2024 Breeders' Cup Trip Notes - Friday
Juvenile Turf Sprint, Juvenile Fillies, Juvenile Fillies Turf, Juvenile, Juvenile Turf
As part of our ITM Plus Breeders’ Cup content we are excited to provide trip notes for all 14 Breeders’ Cup races! Here you will find notes for every contender on Future Stars Friday. Saturday notes will be provided shortly.
These pages will be updated as horses defect and also-eligibles draw in to races over the next week, so be sure to check in with these pages regularly for up-to-date coverage.
A big thank you to Justin Christein for putting these together, as well as Will Humphrey and Mike Pribozie for filling in where needed!
Juvenile Turf Sprint
Aesterius: Flying Childers S. (G2), 5f, Doncaster (UK), 09/13, 1st
Straight track, flat. Good turf (good to soft in places). Drawn 10/10. Brk well, quickly into stride; led one of three groups towards stand side rail at even early tempo; nudged along from halfway as groups began to merge in centre; responded well to pressure, holding his position before coming under hard L-handed ride 1/4 pole; changed leads ~3/16 pole & drifted slightly left but was extremely game, wouldn’t give in & saw off multiple challengers to edge out a neck win. V admirable effort. Post race quote: “Aesterius is a very talented horse; the Breeders' Cup will be his end of season target, that should really suit him” - Archie Watson, trainer.
Arizona Blaze: Legacy S. (listed), 5f, Dundalk (Ire), 10/04, 4th
Tight L-handed synthetic track. Drawn 8/13. Carried 5lbs G3 penalty. Brk out, bumped rival start & instantly found himself towards rear early, racing ~4-5L behind even early tempo; cornered 3-4W while being asked to move closer/hold position in between horses; 4W into stretch, instantly coming under R-handed drive ~3/16 pole; weaved through horses down centre as field drifted to stands side & stayed on well to be beaten just 3/4L. A likeable performance but didn’t scream BC winner.
Big Mojo: Flying Childers S. (G2), 5f, Doncaster (UK), 09/13, 2nd
Straight track, flat. Good turf (good to soft in places). Drawn 8/10. Tad slow, minor bump brk but away okay; traveled powerfully ~1L off even early pace as part of group towards stand side rail; nudged along 1/4 pole & responded well to join leaders, despite drifting slightly left; came under strong pressure ~3/16 pole while still trying to drift left; locked horns with winner inside final 1/16; battled well but ultimately came up a neck short. Ran a fine race in defeat.