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| Staff Writer |
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Todd Pletcher's Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero preparing to defend home soil at Del Mar, where the US trainer's charge will clash with European sensation City Of Troy in Saturday's Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic. The 3YO colt has been turning heads since his brilliant juvenile campaign, adding both the Florida Derby and Travers Stakes to his growing list of achievements.
Previous winners of this prestigious contest include the likes of Vino Rosso, who provided Pletcher with his Classic success in 2019, while Authentic (2020), Knicks Go (2021), and Flightline (2022) have all etched their names into the race's illustrious history. Flightline went on to retire undefeated, while Knicks Go claimed multiple Grade One victories.
Aidan O'Brien's champion, a son of Triple Crown winner Justify, faces his sternest test yet as he switches to dirt for the first time. The European star brings formidable credentials, having captured the Derby, Eclipse, and Juddmonte International in a stellar campaign.
Pletcher, exuding quiet confidence, is dismissing surface concerns. "I don't see the track as being an issue. He likes Santa Anita, which isn't dissimilar, and I feel the main task we have is to work out a good trip for him," the trainer revealed on Monday.
Both colts have tasted defeat just once this term, with Fierceness faltering in the Kentucky Derby and City Of Troy suffering his sole reversal in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Explaining the Derby disappointment, Pletcher noted: "He didn't jump well and he was wide most of the way. Nothing went according to plan."
The American handler continues to praise his charge's temperament: "He's a very straightforward horse to work with, he's very laid back, and while he can occasionally get fired up in the paddock, aside from that he's always been easy to deal with."
While respectful of his rival's achievements, Pletcher remains resolute: "We have tremendous respect for City Of Troy as well as for Aidan's high regard for the horse. But we know full well that this will be a different kind of race than he has ever run in, even taking into account that he's by Justify."