Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Soul of an Angel joins the fray

The 2024 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar is 39 days away. Catch up on the latest news and developments with our weekly Breeders’ Cup Roundup:

Soul of an Angel rallies late in Princess Rooney

The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) picked up its second qualifier when Soul of an Angel charged home on top in the seven-furlong Princess Rooney (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Exiting a third-place finish in the 1 1/8-mile Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga, Soul of an Angel appreciated dropping down in class and distance for the Princess Rooney. After breaking slowly, the five-year-old mare launched a big rally to defeat heavy favorite Beth’s Dream by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:23.23.

Seize the Grey, Thorpedo Anna cement Classic, Distaff credentials

A pair of Grade 1 races on Saturday at Parx Racing served as stepping stones for established stars on their way to the Breeders’ Cup.

In the 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby (G1) for three-year-olds, Preakness (G1) winner Seize the Grey rebounded from defeats in the Belmont (G1) and Jim Dandy (G2) to seize a decisive victory. He led every step of the way to beat Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold by 3 3/4 lengths in 1:51.89, stamping his credentials as a Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) threat.

Meanwhile, Thorpedo Anna overcame some traffic trouble to rally and win the $1 million Cotillion (G1) for three-year-old fillies. Runner-up Gun Song put up a good fight, but Thorpedo Anna proved best by a neck and is shaping up as the possible Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) favorite after winning four Grade 1 races this year.

California Crown leads Santa Anita qualifiers

Formerly known as the Awesome Again, the 1 1/8-mile California Crown (G1) at Santa Anita carries a $1 million purse and is one of five stakes taking place on a rich Saturday card.

Two of the stakes are Breeders’ Cup qualifiers, including the California Crown, which awards a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. A strong field is expected; potential starters include Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner National Treasure, Saudi Cup (G1) hero Senor Buscador, and Arkansas Derby (G1) conqueror Muth.

Meanwhile, the City of Hope Mile (G2) awards the winner a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Shoemaker Mile (G1) winner Johannes and Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) 1-2 finishers Du Jour and Easter could turn up here.

Ack Ack offers path to Dirt Mile

Saturday’s one-mile Ack Ack (G3) at Churchill Downs awards a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Seven horses have entered, including 2023 Pennsylvania Derby winner Saudi Crown. The 10th-place finisher from last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic appears most effective running 1 1/8 miles or less and may relish racing a one-turn mile in the Ack Ack.

Aqueduct hosts three qualifiers on busy weekend

An action-packed weekend at Aqueduct includes a trio of Breeders’ Cup qualifiers.

Saturday features the seven-furlong Vosburgh (G3), won last year by 2023 Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish. A stepping stone to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), the Vosburgh has drawn 2023 Wood Memorial (G2) winner Lord Miles, 2023 Smile Sprint (G3) hero Dean Delivers, and this year’s True North (G2) victor Baby Yoda.

Another qualifier on the Saturday card is the Pilgrim (G2), which awards the winner a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). The field is led by Zulu Kingdom, a former French runner who made his U.S. debut a winning one in last month’s With Anticipation (G3) at Saratoga.

Also, Sunday’s Miss Grillo (G3) awards a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). The field is still in flux, but nominees include Totally Justified and Virgin Colada, the top two finishers from the P. G. Johnson S. at Saratoga last month.

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:

Click on each horse name to add them to your stable. Never miss a race they're a part of again!

Breeders’ Cup Classic

• Arthur’s Ride
• City of Troy
• Dornoch
• Highland Falls
• Kingsbarns
• Mixto
• Peptide Nile

Breeders’ Cup Turf

• Auguste Rodin
• Blow the Horn
• Economics
• El Encinal
• Far Bridge
• Gold Phoenix
• Goliath
• Grand Sonata
• Obataye

Breeders’ Cup Distaff

• Adare Manor
• Che Evasora
• Randomized

Breeders’ Cup Mile

• Carl Spackler
• Charles Dickens
• Charyn
• Frateli La Vita
• Notable Speech
• Romantic Warrior
• Win for the Money

Breeders’ Cup Sprint

• Remake
• The Chosen Vron

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

• Crown Pride
• National Treasure
• Raging Torrent

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

• Beach Bomb
• Boudica
• Content
• Idea Generation
• Moira
• Porta Fortuna
• Ten Happy Rose

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

• Society
• Soul of an Angel

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

• Asfoora
• Bradsell
• Cogburn
• Motorious

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

• Green Impact
• New Century
• The Lion in Winter

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

• And One More Time
• Anshoda
• Lake Victoria

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

• Shareholder
• Whistlejacket