D. Wayne Lukas is at the top of the record books as the winningest trainer in Breeders' Cup history.
With two wins on November 1st on the first day of the Breeders' Cup sea– first from Lake Victoria in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) and then from Henri Matisse in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) – Irish training legend Aidan O'Brien was able to compete with Hall of Famer Lukas as a 20-time Breeders' Cup winner.
“It's incredible, of course, and we all know what an incredibly special man Wayne is,” O'Brien said, noting that he had spoken with Lukas by phone earlier in the week to discuss racing trends in Del Mar. “I feel honored” to achieve his record. He is a very special man and has always been a great support to us.
The tie could potentially be resolved on November 2nd on the second day of the event. Luke begins Seize the Gray in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), and O'Brien has several runners including City of Troy in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Hall of Fame coach Bob Baffert, who is just behind Lukas and O'Brien with 19 wins, also has a starter on Saturday.
Although heavily favored Lake Victoria was expected to win, Henri Matisse went into the race with some obvious disadvantages, including a wide draw and form marred by problematic maneuvers in two previous defeats. Despite these losses, O'Brien, the 55-year-old 'Master of Ballydoyle', marched on into the Juvenile Turf with Henri Matisse, bullish that removing the blinders and reaching solid ground could lead to improvement.
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It did. The adolescent stallion was kind enough to finish tenth in the 12-horse Juvenile Turf under Ryan Moore before picking up gear at the second turn and pulling wide for the stretch run. He overtook the runner-up Iron Man Cal through a neck along the route. Aomori city fought his way to third place after breaking through the starting gate before the race and finishing last early.
The winner ran a mile in 1:34.48 with split times of :22.65, :46.31 and 1:10.50 Keep dreaming which would drop to fifth place. The winner, who gave O'Brien a record-tying seventh victory in the Juvenile Turf, returned $9.80 for a $2 bet as a petite public decision.
He earned $520,000 and increased his credit to $783,148 with a record of 4-1-0 in six starts for owners Merriebelle Stable, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Susan Magnier – the last three of the international racing ranks. and breeding company Coolmore.
Aidan O'Brien in the winner's circle after Henri Matisse won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar
While the winner was able to sail the course without any errors, this was not the case for Godolphin Al Qudra who cut off his heels while trying to close a narrow gap between the horses. He lost his balance and although jockey James Doyle remained on board, the rider's right foot came loose from his stirrup and they lost all chance. Al Qudra finished eighth.
The stewards conducted an investigation and examined the horses inside and outside the opening, but made no changes and found that Al Qudra had no clear path.
Iron Man Cal, trained by Phil D'Amato for Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables, was the top performing American horse under Antonio Fresu.
“Incredible. Just an incredible accomplishment, so proud of him,” said Billy Koch, managing partner of Little Red Feather.
Jockey Ryan Moore scored his 16th overall Breeders' Cup victory, many for O'Brien.
Coolmore representative MV Magnier praised the winning jockey and trainer during the post-race press conference.
“I am very lucky and privileged to sit next to these two greats. It’s that plain,” he said.
Henri Matisse is a son of Wootton Bassett which is at Coolmore in Ireland, is eliminated as the winner of Group 1 Decisive mare Immortal verse . He is his mother's third best stakes winner.
