The City of Troy earns third place in the Breeders’ Cup Classic as draws were made throughout the Del Mar spectacular.

City of Troy placed third on a date with fate in the classic Breeders’ Cup tournament (9.41) in Del Mar on Saturday, a gate that hasn’t seen a winner since Awesome Again in 1998.

However, this 26-year drought of waiting to win on the third ground is something of an anomaly, as recent races have been dominated by the inside ground. White Abarrio won from second last year, Flightline made it from four in 2021, and Knicks Go did the same in 2020, the last time it was held in Del Mar.

Aidan O’Brien has made no secret of his tactical plan at City of Troy and expects Ryan Moore to let him roll, but if he misses his shot from goal three it could mean he has to deal with a lot of kickback.

Winner of the Travers Stakes Crueltythe main danger for the City of Troy, according to the market, lingered in the ninth stall, while the Japanese rival Forever young will emerge from the inner stall in one.

Fiersens will have his first day in Del Mar on Monday, and his coach Todd Pletcher said he has adjusted well to his new surroundings.

He said: “Firsenness handled the ship very well. He settled in well yesterday afternoon, rested overnight, and none of this seems to bother him. As he usually does when he’s galloping, he sort of perked up his ears, looking around, taking it all in. , but looked very relaxed and happy.”

The City of Troy is expected to make its first gallop in Del Mar on Tuesday morning after completing its quarantine.

Emily Upjohnwho will be reunited with Frankie Dettori for the first time since last year’s King George, finished runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (9.01).

This is the same gate that Enable came out of when John Gosden and Dettori teamed up to win the race in 2018. Jayarebewinner of the Hampton Court Stakes, placed fifth and is the 2022 hero. Rebel Romance will be out at 11.

Porta Fortuna And Notable Speech there were draws next to each other for the Breeders’ Cup mile (11.45), with superstar filly Donnachie O’Brien in seven and 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner in six.

Bradsell the camp will not be thrilled about the drawing of an external stall in the lawn sprint (7.41) at gate 12, and Mick Appleby won’t be much happier as Big Eves things are only slightly better at gate 11.

Hot favorite Cogburn under the leadership of Irad Ortiz Jr. took ninth place and Believingwho hit the crossbar in many of the best sprints this season, ended up in a draw on the first ground.

Also from the inner ground will emerge invincible Lake Victoria on the lawn for young mares (11.05) on Friday. Stablemate Heaven’s Gatewhich will be ridden by Wayne Lordan, tied for eight.

Breeders’ Cup Classic Draw

1 Forever young
2 Highland Falls
3. City of Troy
4 Mixto
5 Señor Buscador
6 Derma Sotogake
7 Ushba Tesoro
8 Pyrenees
9 Cruelty
10 Tapid Tris
11 Sierra Leone
12 Arthur’s Ride
13 Newgate
14 Next

What does the Racing Post expert think about the draw?

The draw favored the city of Troy, which will attempt a famous victory in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar from the third gate.

Generally speaking, if you’re new to dirt, you don’t want a stance that’s too low, as any hesitation in your stride can cause you to get pushed around by faster, more experienced runners. If so, you’re in for a real culture shock as you experience the kickback of trying to grab onto someone else’s surface.

However, City Of Troy does not hesitate. He won the Juddmonte International early on, albeit in relatively modest stakes, and he made it all in the Dewhurst Stakes a year ago. Even when he plopped down in the Guineas in the spring, he was confident over the mile, holding on to the ball well.

But equally important is the running style of the people around you. In the case of City Of Troy, there is nothing super fast next to it.

The main pace can be provided by Cruelty at nine and Arthur’s Ride at 12. With a clean start, City Of Troy could get a nice stalking ride from these two, being more advanced than most.

I have long doubted that he will take to the dirt, but he seems to have no excuses about the draw and the run of the race. His chances actually look better now than they could be.
Ron Wood, Race Day Editor

Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (9.41 March, Saturday)

Bet365: 7-4 City of Troy, 9-2 Ferocity, 11-2 Forever Young, 10 Sierra Leone, 12 Ushba Tesoro, 16 bar

More about the Breeders’ Cup:

“If Aidan thinks he can do it, who’s to say no?” – Wesley Ward and Kieren Fallon on City Of Troy’s Breeders’ Cup Classic chances

Vera and Soprano are “worth their weight in gold” before the Breeders’ Cup draws

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