Operator:  Good day, everyone, and welcome to today's NTRA Road To The World Thoroughbred Championship's Conference Call.  Today's call is being recorded.  At this time I'd like to turn the call over to Mr. Eric Wing, with the NTRA.  Eric, please go ahead.

Eric Wing:  Thank you very much, Abe.  And hello again, everybody.  Thanks for joining us on this week's Road To The Breeders Cup teleconference.  As always, everything we say will be available about 24 hours at NTRA.com in a handy transcript.  Big TV weekend.  ESPN 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Emirates Airline Super Saturday Series continues with the live runnings of the (Beldame) and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational from Belmont along with Super Derby XXVI from Shreveport and the Goodwood Breeders Cup Handicap from Santa Anita.  And then on Sunday from 6:00 to 7:00 on ESPN Road To The World Thoroughbred Championship Series, powered by Dodge, live runnings of the Ladies Secret Breeders Cup Handicap and the Norfolk Stakes. 

             With all those races it goes without saying we've got a lot to get to.  A little later we'll talk to trainer Bill Mott who hopes that S’s are wild this weekend.  He'll be sending out San Springs in the Flower Bowl, Shakespeare in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, Sweet Symphony in the (Beldame), and possibly (Saoirse) Cat in the Astarita Stakes.  We'll also check in later with trainer Richard Mandela who will be looking to duplicate with Rock Hard Ten the Goodwood Breeders Cup handicap, Breeders Cup Classic double that he pulled in '03 with Pleasantly Perfect.  He'll also have Laura's Lucky Boy in the Clement Hirsch Turf Championship and Indy Miss in the Oakleaf Stakes. 

             As impressive as those two trainers' rosters of weekend horses are, they pale in comparison to that of our first guest, Todd Pletcher, who really has too many horses to mention, but I'll give you the "Reader's Digest" version.  Flower Alley in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, English Channel in the Joe Hirsch, (Ashado) in the (Belle Dame), Unobstructed View in the Astarita, maybe Honey Rider in the Flower Bowl, Indian Veil in the Cotillion, Yes Yes Yes in the Gallant Bob – those two to be ridden by Angel Cordero, Junior – Magna Graduate in the Pegasus Stakes.  I'm probably missing three or four, so let's go to the expert himself, Todd Pletcher.  Todd, it's Eric Wing in New York.  Thanks for coming on with us. 

Todd Pletcher:  Thanks, Eric. 

Eric Wing:  Todd, first of all, let's talk Philadelphia Park.  How was the decision arrived at to use Angel Cordero in the Cotillion and in the Gallant Bob?  Did you reach out to him, did he pose the question to you?  And if Indian Veil runs extremely, as she has to date, any possibility should her – should her performance Saturday warrant in the Breeders Cup Distaff that Cordero would ride her that day also?

Todd Pletcher:  Well, to start at the beginning, he's definitely going to ride Indian Veil.  We're not positive that he's going to ride both Yes Yes Yes and Indian Veil.  We're waiting to firm that up.  I entered both horses today and he's definitely going to ride Indian Veil. I left Yes Yes Yes open with the idea that we're going to look at that and see – he's not positive he wants to ride two, so we're going to sort that out in the next day or two.  But he's definitely riding Indian Veil.  And basically, as everyone knows, Angel's been getting on horses in the morning for the past four or five years really picking up the intensity level in the last couple of years, you know, where to the point where he's getting on five or six, sometimes seven, horses a morning working a lot of those horses and working a lot of our good horses leading up to, you know, some of the big races starting all the way back with the Breeders Cup last fall.

             And, you know, we kidded around about it at times.  Sometime horses, you know, would run really well and he'd say I should have made my comeback on that one, that one would have been easy to ride.  So I've always told him that it's open, if he ever decided that he wanted to ride all he had to do was let me know and we would do that.  So he – after Indian Veil won the allowance race – I guess you read in the "Form" that she's going to run in the Cotillion next – and he said, you know, that that's a horse I'd like to ride.  So I spoke to the (Melyneks) and they decided that, you know, that they liked the idea.  He's also doing some stuff for the Hurricane Katrina funds, you know, to support that.  So it's a good cause all the way around. And we certainly wouldn't be doing it if we didn't think Angel was up to it, and he feels like he's up to it.  And I think it's very exciting for the sport and looking forward to it. 

Eric Wing:  Yes, thanks for mentioning that, Todd.  Angel has pledged 25 percent of any earnings he accumulated on Saturday to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.

Todd Pletcher:  Right.  And so – and so have the (Melyneks), by the way.  They've also – are going to give the same amount.  So, you know, that's for a great cause.

Eric Wing:  OK.  Yes, I was not aware of that second part.  And should she run well enough to run in the Breeders Cup, have you given any thought to Cordero riding her in the Distaff as well or is ((inaudible)) …

Todd Pletcher:  No, I think – you know, he said this is – you know, he wants to do this and this is kind of a one-time thing and, you know, that he did not want to ride in the Breeders Cup regardless of how well she did. 

