meehan hoping for quick getaway

By PA Sport Staff

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Brian Meehan believes a good start will be crucial to the Breeders' Cup hopes of David Junior and Red Rocks at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

David Junior lines up in the 10-furlong Classic on dirt while Red Rocks tackles the 12-furlong Turf but Meehan knows a a quick reaction from his horses at the stalls will be essential.

He said: "They're both quick from the gate and have been schooled with the bell at home but we definitely don't want to miss the break."

Meehan arrived in Louisville on Tuesday night and he remains unconcerned by the heavy overnight rain at the Kentucky track.

"We're here now and so we'll just have to take whatever they throw at us, but Red Rocks will go on any ground and David Junior should be okay," he said.

"We just went steady this morning, took in the paddock and saw a couple of horses jump out of the gate. Neither of them turned a hair, so it went well.

"The work's all done but we may take Red Rocks around the bends, but it's just routine work now."

Aidan O'Brien's Irish raiders have begun their isolation period at Churchill Downs after landing at Louisville International Airport on Tuesday night.

The Ballydoyle team, which features Classic contender George Washington, Turf hopeful Scorpion and Mile runners Aussie Rules, Ad Valorem and Ivan Denisovich, were taken straight to the quarantine barn.

They could be cleared to work on the track by Thursday morning, provided their blood test results are processed in time.