Jerry Bailey is the only jockey with a mount in all eight World Thoroughbred Championships races Saturday. And that's OK with him for some not-so-obvious reasons.
"Sometimes it's as tough waiting to ride in a big race than riding in eight big races (on the same day)," Bailey said.
Here's Bailey's quick take on his eight mounts:
Aptitude (Classic): "I could have only one worst post, and that's No. 13. I just hope I don't lose too much ground on the first turn."
Flute (Distaff): "She has been training excellently. She didn't get the best trip in her last race, and got stuck on a dead rail."
Lailaini (Filly & Mare Turf): "I thought she was one of my better choices until I saw the draw (of post 12 in a 12-horse field)."
Siphonic (Juvenile): "The rail is a pretty bad post at 1 1/16 miles here, but if Officer is sent, he'd be a good horse to follow."
Shesastonecoldfox (Juvenile Fillies): "She's undefeated, but she'll have to step up. She's got the speed, but class and distance are questions."
Affirmed Success (Mile): "The turf should be to his liking. He's got a chance."
Squirtle Squirt (Sprint): "He's a very fast horse but he's in with some fast horses. I wouldn't be surprised to see an opening quarter in under 21 seconds, and a half-mile in 43 and change."
Hap (Turf): "I'd say 1 1/8 miles to 1 ¼ miles is his best distance. He likes firm ground, but there are some disadvantages."
Three of Bailey's mounts -- Aptitude, Flute, and Squirtle Squirt -- are trained by Bobby Frankel, who said he's leaving it all in Bailey's hands. Having a jockey like Bailey aboard, he said, means he doesn't have to worry about it.
In other news Thursday, Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Galileo, said the colt traveled well and is in good form. He said the horse will go into the Classic in much the same way as Giant's Causeway, who finished a tight second to Tiznow in his first dirt start in last year's Classic.
"He's a 3-year-old who has had a long, hard campaign," O'Brien said. "We're just hoping for a good run from him."
Galileo did not make it to the track to work Thursday morning, O'Brien said.