By Brian Sheerin
The Europeans made their presence felt at Keeneland on Friday. Aidan O'Brien bagged a Grade I double while Charlie Appleby, who has two favourites to look forward to on Saturday, also landed a winner on the opening day of the Breeders' Cup.
From O'Brien working his magic to No Nay Never silencing his doubters and William Buick and Ryan Moore once again confirming themselves top of the international riding tree, we pick the bones out of a pulsating Friday at Keeneland.
Buick And Moore Confirm World-Class Status
One of the main topics of conversation at breakfast in the TDN house on Friday morning was the different approach trainers take to booking jockeys for the Breeders' Cup.
Some housemates felt it a no-brainer to utilise a local rider's extensive knowledge of Keeneland. Others believe it to be more important for the jockey to know his or her charge and, if that meant employing someone with no previous experience around the track, so be it.
There are many top-class riders in Europe who have been made to look ordinary at the Breeders' Cup down through the years. The same is true of American-based jockeys enduring forgettable days at the office in Europe, with Irad Ortiz, Jr.'s dismal Royal Ascot back in June the most recent example of such.
In short, there are few who can ride the straight course at Royal Ascot as well as the tight and turning track of Keeneland, but William Buick and Ryan Moore went some way to proving themselves masters of their craft with their respective displays on Friday.
Take Buick's winning ride aboard Mischief Magic (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Trapped for room and three lengths down with just over 100 yards left in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, Buick held his nerve in driving through a gap between horses 40 yards from the winning line to win by a length and going away at the post.
Buick was on the receiving end of a magical display from Moore when suffering an agonising defeat to Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) aboard heavy-favourite Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.
It's hard to argue that Buick did much wrong aboard Silver Knott as he waited for the gaps to appear on the inner and actually took the lead with just over 50 yards left to race. He was just beaten by one better on the day, who was galvanised by Moore to plonk his head narrowly in front at the line.
Buick has been a joy to watch all season in Britain and his championship victory was richly deserved. Moore has been similarly excellent to watch and many people would say that this is the best form he has been riding in for the past five or six seasons. Both men are operating at the peak of their powers and Friday confirmed their status as world-class riders.
Don't Doubt Genius Of O'Brien
In the build-up to the Breeders' Cup, Victoria Road's breeder Trevor Stewart told TDN Europe readers how Aidan O'Brien convinced him to return to Saxon Warrior with the colt's dam Tickled Pink (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) on the strength of what he had been seeing on the gallops at Ballydoyle.
Stewart must have thought O'Brien was confusing Victoria Road for one of his stablemates for the majority of the season. Here was a horse who was beaten at Roscommon on debut, only managed to finish fourth in the Ballyhane S. at Naas and took five starts to shed his maiden tag. Not exactly the profile of a world-beater.
However, all Victoria Road has done since that maiden success at Gowran Park in August is improve, confirming O'Brien's early evaluation of his ability to be bang on the money.
Not only that, but the victory of Victoria Road cemented a Grade I double for O'Brien following Meditate's impressive GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf display.
Considering some people were questioning the strength of O'Brien's juvenile brigade earlier in the campaign, that he could bag a Grade I double with two of his youngsters would have proved sweet for everyone at Ballydoyle.
Sweeter still is the fact that Meditate would have gone some way in silencing the No Nay Never doubters who feel the stallion will not produce Classic contenders. Meditate looked to be adept over the mile and hardened her Guineas credential in the process.
Bloody But Unbowed
Take nothing away from The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), who can be forgiven for running no sort of a race in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. The combination of a wide draw and racing around the bend proved too much for her as she trailed home a disappointing 11th, but there's no doubt that she will be back and seen in a better light at more conventional tracks in Europe next season.
On the contrary, the Karl Burke-trained Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) enhanced her reputation in defeat. She was only collared late on by Mischief Magic and looks a smart sprinter for Steve Parkin to look forward to next season.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
