Del Mar, Calif.: The California Angel has beaten the odds even before running in the Breeders’ Cup. The 2-year-old filly cost just $5,500, which was a drop in the bucket compared to its blue-blooded rivals. She made her way to the World Championships with a 17–1 margin of late.
His trainer, George Leonard III, is considered to be the first black conditioner with a horse in the Breeders’ Cup.
Through California Angel, Indiana, the $1 million Juvenile Phillies take on 13 rivals in turf, one of five races on Friday that begins the Breeders’ Cup weekend at San Diego’s seaside track Del Mar.
I realize it’s phenomenal here too,” said Leonard, a Louisiana native who has a 19-horse stable.
The Indiana Grand is supporting his hometown by betting the first 200 fans in attendance Friday to win $20. Owner Chris Walsh is from Columbus, Indiana.
Walsh has already turned down multiple offers to buy California Angel, the daughter of 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome. Her name was inspired by her sire as well as Leonard’s habit of calling her filly angel.
“It’s by far the best horse I’ve ever touched,” he said. We feel like we don’t know his full potential yet.
The California Angel charged from 12th place to win the Grade 2 Jessamine at Keeneland last month, the highest level of competition in the sport, the first time Leonard took in a graded stakes race.
The son of a trainer, he dropped out in 1991 and opened his own stables. Unlike most high-profile trainers and owners with deep pockets in the Breeders’ Cup, Leonard stocks his stalls with contenders, the horses he buys out of race for modest purses.
You liked it because there are so many other things you can do to make a lot more money, he said of his chosen profession. I always feel that I never work a single day in my life when I do what I enjoy.
Pizza Bianca, owned and bred by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, is an early 5-1 favorite at Juvenile Phillies Turf.
The California Angel drew the outside post in a field of 14 at an 8–1 margin.
I have great faith in my horse, Leonard said.
His wife and steady hand, said Isabel, we always come to win. I never pay attention to obstacles.
Friday’s card tops a $2 million teen, whose winner is seen as a horse to go to the Kentucky Derby next year. The starting favorite is 9-5 shot Jack Christopher, coached by Chad Brown and ridden by Jose Ortiz. The undefeated colt pulled the rails across a 12-horse field.
I really didn’t want to be there, Brown said. Hopefully, he will come clean and get out of there. We’ll leave it to Jose to see if he just lets him along or we just play it by ear if there’s hell on the lead.
Entangled trainer Bob Baffert has three entries: 5-2 Corniche, 8-1 Pinehurst and 10-1 Barossa. Baffert is being allowed to compete after agreeing to raise the safety and testing standards for eight of his horses. The Hall of Famer has had five positive drug tests in his stables in the past year.
Baffert is seeking a record fifth win at juveniles.
Could be hot, especially with Jack Christopher breaking off the rails, Baffert said. These are all good horses. That’s why a championship is at stake. The margin of victory is so small. It is very difficult to win these races.
Todd Plechter would beat 5-1 shot CommandPerformance and 20-1 shot Double Thunder.
Friday’s race featuring all 2-year-olds is a prelude to Saturday’s another nine, culminating in a $6 million classic where the Knicks are a 5-2 starting favorite for Go trainer Brad Cox. Top horses from the US, Europe and Japan will run for more than $31 million in purses on both days.
In other races on Friday:
Everly Jane is 5-2 favorite in $1 million teen turf sprint
Echo Zulu is 4-5 Favorites in the $2 Million Teen Phillies
Ireland-bred Dubai Legend is 4-1 favorite in $1 million teen turf
___
More AP Sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Disclaimer: This post has been self-published from the agency feed without modification and has not been reviewed by an editor
read all breaking news, breaking news And coronavirus news Here. follow us on Facebook, Twitter And Wire.