It’s great to be back at the Breeders’ Cup and Del Mar,” said Irish trainer Aiden O’Brien “and we’ve made no secret that City of Troy will go forward” in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic.
“Everything is done ahead of his run, so we’ll leave it up to Ryan to make his own decisions, as it’s a dream to come here, and we feel he’s a horse who handles grass and will handle the dirt.
“I think at this time of year the Breeders’ Cup Classic is the ultimate test of a 3yo especially against older horses, but he’s got a lot to overcome and we think he’s the best horse we’ve had.”
“We’ve had horses that have run very well in the Classic, but obviously this is a dream but we’re very happy with where we’re at currently and we don’t think we could have done anymore.”
In ‘living the dream’ City of Troy’s work rider Rachel Richardson said “he felt great, and he didn’t seem to mind the dirt as he seems to have travelled and settled in well so couldn’t be happier.”
In drawing Gate 3 for the $7m Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic of 1¼ mile on dirt, Ryan Moore can dictate of ‘going forward’ from barrier rise, and is the $2.45 favourite with betting agencies.
In being the world’s champion 3yo with a 127 World Brest Racehorse Ranking, City of Troy scored consecutive victories in the Epsom Derby, the Eclipse Stakes and the Juddmonte International.
In also being last years European Champion Juvenile, he is certain to stand at Coolmore Ireland on retiring for racing, in being the best of the exceptional unbeaten Triple Crown winner Justify.
At $5 is Todd Pletcher trained top US 3yo Fierceness who will jump from Gate 9 of the 14 horse field, and is coming off consecutive wins in the Travers Stakes and Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.
In also claiming the Florida Derby, he will again be ridden by John Velazquez for owner Repole Stable, and as a son of City of Light will be standing at Ashford Stud in Kentucky on retirement.
In looking to redeem his short-head third in the Kentucky Derby, the Japanese 3yo Forever Young returns to the US in drawing 1, and at $6.50 for jockey Ryusei Sakai and trainer Yoshito Yahagi.
With Aiden O’Brien having a 11-horse stable at this 41st Breeders’ Cup World Championship, its Whistlejacket and Ides of March in the Juvenile Turf Sprint on Future Stars Friday at Del Mar.
The Cheveley Park Stakes winner Lake Victoria is even-money for the Juvenile Fillies Turf, along with Heavens Gate, while Henri Matisse will have Ryan Moore in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
All eyes will be on the dark blue Coolmore silks of City of Troy in the Longines Breeder’s Cup Classic on Champions Saturday, but its Luxembourg who has drawn 4 in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
“A very uncomplicated horse, has played second or third string to our horses in other races but he’s here as first, and we feel the track and trip will suit him and look forward to seeing him run.”
“The 3yo filly Wingspan also runs in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf for Wayne Lordan, and is a very uncomplicated filly and we look forward to seeing her over this trip and could run a big race.”
“Content in the Filly & Mare Turf has run on ground too soft the last two runs but ran very well in the Breeders’ Cup last year, with Ryan taking his time and see in the second half of the race.”
“Diego Valazquez is in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and when we stepped him up in trip he went backwards, so this is a very sharp mile, and if he can jump and go forward he could run a very big race.”