Tag: breeders’ cup turf

Versatility ‘Never Hurts’: United Could Be The Early Leader Or Could Stalk Pace In The Turf

United will be back this weekend to contest his second Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf, and his connections will no doubt be hoping he can turn around last year's painfully-close second-place finish behind Bricks and Mortar.

This year, trainer Richard Mandella said he'll be coming in with a new weapon: a running style discovered in his win in the G2 John Henry Turf Championship last time out.

“We decided to just jump him out, put him on the lead, and stay out of trouble,” said Mandella. “He'd been in trouble the race before and it may have cost him winning. We thought we'd let him jump out there and he really liked it. It gives us the feeling that we have options now to do whatever feels best.”

Previously, United had been prone to stalk an early leader going at a slow or moderate pace, and wait farther back off a hot pace. It's possible the newfound versatility could give him an edge over the many European invaders in the race, including formidable foes in Magical (IRE) and Mehdaayih (GB), but Mandella wasn't tipping his hand when it came to race strategy on Thursday.

“It never hurts to have the versatility option to go either way,” Mandella said. “But it's too early — I haven't seen enough of the field yet to handicap and figure out what our best strategy is. I'll pretty much leave that up to Flavien Prat, a great jockey.”

United has been first or second in all his starts going back to the 2019 John Henry, and Mandella said he feels good about the gelding coming into the weekend. He does anticipate a challenger in Channel Maker, the Bill Mott trainee who won this year's Sword Dancer by an impressive 5 3/4 lengths, but he doesn't focus too much on other horses, preferring to keep eyes on his own work.

Since he's a gelding, Mandella said it's likely United will be back for a 6-year-old campaign. He'd tried to take the horse to this year's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, but evolving travel lockdowns due to COVID-19 meant he brought the horse to Dubai, schooled him in the paddock, and promptly learned they had to head home. It might be nice to try again, Mandella said in a press conference Thursday, depending upon what international travel protocols are by March 2021.

“I fully intend to keep him around as long as he's healthy and happy,” said Mandella.

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O’Brien: Battleground ‘Very Like Found,’ Redemption-Seeking Magical ‘An Incredible Mare’

Trainer Aidan O'Brien's 10 Breeders' Cup hopefuls stepped out on the track at Keeneland for the first time on Thursday, and he later spoke to At The Races about some of their chances for Friday and Saturday's World Championship contests.

The likely favorite for Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf will be Battleground, the 2-year-old first foal out of 2015 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Found. That edition of the World Championships was also held at Keeneland, so it would be especially poignant if Battleground could deliver a Breeders' Cup victory over the same course.

Thus far, Battleground has raced three times and won twice, including a win in his most recent start, the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood on July 28.

“That day in Keeneland with Found was unbelievable,” O'Brien told At The Races. “(Battleground is) big, powerful, strong, and he's very like Found, his dam, and then he has this pace from War Front as well. So he's a horse we're looking forward to running.

“He's in good order and it looks like the time has done him really well. He hasn't ran since Goodwood, so you'd be very happy with him. Of course, it's going to be good experience for him and I think we're going to learn a lot about him. I think he's a horse maybe to really look forward to seeing what he's going to do.”

Magical, trained by Aidan P. O'Brien, exercises in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky on November 5, 2020.

Additionally, O'Brien will send out 2018 Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up Magical in this year's edition of the $4 million contest. The seven-time Group 1 winner was defeated three-quarters of a length by champion Enable in 2018, and is in search of redemption in this year's contest.

The 5-year-old Galileo mare has won three Group 1 races this year alone and has not finished worse than third all season. Her victories include a 3/4-length triumph over Ghaiyyath in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes, a horse who was at that time considered the best in Europe this year.

“She's an unbelievable filly,” O'Brien told At The Races. “She's ran at the top level all the time, from the time she's a 2-year-old every year, she's danced every dance, traveled everywhere. She's very brave. She's very comfortable, really, from a mile to a mile and a half, which is very unusual. She's very brave, stays well, good mind. She's an incredible mare really.

“Everyone loves her and she's very special.”

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European Breeders’ Cup Report: Gosden Trio In Good Form, O’Brien Trainees Take To The Track

John Gosden's trio of Breeders' Cup contenders were the first horses to leave the quarantine barn Thursday morning at Keeneland. Thady Gosden (assistant trainer to his father John) was at the training track to watch the horses train. The trio galloped two circuits of the training track.

Frankie Dettori rode Terebellum (Filly & Mare Turf) who reported the filly to be “all good, she's very well in herself.”

Daniel Harrap, who looks after Terebellum, reported: “she's done great since she arrived in Keeneland. She has eaten very well, her temperatures are good, and her exercise work has been very pleasing.”

Thady Gosden who flew into Keeneland yesterday said: “its great to be here, unfortunately my father won't be making the trip this year. The horses looked great this morning so we're all looking forward to the weekend now.”

