indeed, Nick.

Nick Grant: ((inaudible)) am I right in thinking that was Colin's first ride there that he’d ever rode for you?

And it's – I'm thinking about that, just how impressed with you and everything that he – we all

know about his qualities (technical difficulty).

Dermot Weld: Yes. Look he had ridden for me once previously in Ireland. And I'd watched his

development. I'd watched him battle out for a Jockey's Championship against Pat Smullen. My

longtime ally and a wonderful rider.

And then he beat Pat by winner – by one winner for his first Jockey's Championship. And I was

aware of what a talented young rider he is.

Nick Grant: Yes. Yes. Fantastic. Thank you, Dermot.

Dermot Weld: Thank you.

Operator: And we have no more questions. And we do actually have one more question that just popped

up. Our next question is from Byron King.

Byron King: Hi, Dermot. I'm Byron King from the BloodHorse. How are you, sir?

Dermot Weld: Good. Thank you, Byron.

Byron King: Good. I have, my first question. Was – obviously, you pre-entered her as well in the Filly

and Mare Turf.

Dermot Weld: Yes.

Byron King: Obviously, you can, but are there any circumstances in which you would entertain running

her there rather than in the turf race?

Dermot Weld: Oh no, just when I have the opportunity to have the option of doing both and decided to do

it, we would review it and – but I think having gone through both, I think it's pretty definite you

could take it – that we would go for the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Byron King: I thought as much but I thought I would inquire with you…

Dermot Weld: No, no. You're quite right. No. You're quite right.

Byron King: Yes. Yes. What about – can you talk a little bit, Dermot, about the challenge of, defending a

title in any race is challenging, much less with something like the Breeders' Cup where the

venues change. Can you talk about that – that's why so few of the horses are able to accomplish

it. Can you reflect a little bit on that?

Dermot Weld: Yes, indeed. I think this is what makes a really true champion is they can go and defend

their crown over different surfaces. You know what I mean? A year apart. So that'll be the big

challenge. This will be – this will actually be a bigger challenge for her, I believe this coming year

than last year. And mostly because of the ground which I expect to be firmer than ideal for her.

But equally she is a really, really good race mare. She responds to every challenge that she

gets.

Byron King: Yes. She is that. And I know we've all enjoyed watching her both here domestically and

abroad in her races. What about your travel plans, Dermot, will you be coming for the Breeders'

Cup this year? Or will you…

Dermot Weld: I will this year, unfortunately COVID – I couldn't travel last year but, yes, I look forward to

being there and very fortunate to have enjoyed many, many happy days right across America in

different race tracks. I'll – I most definitely will, please God.

Bryon King: Great. We will look forward to seeing you. We thank you, sir.

Dermot Weld: I thank you for your interviews.


Jim Gluckson: All right. Well, Dermot, very much appreciate you coming on and answering some of our

questions this evening.

Dermot Weld: Not at all. Not at all.

Jim Gluckson: Outstanding. Best of luck to you, Tarnawa and all your horses. And we'll be in touch.

Well done.

Dermot Weld: Thank you again. Thank you. Bye-bye press and bye-bye everybody.

Jim Gluckson: Very well, everyone. All right. We're now in the process of staying in Ireland. We're

going to contact Aidan O'Brien, our 13-time winning Breeders' Cup trainer. And we're going to –

try to make contact with Aidan next to begin our portion of the interview for today.

While I have everyone here, we wanted to mention that we have – I think as you might have seen

eight former defending champions participating in this year's world championship. Okay, while

we wait for Aidan, I'll just mention those eight runners and of course, Knicks Go, Essential

Quality, Tarnawa, Audarya, Order of Australia, Gamine, Glass Slippers, and Golden Pal.

For those 56 international horses, that at record number, we have 26 from Great Britain, 17 from

Ireland, 8 from Japan, 2 from France, 1 from Argentina, 1 from Peru, and 1 from South Africa.

Still trying to get a hold of Aidan. Just a few more minutes.

All right. We're going to try again for Aidan. So stand by, please. All right everyone, we have

connected with Aidan O'Brien. As I said earlier, Aidan has won 13 Breeders' Cup races. He has

won the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf six times. He has Love pre-entered for the Breeders' Cup

Turf. Order of Australia and Mother Earth for the Mile among others.

Aidan, good evening. Jim Gluckson here at Del Mar. How are you?

Aidan O'Brien: Good evening, Jim. Very good, thanks very much.

Jim Gluckson: Great. Great – good to be here. I wanted to ask you, you've been very successful at the

Breeders' Cup. Over the years, I recalled when you had Giant's Causeway nearly win the

Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs and you've taken off and had tremendous success.

What is it like for you to participate in the Breeders' Cup year after year?

