Roaring Lion, Laurens among five Breeders' Cup Challenge winners over Irish Champions Weekend

by DICK POWELL

Ireland had five major stakes races that were designated Breeders’ Cup Challenge races where the winner is guaranteed a berth in their corresponding race, money towards pre-entry/entry fees and travel stipends. For these horses and their international travel needs, it amounts to around $80 to $100K. Three races were run on Leopardstown’s left-handed course Saturday and two were run Sunday at The Curragh where they ran down a straightaway.

Saturday’s KPMG Champions Juvenile (G2) was run going a one-turn mile and the winner received an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). The betting public believed that MADHMOON’s lone win over the track going this distance four weeks ago was legit and they sent him off as the 6/5 favorite. The Shadwell Stable runner continued the barn’s strong run this summer and if he does ship to America, he should be able to adapt quite nicely around two turns. Plus, they all carried 129 pounds here so a start in America will be a welcome relief.

The best of the rest was Aidan O’Brien’s Broome who fell far behind early and rallied for second to miss by 2 1/2 lengths. Son of Australia should have no trouble stretching out next year. Western Australia was used hard on the pace and weakened to fourth but could be a factor in the new Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

The Matron Stakes (G1) was a mile turf race where the winner will receive an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Alpha Centauri came into the race with four straight Group 1 stakes wins and was sent off as the 3/10 favorite but it all came apart for her. LAURENS gunned to the front and set a decent pace for Dan Tudhope. Winner of two Group 1 stakes in France going about 10 furlongs before running poorly in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) going 12 furlongs, the turnback agreed with her as she made every step a winning one at 10/1.

Alpha Centauri bravely gave chase. Something went wrong and it was announced that Alpha Centauri suffered an injury and her racing career was over. Her stride was awkward in the final yards and it cost her the rest of her career and a chance at her fifth straight Group 1 win. Magical took the worst of it as she chased Laurens and then Alpha Centauri came over on her as she lugged in costing Magical her momentum. With the exception of her last start, Laurens has done nothing wrong in her career and will be dangerous in any race she shows up in for Karl Burke.