October 3, 2019

Contact: Jim Gluckson, [email protected] 646-335-6835

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships Newsletter

Advisory: This is the seventh of nine weekly news releases focusing on the horses and races leading to the 36th Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2 at Santa Anita. For more information, please visit www.breederscup.com. The Breeders’ Cup will be televised live on NBC and NBCSN. You can follow all the contenders’ activity leading up to the Breeders’ Cup with Equibase’s free “Road to the Breeders’ Cup” Virtual Stable notification service.

Keeneland, Longchamp Bookend Biggest Challenge Weekend Ever

Bigger will certainly be better this weekend, as a record 20 Breeders’ Cup Challenge races will serve as final auditions for Santa Anita, including the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) and eight others over the three-day Opening Weekend at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., and five on Sunday at ParisLongchamp in France, highlighted by ENABLE’S (GB) quest to make history as the first three-time winner of the historic Arc de Triomphe (G1). Add in four more automatic qualifiers at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York and a pair at Santa Anita, in Arcadia, California, and the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series undoubtedly hits an apex.

Keeneland’s “Fall Stars” weekend surely won’t disappoint, as all nine Challenge races figure to have a major impact next month at Santa Anita. Saturday’s “Win and You’re In” action is led by the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (GI), which will award an automatic starting berth into the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile, though the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (GI, TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile), First Lady (GI, Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf) and Thoroughbred Club of America (GII, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint) are all “Win and You’re In” qualifiers that are expected to lure deep and competitive fields and could serve as showcase races in their own right.

The Shadwell Turf Mile, along with the Breeders’ Futurity will be shown on a one-hour telecast on NBCSN from 5:30-6:30 p.m. ET as a part of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In’ – Presented by America’s Best Racing.”

The Shadwell Turf Mile drew an overflow field of 16, 14 of which can start, including a handful of Europeans, and sees Calumet Farm’s BANDUA as one of the leading contenders in a race where the favorite could be as high as 5-1. The 4-year-old son of The Factor was third in the Aug. 10 Arlington Million (G1), a “Win and You’re In” for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, for trainer Jack Sisterson and will cut back. Bandua is 3-for-13 lifetime, which includes a win in the Arlington Handicap (G3) two-back.

VALID POINT, for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, was a late addition and will try older horses for the first time for trainer Chad Brown, and the 3-year-old son of Scat Daddy is undefeated in three starts, including the Secretariat (G1) at Arlington Park Aug.10, while Gunpowder Farm and Brereton Jones’ veteran DIVISIDERO is still flashing graded stakes form at 7 for trainer Kathy Rubley, and Agave Racing Stable and Madaket Stable’s BOWIES HERO won Del Mar’s Eddie Read (G2) in July for trainer Phil D’Amato.

The Euros are led by Godolphin’s VINTAGER (GB), who won the Rennen (G2) at Baden-Baden Sept.1 for trainer Charley Appleby, while ROBIN OF NAVAN (FR), SUEDOIS (IRE), and VAN BEETHOVAN all have group stakes form oversees. ADMISSION OFFICE, DIAMOND OPS, FIRST PREMIO, MARCH TO THE ARCH, NEXT SHARES, and REAL STORY are also entered for the “Win and You’re In” Shadwell Turf Mile, while GET WESTERN and EMARAATY (GB) are on the also-eligible list.

Breeders’ Futurity, First Lady Anchor Shadwell Undercard

While the Shadwell Turf Mile is the centerpiece of the meet, Saturday’s trio of other “Win and You’re In” races are led by the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at 1 1/16 miles. Team Valor International and WinStar Farm’s GOUVEREUR MORRIS was rumored to be a good thing on debut Sept. 2 at Saratoga and didn’t disappoint, winning by 9 lengths. The son of Constitution steps up and stretches out for trainer Todd Pletcher but appears to have a bright future, is bred to relish two turns, and catches a field without a lot of proven commodities.

Shadwell Stable’s homebred AJAAWEED impressed winning his second start at Belmont Park on Sept. 11 for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and the son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Curlin should love the added turn he gets, while Anderson Stable’s BY YOUR SIDE won Saratoga’s Sanford (G3) two-back for trainer Eddie Kenneally, and Live Oak Plantation’s homebred TAP IT TO WIN was an impressive Saratoga maiden winner in his second start Aug. 24, and first on dirt, for trainer Mark Casse. AMERICAN BUTTERFLY, ENFORCEABLE, JANUARY WON, KING THEO, LIFE ON THE ROAD, and MAXFIELD are also entered for the “Win and You’re In” Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity.

The First Lady, at one mile, is shaping up as a duel between E Five Thoroughbreds’ RUSHING FALL and All Schlaich Stables, Gatto Racing, George Todaro’s, and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer’s VASILIKA, who combined have won 19-of-24 starts over the past two seasons. The former, a 4-year-old daughter of More Than Ready, won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar in 2017 for trainer Chad Brown and is 4-for-4 locally, including the Jenny Wiley (G1) in April. The latter, a 5-year-old daughter of Skipshot, has won 13-of-16 since being claimed for $40,000 in February 2018, including eight graded stakes. Vasilika is 18-for-34 lifetime and won Santa Anita’s Gamely (G1) in May.

The Coolmore team of Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, and Derrick Smith’s JUST WONDERFUL was third for trainer Aidan O’Brien in a star-studded renewal of Leopardstown’s Sept. 14 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron (G1), another “Win and You’re In” for the Filly & Mare Turf, while Juddmonte Farm’s homebred JULIET FOXTROT (GB) was a nose behind Vasilika in Del Mar’s John C. Mabee (G2) Aug. 3 for trainer Brad Cox, and Michael Dubb, and Robert LaPenta’s UNI (GB) won the Matriarch (G1) last December at Del Mar for Brown. AWESOMETANK (GB), CONQUEST HARDCANDY, HANALEI MOON, INDIAN BLESSING (GB), MARINA’S LEGACY, MITCHELL ROAD, MS BAD BEHAVIOR, SIMPLY BREATHLESS, and STORM THE HILL are entered for the “Win and You’re In” First Lady.

The Thoroughbred Club of America, at six and a half furlongs, will led by Lael Stable’s CHALON, who was second in the race last year and also the Filly & Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs for trainer Arnaud Delacour. The 5-year-old daughter of Dialed In 7-for-17 lifetime and enters off a win in the Roamin Rachel at Parx Racing Sept. 2.

Bad Boy Racing’s DANUSKA’S MY GIRL brings some California speed for Hollendorfer, as the 5-year-old daughter of Shackleford has wired a trio of graded stakes, including the Rancho Bernardo (G3) at Del Mar Aug.11, while Bill and Corrine Heilligbrodt’s MIA MISCHIEF won the Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill in May for Asmussen. DAWN THE DESTROYER, OURS TO RUN, PRETTY GREELEY, RAZORBACK LADY, SPICED PERFECTION, and TALK VEUVE TO ME are also entered for the “Win and You’re In” Thoroughbred Club of America.

Alcibiades, Phoenix Open Meet

Keeneland opens Friday with a pair of “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup qualifiers, with the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) offering a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, while the $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) will award an automatic starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

The Alcibiades, at 1 1/16 miles, could have a strong favorite in Tracy Farmer’s PERFECT ALIBI, who rates as the East Coast’s best 2-year-old filly off her win in Saratoga’s Adirondack (G2) in August and Spinaway (G1) Sept. 1 for trainer Mark Casse. The daughter of Sky Mesa is 3-for-4 lifetime and has a pedigree and stalking gear that suggest two turns could improve her form even more.

Helen Alexander and Helen Groves’ homebred ALANDRA was a game debut winner Sept. 1 at Saratoga for trainer Shug McGaughey and the daughter of 2010 Breeders’ Classic winner Blame appears long on talent, while The Elkstone Group, Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stable, and Madaket Stable’s BRITISH IDIOM did the same for trainer Brad Cox, as the daughter of Flashback won on debut at Saratoga Aug. 15 by 3 ½ lengths, while. HEIR OF LIGHT, HOW IRONIC, GONE GLIMMERING, MICHELINE, SEQUIN, SPITEFULNESS, THREE D FLAG, and WESTERN TAFFY are also pointing to the “Win and You’re In” Darley Alcibiades.

The Phoenix lured a strong field, led by Robert Barons’ defending champion PROMISES FULFILLED, who was fourth in the Sprint last year at Churchill Downs for trainer Dale Romans. The 4-year-old son of Shackleford won Belmont Park’s John Nerud (G2) in July and is 7-for-16 lifetime.

Something Special Racing’s HOG CREEK HUSTLE has really turned the corner since cutting back to sprints in his last two, as the 3-year-old son of Overanalyze won Belmont’s Woody Stephens (G1) in June and was second, beaten just a nose, in Saratoga’s Allen Jerkens (G1) Aug. 24 for trainer Vickey Foley.

Robert LaPenta’s WHITMORE won the Phoenix in 2017 and was second last year, before running second in the Sprint, for trainer Ron Moquett. AMERICAN PASTIME, COVE BLUE, DIAMOND OPS, ENGAGE, HEARTWOOD, LEXITONIAN, RECRUTING READY, and ZIPP ON BY are also expected for the “Win and You’re In” Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix.

Spinster Closes Opening Weekend

Opening Weekend’s traditional Sunday closer, the $500,000 “Win and You’re In” Juddmonte Spinster (G1), will once again offer an automatic starting berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff, though Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider’s homebred and heavy favorite ELATE may actually be using the race as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The 5-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro earned a Distaff berth when she won Churchill Downs’ “Win and You’re In” Fleur de Lis (G2) in June but is 3-for-3 at 1 ¼ miles, which includes a win in the Delaware Handicap (G2) in July, and that record has trainer Bill Mott possibly considering the Classic. Elate, who is 7-for-17 lifetime, was fourth as the favorite for the Distaff at Del Mar in 2017.