Eric Wing:  OK.  Looking at some of your other horses – and I'll let the media ask you about some of them, there are just too many – but look at English Channel in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, English Channel kind of went through the three-year-old turf ranks like a hot knife through butter through much of the year.  A disappointing second, perhaps, in the Secretariat only in that he didn't win.  But from a speed figure standpoint and also the factor of maturation, do you think that race actually showed that English Channel belongs with the very best in what's a very contentious division?

Todd Pletcher:  Well, that's what we're trying to find out.  I mean, obviously we have what we feel like's the best three-year-old turf horse in the country.  And, you know, the one thing about the Secretariat is we found ourselves on the lead and clearly that was not where you wanted to be on the day.  Not that it's generally the right running style for a mile and a quarter grass race.  But in the three big races run that day, in the (Beverly D), the Arlington Million, and the Secretariat, he was really the only horse that showed any pace at all that was even close towards the end of the race.  I mean, you know, it's not the way he prefers to run. 

             It was just a matter of circumstances the way it worked out.  But, you know, we had gone into that race with the idea that we felt like we had a horse good enough to perhaps run in the Breeders Cup and, you know, we felt like had we won that race we were going to go to the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.  And so we thought that he ran well enough and he's trained well enough since then to deserve a chance to run in the Turf Classic, see how we do and decide whether or not, you know, we have a horse that's ready for the Breeders Cup this year or we need to wait another year until he's a four-year-old and try it then.

Eric Wing:  And of course the Joe Hirsch was won last year by the – by a three-year-old, the recently retired Kitten's Joy.  So English Channel will look to make it two straight years of three-year-olds in that one.  Todd, plenty of media listening in.  I'll throw it back to Abe and we'll see if the media have any questions for you. 

Todd Pletcher:  You got it.

Jennie Rees:  Hey, Todd.  Did I read in the "Form" or did I ((inaudible)) that you're thinking of maybe potentially running a rabbit in the Gold Cup if it doesn't look like there's ((inaudible)).

Todd Pletcher:  Well, we did nominate (Bishop Court Hill).  And so, you know, we're keeping an eye on that.  Right now I think there's two or three speed horses and horses that, you know, should keep the pace honest.  So I don't think it's going to be necessary.  But we have put him in there to keep that option available.

Jennie Rees:  Could you just kind of talk about Flower Alley's development?  I mean, this is a horse that, you know, a few months ago people would have figured he would be a part of the pace scenario. 

Todd Pletcher:  Well, I mean, he will be. And as you say in the Travers, you know, in a situation where there was only one other pace horse we were able to, you know, use him a couple times during the race to make sure that Bellamy Road didn't get away.  And he's a horse that has enough tactical speed and is versatile enough that you can do that with.  It's not always – you know, especially when you're going up against older horses, you know, we didn't want to be in a position, especially with some of the – if we decide to use a pace setter with some of the, you know, legitimate horses like (Borrego) who are going to want to pass pace (and they're going to be) lag behind the field and make one run. 

             It might be a disadvantage for us to be the one doing the dirty work on the front end of softening somebody up and still trying to – still trying to run down the lane.  So that's the only reason we're keeping that option open.  But he's physically matured a lot, mentally he's become much more professional in his races than he was earlier in the year even when he won the (Lanes End).  And, you know, I think now he's kind of the complete package.

Jennie Rees:  Yes.  And when you look at what is still around of the older horses and you look at what you have in your barn with Flower Alley, I mean, how do you – I mean, I figure he could be the favorite, but how do you feel that he stakes up at this point with the older horses?

Todd Pletcher:  Well, you know, obviously you never know that for sure until you – until you go up against them.  But, you know, I feel like we're holding a very strong hand and the horse that's running figures that are good enough to win a race like this, and he's certainly, you know, a relatively fresh horse that's in great form and, you know, obviously handles a mile and a quarter.  So we're delighted with where we are.

Jennie Rees:  Is he a horse that, say, in February – say, January that you really thought would be in the Breeders Cup Classic or even in the Gold Cup?

Todd Pletcher:  You know, I mean, honestly I don't even think about races beyond, you know, what's coming right up.  But, you know, the one thing I will say – and obviously we did something we normal don't do with him and that's go from a maiden race right to, you know, a big stake like the (Lanes End).  We saw in the morning following his first race at Calder that was a very different horse than the one that we had lead over in his first start at Calder.  And he just kept getting better and better.  And, you know, we saw in the workouts – we were working him with some horses that, you know, that had good form.  And so we – you know, I'm not shocked.  I mean, I necessarily wouldn't have projected it, but I'm not shocked by (any means).

