D. Wayne Lukas has some firm atop the report 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 Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) after which by Henri Matisse within the Juvenile Turf (G1T)—Irish coaching legend Aidan O’Brien matched Corridor of Famer Lukas as a 20-time Breeders’ Cup winner.
“It is unbelievable, clearly, and everyone knows what an unbelievably particular man Wayne is,” O’Brien stated, 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 report. He is essentially the most particular man and all the time been such a assist to us.”
The tie may probably be damaged Nov. 2 on the occasion’s second day. Lukas begins Seize the Gray within the Grime Mile (G1), and O’Brien has a number of runners, together with Metropolis of Troy within the Traditional (G1). Corridor of Fame coach Bob Baffert, shut behind Lukas and O’Brien with 19 victories, additionally has starters on 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 kind 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 may lead to enchancment.
It did. The younger colt settled kindly in tenth within the 12-horse Juvenile Turf underneath Ryan Moore earlier than kicking into gear on the second flip and swinging large 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 way of the beginning gate earlier than the race and racing 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 report of 4-1-0 in six begins for house owners Merriebelle Secure, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier—the latter three affiliated with the worldwide racing and breeding energy Coolmore.
Whereas the winner had clear crusing down the stretch, the identical was not true of Godolphin’s Al Qudra , who clipped heels whereas attempting to shoot a slim hole between horses. He misplaced his steadiness, 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 carried out an inquiry, inspecting the horses to the within and out of doors of the opening, however made no change, figuring out that Al Qudra didn’t have a transparent path.
Iron Man Cal, skilled by Phil D’Amato for Little Purple Feather Racing and Madaket Stables, was the top-performing American horse underneath Antonio Fresu.
“Unbelievable. Simply an incredible effort, so happy with him,” stated 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 throughout the post-race press convention.
“I am very fortunate and privileged to be sitting beside these two greats. Easy as that,” he stated.
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.