Aidan O'Brien: Yes. And obviously a special event. At the end of the – our season, it's great that all the

horses can kind of come together and be compared all over the world and all the various

distances and the different ages. It's very, very special event really.

Jim Gluckson: All right. Well, let's talk about Love here for the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf. Talk about

her schedule of races. She's, of course, earned the winning her in by winning the Prince of

Wales at Royal Ascot. And put you in that race recently, what is your – what was your plan for

her bringing her here and other schedules that change for her?

Aidan O'Brien: Yes. She just got a little bit of a, she had a little bit of a temperature before the Arc and

that's why she didn't run. And then she could have run in the English Champions Weekend, then

her blood just wasn’t 100 percent for then, and obviously Japan was out. It was going to be,

hopefully will won the – was going to be the Breeders' Cup is ours. It's going to be on her agenda

towards this time of the year, really.

Jim Gluckson: Okay. Now, let's talk about a defending champion you had here. Order of Australia came

in off the also-eligible list and into the Breeders' Cup Mile. Talk about what's – how he is doing.

A difficult year, hasn’t won as often as you certainly would like, but talk about his development

and ((inaudible)).

Aidan O'Brien: Yes – no, he had – he ran some very good races this year, probably Keeneland (the

Keeneland Mile) was – he was a little bit slow away and it didn't work for him, but he had a little

bit of a setback this morning and look like he won't be able to travel, Jim.

Jim Gluckson: Oh, sorry to hear the news. Really.

Aidan O'Brien: Yes.

Jim Gluckson: Okay.

Aidan O'Brien: Yes, yes.

Jim Gluckson: All right. Just this morning.

Aidan O'Brien: Yes. Just this morning, Jim. Yes, absolutely.

Jim Gluckson: Okay. All right. We're sorry to hear that, Aidan.

Aidan O'Brien: Yes. No problem.

Jim Gluckson: Okay, well – okay, while we have you here, I'd like to open up some two questions from

the media on the line, so Shelby, let's go to that area please.


telephone keypad. Please state your media outlet before asking your question. We’ll pause for

just a few moments to allow everyone an opportunity to signal for questions. We'll take our first

question from Byron King.

Byron King: Hi, Aidan. Byron King from the BloodHorse. How are you, sir?

Aidan O'Brien: Byron, very good. Thanks. How are you?

Byron King: Very well. Very well. I have a couple of questions. First of all, with Love you pre-entered

her as well in the Filly and Mare Turf as well as the Turf. And I noticed as well that you have a

number of horses that are alternates for the Breeders' Cup Turf – Japan, Broome, et cetera.

So, I was curious if there was any possibility that she might go in the Filly race to clear the way for

another one of your horses to also start, or what your current plan is for those various races?

Aidan O'Brien: That's a good observation but that's very possible that that could happen. I don't know. I

think your handicap system is just a little bit different than ours and it wasn't really on racing.

Horses were getting into Turf. So it's very possible. Obviously, we have four Group 1 winners

that are all reserves. So, it's very possible that we might have to take Love out of this and let her

run the Filly and Mare just to give the other horses the chance to get into the Turf.

Byron King: Right. And so, yes very well. Yes. It is very surprising. I mean you have four, as it currently

stands four alternatives for that race and for the Turf. With some of these, Aidan, when do you

have to make that determination of and to put them on the flight they're either going to go and

we'll take the chance they might get in or take me to that whole process in the days ahead.

Aidan O'Brien: I think the horses are due to fly on Saturday, obviously, we want to have some kind of an

idea what are the chances of them getting in at that stage or not – or not whether it is possible

that as Love will go to the Fillies and Mares instead just to give them a little bit more of a chance

of getting a night.

Byron King: Right. Another question and then I'll pass it on for somebody else is, this is a unique year

and that not just the 2-year-old races but all the races for the Breeders' Cup are without Lasix

and, of course, you're quite accustomed to running horses without Lasix across the world, but

many times when you would ship here, I believe you would treat your horses with Lasix and run.

Kind of do as the Romans do so to speak.

Talk a little bit about the change in medication this year and if it's something that you endorse and

what's your thoughts are on the Breeders' Cup going without Lasix for all its races.

Aidan O'Brien: I think that's always obviously an advantage. And obviously we don't medicate our horses

over here at all and very rarely and the only medication they get is any kind of antibiotics or cold

or the flus or infections. They’re really the only medications we use. So like we're always very

happy to go ((inaudible)) and that we think that that's definitely is not – is definitely a good thing.

Byron King: Very good. I'll open it up for the other reporters. Thank you, Aidan.

Aidan O'Brien: A pleasure, Byron.

Operator: We'll take our next question from Jon Stettin.

Jon Stettin: Hello, Aidan, Jon Stettin from Past the Wire. How are you, sir?