Jennie Rees:  Yes.  All right, I'll let another caller with all these sirens in. 

Todd Pletcher:  Is your house burning or ...

Operator:  Tim Wilkin, "Albany Times Union."

Tim Wilkin:  Who's chasing you?  Todd, ((inaudible)).

Eric Wing:  He's chasing Jennie.  That was Jennie.

Tim Wilkin:  Oh, it was Jennie.  Todd, with the way Flower Alley has come along, you know, from the Jim Dandy to the Travers, when did you realize that this horse was something that could be something special?

Todd Pletcher:  You know, I thought that I saw what kind of talent we had in the (Lanes End) because I was – you know, as I was watching the race I was actually watching it on split screen where they the head-on view and the pan shot at the same time.  And watching this horse run so greenly and climb from the mud and back and forth and inside and outside and all over the place and to still win that race, I said, man, this horse has got to have some serious ability.  Because he was out there and had no idea what he was doing.  He just won it on – you know, on sheer ability alone. 

             So, you know, I felt like if we can get this horse, you know, straightened away and focused and he matures, then he can be any kind of horse. And we saw, you know, a little more professional run in the Arkansas Derby, although, you know, not even close to what he is now. And in the Derby we put the blinkers on and that kind of – you know, we got the wrong kind of trip on the day.  But, you know, I felt like the (Lanes End) was kind of the race that solidified, you know, what kind of talent level he had.

Tim Wilkin:  Todd, what – does this horse now with all the defections we've had, does he have a legitimate shot if runs to be horse of the year?

Todd Pletcher:  I mean, I think if he runs – you know, if he runs the table from here on out then I think he certainly has to be considered there.  You know, I mean, to go out on a four-race win streak and with those kind of races, you know, I think he does have a chance to do that.  But, you know, I mean, I don't want to get ahead of myself and start, you know, lobbying for horse of the year.  I mean, he's got to – he's got to step up and do it.  But he's put himself in a position where he has a chance.

Tim Wilkin:  Thanks, Todd.

Operator:  And we'll go to Debbie Arrington, "Sacramento Bee." 

Debbie Arrington:  Hi, Todd.  You had such a deep – you have such a deep stable this year, you know, with your Derby candidates and so many horses right now.  Did Flower Alley surprise you being the one out of that bunch to, you know, surface as being, you know, the big contender this end of the year?  And how many horses do you think you're going to take to the Breeders Cup? 

Todd Pletcher:  Well, I mean, you know, I still feel like Bambini and ((inaudible)) two other horses that we ran in the Derby, are, you know, hopefully going to come back later this fall or the beginning of next year and prove to be really good handicap type horses.  You know, the key was that Flower Alley came out of the Derby in physically good shape, and we made a conscious decision to pass on the Preakness and the Belmont and focus on, you know, the Travers, you know, as our first major goal. 

             And because of that I think, you know, we were able to win the Jim Dandy and the Travers, and also because of that we have a fresh (horse), you know, during the fall of the year.  So, you know, it was – it was a case of having a horse that was lightly raced and, you know, and pulling back at the right time and giving him a chance to get over the Triple Crown process of getting there, getting to the Derby, and then, you know, freshening him up for the fall of the year.

             As far as how many are going to be in the Breeders Cup, obviously the next couple of weeks are going to play a major role in how many.  I mean, right now obviously we're hopeful that, you know, (Shadow's) going to run well in the (Beldame) and back in the Breeders Cup, that Flower Alley's going to run well in the Jockey Club and back in the Classic.  And we've got some two-year-old fillies, (Adieu) and Lasting Appeal, that are probably going to ((inaudible)) the weekend after that, a couple of turf horses in the (Kelso) that, you know, would need to step up that could make it.  So, you know, we're in there with a chance to get a few of them there and hopefully, you know, the next month goes well. 

Debbie Arrington:  Very good.  Best of luck.

Todd Pletcher:  Thank you.

Operator:  And we'll go to Ryan Goldberg, "Daily Racing Form."

Ryan Goldberg:  Yes, hi, Todd.  This is Ryan Goldberg, down in (Monmouth) Park.  I just wanted to ask you about Magna Graduate for the Pegasus, sort of see what his progress has been since the West Virginia Derby, and it seems like he's been working really well at Belmont, and just also want to know who's going to ride him in the race.

Todd Pletcher:  Well, he's trained very well.  And, you know, we kind of flirted with the idea of coming back in the Pennsylvania Derby, which came up a little quick off the West Virginia race.  Since then we decided to keep an eye on the Pegasus and Louisiana Derby, and we felt like at a mile and an eighth and being closer to home that we chose the Pegasus.  The horse is doing really well, and (John Velazquez) is going to ride him.

Ryan Goldberg:  Thanks a lot, Todd.

