O'Brien trainees Crossfirehurricane, Choice of Mine run 1-2 in Patton Stakes
Trainer Joseph O'Brien. (Photo by Bill Denver/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM)
February 28th, 2020
Up-and-coming trainer Joseph O’Brien enjoyed a productive day on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, as he saddled the top two finishers in the Patton S. on Friday at Dundalk.
Less than four months removed from winning his first Breeders’ Cup race with Filly & Mare Turf (G1) victor Iridessa, O’Brien could be poised for a return to North American with either Crossfirehurricane or Choice of Mine, who were separated by just half-length at the finish of the Patton.
Both colts showed merit in the 1-mile Polytrack test, which awarded Kentucky Derby (G1) qualification points to the top four finishers on a 20-8-4-2 basis.
Crossfirehurricane was always prominent under jockey Shane Crosse and tracked his pacesetting stablemate for the first 6 furlongs. When the real running began, the O’Brien trainees accelerated readily and pulled 3 1/2 lengths clear of the rest, but Crossfirehurricane was always moving strongest of the pair and prevailed gamely in 1:40.10.
Crossfire Hurricane:
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 28, 2020
🏇 Three races
🥇 Three wins
🏆 Listed scorer
A lovely performance from Crossfire Hurricane who remains unbeaten for @JosephOBrien2 with success in the Listed Patton Stakes at @DundalkStadium under @CrosseShane
Results ➡ https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/to6zVK5jU5
The filly Orchid Gardens produced a mild rally to secure third place, over longshot maiden Dutch Admiral, while 9-4 betting favorite King of Athens finished an even fifth. Wonder Elzaam, Howling Wolf, Battle of Liege, and In the Present completed the order of finish. New World Tapestry withdrew.
Owned by Scott Heider, who bred the colt in partnership with Glen Hill Farm, Crossfirehurricane would sit atop the European Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard if not for one caveat—he isn’t nominated to the Triple Crown. As a son of grass champion Kitten’s Joy, whose best foals have almost exclusively excelled on turf, Crossfirehurricane might not relish a switch to dirt for the Kentucky Derby and is instead among the early entries for the Irish Derby (G1) on grass.
Fantastic to be able to celebrate our first stakes win in Ireland & to do it with a homebred like Crossfirehurricane is so special. I remember you well as a foal! Thanks to the team on The Hill and the young master @JosephOBrien2. Teamwork! @AntoinDeLeis @HillnDaleFarm 🍀🍀🍀🍀 pic.twitter.com/Mr3NUlV7ft
— Scott C. Heider (@uscgatsby) February 28, 2020
The Australian-bred Choice of Mine seems like a good fit to continue down the Kentucky Derby trail. Owned by Charles Fipke, who campaigned 2013 Kentucky Derby runner-up Golden Soul, Choice of Mine is nominated to the Triple Crown and currently ranks second on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
The series concludes with the Mar. 4 Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes at Kempton Park and the Apr. 2 Cardinal Condition Stakes at Chelmsford.
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