Mehdaayih (Turf) was ridden by Andrea Pina who described the filly's workout as “very, very good.”

Lord North (Turf) was ridden by Benario Goncalves de Palva who once again showed great enthusiasm in his training with de Palva saying, “he's bouncing, in great form.”

Safe Voyage (Mile) went onto the training track by himself and did a very light canter. John and Sean Quinn were again trackside and Safe Voyage was ridden by Jason Hart.

Hart said: “He's in good order, we did a nice breeze yesterday so he's had an easy day today to freshen him back up.”

The Lir Jet (Juvenile Turf) did a strong canter for a circuit around the training track.

Trainer Michael Bell said: “that's perfect, he's ready to race.”

Siskin (Mile) went on to the training track under race day jockey Colin Keane. The two did a strong canter for 1 ½ circuits.

Keane said: “he's in great form, really pleased.”

Ubettabelieveit (Juvenile Turf Sprint) once again took the eye on the training track. Partnered by race day jockey Rowan Scott he had a walk around the track and then had a light canter.

His trainer Nigel Tinkler, who has made a great impression on the locals with his sense of humor, said: “Good, that's him spot on for tomorrow. Happy.”

Aidan O'Brien's 10 horses cleared quarantine Wednesday evening and went out on to the main track. They split into two groups of six and four. They did a canter of the main track before heading back to the barn.

Superstar filly Magical (Turf) looked incredibly calm taking in the surroundings.

Andrew Balding was trackside to see Kameko (Mile) along with Qatar Racing manager David Redvers.

Balding said: “I'm pleased to be here. I've had runners at Keeneland in the past so it is great to be back at what is a fantastic racecourse.”

Race day jockey Oisin Murphy said: “We breezed for four furlongs on the turf. The ground was lovely, just kicking the top off but it's fairly fast underneath. His lead changes were very natural. He never overexerts himself in his work, but he felt really good.”

Glass Slippers (GB) (Turf Sprint) was another to canter around the turf ridden by race day jockey Tom Eaves.

Trainer Kevin Ryan said he “couldn't be happier with her. She's really well in herself and Tom said she gave him a lovely feel.”

After exercise, a number of European horses went for a paddock school. They included Kameko, Glass Slippers and Ralph Beckett's Juvenile Turf contenders, Devilwala (IRE) and New Mandate (IRE).

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Baffert Trio Draws Outside, Tiz The Law Inside For 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic

A total of 184 horses were entered in the 2020 edition of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled for Nov. 6-7 at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., including 37 international contenders.

The $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic headlines the event, with a high-powered field of 10 ready to face off over 1 1/4 miles. Trainer Bob Baffert's strong trio will break from the three outside posts: Awesome Again winner Improbable from gate eight (5-2 favorite), Kentucky Derby winner Authentic from gate nine (6-1), and Pacific Classic winner Maximum Security from gate ten (7-2).

Meanwhile, Belmont and Travers Stakes winner Tiz the Law will be nearer to the rail in post two. Trained by Barclay Tagg, the 3-year-old son of Constitution was made the second choice on the morning line at 3-1.

Last year's G1 Clark winner Tom's d'Etat will break from post four at odds of 6-1 for trainer Al Stall, Jr., on the 10-year anniversary of his upset victory with Blame over Zenyatta.

By My Standards has put together a strong campaign in 2020 as well, with three Grade 2 wins and a second to Improbable in the G1 Whitney to his credit. The Bret Calhoun trainee will break from post three at 10-1 on the morning line.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY

Classic

  1. Tacitus (J. Ortiz, Mott, 20-1)
  2. Tiz The Law (Franco, Tagg, 3-1)
  3. By My Standards (G. Saez, Calhoun, 10-1)
  4. Tom's d'Etat (Rosario, Stall, 6-1)
  5. Title Ready (Lanerie, Stewart, 30-1)
  6. Higher Power (Prat, Sadler, 20-1)
  7. Global Campaign (Castellano, Hough, 20-1)
  8. Improbable (I. Oritz, Baffert, 5-2)
  9. Authentic (Velazquez, Baffert, 6-1)
  10. Maximum Security (L. Saez, Baffert, 7-2)

Turf

  1. Arklow (Geroux, Cox, 5-1)
  2. Magical (Moore, O'Brien, 5-2)
  3. Tarnawa (Soumillion, Weld, 6-1)
  4. Mehdaayih (Rosario, Gosden, 30-1)
  5. Donjah (Lecoeuvre, Grewe, 30-1)
  6. Lord North (Dettori, Gosden, 8-1)
  7. United (Prat, Mandella, 8-1)
  8. Red King (Rispoli, D'Amato, 20-1)
  9. Channel Maker (Franco, Mott, 5-1)
  10. Mogul (Boudot, O'Brien, 4-1)

