ARCADIA, California (AFP) - Trainer Aidan O'Brien downplayed Rip Van Winkle's latest foot issue on Wednesday, and sounded delighted with the Breeders Cup Classic contender's first foray on the Santa Anita Pro-Ride track.
"We were a little worried the journey had taken a bit out of him," O'Brien said of the Sussex Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner.
"He has had a long, hard season, but we're very happy with him this morning... You just have to be careful talking about him because the feel we got out of him this morning makes you maybe say too much."Rip Van Winkle has battled several injuries this season, and O'Brien said the latest was in his previously unaffected right hind foot.
"His foot seems fine," was O'Brien's verdict after the colt's tour of the Santa Anita track on Wednesday. "There was a little bit of an issue on his off-hind - and that's one area that we haven't had a problem with before - but everyone's happy with it and it has been good the last week."He is a horse that's very exuberant - you see the movement and the action, he gives it all," O'Brien added. "Obviously the first day here the heat and everything we didn't want him to do too much. It was only hack around, really."
Rip Van Winkle bruised a foot before the 2,000 Guineas. He ran second to Irish racing great Sea The Stars in the Eclipse Stakes despite appearing a likely non-starter before the race. He injured a hind foot prior to his triumph in the Sussex Stakes."He has been swimming against the tide all season," O'Brien said.
Nevertheless, Coolmore and O'Brien risked entering only Rip Van Winkle in the five million-dollar Classic, which will cap the two-day, 14-race Breeders' Cup programme on Saturday.Mastercraftsman was also pre-entered for the Classic, but it was decided to run him in the Dirt Mile instead.
The Classic field also includes unbeaten US mare Zenyatta. She'll be aiming for a 14th victory, but has never raced against colts and never raced 1 1/4 miles.Zenyatta has, however, proved herself on the Pro-Ride surface, including a victory here last year in the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic.
While the surface is new to Rip Van Winkle, O'Brien said the horse "floated" on it."If he's anywhere close to how he was at Ascot or Goodwood, then you'd hope and dream that he can win," O'Brien said.