Operator:  And once again, star one to signal if you would like to ask a question.  And as always, please make sure you're not muted.  That will block your signal and we won't see it.  Again, star one.  I'll just pause a couple seconds.  And we do have another question.  It's come up – this is – oh, a couple.  Jeff Lowe, "Thoroughbred Times."

Jeff Lowe:  Hey, Todd.  Could you tell us what's your plan for India?

Todd Pletcher:  She's scheduled to be examined by Dr. Robertson from Ohio State tomorrow.  He's going to scope her and most likely do a (myectomy) here at Belmont.  And if that's the case she'll be back in training within a couple of days and we'll see how that goes. 

Jeff Lowe:  OK, thanks. 

Operator:  And it looks like we have a follow-up from Tim Wilkin, in Albany.

Tim Wilkin:  Yes, Todd, just one more question about Cordero.  Was there ever any hesitation on your part to put him back on a horse?  I mean, he is 62, even though we know what great shape he's in. 

Todd Pletcher:  Not in my eyes. I mean, I have no hesitation whatsoever.  I mean, the guy's in tremendous shape.  He's the youngest 62-year-old or 52-year-old or 42-year-old, for that matter, that I know.  I mean, he's just – I mean, you see the guy at Saratoga.  He's out there every day, he's tremendous energy level.  You know, if he's comfortable and he's confident, I'm totally confident. 

Tim Wilkin:  And still this is – you're trying to win a big race.  It's not like this is a publicity stunt.

Todd Pletcher:  No.  I mean, you know, we're going there to win.  There's no question about it.  That's our objective.  And, you know, to me it adds a lot of excitement, you know, because Angel's on board. 

Tim Wilkin:  Thanks.

Operator:  And again star one.  Jennie Rees to follow-up from Louisville.

Jennie Rees:  Yes, with no ambulances this time.

Eric Wing:  Very good.

Jennie Rees:  ((inaudible)) I want to ask you about (Ashado).  She's been so dominating in her races, and then there was the puzzling one, and now we hear she had a foot bruise.  Do you think that that's – are you satisfied in your mind that that's what it was?

Todd Pletcher:  Well, I mean, I think, you know, that her – that her foot was bothering her enough that it compromised her performance.  All I can tell you is that she's trained really well ((inaudible)) she looks good and, you know, the filly that's been as good as she is, you know, you have to forgive her for one bad outing.  And, you know, hopefully we've got the foot behind us, and certainly the way she's trained we feel like we do.  So, you know, she's been so consistent prior to that that I've got to – you got to be able to draw a line through one race or over three years. 

Jennie Rees:  Yes.  And, I mean, is she (touting) you, is she training as good as she's ever trained?

Todd Pletcher:  She – you know, I don't think she's – I think she trained the best she's ever trained leading up to the (Ogden Phipps), and she was just on like I've never seen her. And, you know, she's right there with that, and I think, you know, with one more race and then, you know, hopefully she'll be right on top of that same form for the – for the Breeders Cup. 

Jennie Rees:  I think I've read that you had considered even skipping this prep and just training her up there. But did you think that that's just not the best way to get her on – to be at her peak October 29, or do you feel she's doing so great why not. 

Todd Pletcher:  Well, I think, you know, optimally you try to repeat exactly what you did last year, which, you know, she ran in a prep four weeks before the Breeders Cup and came back and won the Breeders Cup.  So we're basically trying to duplicate, you know, that same thing. And as long as I'm satisfied with the way she's training, she looks good, I think the (Beldame) is the best way to get to the Breeders Cup.  But if I had to train her up to the Breeders Cup, I'd be confident that we could do that. 

Jennie Rees:  OK.  Thanks.

Operator:  And again star one if you would like to speak to Todd Pletcher.  Star one.  Again we'll wait a couple seconds.  And, gentlemen, I have no other questions in the queue at this time.

Eric Wing:  Todd, looking at the Flower Bowl quickly.  You've mentioned Honey Rider as a possible.  She's shown in her last – really her last five races that going a distance of ground if she has a target she's really just about as good as anybody in the division.  Beat Filmmaker last time.  Is she a go for the Flower Bowl?

Todd Pletcher:  I've got to talk to Mr. (Greathouse) and we're going to sort that out here in the next 24 hours.  She worked well yesterday, she came out of the work in good shape.  Basically what we're trying to do is weigh our options and, you know, see.  A mile and a quarter is probably a (pick) shorter than what her best distance is, but, you know, we kind of need to find out where we fit in the Breeders Cup picture.  So we're going to decide that.  I'd say at this point she's 50-50 for the Flower Bowl.

Eric Wing:  And since you have representation in so many divisions, does it seem like even despite the defections that have taken place during the year that it's still – the various divisions seem to have a depth to them that's really quite remarkable this year, maybe even more so than others. 

Todd Pletcher:  Well, I mean, you know, there's defections every year.  That's just the nature of the game.  And, you know, believe me, on the day of these races it will be hard enough to win.

