On a gloriously sunny and warm Kentucky afternoon, Keeneland racecourse was filled to the rafters with racing fans for Future Stars Friday, the first of two days of the 39th Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
The 2-year-olds took to the track in five Cup races on dirt and turf and it was once again a European-dominated opening day with three of the races won by youngsters from overseas.
Aidan O’Brien sent out MEDITATE (No Nay Never) to a stunning win in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf at 1 1/16 miles and VICTORIA ROAD to edge fellow Euro Silver Knott in the Juvenile Turf. The first Breeders’ Cup race of the day, the Juvenile Turf Sprint, went to Godolphin’s MISCHIEF MAGIC (IRE), trained by Charlie Appleby.
On the Canadian front, Woodbine trainer NATHAN SQUIRES was overcome with pride as CAIRO CONSORT, the grey 2-year-old filly he trains for South Carolinian William Thompon, Jr. stayed on to be a brave third in the Juvenile Fillies Turf after tracking a strong pace from the rail. The Cairo Prince filly, who won the Catch a Glimpse Stakes at Woodbine and was second in the Grade 1 Natalma to Kevin Attard-trained LAST CALL, held off a host of filly rivals in deep stretch to keep her neck out for a top-three prize behind Meditate and Pleasant Passage.
Cairo Consort, who is scheduled to be sold in The November Sale at Fasig-Tipton on Sunday, earned $90,000.
What a day it was for Woodbine’s leading trainer MARK CASSE, whose trainee WONDER WHEEL, winner of the Grade 1 Alcibiades last month, overcame a theatrical journey to win the JUVENILE FILLIES, worth $2 million.
Wonder Wheel is owned by Leonard Green’s D.J. Stable and she is a daughter of Into Mischief. Tyler Gafflione, who rode Wonder Wheel, was winning his first Breeders’ Cup race.
The showcase race of the afternoon, the $2 million Juvenile, was won by the impressive colt FORTE, trained by Todd Pletcher for Mike Repole and St. Elias Stable. The son of Violence reeled in heavily-favoured Cave Rock in mid-stretch after that rival was burned out in a pace duel with longshot Hurricane J.
A record handle was realized for Future Stars Friday of over $66 million and there were 39,000 people on hand.
Nathan Squires said following Cairo Consort’s super effort:
“It was a good run. She’s a good horse. We came here hoping for the best and hoping we would finish in the top three. At the top of the lane, it looked like she could do it, but she hung on for third. She’s an honest filly, as honest as they come. No one wants to blame anything about the last race – that’s racing luck– and we looked at the tape because we had to and we decided we should bring her here.
“She broke well today and she ran absolutely great. Phenomenal. I’m very proud of her and so happy – this is my first Breeders’ Cup and my first time here.”
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