Classic contender Funny Cide jogged a mile and then schooled in the starting gate and paddock. Managing partner of ownership group Sackatoga Stable, Jack Knowlton, said, "Knowing (trainer Barclay Tagg) as well as I know him, you could say that he is practically gushing about how well Funny Cide is doing. For him to say that Funny Cide is doing better than he ever has, well, that's just music to my ears."
Classic contender Perfect Drift jogged 1 1/8 miles with a pony. Trainer Murray Johnson, commenting on the jockey switch from Pat Day to Desormeaux, "Kent's won on him before. I've known him for a long time. He's won a lot of races for me in the past, including a few stakes. It's not a matter of getting the right rider, it's getting the right ride."
TURF
Turf contender Powerscourt galloped on the main track with regular rider Jamie Spencer up. After the exercise, Spencer said, "He's very honest and genuine and he is a lovely horse to ride. Kitten's Joy looks like a top horse but the last two furlongs will tell on Saturday. We know how tough my horse is. He will really dig deep."
Turf contender Mustanfar galloped a mile then jogged a mile on the main track. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said of the outside post, "It shouldn't be a problem with only 8 horses in the race and 1 1/2 miles in front of him."
Turf starter Better Talk Now galloped 1 3/4 miles on the turf course around the dogs. Trainer H. Graham Motion said, "Better Talk Now is just a gritty horse. He earned his way here winning the Grade 1 Sword Dancer. Maybe he regressed in the Man O'War, so we decided not to run him in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and have him fresh for the Breeders' Cup. He's a very tough horse. When he doesn't run well, there's a reason for it."
FILLY & MARE TURF
Filly and Mare Turf morning-line favorite Ouija Board cantered 7 furlongs on the turf around the dogs, then schooled in the starting gate. Trainer Ed Dunlop said, "We had been hearing how good Kitten's Joy was from you lot (the American press) and Lord Derby (owner) and I had a long chat about it and decided on running against her own sex."
Yesterday went out for a mile gallop in preparation for her start in the Filly and Mare Turf. Jockey Jamie Spencer said, "She was ill earlier in the year and the boss (trainer Aidan O'Brien) has done great to get her to this stage. She looks great and it would be great if she could run a big race."
Filly and Mare Turf entrant Shaconage galloped 3 furlongs over the turf. "This is just to let her get a feel for the course," said trainer Mitch Shirota. "She's still growing up. She's a late June foal and so she's still really immature. She's only three-and-a-half, but she is getting better as she gets older."
MILE
Antonius Pius galloped a mile under exercise rider Pat Lillas in preparation for his start in the Mile. "He'll need everything to go right," jockey Jamie Spencer said of his mount, who is known for his quirky temperament. "He has a lot of ability and if he puts everything together he is capable of running a good race."
Mile contender Singletary went out for a mile gallop over the turf course under exercise rider David Meah. "He seemed like he handled it well enough," said trainer Donald Chatlos Jr. "There was a good cut in the ground, but he seemed to get over it pretty well."
Defending Mile champion Six Perfections went out for a gallop on the main track and then schooled in the paddock. "I'm quite confident she will run well Saturday," trainer Pascal Bary said her. This track is about the same as Santa Anita. She ran well there last year, and she should have the same kind of race this year."
DISTAFF
Distaff entrant Bare Necessities galloped a mile and then jogged an additional mile on the main track. It was nice and strong," said assistant trainer Charles Burton. "I liked the way she went. She ate up all right. I'd like it to be cooler, but you can't ask for every thing. She doesn't have a lot of speed. We'll just let the others go on and get position."
Island Fashion galloped 1 1/4 miles in preparation for Saturday's Distaff under exercise rider Jenny Jonson. Trainer Marcelo Polanco said, "She doesn't much like it wet. Her race in Japan (the Yasuda Kinen, 1 mile on good turf) told me that. She wants it fast and so do I."
JUVENILE
Juvenile morning-line favorite Roman Ruler galloped 1 1/2 miles on the main track. I just wanted him to get a feel of the racetrack and he did that well. He's a very intelligent horse. We know he has a good kick, so I feel pretty good about the way he's coming along."
Juvenile entrant Scandinavia galloped a mile over the main track. "He's a lovely colt who really improved last time out (Royal Lodge Stakes)," jockey Jamie Spencer said. "He ran three times earlier in the summer and then had a bit of a break. He was really impressive last time, and if he improves a little bit again he should run well."