Peter Brant’s DUNBAR ROAD could vault to the top of the 3-year-old filly division with a win for trainer Chad Brown. The daughter of Quality Road won Belmont Park’s Mother Goose (G2) in June and Saratoga’s Alabama (G1) Aug. 17 and is 4-for-5 lifetime, while Merribelle Stable’s BLUE PRIZE (ARG) won the Spinster last year for trainer Nacho Correas and was a close fourth in the Distaff at Churchill. Grade 1 winner SHE’S A JULIE and stakes winner VEXATIOUS are also entered for the “Win and You’re In” Juddmonte Sprinter.

The $250,000 “Win and You’re In” Bourbon (G2), at 1 1/16 miles, will offer an automatic starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf is led by Walking Thoroughbreds’ FIGHTING SEABEE, who is 2-for-2 for trainer Kenny McPeek, including Saratoga’s With Anticipation (G3) Aug. 28, while JSM Equine’s PEACE ACHIEVED won the Gainesway Farm Juvenile at Kentucky Downs Aug. 31 for trainer Mark Casse, ART COLLECTOR, DEVIANT, DOC BOY, ETE INDIEN, FIELD PASS, GEAR JOCKEY, KID MERCURY, NETTLETON, PEACE ACHIEVED, PRINCE OF THIEVES, THE THIRD SECRET, and VITALOGY (GB).

The Spinster, along with the Bourbon, will be shown as part of a 90-minute broadcast on NBC from 4:30- 6:00 p.m. ET as a part of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Win and You’re In – Presented by America’s Best Racing.”

The $200,000 “Win and You’re In” Indian Summer, at five and a half furlongs, will offer an automatic starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and Live Oak Plantation’s homebred OLD CHESTNUT could go favored for Casse off his win in Woodbine’s Ontario Racing Sept. 15. Phoenix Thoroughbreds’ MYSTIC LANCEALOT impressed on debut at Saratoga for trainer Todd Pletcher and should like the return to a sprint after he didn’t fire when ninth in Woodbine’s Sept. 15 “Win and You’re In” Summer (G1), an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. AXIOMO, CHIMNEY ROCK, FAST SCENE, JOHNNY UNLEASHED, KIMARI, OLD CHESTNUT, ROCKCREST and SHIPPINGPORT are also entered.

Enable winning 2018 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf Breeders’ Cup/Eclipse Sportswire Photo

Enable Looks to Make History in Arc

The historic $5.765 million Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (GI) takes on added significance this year, as, in addition to Enable’s quest at history, it will be run as a “Win and You’re In” for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, and highlights Europe’s biggest day, as there are eight group 1’s on the card, five of which are “Win and You’re In” automatic qualifiers for the Breeders’ Cup. While the Arc is clearly the top attraction, the $567,577 Prix de l’Opera Longines (GI), which will award a starting berth into the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, the $403,604 Prix de L’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (G1, Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint), the $461,261 Qatar Prix de Jean Luc Lagardere (GI, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf), and the $461,261 Qatar Prix de Marcel Boussacs (GI, Breeders’ Juvenile Fillies Turf), all figure to showcase some of Europe’s best and prove as key springboards to Santa Anita.

Run at 1 ½ miles, the Arc will offer Juddmonte Farm’s immortal homebred Enable a chance to add to her legend as she bids to become the first horse to win the race three times. The 5-year-old daughter of Nathaniel (IRE) is 13-for-14 in her career for trainer John Gosden, including the Arc in 2017 when it was held at Chantilly, but cemented her status as one of the titans of the turf when she became the first horse

ever to win the Arc and the Breeders’ Cup Turf when she did it last year at Longchamp and Churchill Downs. Enable was slowed by a few minor ailments last year and made just three starts, but hasn’t missed a beat this year, as she’s 3-for-3, with wins in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) at Sandown in July and then the “Win and You’re In” King George VI and Queen Elizbeth at Ascot (G1) later that month and the “Win and You’re In” Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) August 22. Enable earned a Turf bid in the King George and a Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf bid in the Yorkshire Oaks, but Gosden has been non-comital about a trip to Santa Anita this year and a possible final career start, as an Arc “threepeat” has long been the goal.

Enable is trading as a stiff 8-11 favorite in what is shaping up as a 12-horse Arc, with the challengers led by Coolmore’s JAPAN (GB), who earned a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic when he won the “Win and You’re In” Juddmonte International (G1) August 22 for trainer Aidan O’Brien. The 3-year-old son of Galileo (IRE) lost his first two starts of the year but has rattled off three straight, including the local course and distance Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (G1) in July, and is 5-for-8 lifetime. Japan (9-2), along with White Burch Farm’s SOTTSASS (FR) (6-1), are the only two horses under 12-1 in the early betting. The latter, a 3-year-old son of Siyouni (FR), won the local course and distance prep, the Sept. 15 Prix Niel (G2), and is 4-for-6 lifetime for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. Coolmore and O’Brien will also run MAGICAL (IRE), a 4-year-old daughter of Galileo who has been second to Enable three times, including the Turf last year. BLAST ONEPIECE (JPN), FIEREMENT (JPN), FRENCH KING (GB), GHAIYYATH (IRE), KISEKI (JPN), NAGANO GOLD (GB), SOFT LIGHT (FR), and WALDGEIST (GB) also all passed the final entry stage for the “Win and You’re In” Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Enable may be the biggest name Sunday at Longchamp, but the quartet of “Win and You’re In” undercard races will attract plenty of stars in their own right who could have a major impact at Santa Anita.

The Prix de l’Opera Longines (GI), at 1 ½ miles, has long been an important springboard to the Filly & Mare Turf and drew a field of 13, with Emirates Park’s MEHDAAYIH (GB) trading as the 5-2 favorite for Gosden. The 3-year-old daughter of Frankel (GB) is 4-for 8 lifetime. She who won the Prix de Malleret (G2) at Saint-Cloud two races back and enters off a second in the Nassau (G1) at Glorious Goodwood Aug. 1.

Her Royal Highness Princess Haya of Jordan’s TEREBELLUM (IRE), who won the Prix de Nonette (G2) Aug. 17 for Gosden and is 2-for-3 lifetime, while George Strawbridge’s homebred WITH YOU (GB), second in both the Prix Rothschild (G1) and Prix Romanet (G1) in her last two starts for trainer Freddy Head, are both 6-1 or less in the early betting. CARTIEM (FR), COMMES (FR), EDISA, who won the Jockey Club Oaks at Belmont Park, ETOILE (FR), FLEETING (IRE), GODDESS, LIGNE D’OR (GB), PINK DOGWOOD (IRE), VILLA MARINA (GB), and WATCH ME (FR) are also entered in the “Win and You’re In” Prix de l’Opera Longines.

The Prix de L’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines, at five furlongs, drew 17 runners, though it’s clearly all about Shadwell Stable’s BATTAASH (IRE), who is the 4-6 favorite and is seemingly invincible when he delivers his best. The 5-year-old son of Dark Angel (IRE) has been a bit of an enigma in his career for trainer Charley Appleby but has turned the corner in his last two when winning the King George (G2) at Glorious Goodwood (G) Aug. 2 and then earning a Turf Sprint bid when he won York’s Aug. 23 “Win and You’re In” Coolmore Nunthorpe (G1) by a devastating 3 ¾ lengths. Battaash is 10-for-19 lifetime, including the l’Abbaye when it was at Chantilly in 2017.

David Armstrong’s MABS CROSS (GB), at 6-1, is the only other horse trading at 10-1 or less. The 5-year- old daughter of Dutch Art (GB) won the l’Abbaye last year for trainer Michael Dods and is 7-for-18 lifetime, but has lost five straight. EL ASTRONAUTE (IRE), FAIRYLAND (IRE), FINSBURY SQUARE (IRE), GLASS SLIPPERS (GB), GOLD VIBE (IRE), INVINCIBLE ARMY (IRE), JOLIE (FR), KEN COLT (IRE), RECON MISSION (IRE), SESTILIO JET (FR), SHADES OF BLUE (IRE), SOLDIER’S CALL (GB), SO PERFECT, and SPINNING MEMORIES (IRE) are also entered in the “Win and You’re In” The Prix de L’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines.

The Prix de Jean Luc Lagardere, at one mile, will have eight, with Godolphin’s seemingly endless supply of top 2-year-olds on display, as their homebred VICTOR LUDORUM (GB) is the 2-1 favorite, even though he is no better than third-best among superstar Pinatubo (IRE) and Earthlight (IRE), who are both

5-for-5 this year. Victor Ludorum, a son of Shamardal, is 2-for-2 for trainer Andrew Fabre, with a debut win over the course Sept. 1 and the Prix des Aigles at Chantilly 13 days later.

Coolmore’s ARMORY (IRE), a son of Galileo (IRE), is 3-for-5 for O’Brien, including a win in the Futurity (G2) at The Curragh in August, while the Wertheimer Brother’s homebred ECRIVAIN (FR) is 2-for-2, including the local course and distance prep, the Prix des Chenes (G3), Sept. 8 for trainer Carlos Laffon- Parias, and are both taking significant early action. ALSON (GB), CHACHNAC (FR), HELTER SKELTER (FR), KENWAY (FR), and SURF DANCER (IRE) are also entered in the “Win and You’re In” Qatar Prix de Jean Luc Lagardere.

The Prix de Marcel Boussac, the sister race to the Lagardere, also drew a field of 10, with Masaaki Matsushima’s SAVARIN (JPN) the 2-1 favorite off a pair of wins to start her career for Fabre. The daughter of Deep Impact (JPN) won on debut at Deauville in August then took the course and distance prep, the Prix d’Aumale, Sept. 8.