Eric Wing:  All right. Well, Todd Pletcher, you're going to have a busy weekend.  I hope you've got some good assistants lined up to cover all your tracks.  And we thank you for taking the time out of your Tuesday to be with us, and we wish you the best of luck in all your races this weekend. 

Todd Pletcher:  Thank you very much. 

Eric Wing:  Thank you.  Todd Pletcher, who will saddle, I don't know, close to a dozen horses or thereabout this weekend, almost all of them stakes performers in the various races.  We want to tell everybody also, speaking of stakes, that a national pick four will be offered, an NTRA national pick four this Saturday with four of the five races on that Emirates Airline Super Saturday show making up the pick four.  The $1 pick four with a $400,000 guarantee will start off with the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at 4:43, then comes the Super Derby at 5:06, the Jockey Club Gold Cup at 5:25, and finally to round out the pick four the Goodwood Breeders Cup Handicap from Oaktree at Santa Anita. 

             And also want to remind everybody that the NTRA.com media center is now available.  So any of you in the print media who may be in need of photographs of some of the leading Triple Crown – or excuse me, Breeders Cup horses, trainers, or jockeys, those can be downloaded free of charge at www.NTRA.com/mediacenter.  Those photos should be up and running in the next day or so. So bear with us on that. 

             We just mentioned that the Goodwood Breeders Cup Handicap will round out the NTRA national pick four, and our next guest will have the horse everybody will be watching in that race, Rock Hard Ten.  Of course I'm referring to trainer Richard Mandela.  Richard, it's Eric Wing in New York.  Thanks for joining us today.

Richard Mandela:  Thank you.  How are you doing today?

Eric Wing:  I'm fine.  How's everything out West?

Richard Mandela:  Everything's pretty good right now.

Eric Wing:  Well, Richard, Rock Hard Ten is obviously three for three under your care, but he hasn't raced since the Big Cap win back in March.  And I guess this is the same – the same double, so to speak, that you pulled off successfully in '03 with Pleasantly Perfect.  Are you thinking that Rock Hard Ten is all the way back or is the thinking more that he'll improve further after he gets the Goodwood under his belt?

Richard Mandela:  Well, I think a race ought to improve him, but I think he – I think he's as fit as he's going to be and I think he's as good as he could be.  So expect him to run as good as he's ever run here this Saturday.

Eric Wing:  Richard, Rock Hard Ten, ever since people laid on him, he's always given people two general impressions.  One, he's a physical specimen, and, two, he's and handful.  Given that – first of all, how has he matured?  Is he – is he easier to train now than he was when you first got him?  And also, given all these, you know, his size and his – and his headstrongness, so to speak, is he the type of horse who would figure to improve more than most maybe with age and experience?

Richard Mandela:  Well, I think that's probably a good possibility.  But he has matured and he's just become easier to work with us all through the year. 

Eric Wing:  All right.

Richard Mandela:  But we didn't really have much trouble with him last winter.

Eric Wing:  OK.  So there you have it.  Richard, incidentally, will also be sending out two-year-old filly Indy Miss in the Oakleaf Stakes on Saturday and (Laura's) Lucky Boy on Sunday in the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship.  Richard, I may ask you about those two horses later, but I want to give the media their turn. So without further ado I'll throw it back to Abe and he'll see if the media have any questions for you.

Operator:  Thank you, Eric.  Again, star one to signal to speak to Mr. Mandela.  Star one.  And as always, please make sure you're not muted.  That will block your signal.  Again, star one.  And, Mr. Mandela, we do have a question, and this is Debbie Arrington, from the "Sacramento Bee."

Debbie Arrington:  Hi.  Good morning, Richard.

Richard Mandela:  How are you?

Debbie Arrington:  Oh, fine.  Thanks for joining us.  Rock Hard Ten was so impressive with the Big Cap last spring, you know, and then he went on the shelf for so long.  What were some of the things that have kept him, you know, out of racing in that time?  And is he back where he is, at the same point – you mentioned that you thought he was as good as he is.  But do you think he's right there where he was at Big Cap day?

Richard Mandela:  I think so.  You know, saying that it's a pretty big guess being as we haven't had a race in a – you know, he went into the handicap off some very good races.  But he didn't have any serious ailments, he just had some aches and pains and just had to back off and let him get over them.  And then by the time we did that it was too late to be doing anything other than what we're going to do.

Debbie Arrington:  And you mentioned that he seemed to have matured.  Has he gotten any bigger or filled out any more, because he's already such a big horse.

Richard Mandela:  Right.  He didn't get any taller, but I'd say he's maybe filled out and muscled up a little more now.

Debbie Arrington:  Oh, wow.  Are there any, you know, little tricks that ...

Richard Mandela:  I wish I could – I wish I could say the same for myself.

