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| Staff Writer |
Sierra Leone provided trainer Chad Brown with a memorable first Breeders' Cup Classic triumph in a spectacular climax to an international feast of racing at Del Mar, while sprint sensation Soul Of An Angel eyes Saudi riches following her stunning victory in the Filly & Mare Sprint.
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In a race that showcased both tactical brilliance and raw talent, Brown's progressive 3YO seized command of America's richest race with a devastating late surge, landing the US$7 million Gr.1 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic and providing his trainer with a nineteenth championship success but first in the feature event.
The victory marked a significant milestone in Sierra Leone's career, completing a remarkable journey from his narrow defeat in the Kentucky Derby to Classic glory. The son of Gun Runner, whose sire claimed this race in 2017, demonstrated the same resolute finishing power that has become his trademark.
Under a perfectly-timed ride from Flavien Prat, Sierra Leone settled towards the rear of the field as Derma Sotogake set blistering early fractions of 22.43sec, 44.96sec and 1:09.44 for the opening six furlongs. The Japanese raider's aggressive tactics set the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the mile-and-a-quarter contest.
Turning for home, favourite Fierceness ranged alongside the Japanese raider, looking poised to strike. However, Sierra Leone launched his challenge wider out, drawing alongside Fierceness before asserting his dominance in the final furlong. The manner of his victory, steadily extending his advantage all the way to the wire, spoke volumes about his class and stamina reserves.
The partnership crossed the line a length and a half clear of Todd Pletcher's charge, stopping the clock at 2:00.78. Another Japanese raider, Forever Young, claimed third place, with Newgate finishing fourth in what proved to be a truly international renewal.
The victory carried added significance following Sierra Leone's unfortunate Kentucky Derby experience earlier in the season. "I thought we took a tough beat in the Derby," Brown reflected, "but we handled it with class and respect, returned to the drawing board and worked on getting him straight. My team deserves enormous credit for their work with this horse."
Brown's thoughts also turned to his mentor, the late Bobby Frankel, particularly poignant given the Southern California setting. "Bobby was a very rare person, generous and a great mentor. At moments like this, I always think of him. My team worked hard with this horse, my owners have been so patient, and Flavien has gotten along with him well."
The winning purse of US$3.64 million elevated Sierra Leone's career earnings to US$6,008,000, his record now standing at four wins from nine starts. Owned by the powerful partnership of Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Brook Smith, the Kentucky-bred colt established himself as a leading light of his generation.
For Prat, who secured his second Classic success following his memorable win aboard Flightline in 2022, the victory never seemed in doubt once he found his rhythm. "Obviously the pace was good and we found ourselves in a good spot," the jockey explained. "I was able to stay outside and the whole way around, it felt like I was gaining ground on the leaders. Actually, I was a bit worried that I would get there too soon, but once I got the lead, I asked him to make his move and that was it."
While disappointed not to claim victory with favourite Fierceness, Pletcher acknowledged his charge's gallant effort, saying, "Fierceness ran superbly. The fractions were very fast, and he showed tremendous courage to keep fighting for second."
The undercard provided a series of compelling stories, headlined by an extraordinary performance in the Filly & Mare Sprint. Soul Of An Angel made history at Del Mar with a stunning success in the US$1 million Gr.1 PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, providing trainer Saffie Joseph Jr with his maiden victory at the World Championships. Under Drayden Van Dyke, the 5YO produced a devastating late surge from last place to claim glory, with connections now eyeing the Saudi Cup.
This win was only her sixth in a career spanning 41 starts but came on the heels of a victory in the Gr.3 Princess Rooney at Gulfstream Park. The daughter of Atreides collared Society in the final strides to score by a head, with Pleasant a nose back in third, completing seven furlongs in 1:21.59.
"It's a special moment to get our first Breeders' Cup win," beamed Joseph Jr. "The horse is the hero. We are just part of the process and enjoying the ride. Growing up, I dreamed of winning a Breeders' Cup race, and to achieve it means everything."
Rebel's Romance proved yet again he is among the elite middle-distance performers globally, securing a remarkable second Longines Breeders' Cup Turf victory. Under William Buick, the Godolphin star demonstrated his trademark tenacity to repel the late surge of Rousham Park in the US$5 million contest, with Shahryar finishing third.
The globetrotting 6YO, trained by Charlie Appleby, had won four of his five previous starts this year in Qatar, Hong Kong, Dubai and Germany. His latest triumph pushed his career earnings beyond US$11.7 million, cementing his status as one of Godolphin's finest servants.
"He's just a legend of a horse who is all class and heart," reflected Buick afterwards. "We had a good run around and he stuck his head down to the line." After securing a third Gr.1 Turf success, Appleby added, "it takes a special horse to be campaigned at that level for so long and with the mileage he's done."
Thorpedo Anna continued her stellar campaign with a dominant front-running performance in the US$2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, providing trainer Kenny McPeek with his first Breeders' Cup success after decades of trying. The 3YO daughter of Fast Anna, who has been the standout filly of her generation, made all under Brian Hernandez Jr to score by two and a half lengths from Raging Sea.
Having already secured four Group One victories this term, with her sole defeat coming when narrowly beaten by Fierceness in the Gr.1 Travers Stakes against colts, Thorpedo Anna demonstrated her tactical versatility once again. Breaking sharply from the gates, Hernandez positioned his mount on the lead, dictating steady fractions before powering clear when challenged on the far turn.
British raider Starlust produced a memorable performance to land the Gr.1 Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, providing trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan with a landmark victory on American soil.
