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Jockey John Velazquez celebrates aboard Fierceness after the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Breeders' Cup
World Championships Results

Date: 11/3/2023

Saturday Results Summary (dirt)  -  Saturday Results Summary (turf)  -  F&M Sprint -  Turf Sprint -  Dirt Mile -  F&M Turf -  Sprint -  Mile -  Distaff -  Turf -  Classic
Friday Results Summary -  Juvenile Turf Sprint -  Juvenile Fillies Turf -  Juvenile Fillies -  Juvenile Turf -  Juvenile  
Wrap Up   -   Entries   -   Monday Works   -   Tuesday Works   -   Wednesday Works   -   Thursday Works

The 40th Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia kicked off on "Future Stars Friday" with all five 2-year-old championship races on the first day. Conditions were typical for early November, with the 43,377 fans enjoying sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 80's. The main track was rated fast and the turf course firm.

Full results with several photos are available for each race.



Fierceness wins the FanDuel Juvenile

The $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance features 2-year-old colts and geldings going 1 1/16 miles on the main track in a race that usually determines the early Kentucky Derby favorite for next year. Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner Locked was sent off as the 9-4 favorite in the field of 9 over 11-4 second choice Muth, winner of the American Pharoah (G1), and 3-1 third choice Timberlake, winner of the Champagne Stakes (G1).

Jockey Manny Franco sent 19-1 General Partner to the lead through fractions of 23.25, 47.02, and 1:10.86 while pressed by 16-1 Fierceness and stalked by Muth. Into the stretch Fierceness gained the lead through 1 mile in 1:35.59. Kept to task by John Velazquez, Fierceness drew off to win by 6 1/4 lengths over Muth in 1:41.90. It was 1/2 a length back to late-running favorite Locked third.

The FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Purse: $2,000,000     Distance: 1 1/16 miles

Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place  Show
 9   Fierceness         Velazquez        35.00  12.80  8.20
10   Muth               Hernandez                4.80  3.20
 6   Locked             Ortiz                          2.80

Winning Time:  1:41.90

$1 Exacta 9-10                       101.35
$1 Trifecta 9-10-6                   343.60
$1 Superfecta 9-10-6-4             1,097.90
Results chart
Expanded results with more photos and details

Left: Fierceness heads out of the paddock. Winning jockey John Velazquez said, "We were concerned a little about the break. He behaved well in the gate and broke well. He went forwardly and sat second nicely. Once we passed the half-mile pole, he grabbed into the bridle a little sooner than I wanted. When he got to the 1/4 pole, he started looking around so I got after him. He was running down the stretch and got serious once I got after him. I had no doubt. I worked him in the morning and I was very impressed and I was hoping he would put the same work in the afternoon." 

Right: Fierceness heads back to the barn. Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "Look, not everyone would do that (7th in the Champagne). We talked about it, we covered every base after the Champagne. The horse trained awesome all summer; he was a monster since his debut. We took a shot today and it worked out. He had a beautiful trip and he showed what he is all about. A lot of the tactics in a race like this, you have to leave in your rider's hands.It was really about getting in a good rhythm with him and letting him get comfortable with him. (John Velazquez) was able to do that. It did look easy."



Unquestionable wins the Juvenile Turf

The $1 million Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) drew a field of 11 two-year-olds going 1 mile on the turf. Unquestionable was sent off as the 3-2 favorite off his second place finish in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) at Longchamp. In to challenge him included 5-1 second choice Endlessly, winner of the Del Mar Juvenile Turf (G3) and Zuma Beach Stakes (G3), and 11-2 third choice My Boy Prince, winner of the Cup and Saucer at Woodbine after finishing second in the Summer Stakes (G1).

