D. Wayne Lukas has some firm atop the file books because the winningest coach in Breeders’ Cup historical past.
With two victories Nov. 1 on the primary day of the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar—first by Lake Victoria within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) after which by Henri Matisse within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T)—Irish coaching legend Aidan O’Brien matched Corridor of Famer Lukas as a 20-time Breeders’ Cup winner. Henri Matisse (IRE), b, 2/c
Wootton Bassett (GB) — Immortal Verse (IRE), by Pivotal (GB)
Proprietor: Merriebelle Secure, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier
Breeder: Immortal Verse Syndicate (IRE)
Coach: Aidan P. O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan L. Moore
Info supplied by Equibase at time of entry.
Pedigree Notes
Wootton Bassett (GB) stands at Coolmore Stud for 200,000 Euros (2024).
“It is unimaginable, clearly, and everyone knows what an unbelievably particular man Wayne is,” O’Brien mentioned, noting that he spoke by phone with Lukas earlier within the week to debate tendencies of racing at Del Mar. “I am honored to equal his file. He is essentially the most particular man and all the time been such a assist to us.”
The tie might doubtlessly be damaged Nov. 2 on the occasion’s second day. Lukas begins Seize the Gray within the Breeders’ Cup Grime Mile (G1), and O’Brien has a number of runners, together with Metropolis of Troy within the Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1). Corridor of Fame coach Bob Baffert, shut behind Lukas and O’Brien with 19 victories, additionally has starters Saturday.
Although closely favored Lake Victoria’s win was anticipated, Henri Matisse got here into the race with some obvious drawbacks, together with having a large draw and type tarnished by problematic methods in two earlier defeats. Regardless of these losses, O’Brien, the 55-year-old “Grasp of Ballydoyle,” marched on with Henri Matisse into the Juvenile Turf, optimistic that eradicating blinkers and catching agency floor might lead to enchancment.Join BloodHorse Every day
It did. The younger colt settled kindly in tenth within the 12-horse Juvenile Turf beneath Ryan Moore earlier than kicking into gear on the second flip and swinging huge for the stretch run. He outkicked runner-up Iron Man Cal by a neck down the stretch. Aomori Metropolis rallied for third after breaking by the beginning gate earlier than the race and working in final early.
The winner ran a mile in 1:34.48 following splits of :22.65, :46.31, and 1:10.50 set by Dream On , who would weaken to fifth. The winner, who gave O’Brien a record-extending seventh win within the Juvenile Turf, returned $9.80 for a $2 wager as a slight public selection.
He earned $520,000, upping his bankroll to $783,148 with a file of 4-1-0 in six begins for homeowners Merriebelle Secure, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier—the latter three affiliated with the worldwide racing and breeding powerhouse Coolmore.
Photograph: Anne M. EberhardtAidan O’Brien within the winner’s circle after Henri Matisse gained the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar
Whereas the winner had clear crusing down the stretch, the identical was not true of Godolphin’s Al Qudra , who clipped heels whereas making an attempt to shoot a slender hole between horses. He misplaced his stability, and although jockey James Doyle stayed aboard, the rider’s proper foot got here out of his stirrup, and so they misplaced all likelihood. Al Qudra completed eighth.
Stewards performed an inquiry, analyzing the horses to the within and outdoors of the opening, however made no change, figuring out that Al Qudra didn’t have a transparent path.
Iron Man Cal, educated by Phil D’Amato for Little Purple Feather Racing and Madaket Stables, was the top-performing American horse beneath Antonio Fresu.
“Unbelievable. Simply an incredible effort, so pleased with him,” mentioned Little Purple Feather managing companion Billy Koch.
Jockey Ryan Moore notched his sixteenth general victory on the Breeders’ Cup, a lot of these for O’Brien.
Coolmore consultant M.V. Magnier praised the profitable jockey and coach through the postrace press convention.
“I am very fortunate and privileged to be sitting beside these two greats. Easy as that,” he mentioned.
Henri Matisse is a son of Wootton Bassett , who stands at Coolmore in Eire, out of the group 1-winning Pivotal mare Immortal Verse . He’s his dam’s third graded stakes winner.
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