Debbie Arrington:  Are there any little tricks that you use to keep him happy?

Richard Mandela:  You speak quietly and carry a big stick like one of our ex-president's used to talk about. 

Debbie Arrington:  Very good.  Well, best of luck.

Richard Mandela:  All right.

Eric Wing:  Richard, looking at your other two horses on the weekend, Indy Miss, your Oakleaf horse, came from well out of it to win her only career start going a mile on grass.  Clearly it wouldn't seem the distance is any issue.  Do you think she'll be equally effective on the main track?

Richard Mandela:  To be honest, I'll be surprised if she runs as well on the dirt.  She's by (AP Indy), which should help her, but she's out of a pretty strictly grass family.  And she gives me the feeling of a grass filly, but she ran so well, and this race is here, I've got to try it to find out.  But chances are if she didn't like it as well we'll end up pointing her for grass the rest of her life.  So we're hoping – we're hoping she adapts to it.

Eric Wing:  And speaking of the grass, (Laura's) Lucky Boy is pointed to the Clement Hirsch.  He seems to be rounding into top form.  What do you need to see out of him this weekend to feel that a trip to Belmont and justified?  And also, he's won three races at a mile.  Are you thinking of him more in terms of long distance or could you conceivably turn him back to a mile under certain circumstances?

Richard Mandela:  No, I – you know, I kind of got onto thinking he wanted to settle and run further this summer. And I was pretty happy with the result at Delmar.  And if I see that kind of an effort again then I'll have to consider going to Belmont, or trying to anyway.

Eric Wing:  OK.  And one last question about Rock Hard Ten, Richard.  We're looking at the prospect in the Goodwood of a short field, maybe as few as four.  Also not a lot of early pace signed up for the race, at least on paper.  Does that affect you in any way?  Does it make you – are you worried you may not get as much out of the race as you want or is it really not an issue?

Richard Mandela:  I'm a little worried about pace.  You know, we could end up in there with a pace-less race.  And as you all know, pace makes the race sometimes.  But other than that I'm just happy to have him back and I hope I get a good race in him.

Eric Wing:  Well, Richard, we'll be looking forward to seeing him on television on ESPN – or, excuse me, on – yes, on ESPN on Saturday from 4:00 to 6:00.  And we wish you the best of luck with Rock Hard Ten and also Indy Miss and (Laura's) Lucky Boy this weekend. 

Richard Mandela:  OK, thank you.

Eric Wing:  Thank you.  Thanks for being with us.  Richard Mandela, who will send out a trio of stakes horses this weekend at Oaktree, at Santa Anita.  And our third and final guest this afternoon will be busy in his own right.  Trainer Bill Mott.  Bill, it's Eric Wing in New York. Thanks for coming on with us.

Bill Mott:  Thank you for having me.

Eric Wing:  Bill, in Shakespeare and Sweet Symphony you've got a pair of undefeated horses that are facing two distinctly different new challenges.  In Shakespeare's case he's never been beyond a mile and an eighth, and in Sweet Symphony's case she'll be trying elders in a stakes for the first time and picking up some weight.  What's your confidence level with these two going in? 

Bill Mott:  Well, obviously I think they each have to pass a new test.  Shakespeare's got to go an additional three furlongs from what he's ever been.  And, you know, I'm confident that he's a very good horse, he's a high quality horse.  But I think the mile and a half is certainly something that, you know, he has to try and prove that he can do.  You know, we've tried horses in the past that appeared to be able to get the trip, but, you know, the last eighth of a mile might get them in the end.  So I would feel very comfortable in saying he'd be a top quality horse at a mile and a quarter.  And, you know, let's just see how he gets along over the weekend and we'll know if we're good enough for the Breeders Cup.

Eric Wing:  And did Sweet Symphony's Alabama give you the impression that – I mean, were you surprised how handily she won that race and really boost her stock in your eyes if ((inaudible)) …

Bill Mott:  Well, we – I was actually quite ((inaudible)) going in.  You know what I mean?  I was – and the same with Shakespeare going into his last race, I was very confident.  But we're ((inaudible)) a new group, and cutting back an eighth of a mile.  Obviously we've won at a mile and an eighth before, but we're cutting from a mile and a quarter, which seems as though as she was very good at.  And, you know, she's doing well and seems to be top class.  I think both horses, you know, are meeting new challenges, but I think they're both top class horses.

Eric Wing:  And, Bill, looking at the Flower Bowl, Sand Springs has certainly proven that she's very tough to run down when she gets a comfortable lead.  And that could well be the case again on Saturday.  But this is a very tough field in the Flower Bowl and the race is a mile and a quarter.  Have you done anything special in her training to help prepare her for the 10 furlongs, maybe coax that extra furlong how of her?