The Niarchos Family’s homebred ALBIGNA (IRE) is 2-for-3 lifetime for trainer Jessica Harrington and is attracting plenty of support, as the daughter of Zoffany (IRE) won the Airlie Stud (G2) at The Curragh in June, while Cuadra Mediterranaeo’s MARIETA (FR), Godolphin’s BIONIC WOMAN (IRE) are at 5-1 and 6-1, respectively. FEE HISTORIQUE (FR), FLIGHTY LADY (IRE), KENLOVA (FR), NUNZIA (FR), PLEGASTELL (FR), and TANGO (IRE) are also entered in the “Win and You’re In” Qatar Prix de Marcel Boussacs.

Champagne, Flower Bowl Highlight Busy Challenge Weekend at Belmont Kicks

Belmont Park wraps up the final preps for the New York-based runners with Breeders’ Cup designs with four “Win and You’re In” qualifiers over the weekend, with Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne, which will offer an automatic starting berth into the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and Sunday’s $500,000 Flower Bowl (G1, Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf), $400,000 Frizette (G1, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies), and $150,000 Futurity (G3, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint).

The Champagne, at one mile, will be led by Stronach Stable’s undefeated homebred GREEN LIGHT GO. The 2-year-old son of Hard Spun won on debut locally in July for trainer Jimmy Jerkens then took the Saratoga Special (G2) Aug. 10 and has turned several heads, as he’s an imposing colt that already looks physically like a 3-year-old.

Paul Pompa’s ALPHA SIXTY SIX won on debut at Belmont Aug. 7 for trainer Todd Pletcher and the son of Liam’s Map appears to have plenty of potential, as does Gary Barber and Zayat Stable’s GOZILLA, third as the Favorite in Saratoga’s Hopeful (G1) Sept.2 for trainer Steve Asmussen. BIG CITY BOB, THREE TECHNIQUE, TIZ THE LAW, and TRUCULENT are entered in the “Win and You’re In” Champagne.

Peter Brant’s champion and defending winner of the Filly & Mare Turf SISTERCHARLIE (IRE) figures in the 1-5 range when she takes on a short field in the Flower Bowl at 1 ¼ miles. The 5-year-old daughter of Myboycharlie (IRE) has been virtually unbeatable for trainer Chad Brown since coming to his barn during the summer of her 3-year-old campaign after making the first five starts of her career in Europe for trainer Henri-Alex Pantall. Sistercharlie is 9-for-13 overall and cemented her championship last year with a Filly & Mare Turf win at Churchill Downs in November and hasn’t missed a beat this year, as she won the Diana (G1) at Saratoga in her return in July and then earned a Filly & Mare Turf bid when she won Arlington Park’s Aug. 10 “Win and You’re In” Beverly D. (G1).

Andrew Stone’s homebred MRS. SIPPY appears to be the only danger, as she won her U.S. debut in the Glens Falls (G2) Aug. 31 at Saratoga for trainer Graham Motion, while BEAU BELLE, FERDINANDA, and THAIS look like extreme longshots in the “Win and You’re In” Flower Bowl.

The one mile FRIZETTE is expected to draw a field of 2-year-old fillies long on talent but short on accomplishments, including Allen Stable’s homebred MRS. DANVERS, who easily won her second career start Aug. 18 at Saratoga, and the daughter of Tapit has attracted plenty of tote support in both

career starts. Gold Square’s DAPHNE MOON was another debut winner at Saratoga, as the Cairo Prince filly ran off by 3 ¼ lengths Aug. 4 for trainer Jeremiah Englehart, while Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s WICKED WHISPER, a daughter of Liam’s Map, delivered as a heavy favorite on debut at Saratoga Aug. 25 for trainer Steve Asmussen. CEE’S OVERTURE, ICE PRINCESS, MISS MARISSA, and SWEET KISSES could also run in the “Win and You’re In” Frizette.

The six-furlong Futurity is expected to draw a deep field, with Leonard and Jonathan Green’s ANOTHER MIRACLE a major player off his Saratoga stakes win in the Skidmore Aug. 16 for trainer Gary Contessa. EMBOLDEN, FLY AWAY, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, FREEWHEELER, KING SNAKE, ME AND MR. C, NETTLETON, and SO STREET could also run.

Omaha Beach Returns at Santa Anita

Sprinters will take center stage at Santa Anita, as Saturday’s $300,000 “Win and You’re In” Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1)—which pits star 3-year-olds OMAHA BEACH and SHANCELOT—will offer an automatic starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, and Sunday’s $100,000 “Win and You’re In” Speakeasy will award a spot into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

The Sprint Championship, at six furlongs, marks the return of Fox Hill Farm’s Omaha Beach, who was scratched as the morning favorite from the Kentucky Derby by trainer Richard Mandella with an entrapped epiglottis. The 3-year-old son of War Front won the Rebel (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1) this winter at Oaklawn Park and has been given plenty of time to make it back to the races. Omaha Beach is 3-for-7 lifetime and has been in steady training for the last month, and could use the Sprint Championship as a springboard to either the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile or Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Ivan Rodriguez and Michelle and Albert Crawford’s Shancelot set the racing world abuzz when he won Saratoga’s Amsterdam (G2) by 12 ½ length and set a track record in the process for trainer Jorge Navarro. The 3-year-old son of 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Shanghai Bobby regressed in his next start, when third in Saratoga’s Allen Jerkens (G1) Aug. 24, but his devastating early speed could be right at home at Santa Anita. Shancelot is 3-for-4 lifetime and should like cutting back a furlong from the seven-furlong Jerkens. CALIFORNIA STREET, HORSE GREEDY, FLAGSTAFF, and ONE FLEW SOUTH are also entered in the “Win and You’re In” Santa Anita Sprint Championship.

The Speakeasy, at five furlongs, figures to have a large field, with Andre Farm’s ALFIE OLOMONS rating as an intriguing prospect for trainer Wesley Ward. The 2-year-old son of Kantharos won on debut at Kentucky Downs Sept. 12 and starts for one of the top juvenile sprint trainers in the country. ARDENLEE STAR, COMMANDER (FR), ÉCLAIR, GINOBILI, GREG’S DIVA, RAGING WHISKEY, SQUARE DEAL, and WAR BEAT could also start.

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William S. Farish (right) leads Code of Honor into Belmont Park Winner’s Circle Eclipse Sportswire photo

News and Notes

Code of Honor to Classic

Will Farish’s homebred CODE OF HONOR, who qualified for the Breeders’ Cup Classic when he won Saturday’s $750,000 “Win and You’re In” Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1, see race recap below) will indeed head to Santa Anita for the race. initially both Farish and trainer Shug McGaughey had wavered on heading west, as the 3-year-old son of Noble Mission (GB) has had a season-long campaign, but decided Wednesday that the benefits of the Challenge Series and a potential Horse of the Year title made a trip to Santa Anita worth it.

“Lot at stake, lot of money, doesn’t cost us anything to run,” McGaughey said.

Code of Honor, in addition to a key win over older horses in the Gold Cup, also won Saratoga’s Travers (G1) in August, as well as the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park in March and Dwyer (G3) at Belmont in July, and was second (via disqualification) in the Kentucky Derby. Overall, he’s 5-for-9 lifetime, and a win or good showing in the Classic figures enough to cement a 3-year-old championship over Maximum Security, while a win could secure Horse of the Year as well.

Rockfel, Royal Lodge Winners Gain ‘Cup Berths

DAAHYEH (GB) and ROYAL DORNOCH (IRE) earned berths into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, respectively, when they won Friday’s $128,000 “Win and You’re In” Shadwell Rockfel (G2) and Saturday’s $160,000 “Win and You’re In” Juddmonte Royal Lodge (G2) at Newmarket, in Sussex, England.

Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s Daahyeh made it 3-for-5 lifetime for trainer Roger Varian and the 2-year- old daughter of Bated Breath (GB) has proven to be one of Europe’s better fillies this year, as she entered off a second-place finish in The Curragh’s Sept. 15 “Win and You’re In” Moyglare Stud (G1), another automatic qualifier for the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Daahyeh also won the Albany (G3) at Royal Ascot in June and a trip to Santa Anita has long been in the cards.

"I think the Breeders' Cup will come under consideration – we said that after the Moyglare," Varian said. "I'm sure it's still an option but it will all depend on the filly's condition.”

Coolmore’s Royal Dornoch has had a busy first campaign for trainer Aidan O’Brien, as the Royal Lodge was his second win from seven starts, which hints a trip to Santa Anita could be possible. The 2-year-old son of Gleneagles (IRE) has come to hand in his last three starts, as he broke his maiden at Gowran Park in September and was a decent fifth 10 days later in the Champagne (G2) at Doncaster Sept. 14.

Anthony Van Dyck to Pass Arc, Run in Turf

Coolmore’s ANTHONY VAN DYCK (IRE) will pass on Sunday’s “Win and You’re In” Arc de Triomphe (G1) at Longchamp and instead train up to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, a race the Arc is an automatic qualifier for. The 3-year-old son Galileo (IRE) won the Epsom Derby (G1) in June for trainer Aidan O’Brien and is 5-for-12 lifetime. Anthony Van Dyck, who was also second in the Irish Derby (G1) at The Curragh in June, was recently third to star stablemate Magical (IRE) in Leopardstown’s Sept. 14 “Win and You’re In” Irish Champion (G1), an automatic qualifier for the Turf.

Chance It Could Try Juvenile After Gulfstream Romp

Shooting Star Thoroughbreds’ CHANCE IT may have booked a trip to Santa Anita and the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile when he won Saturday’s $400,000 Florida Sire In Reality at Gulfstream Park. The 2-year- old son of Currency Swap won off by 7 ½ lengths as the 1-2 favorite for trainer Saffie Joseph, in what was his first start at two turns. Chance It is now 3-for-5, which includes a win in Gulfstream’s Dr. Fager in August, and could be in line for a big step up in class in the Juvenile.

“It’s definitely a possibility. If he’s doing well, we’ll consider it,” Joseph said. “He earned his chance to go, but we’re going to see how he is and decide in a couple weeks.”

