araafa spin delights noseda

By Neil Morrice, PA Sport

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Araafa flexed his muscles ahead of the Breeders' Cup Mile when stretching out in a routine piece of work under big-race pilot John Velazquez at Churchill Downs on Thursday morning.

Jeremy Noseda's colt went onto the turf course and covered a mile and a quarter stylishly to leave trainer and jockey brimming with confidence ahead of Saturday's big test.

After watching the pair in action at the track, Noseda said: "They just cantered a steady mile and a quarter and the horse will probably do a bit more tomorrow.

"I wanted John to start earning his wage and he was very pleased.

"He said we should just pop out and sit handy with him and I have to admit that if I could have chosen the draw, number three would have been the top slot in my list."

Araafa gave Velazquez a moment's anxiety, however, when jinking at a gap in the rail but his new jockey was full of praise for his mount after the workout.

"He just wanted to take the gap and thought he was going right out," he explained.

"He's so well and gave me a great feel."

That Araafa has experienced a relatively light campaign will boost the three-year-old's chances on Saturday, according to Noseda.

"This is only a third run for him in three months and he certainly hasn't had too hard a campaign," he said.

"Ideally, I would love to see some rain because we know he handles cut while some of the others don't want it soft.

"Whatever the going is it won't matter though. He will handle anything and I think I've got the best American jockey on my side."

Stan James have made the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes hero their new favourite for the Mile following his recent spin.

Noseda's charge now heads their market at 11-4 (from 7-2), with Aragorn lengthened to 4-1 from 3s.