Aidan O'Brien: Good, Jon. Thanks very well. How are you?

Jon Stettin: I'm good. I thought that Mother Earth…

Aidan O'Brien: Good.

Jon Stettin: … had a – I would say a horrendous trip at Leopardstown back in September. How is she

doing after that race and is it kind of a redemption race for you? I mean, I thought she was the

best that day. I don't know if you agreed but I thought she was probably best that day if not for

the trip. Is it anxious or exciting to run coming off a troubled trip like that and seek redemption? I

had asked Mr. Weld about the trip Tarnawa had in the Arc. And, of course, you always want to

win.

But can it be an advantage coming into a race off a troubled trip to kind of give a horse that extra

motivation to kind of redeem themselves or get back on track?

Aidan O'Brien: I suppose like obviously you'd prefer you had a choice you don't want a troubled trip and

usually it's hard luck story when that happens. And she's been unlucky probably her last twice,

the horses that she ran against in Leopardstown she beat them four or five lengths the next time

that she ran against them. And – but listen, it's business. It's obviously never an advantage

because you lose them and when the Group Ones – when that happens you lose Group Ones

and you never like doing that.

But listen, she seems well and obviously I would have preferred that she didn't have. But that's

the way it is. She seems well so far and we're looking forward to seeing her run really.

Jon Stettin: Thank you.

Aidan O'Brien: A pleasure.

Operator: And again, if you would like to ask a question, please press “star,” “1.” As a reminder, please

state your media outlet before posing your question. We'll take our next question from Frank

Angst.

Frank Angst: Hey, Aidan. Frank Angst at BloodHorse. How are you?

Aidan O'Brien: Good. Thanks, Frank. How are you?

Frank Angst: Very good. Hey, I was struck by the record number of international entries. I think I saw it

was 56. I was just curious if you had any thoughts on that. What do you think might be some of

the reasons behind that record support this year?

Aidan O'Brien: I know – I think and obviously it's a great prize money and obviously the lads do a good

job and Josh, I think has spent a lot of time over this part of the world and he's very well known

and very well connected and I guess everybody’s looked after very well, and the race is very

competitive.

And it's – I think it's that time of the year it’s where everybody wants to be is to have a good horse

and a horse that’s good enough to compete in those championship races really.

Frank Angst: Thanks for your time, Aidan. That's all I got.

Aidan O'Brien: A pleasure, Frank.

Operator: We'll take our next question from Steve Andersen.

Steve Andersen: Hello, from California. I wanted to ask you about Japan. If Love only – if Loves Only

You goes for the Filly and Mare Turf instead of running in the Turf, Japan would move in to the

first 14. It would be his third start in the United States this year.

He hasn't had the results you probably expected, but I wonder, sort of, what's going on with

Japan this year. Can he come back to that form he had in 2019?

Aidan O'Brien: We're delighted with him, his last two runs were very good and he just got the head

chopped off once the second last time and he got it chopped off and placed the last time. So he

hasn't had any luck at racing, really running and his last two races, but the second last run was

very a good run because he only got stopped once but the last time he got stopped twice but he's

very well. And we're very happy with him. And hopefully if he got to run, we'd be looking forward

to seeing him run.

Steve Andersen: What do you have lined for jockeys and for Love and for Japan as for now?

Aidan O'Brien: I suppose obviously, Ryan would be the plan obviously to ride him.

Steve Andersen: Okay. Good. And lastly since Broome and Bolshoi Ballet are so close to the list,

should there be changes? How do you prepare those horses in the next 72 hours?

Aidan O'Brien: Well, we – like obviously we keep going as if they might get in and then we make a

decision obviously at the day, on Saturday. Bolshoi won a Group One at Belmont and Broome

won the Group One back here and has been very consistent really through the season, so we will

carry on like obviously until the time if that’s a go or not going, really.

Steve Andersen: And after this race, any plans for Love in terms of her career?

Aidan O'Brien: Love could go to Hong Kong…

Steve Andersen: Okay, good.

Aidan O'Brien: … after this if everything was well.

Steve Andersen: Good. What's your personal travel schedule please? When will you be in Del Mar?

Aidan O'Brien: I think the horses are leaving on Saturday.

Steve Andersen: Right.

Aidan O'Brien: And I think we might be – yes, we might be there on Monday night for Tuesday morning.

Steve Andersen: Great. Thank you very much for your thoughts.

Aidan O'Brien: With pleasure.

Operator: We'll take our next question from Keith Hammer. Mr. Hammer, your line is now live. Please

ask your question.

Keith Hammer: Hello Aidan. This is Keith Hammer with the Pre-Racing Desk in the U.K. How are you?

Aidan O'Brien: Keith, good. Thanks. How are you?