Bill Mott:  No.  Training her the same way I trained her to go a mile.  So, you know, she's not really done anything differently.  I mean, it's – you know, she's been a case where she kind of dictates how much she's going to be training. We just try to get along with her.  And her works, you really can't do too much adjusting with her because she's going to do what she's going to do, and that's what she does in her races as well.  I mean, she kind of takes you up there and, you know, you're not going to drag her back behind the rest of the field or anything like that.  I mean, you know, she breaks and goes and you try to sit quietly and nurse her along as far as she'll go. 

Eric Wing:  All right. Well, Bill, I'll ask you another later, but I want to give the media their turn.  So we'll throw it back to Abe and see if the media listening in have anything for you. 

Bill Mott:  OK.

Tim Wilkin:  Hey, Bill.  Sweet Symphony being owned by Steinbrenner, how has been to deal with, with this horse, the development of this horse?

Bill Mott:  He's been great.  I mean, he's just pleased to have a good filly.  He was delighted to win the Alabama and I think he's very happy that he's – you know, his breeding program is proving out.  I mean, he's shown that he can have success there and, you know, he likes to – I guess he likes to have top quality teams and top quality horses. And this filly's, you know, as we all know, likes – he likes to win and she's done nothing but win up until this point.  So, you know, right now it's going very good.

Tim Wilkin:  How much better do you think she can get?

Bill Mott:  Well, I don't know how much better she has to get than her Alabama win.  I mean, that was very good.  I think it – you know, it appears – it seemed to me like if can just get her to reproduce that race that she'll be a big factor in whatever she may go in.  You know? 

Tim Wilkin:  Thanks, Bill.

Bill Mott:  OK.

Jennie Rees:  Hey, Bill.  Are you really looking forward to taking on older horses with her like Ashado, and I guess Society Selection is supposed to run ((inaudible)) ...

Bill Mott:  Well, I mean, I think it's inevitable if we're going to keep her in training.  I think most of the – you know, we could – we could obviously have entered at for the Cotillion at Philadelphia Park, but, you know, they don't run the Breeders Cup at Philadelphia Park this fall.  So, I mean, I think – you know, our reasoning is let's go ahead and get a prep race in at Belmont that's, you know, the same distance and the same track that they're going to run the Breeders Cup at.  And if we're effective there then that'll let us know. This race will let us know if we're, you know, good enough to go onto the Breeders Cup and participate there.  I think that – you know, that – you got to – it always seems like you've got to answer those questions each time you run.

Jennie Rees:  Yes.  How much – I mean, there's a Breeders Cup and obviously, like you said, it's at Belmont.  But are you also thinking about divisional championships?  Yes, she's unbeaten, but she – is she still lightly raced that if you could beat older horses here and get a grade one you might be able to take care of some business ((inaudible)) the Breeders Cup ((inaudible)) ...

Bill Mott:  Right.  I mean, I think there's – we've got really two objectives, you know, on the line here.  I mean, number one, I think – number one, we're preparing for the Breeders Cup.  But number two, I think we are looking at a – at a divisional championship.  I think if she does one or the other – I think if she wins the (Belldame) or the Breeders Cup, I mean, I think, you know, you'd really have to consider her for divisional championship.  I think even if she were to get beat in the (Belldame) and come back and win the Breeders Cup, you know, she could, you know, sew the divisional championship up. 

Jennie Rees:  Yes.  And San Springs.  When she was based here in Kentucky she was regarded as pretty much a nut and ...

Bill Mott:  Yes.

Jennie Rees:  ... a headache. And then she was sold and you all got her.  Had her reputation preceded her?  And what did you find you had on her hands when you got her?

Bill Mott:  Well, her reputation did precede her.  And I'm very friendly with (Tony Rhinestadler, who trained her before, and obviously he was – you know, he gave me some tips on the filly when I took over her training.  And, you know, I actually made a couple extra calls to him to, you know, to try to find out what, you know, sorts of things I could do and not do. 

             Obviously he had trained her for a couple years, and I'm sure he was – he did – made some mistakes along the way, and I just – he was nice enough to share with me, you know, some of the things maybe you could and can't do with it.  And just getting along with her and her training.  Very headstrong.  I mean, if you – you know, the filly can – you know, if she has the opportunity she'll run off in the mornings or, you know, she'll – she's just, like I say, very headstrong.  But we've been getting along with her very well.

Jennie Rees:  How have you gotten along with her?  I mean, what seems to be the key?  You kind of mentioned just letting her do what she wanted – wants to do.  But, I mean, how do you put that into practice?

Bill Mott:  Well, you've got to have good people working around them and good – you know, we've got – you know, we've been fortunate enough to have a couple riders, you know – of course she's been in different locations.  But when she's – you know, at her current location at Belmont, I mean, she's got – I've got my assistant getting on her and she gets along with her very well.  I mean, she's not one you can muscle around, you know.  Obviously it's more of a matter of just getting along with her and, you know, trying to get her trained without having her take too much out of herself each day.