Bricks and Mortar May Cut Back for Mile

Klaravich Stable and Bill Lawrence’s BRICKS AND MORTAR, undefeated in five starts this year and a leading contender for Horse of the Year, will not start again until the Breeders’ Cup, but the race he runs in may be a bit of a surprise. Trainer Chad Brown indicated that the 5-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway, who earned an automatic starting berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf when he won the “Win and You’re In” Arlington Million (G1) Aug. 10, is more like for the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile, as opposed to the Turf at 1 ½ miles.

“That’s why I’m leaning towards the Mile and I think he’s got the turn of foot to close very fast in a mile race if he can draw a decent post and get a good trip,” Brown said.

Bricks and Mortar, who is 10-for-12 lifetime, also won the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream Park in January, Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs in May and Manhattan (G1) at Belmont Park in June, but has yet to run 1 ½ miles, which is concern for Brown. “A mile and a half is a long way to go and I’ve decided that I don’t want to run the horse before the Breeders’ Cup, I want to run him fresh,” Brown said. “He’s had a long year, a lot of traveling, a lot of breezing, and a fair amount of hard racing and I think he’s going to run a lot better in the Breeders’ Cup fresh.” Catholic Boy Still has ‘Cup Designs

Bob LaPenta, Madaket Stable, Twin Creeks Racing Stable, and Sienna Farm’s CATHOLIC BOY, who has had an abbreviated campaign this year due to a few minor ailments, could still make the Breeders’ Cup, according to trainer Jonathan Thomas. The 4-year-old son of More Than Ready, who was 13th in the

Breeders’ Classic at Churchill Downs last year, won the Dixie (G2) on the turf at Pimlico in May then was second in Belmont Park’s Suburban (G2) in his only other start July 6. Catholic Boy, who also won the Travers (G1) last year at Saratoga, worked four furlongs in 47.22 over the outer turf Sept. 30 at Belmont and the move gives Thomas options as he looks ahead to Santa Anita.

“We’re breezing him on the turf to at least keep the (TVG Breeders’ Cup) Mile under consideration,” Thomas said. “He looked really happy, his ears were up, his body language was great, he came back really well. I’d like to put in about three or four of those in a row and hopefully it puts us into the Breeders’ Cup.” Thomas indicated the Big Ass Fan Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile is also a strong possibility for Catholic Boy, who is 7-for-12 lifetime, and said he’d follow the potential makeup of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, as well. Impressive Debut Winner Donna Veloce Has Sights Set on Juvenile Fillies

Kaleem Shah’s DONNA VELOCE may be a bit late to the party but left no doubt she’s a name to remember with a dominant 9 ¼-length debut maiden win Saturday at Santa Anita. The 2-year-old daughter of 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Uncle Mo was an $800,000 buy at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds-In-Training 2019 sale and made that investment look like a bargain at Santa Anita. Bet down to 3-5 for trainer Simon Callaghan, Donna Veloce broke on top and never looked back, in an effort that has her trainer hoping she draws into the field for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

“She came back well and we’ll see how her next few works go and look at the possibility of getting into the Breeders’ Cup (Juvenile Fillies),” Callaghan said.

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COUNTOWN TO THE BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

A listing of the upcoming major stakes races this weekend:

BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC

October 5 – $200,000 Greenwood Cup (G3) at Parx Racing. Run at 1 ½ miles for 3yos & up.

LONGINES BREEDERS’ CUP DISTAFF

October 6 – $400,000 Beldame (G1) at Belmont Park. Run at 1 1/8 miles for fillies & mares.

October 6 – $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) at Keeneland. Run at 1 1/8 miles for fillies & mares.

LONGINES BREEDERS’ CUP TURF

October 5 – $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Belmont Park. Run at 1 ½ miles on the turf for 3yos & up.

October 5 – $400,000 Hill Prince (G2) at Belmont Park. Run at 1 1/8 miles on the turf for 3yos.

October 6 – $5.765 million Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) at Longchamp. Run at 1 ½ miles on the turf for 3yos & up.

TVG BREEDERS’ CUP MILE

October 5 – $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland. Run at one mile on the turf for 3yos & up.

October 5 – $200,000 City of Hope (G2) at Santa Anita. Run at one mile on the turf for 3yos & up.

October 6 – $403,604 Qatar Prix de la Foret (G1) at Longchamp. Run at seven furlongs on the turf for 3yos & up.

MAKER’S MARK BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF

October 5 – $400,000 First Lady (G1) at Keeneland. Run at one mile on the turf for fillies & mares.

October 5 – $320,000 Sun Chariot (G1) at Newmarket. Run at one mile on the turf for fillies & mares.

October 7 – $576,577 Prix de l’Opera Longines (G1) at Longchamp. Run at 1 ¼ miles on the turf for fillies & mares.

October 6 – $500,000 Flower Bowl (G1) at Belmont Park. Run at 1 ¼ miles on the turf for fillies & mares.

BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT

October 4 – $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) at Keeneland. Run at six furlongs for 3yos & up.

October 5 – $300,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1) at Santa Anita. Run at six furlongs for 3yos & up.

BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT

October 5 – $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at Keeneland. Run at six and a half furlongs for fillies & mares.

October 5 – $100,000 L.A. Woman (G3) at Santa Anita. Run at six and a half furlongs for fillies & mares.

TVG BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE

October 5 – $500,000 Champagne (G1) at Belmont Park. Run at one mile for 2yos.

October 5 – $500,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. Run at 1 1/16 miles for 2yos.

BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES

October 4 – $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland. Run at 1 1/16 miles for 2yo fillies.

October 6 – $400,000 Frizette (G1) at Belmont Park. Run at one mile for 2yo fillies.

BREEDERS’ CUP TURF SPRINT

October 5 – $200,000 Woodford (G2) at Keeneland. Run at five and a half furlongs on the turf for 3yos & up.

October 7 – $403,604 Prix de L’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (G1) at Longchamp. Run at five furlongs on the turf for 3yos & up.

BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF

October 7 – $461,261 Qatar Prix de Jean Luc Lagardere (G1) at Longchamp. Run at one mile on the turf for 2yos.

October 6 – $250,000 Dixiana Bourbon (G2) at Keeneland. Run at 1 1/16 miles on the turf for 2yos.

BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF

October 5 – $125,000 Mazarine (G3) at Woodbine. Run at 1 1/16 miles for 2yo fillies.

October 7 – $461,261 Qatar Prix de Marcel Boussacs (G1) at Longchamp. Run at one mile on the turf for 2yo fillies.

BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT

October 6 – $150,000 Futurity (G3) at Belmont Park. Run at six furlongs on the turf for 2yos.

October 5 – $150,000 Matron (G3) at Belmont Park. Run at six furlongs on the turf for 2yo fillies.

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MAJOR STAKES RECAP September 27-29

A review of the major global races in the corresponding Breeders’ Cup divisions from last week. Winning jockeys’ names are in parenthesis in each recap. The top Breeders’ Cup Points' leaders and Breeders’ Cup Challenge winners by division are listed at the end of each section. Breeders’ Cup Point earners are limited to horses who finish first, second or third in Graded Stakes races. Horses based outside of the U.S., who have not won a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, are selected into World Championships races by the Breeders’ Cup Racing Directors/Secretaries Panel at the Pre-Entry stage, Oct. 21. Juvenile standings will begin in September. An asterisk in the points section denotes a foreign contender. A complete Breeders’ Cup Points list is available at:https://members.breederscup.com/championships/pointsleaderboard.aspx

Race: $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), 3yos & up, 1 ¼ miles BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACE Track: Belmont Park Finishing Order: 1 – CODE OF HONOR, 2 – VINO ROSSO (Disqualified from 1st), 3 – TACITUS Margins: Nose,4, 1 Also ran: PRESERVATIONIST, OLYMPIC VILLAGE Winning Owner: Will Farish; Trainer: Shug McGaughey; Jockey: John Velazquez. Connections: Time: 2:00.34.94 (fast)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Classic – Controversy reigned supreme in Belmont Park’s $750,000 “Win and You’re In” Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), as VINO ROSSO posted a nose victory over Will Farish’s homebred CODE OF HONOR (John Velazquez), but it was the latter who earned an automatic starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic when the former was disqualified for a trio of bumps in deep stretch. Code of Honor, a son of Noble Mission (GB), staked his claim as the leading 3-year-old in the country, as he now owns an ever-important victory over older horses to go with his Travers (G1) win at Saratoga Aug. 24 for trainer Shug McGaughey. He also won Gulfstream Park’s Fountain of Youth (G2) in March and Belmont’s Dwyer (G3) in July and is 5-for-9 lifetime. Mike Repole and St Elias Stable’s Vino Rosso ran a winning race, as he was 4 lengths clear of TACITUS in third, and continues to thrive at the Classic’s 1 ¼ miles, as he also won the Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1) in May for trainer Todd Pletcher. The 4-year-old son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Curlin is 5-for-14 lifetime and heads to California as a leading contender. Both Juddmonte Farm’s homebred Tacitus and Centennial Farm’s favored PRESERVATIONIST disappointed at 5-2 and 9-5, respectively, for trainers Bill Mott and Jimmy Jerkens, which puts their Classic participation in serious doubt. Video: Jockey Club Gold Cup