Keith Hammer: I'm very well. Thanks, Aidan. I'm just – it's actually about ((inaudible)) seems to have

been quite busy recently since he started racing.

Aidan O'Brien: Yes. No, well, he obviously started very early and then he had a little bit of a setback so

he missed the middle of the year. And then he obviously was along running to the DueHorse and

he ran in the DueHorse and he was just – he just got caught in the middle of them in a slow

gallop and he was just very green in that, and it just didn't work from under there but he learned a

lot, and then obviously the next run was he went to Leopardstown only a week after.

And he won a Group Three. And then he was to go to Fant and he didn't go, he had a little

setback so he didn't go there. And then obviously when he didn't get to go there this was a – it

was another lovely option for him and obviously it's a step up to a Mile for the first time was we

always thought that was within this compass of distances.

Keith Hammer: Okay. ((inaudible)) is the setback pretty bad or will he be okay soon?

Aidan O'Brien: Yes. No, it is. He probably won't get to race. And he had a small little fracture and we

just had to get a pin put in it this morning but the operation, everything went well.

Keith Hammer: Oh, that's good. So that will ((inaudible)) an injury.

Aidan O'Brien: I think so, obviously, yes, he – like obviously he'll go out to stud now.

Keith Hammer: Okay. Aidan, thanks very much.

Aidan O'Brien: A pleasure, Keith. A pleasure.

Operator: We'll take our next question from Nick Grant.

Nick Grant: Oh, hi. Sorry. Hi, Aidan. It's Nick at the PA. Keith, my colleague just stole my thunder there

with the same question. So, yes, nothing really to add to that, but I hope you do really well out

there.

Aidan O'Brien: Yes. Thanks, Nick, I appreciate it. Thanks very much.

Nick Grant: ((inaudible)).

Aidan O'Brien: Yes. Thanks very much, thank you.


Jim Gluckson: Well, all right, well, Aidan, thank you very much for joining us. We are sorry to hear about

Order of Australia. Congratulations on a great year again and good luck to you and all your

horses here at the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar. Have a great evening.

Aidan O'Brien: Yes. I appreciate it, Jim, you too. Thanks very much.

Jim Gluckson: Thanks. Aidan O'Brien everyone. All right. Now we are going to – we are now going to

be joined by George Leonard III. George of course has pre-entered California Angel who came

from 12th place, well back in the field of 13 to win the JP Morgan Chase Jessamine at

Keeneland. And he is with us now, pre-entered for the Breeders’ Cup World Championship.

George, good afternoon, how are you today?

George Leonard III: I am just fine. Thank you very much for having me. I appreciate you having me on

this new show.

Jim Gluckson: Great. Jim Gluckson here in Del Mar. And, George, I think one of the interesting things

about your approach to the horse is I think you've always said that she had something special

from the beginning. Can you describe how that, how you felt that way from the time that you saw

her and at the beginning of her training you said we do have something special?

George Leonard III: She’s always traveled very well. She had a very good way of moving. And from the

first few times I've worked her she's never shown any signs of fatigue. She's a horse that gets

over the ground really well and does everything relatively ease, though with other horses and she

essentially plays with them and she showed early on that she was above grade of what I had.

Jim Gluckson: Okay. George, can you talk about how your interest in racing and your path to becoming

a trainer and what was so important to you about getting into the business?

George Leonard III: Well, horses have all been – have been always been my passion. I've loved horses

from time I was a little boy, my dad had a horse, and my grandfather had horses. And its just

been something that I've always loved to do.

We were weekend warriors and I went to school, my dad had a job and we'd train, we fed before,

trained at the school and when my dad got off of work late at night, ran on weekends and I went

to college, had a couple of others jobs, my passion has always been the horses. I went back to

the racetrack and it just, I always feel I never work a day in my life when I do what I enjoy.

Jim Gluckson: I agree.

George Leonard III: I love what I do.

Jim Gluckson: Okay. And what is the workout schedule before Del Mar for California Angel?

George Leonard III: California Angel worked this morning (at Indiana Grand), she worked five-eighths in

1:01 flat this morning, nice, easy work. And from here I'm going to jog her and gallop her the next

couple of days until she will fly out Monday afternoon. She will fly out Monday afternoon, and

then when I get to Del Mar I will see how she handles the plane trip and all that. From there we

will see whether she – how she jogs and gallops the rest of the week up to the race.

Jim Gluckson: Very good. All right. Well, George, let's see if we have some questions from the media

that are on the line. So, Shelby, take it away, please.




opportunity to signal for questions. We'll take our first question from Steve Andersen.

Steve Andersen: Hi, George, I have a tactical question for you. She's been coming from off the pace

really well.

George Leonard III: Hello, yes.

