Gosden happy as stars get a feel of Churchill Downs
John Gosden’s dual Prix de L’arc de Triomphe heroine Enable and the only even-money shot in the 14 Breeders’ Cup races over tomorrow and Saturday has assumed the starring role here in Kentucky.
While her appearance on the Turf course under Frankie Dettori yesterday may not have been given quite the Hollywood reception accorded Zenyatta when she came to Churchill Downs in 2010, a healthy posse had, nevertheless, hung around for her spin.
Gosden was pleased with her and Roaring Lion who was out on the dirt earlier, also ridden by Dettori, although Oisin Murphy will ride him on Saturday. “She was very professional,” said the trainer. “It took a little longer to come out of the Arc having not gone in 100 per cent, but she travelled well and has settled in.”
In Saturday’s Turf she will try to become the first Arc winner to win a Breeders’ Cup race in the same season. Eight have failed, including Dancing Brave and Gosden’s Golden Horn, who was undone by rain in 2015. “Golden Horn ran a valiant race on the worst ground I’d seen,” he said. “I think he’d have broken that stat on decent ground. But they keep throwing it at you and maybe they will be proved right. A mile and a half round three turns is a very different ball game.”
On a mild morning Roaring Lion returned from going through the stalls in a muck sweat, but Gosden was unfazed. “I’d have been disappointed if he hadn’t been. It’s a huge challenge for him. But when Frankie looked at him he asked if he was fit – he has such a middle on him. We’re watching the rain. If it was sloppy it would be no go.”
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