Race: $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3), 3yos, 1 1/8 miles Track: Remington Park Finishing Order: 1 – OWENDALE, 2 – SLEEPY EYES TODD, 3 – CHESS CHIEF Margins: 1 ¾, neck, head Also ran: MUCHO GUSTO, BANKIT, FUNNY GUY, LONG RANGE TODDY, CAIRO CAT, DRIFTING WEST, VIEW MAGIC Winning Owner: Rupp Racing; Trainer: Brad Cox; Jockey: Florent Geroux. Connections: Time: 1:49.29 (fast)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Classic – Rupp Racing’s OWENDALE (Florent Geroux) closed with a rush to overpass SLEEPY EYES TODD and pull clear late for a 1 ¾-length win in Remington Park’s $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3). Brad Cox trained the winner, a 3-year-old son of Into Mischief who was third in the Preakness in May and also won the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland in April and the Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown in June. Owendale, who was fifth in the in Saratoga’s Travers (G1) in his last start Aug. 24, is now 5-for-12 lifetime and Cox mentioned he could be a potential starter in either the Breeders’ Cup Classic of the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Michael Lund Peterson’s multiple graded stakes winner MUCHO GUSTO, who was the odds-on favorite for trainer Bob Baffert, was a non-threatening fourth after running third in the Travers. Video: Oklahoma Derby

Race: $300,000 Awesome Again (G1), 3yos & up, 1 1/8 miles BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACE Track: Santa Anita Finishing Order: 1 – MONGOLIAN GROOM, 2 – MCKINZIE, 3 – HIGHER POWER Margins: 2 ¼, 5 ¼, 1 Also ran: SEEKING THE SOUL, DRAFT PICK, ISOTHERM Winning Owner: Mongolian Stable; Trainer: Enebish Ganbat; Jockey: Abel Cedillo. Connections: Time: 1:49.27 (fast)

Mongolian Groom Wins the Awesome Again Stakes Eclipse Sportswire Photo

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Classic – Mongolian Stable’s MONGOLIAN GROOM (Abel Cedillo) went wire-to-wire in a 25-1 upset over heavily favored MCKINZIE and earned an automatic starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic with a 2 ¼-win in Santa Anita’s $300,000 “Win and You’re In” Awesome Again (G1). Enebish Ganbat trained the winner, a 4-year-old son of 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner Hightail who has logged plenty of furlongs this year, as he won for the second time in 10 starts. Mongolian Groom crossed the country this summer, running third in August Del Mar’s Pacific Classic (G1), another “Win and You’re In” for the Classic, and then fifth in Saratoga’s Aug. 31 Woodward (G1) 14 days later. Mongolian Groom won for the third time in 16 career starts but is not Breeders’ Cup nominated, and would need to be supplemented to the Classic, so his participation is uncertain. Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman’s McKinzie was the leading handicap horse in the country but lost a bit of luster with a dull second at 1-5 for trainer Bob Baffert. The 4-year-old son of 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Street Sense earned an automatic berth into the Classic when he won Saratoga’s “Win and You’re In” Whitney (G1) Aug.3 and will take his 7-for-13 lifetime record into the Classic, a race he was 12th in last year at Churchill Downs. Hronis Racing’s HIGHER POWER stumbled badly at the start, which severely compromised his chances, but ran on gamely to salvage third. The 4-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro, who entered off a breakthrough 5 ¼-length win in the Pacific Classic for trainer John Sadler, is now 5-for-14 lifetime and will look to make amends on racing’s biggest stage. “The plan is to run him in the Breeders’ Cup Classic,” Sadler said. “It was too bad that he stumbled so badly at the start and was kind of eliminated, but if he’s in good shape, he’ll go back in the big one (Breeders’ Cup Classic).” Chuck Fipke’s homebred SEEKING THE SOUL, who was fourth for trainer Dallas Stewart, could also run back in the Classic. Awesome Again

Race: $250,000 Lukas Classic (G3), 3yos & up, 1 1/8 miles Track: Churchill Downs Finishing Order: 1 – MOCITO ROJO, 2 – SILVER DUST, 3 – SIR ANTHONY Margins: Neck, 4, head Also ran: BLUERIDGE TRAVELER, BIG DOLLAR BILL, QUIP, KUKULKAN (MEX), TENFOLD, PIONEER SPIRIT, HAWAAKOM Winning Owner: Wayne Davis; Trainer: Shane Wilson; Jockey: Gerard Melancon. Connections: Time: 1:48.91 (fast)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Classic – Wayne Davis’ MOCITO ROJO (Gerard Melancon) won his fifth straight with a neck win over SILVER DUST in Churchill Downs’ $250,000 Lukas Classic (G3). The 5- year-old son of Mutadda has been a win machine over his career for trainer Shane Wilson, as he won for the 17th time in 25 starts while adding his second career graded stakes, to go with the Steve Sexton Mile (G3) at Lone Star Park in April. Wilson indicated he’ll bring Mocito Rojo back to Delta Downs in Louisiana where he’ll point to the handicap races at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn Park next winter.

Breeders’ Cup Classic – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Code of Honor Claude R. W. S. Farish Winner McGaughey III BCC Higher Power John W. Sadler Hronis Racing LLC Winner BCC McKinzie Bob Baffert Michael E. Pegram , Karl Watson , Paul Weitman Winner BCC Mongolian Enebish Ganbat Mongolian Stable Winner Groom BCC Seeking the Dallas Stewart Charles E. Fipke Winner Soul 36 Tacitus William I. Mott Juddmonte Farms, Inc. 26 Elate William I. Mott Claiborne Farm; Adele Dilschneider

20 Vino Rosso Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stable, St. Elias Stable LLC 16 Preservationist James A. Jerkens Centennial Farms 13 Math Wizard Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. John Fanelli , Collarmele Vitelli Stables LLC, Bassett Stables, Ioannis Zoumas , Wynwood Thoroughbreds, Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. 10 Yoshida (JPN) William I. Mott WinStar Farm, LLC, Head of Plains Partners LLC, China Horse Club, SF Racing 0 Gunnevera Antonio Sano Margoth

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Race: $300,000 Beldame (G2), fillies & mares, 1 1/8 miles Track: Belmont Park Finishing Order: 1 – MIDNIGHT BISOU, 2 – WOW CAT (CHI), 3 – CRIMSON FROST Margins: 3 ¼, 5 ¼, 1 Also ran: ANOTHER BROAD, SPRING IN THE WIND Winning Owner: Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stable & Allen Racing; Trainer: Connections: Steve Asmussen; Jockey: John Velazquez Time: 1:48.86 (fast)

Countdown to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff – Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stable, and Allen Racing’s MIDNIGHT BISOU (John Velazquez) remained undefeated on the year and strengthened her status as a decisive favorite for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff with an easy 3 ¼-length win over WOW CAT (CHI) in Belmont Park’s $300,000 Beldame (G2). Steve Asmussen trained the winner, a 4- year-old daughter of two-time Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Midnight Lute who was third last year’s Distaff at Churchill Downs and hasn’t lost since, as she won her seventh straight start of the year. Midnight Bisou has won a trio of grade 1’s this year; Oaklawn Park’s Apple Blossom in April, Belmont’s Ogden Phipps in June, and Saratoga’s Personal Ensign Aug. 24, and already secured a berth into this year’s Distaff, as the latter two were both “Win and You’re In” automatic qualifiers for the race. She’s now 12-for-18 lifetime and has co-owner Jeff Bloom already looking forward to a trip to California, and a potential Horse of the Year bid in the Distaff. “She’s scheduled to ship out tomorrow (Sept. 30) to fly west and go to her new home base for fall in Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup Distaff,” Bloom said. "She has quality and quantity and a great resume. Certainly, capping things off in the Distaff would be a huge statement and one would have to think If you compare her to others and what they are doing, she's a Horse of the Year candidate." Peter Brant’s defending Beldame champion Wow Cat ran well in defeat after getting on even terms with Midnight Bisou entering the far turn, and the 5-year-old daughter of Lookin At Lucky figures to move on to the Distaff, a race she was second in last year for trainer Chad Brown. The Beldame

Race: $200,000 Zenyatta (G2), fillies & mares, 1 1/16 miles BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACE Track: Santa Anita Finishing Order: 1 – PARADISE WOODS, 2 – SECRET SPICE, 3 – OLLIE’S CANDY Margins: 1 ¾, neck, 3 ¼ Also ran: LA FORCE (GER), MONGOLIAN HUMOR, KAYDETRE Winning Owner: HS Stable & Marty & Pam Wygod; Trainer: John Shirreffs; Connections: Jockey: Abel Cedillo. Time: 1:44.31 (fast)

Countdown to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff – HS Stable and Marty and Pam Wygod’s PARADISE WOODS (Abel Cedillo) earned an automatic berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff with a 1 ¾-length win over SECRET SPICE in Santa Anita’s $200,000 “Win and You’re In” Zenyatta (G2). The 5-year-old daughter of Union Rags has been both brilliant and frustrating to her connections over her career, as she won the Zenyatta in 2017 for then-trainer Richard Mandella and was third in the Distaff at Del Mar then went off-form in a trio of starts in 2018 before being sent to trainer John Shirreffs for a 2019

campaign. Paradise Woods won the local Santa Margarita (G2) by 10 ½ lengths in April then was second at 1-5 in the Santa Maria (G2) at Santa Anita in June and entered off a distant fourth in Del Mar’s July 28 Clement L. Hirsch (G1), another “Win and You’re In” for the Distaff. She’s now 5-for-17 lifetime and clearly has the talent to make a dent in the Distaff. Little Red Feather Racing and Bobby Flay’s odds-on favorite Secret Spice set the pace and held well until deep stretch and is 4-1-3-0 in her last four starts—all grade 1s—for trainer Richard Baltas. The 4-year-old daughter of Discreet Cat won the local Beholder Mile in March then was second in the La Troienne at Churchill Downs in May and the Hirsch, though she could pass on the Distaff, as the 1 1/8 miles may be a bit out of her comfort zone. As is Paul and Karen Eggert’s homebred OLLIE’S CANDY, a 4-year-old daughter of Candy Ride (ARG), was third and figures to move on to the Distaff, as she gained an entry into the race with her Hirsch win for trainer John Sadler. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR4Cg7PCM50

Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Winner Elate William I. Mott Claiborne Farm; Adele Dilschneider BCC Winner Midnight Bisou Steven M. Asmussen Bloom Racing Stable LLC, Madaket Stables LLC, Allen Racing LLC BCC Winner Ollie's Candy John W. Sadler Paul and Karen Eggert BCC Winner Paradise Woods John A. Shirreffs Steven Sarkowsky & Pam and Martin J. Wygod BCC Winner Street Band J. Larry Jones Francis Ray , Larry & Cindy Jones, Medallion Racing, MyRaceHorse Stable 26 Guarana Chad C. Brown Three Chimneys Farm LLC 26 Secret Spice Richard Baltas Little Red Feather Racing 21 She's a Julie Steven M. Asmussen Whispering Oaks Farm, Team Hanley, Bradley Thoroughbreds, Madaket Stables LLC 20 Dunbar Road Chad C. Brown White Birch Farm, Inc. 10 Blue Prize (ARG) Ignacio Correas Merriebelle Stable, LLC 6 Go Google Yourself Paul J. McGee Samantha Siegel 0 Vexatious Jack Sisterson Calumet Farm

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Race: $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship (G2), 3yos & up, 1 ¼ miles (turf) Track: Santa Anita Finishing Order: 1 – CLEOPATRA’S STRIKE, 2 – ACCLIMATE, 3 – UNITED Margins: 1, ¾, 1 ¾ Also ran: OSCAR DOMINGUEZ (IRE), RITZY A.P., GRECIAN FIRE, YA GOTTA WANNA, THE STREET FIGHTER Winning Owner: Slam Dunk Racing & Michael Nentwig; Trainer: Phil D’Amato; Connections: Jockey: Abel Cedillo. Time: 1:58.22 (firm)

Countdown to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf – Slam Dunk Racing and Michael Nentwig’s CLEOPATRA’S STRIKE (Abel Cedillo) ran down his pace-setting stablemate ACCLIMATE for a 1-length win in Santa Anita’s $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship (G2). Phil D’Amato trained the top pair, with the winner, a 6-year-old son of Smart Strike, winning for the first time in three starts this year after running second, beaten a nose, in both the local San Gabriel (G2) in January and an optional-claimer at Del Mar. Sept.2. Cleopatra’s Strike was 3-for-22 for Woodbine-based trainer Malcom Pierce before being privately purchased after 2018 and is now 4-for-25 lifetime. D’Amato was non-committal about a run in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf for Cleopatra’s Strike but did say The Ellwood Johnston Trust’s

Acclimate will move on to the Turf. The 5-year-old son of Acclamation, who won the San Juan Capistrano (G3) at Santa Anita in June and earned a berth into the Turf when he won the “Win and You’re In” Del Mar Handicap (G2) Aug. 17, is 6-for-17 lifetime. Video: John Henry Turf Championship

Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Acclimate Philip D'Amato The Ellwood Johnston Trust, Timmy Time Racing Winner BCC Bricks and Mortar Chad C. Brown Klaravich Stables Inc , William H. Lawrence Winner BCC Enable (GB) John Gosden Prince Khalid Abdullah Winner BCC Magical (IRE) Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. John Magnier , Michael Winner Tabor 22 Zulu Alpha Michael J. Maker Michael M. Hui 14 Arklow Brad Cox Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger , Peter Coneway 14 Channel Cat Todd A. Pletcher Calumet Farm 10 Cleopatra's Strike Philip D'Amato Nick Cosato , Michael Nentwig 10 Old Persian (GB) Charlie Appleby Godolphin 6 Sadler's Joy Thomas Albertrani Woodslane Farm * Anthony Van Dyck Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. John Magnier , Michael (IRE) Tabor * Ziyad (GB) Carlos Laffon- Wertheimer et Frere Parias

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Race: $300,000 Rodeo Drive (G1), fillies & mares, 1 ¼ miles (turf) BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACE Track: Santa Anita Finishing Order: 1 – MIRTH, 2 – BEAU RECALL (IRE), 3 – ELYSEA’S WORLD (IRE) Margins: 1 ¼, neck, 5 ¼ Also ran: SIBERIAN IRIS (IRE), EXCELLENT SUNSET (IRE), PAVED Winning Owner: Little Red Feather Racing; Trainer: Phil D’Amato; Jockey: Mike Connections: Smith. Time: 1:58.97 (firm)

Countdown to the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Little Red Feather Racing’s MIRTH (Mike Smith) led every step of the way and earned a berth into the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf with a 1 ¼-length win over favored BEAU RECALL (IRE) in Santa Anita’s $300,000 “Win and You’re In” Rodeo Drive (G1). The 4-year-old daughter of Colonel John and trainer Phil D’Amato picked the right time to run in her first career graded stakes and had never been better than second in a listed stakes, the local Possibly Perfect in June. Mirth is now 5-for-16 and could return in the Filly & Mare Turf. Slam Dunk Racing and Medallion Racing’s Beau Recall got no pace help but rallied nicely from fourth to get second. The 5-year-old daughter of Sir Prancealot (IRE) has been a gem of consistency this year for trainer Brad Cox, as she’s now 6-3-3-0, which includes wins in the Distaff Turf Mile (G2) at Churchill Downs in May and Del Mar’s Yellow Ribbon (G2) Aug. 3 and figures to move on to the Filly & Mare Turf. Video: Rodeo Drive Stakes

Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Winner Iridessa (IRE) Joseph O'Brien Mrs. C C Regalado - Gonzalez BCC Winner Mirth Philip D'Amato Little Red Feather Racing

BCC Winner Sistercharlie (IRE) Chad C. Brown White Birch Farm, Inc. 34 Vasilika Jerry Hollendorfer All Schlaich Stables LLC, Jerry Hollendorfer, Gatto Racing LLC, George Todaro 24 Beau Recall (IRE) Brad Cox Nick Cosato , Medallion Racing 22 Cambier Parc Chad C. Brown OXO Equine LLC 15 Santa Monica (GB) Chad C. Brown R Unicorn Stable 6 Mrs. Sippy H. Graham Motion Andrew Stone * Deirdre (JPN) Mitsuru Hashida Toji Morita * Star Catcher (GB) John H.M. Gosden Anthony E. Oppenheimer * Veracious (GB) Sir Michael R. Stoute Cheveley Park Stud Ltd.

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Imperial Hint overtakes Firenze Fire to Win the Vosburgh Eclipse Sportswire Photo

Race: $300,000 Vosburgh (G1), 3yos & up, six furlongs BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACE Track: Belmont Park Finishing Order: 1 – IMPERIAL HINT, 2 – FIRENZE FIRE, 3 – BROWN BUCKEYE Margins: Nose, 9 ¾, 3 ¾ Also ran: AMERICAN POWER Winning Owner: Ray Mamone; Trainer: Luis Carvajal; Jockey: Javier Castellano. Connections: Time: 1:08.35 (fast)

Countdown to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint – Ray Mamone’s IMPERIAL HINT (Javier Castellano) proved as game as he is brilliant when he battled back to post a nose win over FIRENZE FIRE and earned an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in Belmont Park’s $300,000 “Win and You’re In”

Vosburgh (G1) as a result. Luis Carvajal trained the winner, a 6-year-old son of Imperialism who has wowed onlookers with several displays of speed over the past two years, none more so than Saratoga’s July 27 Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1), when he set a track record, getting six furlongs in 1:07.92. Imperial Hint, who also won the Vanderbilt and Vosburgh last year, is now 14-for-23 lifetime and will look to better his third-place finish in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs, and his second-place finish in the race at Del Mar in 2017. “It's a long trip to California but he was there before and this race fit perfectly. I don't think we'll have to do much after this. I won't worry too much about getting him a lot of works or anything like that,” Carvajal said. "I think, besides the Classic or maybe a turf race, the Sprint will be one of the greatest races that (Breeders' Cup) Saturday. There are a lot of great elements in that race." Carvajal indicated Imperial Hint will return to his Monmouth Park barn and leave for California sometime in the middle of October. Mr Amore Stable’s homebred Firenze Fire ran huge in defeat and appears back in top form for trainer John Servis. The 4-year-old son of Poseidon’s Warrior is just 1-for-6 this year but entered off a second-place finish to divisional star Mitole in Saratoga’s Aug. 24 Forego (G1), a “Win and You’re In” for the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, a race he was fourth in last year at Churchill Downs. Servis didn’t commit to a possible Breeders’ Cup race, though the Sprint might be more likely, as the Dirt Mile is at two turns this year at Santa Anita, whereas last year it was a one-turn mile at Churchill. Video: The Vosburgh

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Winner Cistron John W. Sadler Hronis Racing LLC BCC Winner Imperial Hint Luis Carvajal Jr. Raymond Mamone BCC Winner Promises Fulfilled Dale L. Romans Robert J. Baron 38 Mitole Steven M. Asmussen Heiligbrodt Racing Stable 12 Firenze Fire Jason Servis Mr. Amore Stable 10 Shancelot Jorge Navarro Gelfenstein Farm 6 Desert Law Carla Gaines Harris Farms 6 Roy H Peter Miller Rockingham Ranch, David A. Bernsen * Matera Sky Hideaki Fujiwara Green Fields Co. Ltd. * Mr Melody Hideyuki Mori Tsuyoshi Ono

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Race: $300,000 American Pharoah (G1), 2yos, 1 1/16 miles BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACE Track: Santa Anita Finishing Order: 1 – EIGHT RINGS, 2 – AMERICAN THEOREM, 3 – STORM THE COURT Margins: 6, 2 ¼, neck Also ran: EXPRESS TRAIN, SHOPLIFTED, DEFENSE WINS, FORE LEFT, NUCKY, COLLUSION ILLUSION Winning Owner: SF Racing & Starlight Racing & Madaket Stable; Trainer: Bob Connections: Baffert; Jockey: John Velazquez. Time: 1:45.41 (fast)

