Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Action heats up at Saratoga, York

Last week was relatively quiet in terms of Breeders’ Cup prep action. Call it the calm before the storm that is Aug. 21-24.

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series heats up in a big way this week with eight qualifiers taking place around the globe.

Let’s recap the most noteworthy results from last week, then look ahead at what’s to come.

Whistlejacket secures Juvenile Turf Sprint berth

Whistlejacket became the second automatic qualifier to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) when he prevailed as the favorite in the Prix Morny (G1) dashing 1,200 meters over good-to-soft turf at Deauville in France.

Victorious in the July (G2) and runner-up in the Phoenix (G1), Whistlejacket carved out the pace in the Prix Morny and turned back a bid from longshot Rashabar to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:11.02.

Shareholder, who earned a Juvenile Turf Sprint berth when defeating Whistlejacket in the Norfolk (G2) at Royal Ascot, ran below form in the Prix Morny and finished last of nine.

Power Squeeze upsets Alabama

Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and Delaware Oaks (G3) winner Power Squeeze picked up a signature victory when charging hard from off the pace to win the 1 1/4-mile Alabama (G1) at Saratoga.

Power Squeeze ran in seventh place for much of the journey but got up in the closing strides to defeat 9-5 favorite Candied by a head in 2:04.35. With three graded victories, Power Squeeze ranks among the most decorated three-year-old fillies and is developing into a Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) contender.

York, Goodwood host Breeders’ Cup qualifiers

No fewer than five turf races in England this week will award “Win and You’re In” berths to various Breeders’ Cup events.

York is hosting a quartet of qualifiers:

• Wednesday’s Juddmonte International (G1) sends the winner to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). City of Troy, winner of the Derby (G1) and Eclipse (G1) this season, has been mentioned as a possible Classic starter and is heavily favored to add the Juddmonte International to his record.
• Also on Wednesday, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) contenders will start in the Acomb (G3). Impressive debut winners Ruling Court and The Lion In Winter, respectively trained by Charlie Appleby and Aidan O’Brien, are the favorites.
• The field for Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks (G1) has yet to be finalized, but the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) qualifier could feature Pretty Polly (G1) winner Bluestocking, the improving Lancashire Oaks (G2) heroine Queen of The Pride, and Irish Oaks (G1) 1-2 finishers You Got To Me and Content.
• Friday brings the Nunthorpe (G1), a steppingstone to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Big Evs is among the favorites after winning the King George (G2) this month. Asfoora, runner-up in the King George but victorious over Big Evs in Royal Ascot’s King Charles III (G1), is another logical contender.

Goodwood joins the qualifying action Saturday with the Prestige Fillies’ (G3), which earns the winner a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). The possible field includes debut winners Tabiti and Formal plus the more experienced Bountiful, who exits a fourth-place finish in the Duchess of Cambridge (G2).

Three Breeders’ Cup qualifiers are taking place on opposite U.S. coasts Saturday

At Saratoga in New York, five Grade 1 stakes are on the agenda. The Travers (G1) for three-year-olds is the feature event; leading sophomore filly Thorpedo Anna, reigning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Fierceness, Belmont (G1) hero Dornoch, and Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Sierra Leone are among the entries.

The Travers isn’t part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, but two of the other Grade 1 races are. The Sword Dancer (G1) awards an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1); Manhattan (G1) hero Measured Time and red-hot Bowling Green (G2) winner Silver Knott are shaping up as the favorites.

The Ballerina H. (G1), a steppingstone to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), has drawn a strong field led by Derby City Distaff (G1) heroine Vahva, 2022 Cotillion (G1) winner Society, 2022 Test (G1) victor Chi Town Lady, and multiple graded-stakes winner Scylla.

Meanwhile at Del Mar in California, the Pat O’Brien (G2) serves as a stop en route to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1). A stellar field is expected to enter the seven-furlong sprint, including multiple Grade 1 winner The Chosen Vron, Saudi Cup (G1) hero Senor Buscador, and 2023 Pacific Classic (G1) winner Arabian Knight.

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Qualifiers

The following horses have secured Win and You’re In berths to the 2024 Breeders’ Cup via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series:

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Breeders’ Cup Classic

• Arthur’s Ride
• Dornoch
• Kingsbarns
• Peptide Nile

Breeders’ Cup Turf

• Auguste Rodin
• Blow the Horn
• El Encinal
• Goliath
• Obataye

Breeders’ Cup Distaff

• Adare Manor
• Che Evasora
• Randomized

Breeders’ Cup Mile

• Carl Spackler
• Charles Dickens
• Charyn
• Frateli La Vita
• Notable Speech
• Romantic Warrior

Breeders’ Cup Sprint

• The Chosen Vron

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

• National Treasure

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

• Beach Bomb
• Boudica
• Moira
• Ten Happy Rose

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

• Asfoora
• Cogburn

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

• Shareholder
• Whistlejacket