Steve Andersen: Obviously the draw will make a big difference. Del Mar has got a little more of a short

porch than Keeneland does for a stretch. How do you assess the way this race could unfold for

her if you get a favorable draw?

George Leonard III: Great. Well, we would like to have a favorable draw as you said, you know, but the

good thing I think with California Angel is California Angel has not shown her full potential as the

speed she possesses, in the morning time and training she shows an extreme amount of speed.

For races, she's been a little green, a little slow or sluggish getting started, but that's not her MO.

It has been a thing where – one of the more exciting things about her is that I know she has so

much more potential. So we are hoping with a good draw and a little maturity that we'll going to

be a little closer and she'll be able to perform to her utmost.

Steve Andersen: And that mile distance is that going to be okay for compared to how well she ran in the

mile and a sixteenth?

George Leonard III: To answer to that question California Angel can run six furlongs. She's fast.

Steven Andersen: Okay.

George Leonard III: She is – for her has been a green issue, I'd never expected her to ever be behind,

for her to be behind was completely the opposite of what I thought. I was actually a little more

worried about her being on the front end and being more anxious to go. So her being behind was

a shock for me, but I was confident in her potential and she showed that she can came from

behind and still come, she's not by no means slow.

Steven Andersen: Good. Best of luck to you again and thanks for your thoughts.

George Leonard III: Thank you very much.

Operator: Again, to ask a question please press “star,” “1.” As a reminder, please state your media outlet

before asking your question. We'll take our next question from Jon Stettin.

Jon Stettin: Hey, George, Jon Stettin with Past the Wire. How are you, sir?

George Leonard III: Fine, sir.

Jon Stettin: I think you kind of answered my question already but I’ll ask it anyway. Being new to the

Breeders’ Cup stage what's the pressure like being in that situation with a filly like this? And I

have a feeling I know the answer, you sound real confident, sir. Right?

George Leonard III: To be honest there’s no pressure. I am just hoping for a little luck and the right

scenario to work up. I have the best horse I've ever touched. I don't – there's no pressure to

race. And as for me the pressure is getting everything down pat, having everything taken cared

of before getting out to the race and making sure I get everything taken care of. That's the only

pressure from me. But as for the race I'm going to leave that work to itself, I will put it in God's

hands and I think she'll be just fine. And like you said I have lots of confidence in my horse. I just

hope for a safe, good trip.

Jon Stettin: I appreciate that. God bless and all the best in the Breeders’ Cup.

George Leonard III: Thank you very much. I appreciate it.


Jim Gluckson: All right. Well, George, thanks so much for joining us today. Really terrific run here with

California Angel. We look forward to seeing you here at Del Mar, so safe travels to you and your

contingent.

George Leonard III: Thank you very much. I appreciate you having me on your show.

Jim Gluckson: You are welcome. George Leonard, everyone. All right, we are going to now shift back to

the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic. We have with us trainer Doug O'Neill with Hot Rod Charlie,

Pennsylvania Derby winner. Doug, good morning, how are you today? Well, hold on. We are

going to have, sorry, but we had Doug right there. Let's try him again. Here we are.

Doug, Jim Gluckson here at Del Mar, how are you today?

Doug O'Neill: Great, Jim, how are you?

Jim Gluckson: Great. Thanks for joining us. Really interesting and delightful year back and forth with

Hot Rod Charlie, let's talk about where he is right now as far as the condition of the horse and his

work schedule?

Doug O'Neill: Sure. Yes. He is in fact he's getting ready to get on a van to leave San Diego to go to Del

Mar as we speak. And he's doing really well. He's had a few works since the Pennsylvania

Derby win and, yes, we are excited, we are optimistic, and we are feeling good about the way

he’s coming into it.

Jim Gluckson: And, Doug, what would be a workout schedule here after coming to Del Mar?

Doug O'Neill: The plan is for him to settle in well and then probably breeze this Saturday at Del Mar.

Jim Gluckson: All right. Well, obviously we don't know post positions or how that will shake out, but how

at this point knowing the competition how does the race set up for him?

Doug O'Neill: Well, I'm biased of course, but I think he's very versatile so the race is very contentious,

very competitive and it looks like there's a lot of speed signed up in there, so that being said, I

love the continuity of having Flavien Prat back on him and having the versatility of being able to

come from the offset if the pace is too hot being able to make the lead if no one goes. So we got

options.

Jim Gluckson: All right. Well, Doug, let's see if we have some questions from the media on the line.

Shelby, please line up in the queue.

Operator: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question please signal by pressing “star,” “1” on your

telephone keypad. Please state your media outlet before asking your question. We'll pause for

just a few moments to allow everyone an opportunity to signal for questions. We'll take our first

question from Jon Stettin.

