Saffie Joseph Jr. wakened Nov. 3 as one thing he had by no means been earlier than: a Breeders’ Cup-winning coach.
“It is an important feeling; loads simpler to get up,” he mentioned outdoors his Del Mar barn Sunday morning. “I am grateful and blessed.”
The milestone victory for the Florida-based coach got here with Soul of an Angel within the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Dash (G1).
It was the 5-year-old Atreides mare’s first grade 1 victory in 41 begins. Half of her six profession victories have come since becoming a member of Joseph’s barn for homeowners C2 Racing Steady, Agave Racing Steady and Ken Reimer previous to the Could 4 Ruffian Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack, with all three coming round one flip.
“She beat some actually good fillies right here—Society , Methods and Means —these are some high quality horses,” Joseph mentioned. “Her kick going one flip—she’s a very good horse going one flip in opposition to any sort of horse.”
Joseph is keen to place his cash the place his mouth is as her subsequent supposed goal is the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 22.
“She’ll in all probability run as soon as at Gulfstream after which we’re attempting to work again from the Saudi Cup,” Joseph mentioned. “We would like to offer her an opportunity there. Mile-and-an-eighth, one flip, you’ll suppose it is tailored for her.”
Dealing with the boys could be nothing new to Soul of an Angel. In August 2023, she was fourth within the West Virginia Governor’s Stakes (G3) at Mountaineer Racetrack & On line casino for coach Gerald James whereas touring 1 1/16 miles round two turns.
The competitors will probably be a lot more durable within the Saudi Cup, however Joseph noticed loads of constructive indicators in her Filly and Mare Dash victory to make it price taking the shot.
“Her late kick yesterday, once I did the mathematics, she ran the final five-eighths in 57 and alter,” Joseph mentioned. “You take a look at her splits, her inside fractions for the second quarter have been 21 and alter. Most horses run the quickest first quarter, she’s run inside fractions which might be sooner. It simply exhibits how good she is.”
Subsequent To Obtain Break, Return to Marathons
The experiment of stepping Subsequent outdoors of the marathon division didn’t go as his connections hoped, as he pale to final of 14 within the Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1). Nonetheless, coach Doug Cowans was blissful to see the 6-year-old gelding bounce out of the race wholesome Sunday morning.
“He got here out of the race in actual good order,” Cowans mentioned. “I seen early on that the horse was working actually arduous to maintain contact with them. After they went a 44 half (mile), I believe that basically cooked the horse. He is extra used to a little bit slower tempo and that was in all probability his undoing.”
Coach Doug Cowans provides Subsequent a peppermint the morning after ending 14th within the Breeders’Â Cup Basic at Del Mar
Subsequent himself appeared to have a little bit broken spirits after seven consecutive victories wherein he by no means noticed an opponent within the stretch; though Cowans expects that to cross as soon as he will get residence to Turfway Park. The Michael Foster-owned son of Not This Time  will keep at Turfway for just a few days for Cowans to investigate how he exited the trouble earlier than getting his winter break at a farm in Ohio.
One of many prime marathoners of the century, Subsequent will probably be again to his outdated tips subsequent season together with his customary four-race plan already penciled in: the 1 1/2-mile Isaac Murphy Marathon Stakes at Churchill Downs throughout Kentucky Derby (G1) week, the 1 3/8-mile Brooklyn Stakes (G2) and 1 3/4-mile Birdstone Stakes over the summer time in New York, and the 1 1/2-mile Greenwood Cup (G3) at Parx Racing on Pennsylvania Derby (G1) day in September.
“Transfer on to the subsequent one and put this behind us,” Cowans mentioned of what is subsequent for Subsequent. “Draw a line by way of this as a result of this wasn’t his recreation.”
Regardless of the end, Cowans was grateful for the chance to take part in his first Breeders’ Cup with a particular horse.
“It was an important expertise. Not only for me, however the entire group,” he mentioned. “The principle factor we have to do is attempt to take one thing away from the race for the horse and for us if we ever have one other horse to come back again; issues we would do otherwise to make it a greater final result.”