Distaff

  1. Ce Ce (Velazquez, McCarthy, 12-1)
  2. Harvest Moon (Prat, Callaghan, 12-1)
  3. Dunbar Road (J. Ortiz, Brown, 12-1)
  4. Horologist (Alvarado, Mott, 8-1)
  5. Swiss Skydiver (Albarado, McPeek, 2-1)
  6. Lady Kate (Gaffalione, Kenneally, 15-1)
  7. Point Of Honor (Castellano, Weaver, 30-1)
  8. Valiance (L. Saez, Pletcher, 12-1)
  9. Ollie's Candy (Rosario, Sadler, 10-1)
  10. Monomoy Girl (Geroux, Cox, 8-5)

Mile

  1. Circus Maximus (Moore, O'Brien, 12-1)
  2. Kameko (Murphy, Balding, 6-1)
  3. Lope Y Fernandez (Dettori, O'Brien, 30-1)
  4. Siskin (Keane, Lyons, 12-1)
  5. Digital Age (Castellano, Brown, 8-1)
  6. Safe Voyage (Hart, Quinn, 15-1)
  7. Casa Creed (Alvarado, Mott, 20-1)
  8. March To The Arch (Gaffalione, Casse, 15-1)
  9. One Master (Boudot, Haggas, 15-1)
  10. Halladay (L. Saez, Pletcher, 12-1)
  11. Ivar (Talamo, Lobo, 4-1)
  12. Uni (Rosario, Brown, 5-1)
  13. Factor This (Geroux, Cox, 8-1)
  14. Raging Bull (J. Ortiz, Brown, 8-1)

Sprint

  1. Echo Town
  2. C Z Rocket
  3. Collusion Illusion
  4. Bon Raison
  5. Manny Wah
  6. Frank's Rockette
  7. Whitmore
  8. Firenze Fire
  9. Empire of Gold
  10. Yaupon
  11. Diamond Oops
  12. Hog Creek Hustle
  13. Jasper Prince
  14. Vekoma

Filly & Mare Turf

  1. Starship Jubilee
  2. Sistercharlie
  3. Peaceful
  4. Mean Mary
  5. My Sister Nat
  6. Rushing Fall
  7. Terebellum
  8. Mucho Unusual
  9. Harvey's Lil Goil
  10. Civil Union
  11. Audarya
  12. Lady Prancealot
  13. Nay Lady Nay
  14. Cayenne Pepper

Dirt Mile

  1. Art Collector
  2. Sharp Samurai
  3. Silver Dust
  4. War of Will
  5. Knicks Go
  6. Mr. Money
  7. Rushie
  8. Pirate's Punch
  9. Mr Freeze
  10. Complexity
  11. Jesus' Team
  12. Owendale

Turf Sprint

  1. Big Runner
  2. Just Might
  3. Imprimis
  4. Front Run The Fed
  5. Wet Your Whistle
  6. Glass Slippers
  7. Leinster
  8. Oleksandra
  9. Into Mystic
  10. Bombard
  11. Wildman Jack
  12. Got Stormy
  13. Texas Wedge
  14. Extravagant Kid

Filly & Mare Sprint

  1. Speech
  2. Gamine
  3. Come Dancing
  4. Inthemidstofbiz
  5. Sconsin
  6. Venetian Harbor
  7. Serengeti Empress
  8. Sally's Curlin
  9. Bell's The One

FUTURE STARS FRIDAY

Juvenile

  1. Camp Hope
  2. King Fury
  3. Reinvestment Risk
  4. Likeable
  5. Essential Quality
  6. Keepmeinmind
  7. Jackie's Warrior
  8. Classier
  9. Sittin On Go
  10. Dreamer's Disease
  11. Next
  12. Hot Rod Charlie
  13. Rombauer
  14. Calibrate

Juvenile Fillies Turf

  1. Oodnadatta
  2. Miss Amulet
  3. Alda
  4. Plum Ali
  5. Aunt Pearl
  6. Nazuna
  7. Tetragonal
  8. Mother Earth
  9. Madone
  10. Campanelle
  11. Royal Approval
  12. Spanish Loveaffair
  13. Union Gables
  14. Editor At Large

Juvenile Fillies

  1. Simply Ravishing
  2. Vequist
  3. Dayoutoftheoffice
  4. Thoughtfully
  5. Girl Daddy
  6. Crazy Beautiful
  7. Princess Noor

Juvenile Turf

  1. Sealiway
  2. New Mandate
  3. Abarta
  4. Public Sector
  5. Cadillac
  6. Mutasaabeq
  7. Fire At Will
  8. Outadore
  9. Battleground
  10. Ebeko
  11. Gretzky the Great
  12. Go Athletico
  13. Devilwala
  14. The Lir Jet

Juvenile Turf Sprint

  1. Mighty Gurkha
  2. Windy City Red
  3. Lipizzaner
  4. County Final
  5. Cowan
  6. Ubettabelieveit
  7. Momos
  8. Amanzi Yimpilo
  9. After Five
  10. Bodenheimer
  11. Into the Sunrise
  12. Dirty Dangle
  13. Second of July
  14. Golden Pal

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