Jon Stettin: Hey, Doug, how are you? Jon Stettin with Past the Wire.

Doug O'Neill: Great, John, how are you?

Jon Stettin: I'm good, thanks. Bear with me for a second because I think this is interesting. I mean it's

been a super competitive year for the three-year-olds, and Hot Rod Charlie has been right in the

mix all year long. And I was contemplating the other day, well, if Medina Spirit wins the Classic,

he's got two wins over Essential Quality, hard pressed for him not to be a three-year-old

champion.

Essential Quality wins, then obviously he would have the edge. Jackie's Warrior wins this sprint

then comes back in the Malibu, something like that, he would probably put himself in the picture

because it's been so competitive. Yet Hot Rod Charlie is right in there. If you win the Classic

with Hot Rod Charlie, do you think that puts him in the picture for the three-year-old championship

as well? Do you think he's been competitive enough to be in that conversation and earn his

share of votes?

Doug O'Neill: I do. But unfortunately I don't get a vote. But, no, there would be nothing better than to win

the Classic and be in that conversation, right? And so, you’re right, it's been such a really

amazing year to see these horses that have come out of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year to

continue to face each other and evolve and mature together and all of them hold their form and

they are all top notch horses, so, yes, just very proud of Hot Rod Charlie and I'm sure everyone

who was part of that Juvenile class last year and continue to see the horses run the way they are,

are proud as well.

Jon Stettin: Yes, you've done a great, great job with him. If he were to win the Classic or run very well in

the Classic and you felt that you were in the running for that three-year-old title, is there even a

spot or a chance that you could run them again this year or just would there really be no time and

no other spot to really, really try and add to that resume to give him that extra boost?

Doug O'Neill: God, it's so hard to tell. I do, I love when horses are doing well, I love to run them. So you

are talking my lingo Jon, and I like to run in my athletes when they are doing well. So, we just

have to play it by ear but right now we are just focused on the Classic and just very happy of the

way things are going, and hopefully that's a well-run race and safe for everybody and hopefully

we end up on top and we got options. That would be great.

Jon Stettin: I appreciate that, Doug. All the best at the Breeders’ Cup. Thank you.

Doug O'Neill: You too. Thank you.

Operator: And again, if you would like to ask a question please press “star,” “1.” As a reminder please

state your media outlet before asking your question. We'll take our next question from Art Wilson.

Art Wilson: Yes, Art Wilson from the Southern California News Group. Hi, Doug, how are you?

Doug O'Neill: Great, Art, how are you?

Art Wilson: I’m doing good. Thanks. Hey, they always talk about in the horse race and the home field

edge in certain trainers' backyards, do you think that that's actually a positive for, say, you and

other trainers like Peter Miller, Bob Baffert. The last time the Breeders’ Cup was held at Del Mar

only three of the races were won by Southern California-based horses, so that kind of disproved

it, but how do you feel about the so-called home track edge?

Doug O'Neill: I don't think there is a – I don't think there's really a whole lot of edge when you are lucky

enough to be working alongside the top horses. They can ship or run out of their stall and hold

their form. That's what makes a really top-notch horse. So you look at Hot Rod Charlie and his

best races to date really have been out of the state of California. So it's sure is a lot easier for the

human for the health for sure but for horses like Hot Rod Charlie and most of the horses that I've

got a run on Breeders’ Cup Day I don't think it matters a whole lot.

Art Wilson: Now you annually run, you see the most horses in Southern California, you are a racing

secretary's dream, going, looking back at the beginning of this year compared to the way things

stand now are you at all surprised or disappointed that you are only going to have two horses

running next weekend?

Doug O'Neill: I think, I look at it like I am just so blessed and so grateful to have one. And it looks like we

might have two, we should have two. Now I don't really look at it, it's a privilege to have a

Breeders’ Cup horse and like I say in the past we have had some really fortunate years where

we've had some really fortunate years where we've had more than a few. But right now we are

just extremely grateful to have Hot Rod Charlie and Mackinnon and hopefully they both stay injury

free and they get there and they run their race.

Art Wilson: And my last question how do you size up the Classic, what do you think of the field and so

forth?

Doug O'Neill: It's so strong and obviously Essential Quality jumps out at me. We've seen a lot of him just

spearing the – he continues, he's just such, he's got the John Henryish way of just getting it done.

A lot of times it's not by multiple lengths but, man, he's going to get there.

So he leads the way in my mind but with Art Collector and Knicks Go, and you've got these

horses back East that are in tremendous form and Medina Spirit out here as well, so it's a wide-

open race. It's very contentious and I think Hot Rod Charlie just adds to that depth and the

contentiousness of it. So I am excited. This should be a really, really great run race.

Art Wilson: Okay, thanks, best of luck to you, Doug, next weekend.