The 30-1 long shot showed an impressive turn of foot to clinch the US$1 million contest, completing the five-furlong dash in 55.92 seconds.
The 3YO son of Zoustar threaded through along the rail under a confident Ryan ride to score by a neck from Motorious, with Ag Bullet a nose away in third. The victory marked Beckett's second Breeders' Cup success, coming sixteen years after Muhannak's Marathon triumph.
Canadian star Moira finally secured her elusive Group One victory in the US$2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, delivering a first World Championships success for trainer Kevin Attard. The 5YO daughter of Ghostzapper powered clear in the straight under Flavien Prat to hold off Cinderella's Dream, with Argentine-bred Didia completing the frame.
Straight No Chaser produced a devastating late surge to claim the US$2 million Gr.1 Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint, giving trainer Dan Blacker his first success at the meeting. The 5YO, partnered by John Velazquez, tracked the leaders before unleashing a powerful challenge to deny Bentornato by half a length in 1:08.62.
More Than Looks delivered a stunning performance to land the US$2 million Gr.1 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile, providing trainer Cherie DeVaux with her first taste of Breeders' Cup success. Under Jose Ortiz, the Kentucky-bred colt transformed from backmarker to brilliant winner, sweeping past his rivals with a devastating turn of foot to score by three-quarters of a length from Johannes, with British raider Notable Speech a head away in third.
Argentine-bred Full Serrano produced a commanding performance to land the Gr.1 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, giving trainer John Sadler a memorable third success at the World Championships. The 5YO, expertly handled by Joel Rosario, tracked the early pace before drawing clear for a length and a quarter victory over Post Time.
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The opening day saw European raiders dominating three turf contests while Bob Baffert struck in the Juvenile, as Del Mar's picturesque setting played host to a memorable Future Stars Friday. Most notably, Aidan O'Brien equalled D. Wayne Lukas's record of twenty Breeders' Cup victories with a masterful double that showcased his exceptional talent with juvenile runners.
Irish challenger Magnum Force provided Ger Lyons with a memorable first Breeders' Cup success, swooping late under a masterful Colin Keane ride to land the Gr.1 Juvenile Turf Sprint. The Mehmas colt, hugging the rail throughout, pounced in the final furlong to deny the front-running Governor Sam, who set a strong early tempo under Paco Lopez. Arizona Blaze stayed on strongly for second, with Governor Sam holding third in a sharp time of 56.36 seconds.
The victory delivered Keane his second championship victory, following his 2020 Turf success on Tarnawa, and marked a significant milestone for Lyons, who had long targeted Breeders' Cup glory. "To get our first winner here means everything," beamed Lyons. "We've had our share of disappointments, but this horse showed his true class today."
Godolphin filly Immersive maintained her unbeaten sequence with an emphatic display in the Gr.1 Juvenile Fillies under Manny Franco for trainer Brad Cox. The daughter of Street Sense, now four from four, travelled smoothly behind the pace-setting Nooni before unleashing a decisive move around the far turn. Vodka With A Twist and Scottish Lassie briefly threatened, but Immersive proved a class apart, stretching clear for a four-and-a-half length success.
The exceptional Lake Victoria maintained her perfect record with a commanding performance in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, providing O'Brien and Ryan Moore with their second success in this race. The daughter of Frankel, already a dual Group One winner in Europe, tracked the pace-setting Thought Process before asserting her authority in the straight. Moving smoothly into contention, Lake Victoria quickened impressively to score by one-and-a-half lengths from May Day Ready, with Nitrogen finishing strongly for third.
Citizen Bull led home a stable exacta for Baffert in the Gr.1 Juvenile, making all under Martin Garcia claim the feature event on Future Stars Friday. The Into Mischief colt, showing bright early speed, was never headed as he repelled his stablemate Gaming by one-and-a-half lengths. Hill Road produced a late surge to deny the third Baffert runner, Getaway Car, for minor honours.
The victory marked Baffert's nineteenth Breeders' Cup success and sixth in the Juvenile, further cementing his reputation as the master of developing precocious talent. "He's always shown us tremendous potential," said Baffert of the winner. "Martin gave him a perfect ride from the front, and he showed today why we've always held him in such high regard."
Henri Matisse provided O'Brien with his milestone twentieth success in the Gr.1 Juvenile Turf, as the Irish trainer equalled Lukas's long-standing record. The Wootton Bassett colt, positioned towards the rear under Moore, produced a sustained run down the outside to collar Iron Man Cal in the closing stages. Aomori City flew home from last to claim third, as early leaders Dream On, Zulu Kingdom, and Mentee faded in the straight.
The victory completed a memorable double on the cards for the Ballydoyle team following Lake Victoria's success, with O'Brien typically deflecting praise onto his staff. "This is a testament to the incredible team at home," he said. "To equal a record set by a legend like Wayne Lukas is truly humbling. We've been blessed with exceptional horses and outstanding staff throughout the years."
The spectacular two-day championship meeting showcased racing's global appeal, with winners emerging from both sides of the Atlantic in a memorable renewal that reinforced the Breeders' Cup's status as a genuine world championship. From Sierra Leone's Classic coronation to Soul Of An Angel's sprint sensation and O'Brien's record-equalling achievement, the 2024 renewal at Del Mar delivered compelling drama and confirmed its position as one of racing's premier international events.
The meeting also highlighted the increasing global nature of top-level racing, with successful raiders from Ireland, Britain, Argentina, and Japan all contributing to a truly international carnival. As the sun set over the Pacific on Saturday evening, the racing world had witnessed another magnificent chapter in the Breeders' Cup's rich history, with performances that will live long in the memory of all who witnessed them.