Jockey Luis Saez sent 21-1 Air Recruit to the lead first time by through fractions of 22.26, 46.72, and 1:10.25 while pressed by My Boy Prince and stalked by Unquestionable. Into the stretch, Air Recruit tired allowing My Boy Prince to inherit the lead through 7f in 1:22.07, but Unquestionable came out 3 wide and rallied by to win by 1 1/2 lengths over late-running 22-1 Mountain Bear in 1:33.65. It was a head back to My Boy Prince third. After the finish Mountain Bear was quickly pulled up and dismounted by jockey Dylan McMonagle, and was vanned off.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Purse: $1,000,000     Distance: 1 mile turf

Pgm   Horse              Jockey            Win   Place  Show
 8   Unquestionable       Moore               5.00   3.80  3.20
12   Mountain Bear        McMonagle                 17.60  9.20
 5   My Boy Prince        Rosario                          3.80

Winning Time:  1:33.65

$1 Exacta 8-12                        38.30          
$1 Trifecta 8-12-5                   203.70 
$1 Superfecta 8-12-5-4             1,707.60
Results chart
Expanded results with more photos and details

Left: Unquestionable in the post parade. Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said,  "He's a very tough horse who we've always had a lot of faith in. Ryan (Moore) gave him an unbelievable ride in a great position from an early stage from a tough draw. He won very well in the end and I'm delighted. He did everything right in the preparations going into the race so for him to go and win is brilliant."

Right: Unquestionable heads back to the barn after the race. Winning jockey Ryan Moore said, "He always showed quite a lot early on. He had a very good run in the Lagardere. He has been progressing. The slight step-up in trips suited him today. It's a horse with pace, and he was able to get a nice position and travel comfortably, and he always felt in control of the race. He's probably more of a horse that I think has more progression in him. He doesn't ride like a sharp 2-year-old. He rides like a horse that's going to be better as he grows into his frame."



Just F Y I wins the Juvenile Fillies

The $2 million NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) features the best 2-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Del Mar Debutante (G1) winner Tamara was sent off as the 4-5 favorite over 11-4 second choice Candied, winner of the Alcibiades (G1), and 7-1 third choice Just F Y I, winner of the Frizette (G1).

Jockey Mike Smith sent Tamara to the lead first time by and she set fractions of 22.47, 46.60, and 1:10.95 while pressed by Just F Y I and stalked by 18-1 Jody's Pride. Turnjng for home, Tamara tired allowing Just F Y I to inherit the lead through 1 mile in 1:37.57. Kept to task by Junior Alvarado, Just F Y I held off Jody's Pride to win by a neck in 1:44.58. It was 1/2 a length back to Candied third, while Tamara faded to finish 7th beaten 8 1/4 lengths.

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

Purse: $2,000,000     Distance: 1 1/16 miles

Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place  Show
12   Just F Y I         Alvarado         16.00   7.20  4.80
 2   Jody's Pride       Prat                    13.40  7.40
 1   Candied            Saez                           3.40

Winning Time:  1:44.58

$1 Exacta 12-2                       101.20
$1 Trifecta 12-2-1                   401.10
$1 Superfecta 12-2-1-11            3,051.10
Results chart
Expanded results with more photos and details

Left: Just F Y I returns after the race. Winning trainer Bill Mott said, "She broke tremendously. I was a little worried she was going to get a little too rank, but once she got position, she looked like she was settled down. You had to worry about how fast they were going because (Tamara) is pretty fast. We got lucky. We had a great trip and she came into the race in great order and she showed us what she could do."

Right: Just F Y I heads back to the barn after the race. Winning jockey Junior Alvarado said, "You know I broke from the 12 (post position) and she broke very well. I nudged her a little bit out of there just to get some position and save some ground.  She was there every step of the way helping me out. When I asked her, she was was all out there for me."



Hard to Justify wins the NetJets Juvenile Fillies Turf

The $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) featured 14 two-year-old fillies going 1 mile on the turf. Natalma (G1) winner She Feels Pretty was sent off as the 7-2 favorite over 15-4 second choice Porta Fortuna, winner of the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1), and 17-2 third choice Buchu, winner of the Jessamine (G2).

Jockey Hector Berrios sent 39-1 Dreamfyre to the lead first time by through fractions of 22.91, 47.65, and 1:11.16 while pressed by 9-1 fourth choice Hard to Justify and stalked by 13-1 Austere and 29-1 Live's an Audible. Into the lane Dreamfyre continued to lead through 7f in 1:22.88 but soon tired. Hard to Justify inherited the lead under Flavien Prat and held off late-running Porta Fortuna to win by 1/2 a length in 1:34.42. It was a head back to late-running favorite She Feels Pretty third.

