THE LADS CHOOSE THE CLASSIC
After a stunning gate to wire win on the turf in the Juddmonte International, it has been confirmed that City of Troy will travel to sunny DelMar with acceptance for his gate in the Breeders Cup Classic - not the Turf.
They are taking their shot on a foreign surface, in a foreign country, against the top Classic dirt runners that America (and Japan) has to offer. Coolmore's decision to bypass an almost clear lock for the trophy in the BC Turf for a shot to participate on a 10f slick dirt surface at DelMar simply proves the outstanding confidence in the horse, trainer and jockey.
After posting a smashing record run (beating Sea the Stars) on the lead traveling 1-5/16th, City of Troy joins the pages of history with Frankel, Australia, Ulysses, Roaring Lion, and Baaeed among many others. A win in the Breeders Cup Classic would set City of Troy into a completely different class all together. He certainly has the chart to pull it off.
In just a couple of short months, the likes of Forever Young, Arthur's Ride, Parenting, Senor Buscador, Dornoch and Fierceness will join City of Troy in what may prove to be one of the most exciting Classic editions of the decade.
THOUGHTS ON THE TRAVERS STAKES
As it goes with 90% of the fillies, Thorpedo Anna DOES NOT follow her numbers - I repeat - DOES NOT follow her numbers. It will always remain a disservice to the DHC to even try to attempt it.
Allowing Batten Down (out of all of the speed in the race) to dictate an extremely slow first half on that slick fast bias allowed both Fierceness and Anna to reserve plenty of late energy to prevail. Both of them holding the greatest amount of dominant speed in the race.
Fast horses win races, especially when they are allowed over a half a mile to settle their speed and reveal it late. With the advantageous pace coupled with a bias that aligned perfectly with their breeding and style, they both reveled in their good fortune.
The dynamics of that race beat the heck out of Sierra Leone. Speed on the lead on that bias with that slow early pace was such a fortunate gift for both Fierceness and Anna.
Saez did not take advantage of Batten Down's slow lead where he could have easily stormed to that front with Dornoch, which would have changed the entire makeup of the race.
Prior interviews said the plan was to send Dornoch out to the front, which would have been his best case scenario. It appears that was the quest, but the horse had his own plans and he was not going to comply. Dornoch was not himself and threw in another head-scratching performance like he did in Keeneland.
This changed the entire complexion of the race on that bias with such a slow opening half. Bias and pace is everything. Slow pace plus extreme fast bias and Speed always prevails. The stamina-driven Dornoch lost that race in the first quarter mile. Saez allowed both Fierceness and Anna to reserve every ounce of energy, unless, of course, something was terribly amiss with his horse...
Sysonby noted: '"I'm reading that Dornoch had some gastrointestinal problems after the race, may have played a role, also failed to change leads."
If this is true, we hope that Dornoch is recovering fine and will return to his "old self" yet once again!
With all that said, the late run down that stretch by both Fierceness and Thorpedo Anna shows that both are tops in their divisions. When Fierceness breaks well, he is a monster. Both should be easy favorites if they travel to Pennsylvania for the PA Derby and the Cotillion on September 21st. Both obviously well suited for the everfast Parx bias.
VALENTINE CANDY
Quick note on the impressive win at Charles Town for the Justify - Taste Like Candy (Candy Ride) son traveling 7f in the Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes. As is the case with most Candy Ride offspring, all hope is that he continues on with his upward trajectory and shows what he is truly made of in the Breeder's Cup Sprint or Dirt Mile come November 2nd.
THE FOUR YEAR OLD DISQUALIFICATION
Under review for the longest time, the Stewards Committee of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia have finally disqualified Maximum Security from his win in the 2020 Saudi Cup due to the conduct of trainer, Jason Servis. The prize money was redistributed to Midnight Bisou and Jason Servis given a lifetime ban from ever racing in Saudi Arabia. Fitting!
AUTHENTIC SPIRIT
Well-bred son of Authentic attempted his second maiden yesterday but unfortunately never made it through the entire race. He was eased in the stretch, bled and vanned off. And so goes yet another promising Baffert charge off the Derby trail.
We'll now set our attention on another in Baffert's barn, the son of Curlin named Getaway Car. Hopefully, this young guy manages to stay healthy and safe.
JAPAN AND THE BREEDER'S CUP
We'll see a return from Ushba Tesoro into the Classic if he does well in the Nihan TV Hai on September 25th. Trust that the horse will still shy away from running in the hot sun.
Along with Ushba, familiar Derma Sotogake may have the Classic on his roster as well. The pair will face off first in the TV Hai.
The long-awaited return of Forever Young, in his quest to redeem himself for his third place in the Kentucky Derby, will inevitably garner a large backing in the M/L odds. He will next run for the Winner's Circle in the prestigious Japan Dirt Classic on October 2nd as a huge prep for Breeder's weekend.
Other entries for the weekend include Shahryar, Remake, Awesome Result, Mick Fire, Crown Pride and Wilson Tesoro.
HENRI MATISSE
Lightly mentioned here at the DHC a month ago but now needs a fresh new heavy spotlight. The two year old son of Wootten Bassett, trained by Aiden O'Brien, was ridden perfectly by superstar Ryan Moore in the EBF Futurity in Curragh.
A perfect fit for the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf and hopefully to grab a ride here with City of Troy.
IN MEMORY
BLACK CAVIAR (2006 - 2024)
Australian Four Time World Champion Sprinter, who was beloved around the world, was euthanized after suffering from laminitis. The undisputed and undefeated Champion of 25 races. Top class.
OVA CHARGED (2018 - 2024)
After a 7 race winning steak, the filly was euthanized at Ellis Park following a terrible and heart-breaking spill in the stretch.
SMILING TIGER (2007 - 2024)
Top California Sire who posted wins in the Bing Crosby Stakes, Count Fleet Stakes and the Triple Bend. The stallion was euthanized on August 1st due to complications of Ataxia, which causes a disruption to the nerves resulting in unstable movements and loss of coordination.
ISTABRAQ (1992 - 2024)
Son of Sadler's Wells and trained by Aiden O'Brien. Irish Hurdler Sensation has died at the age of 32. O'Brien quoted as calling the horse a member of his family and quite the mystical character.
GEMOLOGIST (2009 - 2024)
The son of Tiznow has passed away in South Korea where he made his home for the last three years. Gemologist went undefeated in his first 5 races, including the Wood Memorial, in his lead up to the Kentucky Derby.
ZABO is debuting in Race 3 at Del Mar 1 mile on the turf on Saturday Sep 7th, with Kazushi Kimura aboard (that makes him the other Baffert horse). Juan J. Hernandez takes the mount on King's Road? GETAWAY CAR should be running the next day in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity!
Beckman said they are giving Honor Marie a long rest and will come back for a four year old campaign.
I noticed some diarrhea from Dornoch in the post parade. Thus I cut my win bet in half where
in hindsight I should have looked elsewhere.
The Classic is shaping up to be just that.-Classic.
Very sad to see Istabraq passing.He was probably the best horse Aiden ever trained having won the Champion Hurdle 3 times( of course that could change if City of Troy continues on his current trajectory).