Countdown to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stable’s EIGHT RINGS (John Velazquez) earned an automatic starting berth into the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile with a wire-to-wire 6-length win over AMERICAN THEOREM in Santa Anita’s $300,000 “Win and You’re In” American Pharoah (G1). The 2-year-old son of Empire Maker made amends after throwing his jockey shortly after the start of the Del Mar Futurity (G1) Sept. 2, a race he was 1-2 in after an easy debut win at Del Mar in August for trainer Bob Baffert. Eight Rings was a $520,000 yearling purchase at the Keeneland September Sale and figures to be favored in the Juvenile over his home track. Kretz Racing’s American Theorem ran well in defeat, in what was his first start against winners and past five and a half furlongs for trainer George Papaprodromou. The son of American Pharoah closed to win his sprint debut

at Del Mar Aug. 31 and looks to be an interesting longshot candidate in the Juvenile. Video: American Pharoah Stakes

TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Dennis' Moment Dale L. Romans Albaugh Family Stables Winner BCC Eight Rings Bob Baffert SF Racing, Starlight Racing Stable, Madaket Stables Winner LLC, Fred W. Hertrich III, John D. Fielding , Golconda Stables 10 Basin Steven M. Asmussen Jackpot Farm 10 Nucky Peter Miller Rockingham Ranch, David A. Bernsen 10 Wrecking Crew Peter Miller Rockingham Ranch, David A. Bernsen 6 American George Kretz Racing LLC Theorem Papaprodromou 6 Scabbard Eddie Kenneally Joseph W. Sutton 0 Chance It Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. Shooting Star Thoroughbreds LLC 0 Flap Jack Jack Sisterson Calumet Farm 0 King Snake Jack Sisterson Calumet Farm

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Race: $300,000 Chandelier (G1), 2yo fillies, 1 1/16 miles BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACE Track: Santa Anita Finishing Order: 1 – BAST, 2 – COMICAL, 3 – K P DREAMIN Margins: Neck, 3, 2 ¼ Also ran: BEEN STUDINYG HER, BUYER’S REMORSE, LEUCOTHEA Winning Owner: Baoma Corporation; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: John Connections: Velazquez. Time: 1:46.10 (fast)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies – Baoma Corporation’s BAST (John Velazquez) held a game and determined COMICAL off by a neck and earned an automatic starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in Santa Anita’s $300,000 “Win and You’re In” Chandelier (G1). Bob Baffert trained the winner, a 2-year-old daughter of 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Uncle Mo who broke her maiden by 8 ¾ lengths in the Del Mar Debutante Aug. 31, after running second in an MSW there 20 days earlier. Bast was purchased for $500,000 at the Fasig-Tipton August Saratoga Yearling Sale and will go for a championship in the Juvenile Fillies. Baffert indicated that he didn’t have Bast fully cranked for what was her first start going two turns, but that she should only move forward off the win. “I think this will get her ready for the next one (the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies),” Baffert said. “I really think this race is going to move Bast up, so I feel pretty good about it. You’re supposed to get tired first time two turns.” ERJ Racing and Gary Barber’s Comical ran huge in defeat and clearly moved up in what was her first start at two turns as well, as the daughter of Into Mischief was a well-beaten third in the Debutante, and figures to tackle Bast again in the Juvenile Fillies for trainer Doug O’Neill. Video: The Chandelier

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Bast Bob Baffert Baoma Corp. Winner BCC Lazy Daisy Doug F. O'Neill Erik Johnson , Great Friends Stable, Thomas Winner Mansor

16 Perfect Alibi Mark E. Casse Tracy Farmer 14 Comical Doug F. O'Neill Erik Johnson , Gary Barber , Dave Kenney, Madaket Stables LLC 10 Frank's William I. Mott Fletcher Racing Operations Rockette 4 Peter A. Eurton Exline - Border Racing LLC, Robin Christensen Powerfulattractio , n

0 Donna Veloce Simon Callaghan Kaleem Shah, Inc. 0 Green Destiny Steven M. Clearsky Farms Asmussen

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Race: $150,000 Ack Ack (G3), 3yos & up, one mile Track: Churchill Downs Finishing Order: 1 – MR FREEZE, 2 – THIRSTFORLIFE, 3 – MR DARCY Margins: 1 ½, 1 ½, 1 ½ Also ran: C Z ROCKET, MR. JAGERMEISTER, TIMELINE, AIR STRIKE, UNMATCHABLE Winning Owner: Jim Bakke & Gerald Ibister; Trainer: Dale Romans; Jockey: Connections: Robby Albarado. Time: 1:34.11 (fast)

Countdown to the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – Jim Bakke and Gerald Ibister’s MR FREEZE (Robby Albarado) won his second career graded stakes with a 1 ½-length win over THIRSTFORLIFE in Churchill Downs’ $150,000 Ack (G3). The 4-year-old son of To Honor and Serve won the West Virginia Derby (G3) by 8 lengths at Mountaineer Park last year but was making just his third start of the year and only second since Aug. 11, when he was second in an optional-claimer at Ellis Park. Mr Freeze is now 4-for-8 lifetime and could take a major rise in class for his next start. “We’ll have to see moving forward where we could end up with him but the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile could certainly be in the discussion,” Romans said.

Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Catalina Cruiser John W. Sadler Hronis Racing LLC Winner BCC Mitole Steven M. Heiligbrodt Racing Stable Winner Asmussen 20 Cistron John W. Sadler Hronis Racing LLC 20 Hog Creek Vickie L. Foley Something Special Racing LLC Hustle 16 Omaha Beach Richard E. Fox Hill Farms Inc. Mandella 13 Math Wizard Saffie A. Joseph, John Fanelli , Collarmele Vitelli Stables LLC, Bassett Jr. Stables, Ioannis Zoumas , Wynwood Thoroughreds, Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. 12 Firenze Fire Jason Servis Mr. Amore Stable 10 Catholic Boy Jonathan Thomas Robert V. La Penta , Madaket Stables LLC, Siena Farm, Twin Creeks Racing Stable LLC

10 Improbable Bob Baffert WinStar Farm, LLC, China Horse Club International Limited, Starlight Racing Stable 10 Promises Dale L. Romans Robert J. Baron Fulfilled 6 Air Strike Philip D'Amato Madaket Stables LLC, Nick Cosato , Michael Nentwig 6 Giant Peter A. Eurton Exline - Border Racing LLC, Gatto Racing LLC Expectations 5 Coal Front Todd A. Pletcher Robert V. La Penta , Head of Plains Partners LLC 4 Mr Freeze Dale L. Romans Jim Bakke , Gerry Isbister 2 True Timber Kiaran P. Calumet Farm McLaughlin 1 Snapper Sinclair Steven M. Bloom Racing Stable LLC Asmussen * Ambassadorial Jane Chapple- Jane Chapple-Hyam Hyam * Blue Chipper Kim Young Kwan Byeong-bu Choi

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Godolphin’s Tower of London takes the “Win and You’re In” Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama Yuki Shimono photo

Race: $2.178 million Sprinters Stakes (G1), 3yos & up, about six furlongs (turf) BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACE Track: Nakayama Racecourse Finishing Order: 1 – TOWER OF LONDON (JPN), 2 – MOZU SUPERFLARE, 3 – DANON SMASH (JPN)

Margins: ½, neck, 1 Also ran: MR MELODY, LET’S GO DONKI (JPN), DAIMEI PRINCESS (JPN), HAPPY HOUR (JPN), NO ONE (JPN), LINATE (JPN), ARES BAROWS (JPN), IBERIS (JPN), SEIUN KOSEI (JPN), DIRNDL (JPN), MALTESE APOGEE (JPN), LOVE KAPF (JPN), FANTASIST (JPN) Winning Owner: Godolphin; Trainer: Kazuo Fujisawa; Jockey: Christophe Lemaire. Connections: Time: 1:07.10 (firm)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – Godolphin’s homebred TOWER OF LONDON (Christophe Lemaire) earned an automatic starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with a half- length win over MOZU SUPERFLARE in Nakayama Racecourse’s $2.178 million “Win and You’re In” Sprinters Stakes (G1). Kazuo Fujisawa trained the winner, a 4-year-old son of 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass who stepped up to win his first career group 1 after winning the Centaur (G2) at Hanshin Sep. 8. Tower of London is now 5-for-11 lifetime and Harry Sweeny, president of Godolphin in Japan, indicated a trip to Santa Anita for the Turf Sprint will be given serious consideration. “We will consult with the trainer over the next few days and make a tentative plan,” Sweeny said. “Today’s race was a win-and-you’re-in for the Breeders Cup, so we will need to decide on that very soon.” Video: Sprinters Stakes

Race: $200,000 Eddie D. (G2), 3yos & up, five furlongs (turf) Track: Santa Anita Finishing Order: 1 – PEE WEE REESE, 2 – EDDIE HASKELL, 3 – STORMY LIBERAL Margins: ½, 1 ¼, head Also ran: DOUBLE TOUCH (GB), TRIBALIST, LOMBO, BOA NOVA (IRE), MR VARGAS Winning Owner: Nick Alexander; Trainer: Phil D’Amato; Jockey: Flavien Prat. Connections: Time: :55.53 (firm)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – Nick Alexander’s homebred PEE WEE REESE (Flavien Prat) held off a late run from EDDIE HASKELL by a half-length to win Santa Anita’s $200,000 Eddie D. (G2). The 6-year-old son of Tribal Rule was making only his second start of the year for trainer Phil D’Amato and improved on the form that saw him win the Sensational Star over Santa Anita’s downhill turf course Mar. 31. Pee Wee Reese, who also won the American (G3) going a mile at Santa Anita in 2017, is now 8-for-15 lifetime and figures a leading contender for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. As does Phil Wood and James Hailey’s Eddie Haskell, who was compromised by his rail draw and broke slow but rallied stoutly from seventh for trainer Mark Glatt. The 6-year-old son of Square Eddie is 10-for-24 lifetime, including a stout 9-for-14 at the Turf Sprint’s five-furlong distance. The Turf Sprint could also be in the cards for Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen’s STORMY LIBERAL, who won the race last year at Churchill Downs and was third in the Eddie D. for trainer Peter Miller, though that marked his sixth straight loss since that win. Eddie D. Stakes

