It is a bold move by O’Brien who admitted to regretting letting Gleneagles run at Ascot when he was beaten in the QEII earlier in the month and while it is nearly impossible to see Gleneagles or anything else beating American Pharoah, it’s not like O’Brien has to send him over there for the weather so there is significance when they are taking a chance with their flagship three-year-old.
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No Arc victor has gone on to win the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ Cup Turf, and trainer John Gosden admits that coming back from that victory is a tall order, but if any horse has the constitution to do it, Golden Horn does.
Catch a Glimpse had been touting herself in the mornings, training strongly over Keeneland’s dirt track, and the City Zip filly came through October 30 at the Lexington oval, giving trainer Mark Casse his first Breeders’ Cup win with a score in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. “After she was so impressive in the Natalma”, Casse said.
“He probably has the most remarkable constitution of any horse I have trained”, Gosden said.
“We were looking forward to bringing him here, but we were very anxious when we saw stall 14”. Better ground will suit him.
I’d say he is a classy miler and we’d be looking at Classics’.
“We spoke just before and Ryan said he was going to let him relax in the first half of the race and he’s given him a marvellous ride”.
“I just feel a little bit aggrieved that he ran out of petrol in the last 50 yards – you just feel a little bit robbed when you get nailed, you look like winning and you don’t”.
Casse – who entered the day 23-0-2-2 in the Breeders’ Cup before having Airoforce and Conquest Daddyo run second and fourth in the Juvenile Turf – had a few anxious moments early in the Juvenile Fillies Turf before the field hit the first turn when Catch a Glimpse appeared in danger of getting caught in a speed duel. We’ve been trying and trying to get her to settle.
Alice Springs missed the break and struggled for a room at one stage up the home straight but she looked held fair and square.
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Richard Hannon’s Illuminate finished sixth in the Fillies’ race with her jockey Frankie Dettori saying the Cheveley Park Stakes runner-up failed to stay the trip at her first try at one mile. But I’m sure she is on the edge of her seat and I’m sure she is very happy. Starting with two-time victor Miesque (1987,1988), the race was also won by Six Perfections (2003) and by the spectacular champion Goldikova (2008-10).