The NetJets Juvenile Fillies Turf

Purse: $1,000,000     Distance: 1 mile turf

Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place  Show
12   Hard to Justify    Prat             20.20   8.00  5.00
 6   Porta Fortuna      Murphy                   5.60  3.60
11   She Feels Pretty   Velazquez                      3.88

Winning Time:  1:34.42

$1 Exacta 12-6                        54.20
$2 Trifecta 12-6-11                  205.50
$1 Superfecta 12-6-11-5            4,086.60
Results chart
Expanded results with more photos and details

Left: Hard to Justify heads out for the post parade. Winning trainer Chad Brown said, "I don't mind using some fuel early to clear and she did that and hit a 47 and change half. There was mild concern at the 3/8 marker when they started to stack up outside of her. I thought maybe that post would do her in, but I knew she had some fight in her. It's just a matter of when he wanted to use that last bit of energy that she would have. Sure enough, she had plenty; more than I thought."

Right: Hard to Justify heads back to the barn after the race. Winning jockey Flavien Prat said, "Good trip. She jumped well out of the gate. I was able to sit right off the pace. She was all game."



Big Evs wins the Juvenile Turf Sprint

Kicking off the World Championships, the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) featured a full field of 12 two-year-olds going 5 furlongs around one turn of the turf. Rosie's Stakes winner No Nay Mets was sent off as the 5-2 favorite over 3-1 second choice Big Evs, winner of the Flying Childers Stakes (G2), and 6-1 third choice Crimson Advocate, winner of the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot.

Jockey John Velazquez sent Crimson Advocate to the lead through quick fractions of 20.71 and 43.65 while pressed by Big Evs and stalked by 27-1 Tiger Belle. In the stretch Crimson Advocate tired allowing Big Evs to inherit the lead. Confidently ridden by Tom Marquand, Big Evs held off late-running 23-1 Valiant Force to win by 1/2 a length in 55.31. It was another 3/4 length back to 24-1 Starlust third, and a neck more to favorite No Nay Mets fourth.

The Juvenile Turf Sprint

Purse: $1,000,000     Distance: 5 furlongs turf

Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place  Show
 4   Big Evs            Marquand          8.40   5.60  3.80
10   Valiant Force      Buick                   20.40 13.20
 6   Starlust           Dettori                       11.00

Winning Time:  55.31

$1 Exacta  4-10                       85.00
$2 Trifecta  4-10-6                1,378.40
$1 Superfecta  4-10-6-2            6,835.40
Results chart
Expanded results with more photos and details

Left: Big Evs in the post parade. Winning trainer Michael Appleby said, "I can't believe it. He's been an absolute superstar all year and to come here and put in a performance like that is unreal. Going into the race I thought he had an outstanding chance, and when Tom rode him in a breeze earlier in the week he couldn't have been more bullish. We'll enjoy it as it's a dream to be here never mind go and win. Hopefully he comes out the race in good order then we'll make a plan for next season. He really is a horse of a lifetime for us. I can't thank the team at home enough for all their hard work."

Right: Big Evs heads back to the barn after the race. Winning jockey Tom Marquand said, "Just amazing. Once he got out the gates and we got in an early position I knew we wouldn't be far away. Turning for home nothing was going to catch him. He put his head down and galloped all the way to the line. To ride a Breeders' Cup winner is a dream come true. He's just an exceptional horse."



Kicking off the weekend's stakes action was the $150,000 Qatar Golden Mile Stakes with a field of six 2-year-olds going 1 mile on the turf. Jockey Frankie Dettori sent 11-4 second choice Ultra Power to lead through fractions of 22.60, 45.80, and 1:10.35 while pressed by 3-1 third choice Ace of Clubs and 9-2 fourth choice Mo Fox Givin. Turning for home Ultra Power tired badly as 13-2 Lord Bullingdon, last early under Umberto Rispoli after stumbling at the start, rallied to win by 3 3/4 lengths over 9-5 favorite Go With Gusto in 1:34.85. It was a neck back to Mo Fox Givin third.