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Battaash (IRE) Charles Hills Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum Winner BCC Fairyland (IRE) Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. John Magnier , Michael Tabor Winner BCC Totally Boss George R. Arnold Jim Hill , Susan Hill Winner II 10 Eddie Haskell Mark Glatt Phillip Wood , Jim Hailey 9 Pure Sensation Christophe Patricia Generazio Clement 6 Disco Partner Christophe Patricia Generazio Clement

6 Om Peter Miller Sareen Family Trust 6 Pee Wee Reese Philip D'Amato Nick Alexander 5 Leinster George R. Arnold Amy Dunne II 5 Stormy Liberal Peter Miller Rockingham Ranch, David A. Bernsen 4 Legends of War Doug F. O'Neill C T R Stables LLC, Qatar Racing Limited, Steve Keh * Belvoir Bay (GB) Peter Miller Gary Barber * Mr Melody Hideyuki Mori Tsuyoshi Ono * Soldier's Call (GB) Archie Watson Clipper Logistics ) So Perfect Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. John Magnier , Michael Tabor * Spinning Memories Pascal F. Bary Sutong Pan Racing Bloodstock (IRE)

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Race: $200,000 Pilgrim (G3), 2yos, 1 1/16 miles (turf) Track: Belmont Park Finishing Order: 1 – STRUCTOR, 2 – ANDESITE, 3 – OUR COUNTRY Margins: Head, 2 ¼, ½ Also ran: FAMISHED, NO WORD, MAXWELL ESQUIRE, NO LIME, THE GRAY BLUR, TUGGLE Winning Owner: Jeff Drown & Don Rachel; Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey: Irad Connections: Ortiz. Time: 1:41.46 (firm)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf – Jeff Drown and Don Rachel’s STRUCTOR (Irad Ortiz) was a head to the good of ANDESITE in Belmont Park’s $200,000 Pilgrim (G3). Chad Brown trainer the winner, a 2-year-old son of Palace Malice who won on debut at Saratoga Aug. 31 and has already made a good dent in paying back his $850,000 purchase price at the Ocala March 2-Year-Olds-In- Training Sale. Brown was impressed with Structor’s determination, after a less than ideal trip, and is looking forward to a half-furlong less in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. “This was a solid pace, :47 and change traveling three-deep into the turn,” Brown said. “To have enough to gut it out, I think he wouldn't mind a cutback to a mile at all in the Breeders' Cup. He's an improving horse." Kent Spellman and Madaket Stable’s Andesite keeps improving for trainer Brad Cox and the son of The Factor also figures a major contender in the Juvenile Turf. Video: The Pilgrim

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Decorated Invader Christophe West Point Thoroughbreds, Inc., William T. Winner Clement Freeman, William Sandbrook BCC Royal Dornoch (IRE) Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. John Magnier , Michael Tabor Winner 4 Fighting Seabee Kenneth G. Walking L Thoroughbreds LLC McPeek 4 Structor Chad C. Brown Jeff Drown , Don Rachel 4 Vitalogy (GB) Joseph O'Brien Qatar Racing Limited, Marc Detampel 3 Andesite Brad Cox Kent Spellman , Madaket Stables LLC 0 Arizona (IRE) Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. John Magnier , Michael Tabor 0 Billy Batts Peter Miller Rockingham Ranch 0 Flap Jack Jack Sisterson Calumet Farm

0 Kenway (FR) Frederic Rossi Le Haras De La Gousserie 0 Lord of The Lodge Karl Burke Elaine Burke (IRE) 0 Peace Achieved Mark E. Casse JSM Equine LLC

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Race: $200,000 Miss Grillo (G2), 2yo fillies, 1 1/16 miles (turf) Track: Belmont Park Finishing Order: 1 – SELFLESSLY, 2 – CRYSTALLE, 3 – JAZZIQUE (IRE) Margins: ¾, ¾, nose Also ran: SPARKLING SKY, ENGLISH BREEZE, MY SASSY SARAH, WICKED TITLE, AVA K’S GIRL Winning Owner: Klaravich Stable; Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey: Javier Castellano Connections: Time: 1:42.32 (firm)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf – Klaravich Stable’s SELFLESSLY (Javier Castellano) held off favored CRYSTALLE by three quarters of a length to win Belmont Park’s $200,000 Miss Grillo (G2). The 2-year-old daughter of More Than Ready stepped up off her Saratoga debut Aug. 28 when second sprinting for trainer Chad Brown. Selflessly was purchased for $190,000 in 2017 as a weanling at the Keeneland November Sale and is likely to make her next start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. “We'll talk to the owner about it, but if she comes out of the race sound and doing well, I'd be inclined to go (to the Juvenile Fillies Turf),” Brown said. Trainer John Kimmel indicated Toby Morton and Chuck Howitz’s Crystalle was hurt by the slow pace and will also move on to the Juvenile Fillies Turf. The daughter of Palace Malice entered off a win in Saratoga P.G. Johnson Aug. 29, which was her first win, as she was controversially disqualified from an easy debut win there 25 days earlier. Video: Miss Grillo

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Abscond Eddie Kenneally Apogee Bloodstock, Mike Anderson Racing LLC Winner BCC Daahyeh (GB) Roger Varian HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Winner 6 Selflessly Chad C. Brown Klaravich Stables Inc 6 Walk In Marrakesh Mark Steven Merriebelle Irish Farm Limited (IRE) Johnston 4 Crystalle John C. Kimmel Tobey L. Morton , Chuck Hovitz DVM 4 Fair Maiden Eoin G. Harty Godolphin LLC 0 Cambria Wesley A. Ward Stonestreet Stables, LLC 0 Jezebel's Kitten Brad Cox Ilium Stables, LLC * Living In The Past Karl Burke Clipper Logistics (IRE) 0 Mind Out Simon Callaghan Gainesway Stable, LNJ Foxwoods, Andrew Rosen * Powerful Breeze (GB) Hon. Hugo Palmer Dr. Ali Ridha 0 Sharing H. Graham Motion Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Gainesway Stable * Yesterdayoncemore James Stack D. P. Racing LLC, Mrs. P. Shanahan , Mrs. M.V. (IRE) Magnier

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Race: $352,000 Juddmonte Middle Park (G1), 2yos, six furlongs (turf) Track: Newmarket Finishing Order: 1 – EARTHLIGHT (IRE), 2 – GOLDEN HORDE (IRE), 3 – SUMMER SANDS (GB) Margins: Neck, 1 ¾, ½ Also ran: KING NEPTUNE, THREAT (IRE), LOPE Y FERNANDEZ (IRE), MUMS TIPPLE (IRE), MONARCH OF EGYPT Winning Owner: Godolphin; Trainer: Andre Fabre; Jockey: Mickael Barzalona. Connections: Time: 1:09.31 (good)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint – Godolphin’s homebred EARTHLIGHT (IRE) (Mickael Barzalona) beat GOLDEN HORDE (IRE) by a neck in a thrilling renewal of Newmarket’s $352,000 Juddmonte Middle Park (G1). Andre Fabre trained the winner, a 2-year-old son of Shamardal who made it 5-for-5 in his first season of racing while hinting at big things in the future. Earthlight won the Prix de Cabourg at Deauville in July and entered off a win there in the Darley Prix Morny (G1) Aug. 18. Fabre indicated Earthlight will likely be given the remainder of the year off and point to the local 2,000 Guineas (G1) in May. Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes

Race: $352,000 Juddmonte Cheveley Park, 2yo fillies, six furlongs (turf) Track: Newmarket Finishing Order: 1 – MILLISLE (IRE), 2 – RAFFLE PRIZE (IRE), 3 – TROPBEAU (GB) Margins: 1 ¾, ½, 2 Also ran: TANGO (IRE), LIVING IN THE PAST (IRE), NURSE BARBARA (IRE), DARK LADY (GB), ETOILE, LIL GREY (IRE), MOON OF LOVE (IRE), NINA BAILARINA (GB) Winning Owner: Stonethorn Stud Farm; Trainer: Jessica Harrington; Jockey: Connections: Shane Foley. Time: 1:09.39 (good)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint – Stonethorn Stud Farm’s homebred MILLISLE (Shane Foley) pulled clear late for a 1 ¾-length win over RAFFLE PRIZE (IRE) in Newmarket’s $352,000 Juddmonte Cheveley Park (G1). The 2-year-old daughter of Starspangledbanner (AUS) has yet to miss the board in five start for trainer Jessica Harrington and added to a resume that also includes a maiden win at Bellewstown in July and a listed stakes at The Curragh in August. Harrington said Millisle will be pointed to the local 1,000 Guineas (G1) next May. Cheveley Park Stakes

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Winner A'Ali (IRE) Simon Crisford Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa * Al Raya (GB) Simon Crisford HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa 0 Another Miracle Gary Contessa Leonard C. Green * Band Practice (IRE) Archie Watson Clipper Logistics 0 Bulletproof One Peter Miller Gary Barber , Cecil Barber , Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Adam Wachtel 0 Cambria Wesley A. Ward Stonestreet Stables, LLC 0 Chimney Rock Michael J. Maker Three Diamonds Farm 0 Embolden Michael Stidham Dare To Dream Stable LLC 0 Factorino Jaime Mejia 0 Foolish Humor Wesley A. Ward Andrew Farm 0 Karak Wesley A. Ward Breeze Easy, LLC 0 Kimari Wesley A. Ward David Mowat

* Lazuli (IRE) Charlie Appleby Godolphin

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About Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2019 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 championship races (13 Grade 1 events and one Grade 2 race) with purses and awards totaling more than $30 million, will be held on November 1-2 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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