Doug O'Neill: Yes, thank you, you too.


Jim Gluckson: Very good. Well, Doug, I really appreciate the time and for joining us today to talk about

Hot Rod Charlie, and really best of luck to you and best to your team and the ownership group in

the Classic.

Doug O'Neill: Sounds good. Thank you so much. Thanks for having me.

Jim Gluckson: Thank you, Doug. Doug O'Neill, everyone. Thank you. Now we are talking about the

super mare Letruska, tremendous season for trainer Fausto Gutierrez, winning a four consecutive

Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, the Ogden Phipps, the Fleur de Lis, the Personal Ensign, and

the Juddmonte Spinster, also defeating Monomoy Girl early this year in the Apple Blossom,

terrific season.

Fausto, good afternoon. Jim Gluckson here at Del Mar, how are you today?

Fausto Gutierrez: Hello, good afternoon, really good here at Del Mar.

Jim Gluckson: Great, great, thank you for joining us. It's been a tremendous year for Letruska. Moving

back to January and still racing at a peak performance. Can you describe the experience of

winning race after race with her this year?

Fausto Gutierrez: Yes. This year very consistent and strong and long campaign for her. Everything

starts with the Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston and after that we started to move to

different tracks to strong races. We got to the Apple Blossom and early interesting match

between Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver and we have the chance to be part of this historical

race. And after that all to the, and moving their people about the different places, we'd be at

Kentucky, New York, Monmouth, Del Mar, and like this.

Jim Gluckson: It's a very demanding and exciting schedule. What are her plans for her workout before

she goes into Longines Breeders’ Cup this day?

Fausto Gutierrez: Okay. I have the plan to breeze her for furlongs the next Saturday.

Jim Gluckson: These are four furlongs next Saturday?

Fausto Gutierrez: Yes.

Jim Gluckson: Okay. Very good.

Fausto Gutierrez: She just called for a very near race and the people to see how she galloped, she's a

horse who normally likes to gallop open, so really, I'm not a person to like to plan a work through

seven days or some of these situations or schools. With this horse I like to check how she is

doing and everything, how she feels and what is to, in my opinion, is the best for her to have a

good form.

Jim Gluckson: All right, all right, very good. Fausto, let's see if we have some questions from the media

on the line.

Fausto Gutierrez: Okay.

Jim Gluckson: So, Shelby, can we check that right now please?

Operator: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question please signal by pressing “star,” “1” on your



opportunity to signal for questions. We'll take our first question from Jon Stettin.

Jon Stettin: Hello, Fausto, Jon Stettin with Pass the Wire. How are you, sir?

Fausto Gutierrez: Very good, thank you. You?

Jon Stettin: I’m good. Well, I have a question that is, I think it's interesting because you've done such a

great job with Letruska and have kept her in top form for so long for so many months against top

competition. Is there any concern when that happens that at some point she may regress or the

term bounce is sometimes used here in the States for that, but is there any concern that she may

regress a little bit or she may have run too many hard races or too many tough race over the year

to still remain at that peak level for the Breeders’ Cup. Any concern of that at all?

Fausto Gutierrez: Okay. She's a horse, a mare right now, normally she's very sound, unlike, I tell before

if sometimes she tells me what (it is) she needs. I just try to, she matches the form. It's a

particular special horse and think too this is one of the points to make her different or with these

results because she recovered very good after the races.

And in that form for example, after the run at Belmont, I don’t have plan to run the Fleur de Lis.

But when she back to the Keeneland and she is start to train days after, I understand to see in

that race. You know, to maybe – it’s more easy to give the chance that she want and embrace

her but this is – so I can tell you, she’s a very healthy horse to – in all these months, I hope

everything is still like this. She’s out of problems.

With the natural cycles to have the horses, for example, I think to now these months for

November, December when come the winter, she’s tend to have the hair more long. And I prefer

don’t touch nothing in her. I prefer that she go like this. I will expect all the natural things to

happen with the horse, you know.

John Stettin: Yes. You’ve done a fantastic job with her, and I wish you all the best in the Breeders’ Cup.

What would it mean to Mexican racing, to win a race like the Breeders’ Cup Distaff with a female

like that?

Fausto Gutierrez: It’s something to we real – we can imagine to happen because the distance between

the quality for the races of Mexico right now with the Breeders’ Cup to use the top class for all the

world, we are so far. I don’t know. It’s like a child to its play in the school go to the major leagues

one day to the other.

You know, it’s very, very – the actual Mexican races are with a lot of problems especially for the

quality for the horses. I can’t tell you one number. Right now at Mexico, born no more than 150

Mexican breeds. So this can tell you the big gap to exist in the qualities for the horses.

John Stettin: I appreciate that. Again, you’ve done a great job all year with her and all the best in the

Breeders’ Cup, Fausto.