Jennie Rees:  And so what are the keys in her races do you think then?

Bill Mott:  Just sit quietly and let her do her thing, I guess.

Jennie Rees:  Yes?  Yes. 

Bill Mott:  Try not to – try not to bully her around.  You know?

Jennie Rees:  Yes. 

Bill Mott:  As with most females, you can't – you know, you can't push them around too much.  You got to just try to get along, Jennie.

Jennie Rees:  Bill, you're starting to get some fighting words there. 

Bill Mott:  Yes. 

Jennie Rees:  Bill, when you look – when you look ahead to the Flower Bowl and, you know, some really nice horses in there, how do you see it shaping up with her in there?

Bill Mott:  Well, I think it's interesting.  And no doubt about it, I mean, there's some top class fillies.  It's just – you know, just a matter of for us to get away clean and have a nice smooth trip.

Jennie Rees:  Thanks ((inaudible)) ...

Bill Mott:  OK.

Operator:  And once again that is star one.  And please check that mute button.  Jeff Lowe, "Thoroughbred Times."

Jeff Lowe:  Hey, Bill, I was just curious what you're planning for (Wend)?

Bill Mott:  She's going to be nominated for the (Winstar Galaxy) going a flat mile at ((inaudible)) on the ninth of October. 

Jeff Lowe:  OK.  Thank you.

Bill Mott:  Yes.

Operator:  And we have another one.  This Phil Janack, with the "Gazette Newspapers" in New York.

Phil Janack:  Hi, Bill.  Obviously you had thought enough of Sweet Symphony to send her to the Alabama in the first place.  But was it that race that really, you know, maybe opened your eyes and confirmed that, you know, you've got a serious horse here on your hands?

Bill Mott:  Oh, absolutely.  You know, without a doubt.  I mean, obviously that's the one – you know, and two things.  Number one, you know, that was a mile and a quarter that day.  It showed she can do that with no problem, and obviously it was the best company she had been up against.  Now, you know, we're going to have some new challenges.  There are some older fillies around that can run.  And, you know, I mean, I think ((inaudible)) against the three-year-olds and now we'll take on the elders and see how they stack up.  I guess this time of year they all sort of come together and you really find out, you know, if this crop can stack up to the ones that, you know, ((inaudible)) division.

Phil Janack:  Thanks.

Eric Wing:  Bill, has George Steinbrenner or Hank Steinbrenner or Edward (Sexton) mentioned to you even in jest that some fall success by Sweet Symphony sure would take the edge off some of the disappointment they went through with Bellamy Road?

Bill Mott:  No, I think they separate the two.  I mean, ((inaudible)) I don't get involved in their conversations ((inaudible)) business and train the ones that they send me and I leave it at that.

Eric Wing:  Very good.  Well, Bill, we thank you for taking time out of your day to be with us, and we wish you the best of luck.  We hope the S’s are wild this weekend because they all seem to have that letter at the beginning of their names.  Wish you the best of luck this weekend in all the stakes action.

Bill Mott:  OK.  Thank you very much.

Eric Wing:  Thank you.  Bill Mott ...

Bill Mott:  Bye.

Eric Wing:  Bye-bye.  Bill Mott, who will send out Shakespeare in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, Sweet Symphony in the (Beldame), San Springs in the Flower Bowl.  We didn't talk about (Saoirse) Cat, but she's a two-year-old filly who may run in the Astarita on Sunday.  And that'll about do it for today's call. 

             We want to thank all three of our guests, Todd Pletcher, Richard Mandela, and Bill Mott.  Want to remind you about the transcript.  That'll be available – on this call – at about 24 hours at www.ntra.com.  Again, TV, Emirates Airline Super Saturday 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on ESPN with the (Belle Dame), the Joe Hirsch, the Super Derby, the Goodwood Breeders Cup.  And also the Jockey Club Gold Cup I should add is part of that show.  And Sunday 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., ESPN, the Ladies Secrete Breeders Cup Handicap and the Norfolk Stakes.  And don't forget the NTRA national pick four on Saturday, $400,000 guarantee, $1 minimum wager on the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Super Derby, and the Goodwood Breeders Cup Handicap. 

             I want to also thank our announcer, Abe Goteiner, and our producer here in New York, Joan Lawrence.  We'll be with you again next Tuesday, same time, 1:00 p.m. Eastern, same dial-in number.  And at that point we'll be taking a look at races including the (Judmont Spinster), the (Shadwell) Turf Mile, the (Winstar) Galaxy, the (Prezet), and the Champagne.  So busy weekend coming up and a busy weekend after that.  So glad you could be with us today and hope you can be with us again next Tuesday.  Thank you.

Operator:  Thank you, Eric.  That does conclude our call.  We do appreciate your participation.  At this time you may disconnect.  Thank you.

             END