Adrian Murray is filled with confidence as he gears up Arizona Blaze and Hill Road for the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar, aiming to surpass last year's performance with experienced contenders in optimal form.
Adrian Murray is full of optimism as he gets Arizona Blaze and Hill Road ready to compete in the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar this Friday. Training for Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing, Murray is looking to build on his previous experience at last year's event, where his Royal Ascot star, Valiant Force, achieved a respectable second place to Big Evs in the Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Back in California, Murray is optimistic that Arizona Blaze, an experienced competitor, can make an impression in the same race. With an impressive record of never finishing outside the top four in eight starts and having claimed Group Three honors in May, Arizona Blaze is in excellent condition. 'We're looking forward to it with two nice horses,' Murray stated. 'Arizona Blaze is in great order. We’re very hopeful, and he has plenty of experience under him. We’ve been delighted with him all through the year.'
Murray highlighted the gelding's preparedness, saying, "It's all systems go with him now, and I believe his experience is a significant advantage. In his last race at Dundalk, he had to navigate the bend, which he handled very well."
Along with Arizona Blaze, Murray is also targeting success with Hill Road, who will be racing on dirt for only the third time in his career. The US-bred colt, a son of Quality Road, achieved an impressive maiden victory at Leopardstown but faced challenges in Group One competition during the National Stakes. Despite this, connections remain optimistic that the young horse can adjust to the new surface and compete with some of America’s best.
“He’s on the dirt, and we’re very pleased with him. We’re anticipating a strong performance from him,” Murray said. The trainer mentioned that Hill Road has adapted to the dirt well during morning sessions, even though his experience is limited. “Tuesday was his first morning here, but he handled it well and is in excellent condition. He’s very talented, and the mile won’t be an issue for him.”