Winning trainer Mike McCarthy said, "From off the pace, they go awfully quick for the opening half mile. They were bunched up at the top of the stretch, Umberto was able to get him to the outside, got a clear path and a clear run, horse leveled off and got the job done. Nice way to break your maiden on a good day." Jockey Umberto Rispoli added, "When we finished second to Prince of Monaco in his first race, I thought we had something here.  They went really fast ahead of me.  think the horse really liked the turf today, once we got outside, he took off and away we went."

Results chart



The $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies featured 10 California bred or sired 2-year-old fillies sprinting 7 furlongs on the main track. 1-2 favorite Mirinda, 17-1 Recalcitrant, and 3-1 second choice Grand Slam Smile battled for the lead through fractions of 21.91 and 45.03. Into the stretch Grand Slam Smile left the field behind through 3/4 in 1:10.79. Kept to task by Frank Alvarado, Grand Slam Smile drew off to win by 7 1/4 lengths over 48-1 Petit Filet in 1:24.55. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Mirinda third.

Winning jockey Frank Alvarado said, "I've been working my filly up north and she's been super.  We knew we had something special here.  We broke great and when I got to the 3/8 pole, I knew we had the race.  She just took off.  What a great feeling." Trainer Steve Specht added, "She's been training super and she's a nice horse. She can do it all. She has speed if I need to send her, and she will rate kindly. She is a very versatile horse. I had this race in mind for the last two months. It all worked out, I had her plenty fit coming into this race. Me and her will be on the highway (to Del Mar) at about 3:30 tomorrow morning."

Results chart



The $150,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes featured a field of 11 older fillies and mares sprinting about 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf. Jockey Joel Rosario sent 10-1 Brandon'smylawyer to the lead through fractions of 22.18 and 44.05 while pressed by 2-1 favorite Elm Drive and stalked by 28-1 Freedom Flyer. Into the lane Brandon'smylawyer continued to lead through 5f in 1:06.48 but 24-1 Wet My Beak, 9th early under Jose Ortiz, rallied 5 wide to win by a head over Elm Drive in 1:12.37. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to Brandon'smylawyer.

Winning trainer Vladimir Cerin said, "I'm not surprised. It just took a while.  After we purchased this horse a year ago privately, she had some little issues to overcome.  We were patient.  She's a true race horse.  Jose rode her perfectly.  I asked Jose if he watched her two previous races and he said he had.  I just told him to stay out of trouble and the filly will do the rest." Owner Jamey Ough added, My wife (Shari) and I have Jerry Brown of Thoro-Graph to thank.  He recommended this horse and helped with the negotiations.  Vlad gave her time with the little issues she had, and we thought she would love the turf."

Results chart



The $175,000 Golden State Juvenile featured a field of 12 California bred or sired 2-year-old males sprinting 7 furlongs. 5-1 Dr. No No, 34-1 Shady Appeal, and 29-1 Stay on the Fence battled for the lead through fractions of 22.52 and 45.42. Into the stretch 2-1 favorite Magic Spoon, 6th early under Tiago Pereira, came out wide for room, took over the lead through 3/4 in 1:11.18, and held off late-running 13-2 Private Gem to win by 1/2 a length in 1:24.60. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to Dr. No No third.

Winning trainer Jose Valdez said, "I've been waiting for this horse to run again.  This was fantastic.  He had trouble in his first race and overcame it.  Today we stayed behind horses and then when it was time to run, he took off.  This was my biggest win as a trainer.  My team is responsible led by Hector Palma.  We'll see how the horse comes out of this race and make our plans for the next race."

Results chart

Saturday Results Summary (dirt)  -  Saturday Results Summary (turf)  -  F&M Sprint -  Turf Sprint -  Dirt Mile -  F&M Turf -  Sprint -  Mile -  Distaff -  Turf -  Classic
Friday Results Summary -  Juvenile Turf Sprint -  Juvenile Fillies Turf -  Juvenile Fillies -  Juvenile Turf -  Juvenile  
Wrap Up   -   Entries   -   Monday Works   -   Tuesday Works   -   Wednesday Works   -   Thursday Works

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