Fausto Gutierrez: Thank you.

Operator: Again, if you would like to ask a question, please press “star,” “1.” As a reminder, please state

your media outlet before asking your question. We’ll take our next question from Art Wilson.

Art Wilson: Yes, Fausto, Art Wilson from the Southern California News Group. Was there ever any

consideration, any serious consideration to running Letruska in the Classic against the boys?

Fausto Gutierrez: Yes. I think to some part of the year, all this in our mind. And when she win and wins,

you dream and dream. But right now, after the last races, after the – to reach the other division

for the horses, the male horses, in my opinion, the correct and only decision in this right moment

is that she confirm this great year that she have.

We’re planning to run her – that she will still run. So, on a small, short, few to medium, why not

run in other division? But right now, for our – for all this historical who won this race, be one of

the big contenders for different situations like Eclipse Award or why not part of the year and

another situations.

So we decide to now, she have to run the Distaff even it’s a very tough race, but if I were

prejudice in my opinion, this is the correct and only decision today.

Art Wilson: And in your way of thinking, is – should she be in the Horse of the Year conversation?

Fausto Gutierrez: You ask me?

Art Wilson: Yes.

Fausto Gutierrez: I answered you when – tell me – I don’t know. I think that she make an extraordinary

year. She is part of the month of January – month of January. And we are at November and she

traveled around the most strong races, different tracks. She win in each one. She win Fleur de

Lis and Personal Ensign before the Breeders’ Cup. She have four Group 1s.

She’s a consistent solid horse even, even I understand which is good that she lost one race

because this will let you know how complicated this activity for the race is. So I understand to

cover their horses and other campaigns. But if we check what she do, I think too it’s very difficult

to ask more. You know. When I have this horse in my hands, and it start the year and work the

year, I check all the possible races that she have and the different tracks, this calls, the other.

And finally, I decide to go to the more strong races possible, the Group 1s, the prestigious races

and to arrive to this Breeders’ Cup. I never stop to thinking about more – other ways. As you

know, I’m just concentrating in the next race and things like this to redesign this year. And I

repeat to you, four Group 1s, four, and all the places that she run, asking to – that she have, a lot

of points to be a possible Horse of the Year.

Art Wilson: Okay. Good luck to you, Fausto.



Jim Gluckson: All right. Well, Fausto, I thank you so much for joining us today for the full great season

with Letruska, and best of luck when you come out here for the Breeders’ Cup. Have a really

good afternoon.


Jim Gluckson: Fausto Gutierrez, everyone. Now, I’m – I just wanted to say, if anyone had any questions

about our fields or the subscribed races, as I say, Tom Robbins, the Chairman of the Breeders’

Cup Racing Directors and Secretaries Panel is here with us, so I just wanted to see if there’s any

questions about that before we depart.

Operator: And again, if you would like to ask a question, please press “star,” “1.” We do have one

question from Frank Angst.

Frank Angst: Hey, Tom. How are you?

Tom Robbins: Good, Frank.

Frank Angst: Thanks for joining us. I was just curious what your reaction was to the record number of

international horses. What do you think are some of the reasons for that?

Tom Robbins: I’m thrilled with it. I – maybe people have been cooped up for so long that they want to

come out and see beautiful Del Mar. That’s what I’m looking at it. No, it’s outstanding. And

we’re thrilled with that.

Frank Angst: I mean, seeing that Japan horses especially really caught my eye. Was there more of an

effort there? I know some challenge races have been expanded.

Tom Robbins: Yes. I think Breeders’ Cup has been reaching out to Japan, and it’s nice to see horses

competing both on dirt and turf. So we’re thrilled with that.

Frank Angst: Do you read anything into it in the fact that the expanded prohibitions of Lasix this year kind

of puts Breeders’ Cup on the same standards as the rest of the world?

Tom Robbins: I can see that. I think you’d have to ask each person individually, but I think in this

business, level playing fields are always what’s desired. And so I’m sure that might have some

play in it.

Frank Angst: Yes. Thanks so much. That’s all I got.

Tom Robbins: Thank you.

Operator: And again, if you would like to ask a question, please press “star,” “1.” And a “star,” “1” if you

would like to ask a question. And I’m showing we have no more questions in the queue at this

time.

Jim Gluckson: All right then. Thank you very much, everyone for joining us today on our call and our six

guests. A very good call, everyone. There’ll be a replay of this call later on this evening. And

tomorrow, we should have a transcript ready. We’re putting it up on Breederscup.com on our

media center.

Thank you for participating and thank you for the Dialogue Conferencing service for working with

us today. And everyone have a great day. Thank you very much.

Operator: This concludes today's call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

company: breeders’ cup conference title: breeders’ cup

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