Not that there is ever a sure thing in horse racing, but one of the races that many fans and punters expected was to be an uncomplicated one-off race Cogburn in the $1 Million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T). sea November 2nd.
It looked that way for the first half mile, but in the final furlong the speedster hit the wall and opened a duel until the end. When the security guards rushed past, it was Mrs. Fitriani Hays Starlust who emerged victorious with 33:1.
“This horse has been knocking on the door all year,” said winning jockey Rossa Ryan. “It’s just great to see him on the huge stage. He was a bridesmaid. But a brilliant, incredible achievement.”
Ryan found himself in last place out of 11 at the start of the race, while Cogburn took the lead by fractions of :21.59 and :43.72. Patiently on the rail, Ryan grabbed horses as they came into the track, waiting for a hole to open.
“Luck was on our side, (the hole) opened up so well,” Ryan said. “When it opened, I was there and I had the horse.”
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Jockey Rossa Ryan celebrates after Starlust's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint victory
As Cogburn's legs grew tired, he found himself in Starlust's path, setting off a chain reaction. A storm got the worst of it and had to give in as Starlust pushed his way through and took the lead. He hit the wire one neck in front of him Motoric And Ag Bullet achieve victory. He completed the distance in :55.92 and paid $69.20.
An investigation into track running was conducted, but the stewards made no changes.
The victory was Starlust's third in ten starts this season and first in ranked company since winning the Sirenia Stakes (G3) at Kempton Park last year. Third in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T). Santa Anita ParkCoach Ralph Beckett was desperate to get him back to the World Cup.
“The (critical) reason we came here was because there was a turnaround,” Beckett said. “He turned very well in the Juvenile Turf (sprint) last year. We really felt it would be beneficial for him to be able to hold onto her coattails.”
It was Beckett's second victory in the Breeders' Cup, having previously won the Breeders' Cup Marathon with Irish-bred horses Muhannak in 2008. Ryan and Beckett had a pretty good month, co-winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) on October 6th Bluestocking .
“The reality is that it's very challenging to enjoy it when you're in it,” Beckett said. “I think we’ll probably enjoy it at the end of the year.”
A 3 year venerable son of Zoustar Starlust was bred in the UK by Branton Court Stud. He was owned by Hay and purchased by D Farrington in the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2 for $63,852. He is 6-3-3 in 18 starts and has earnings of $915,137. No decision has been made yet on whether he will compete at 4.
Winning contacts after the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar
As for Cogburn, his Hall of Fame coach Steve Asmussen summed up the emotions that fifth-place finish evoked simply: “That sucked.”
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. said he put Cogburn in a little early after a not particularly good start.
“I just let him be himself,” Ortiz said. “I didn’t want to fight him too much. I turned around and asked him to give me a good kick, but they passed me.”
