Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Subsanador leads five new qualifiers

The 2024 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar is 32 days away. Catch up on the latest news and developments with our weekly Breeders’ Cup Roundup:

Subsandor, Johannes earn Breeders’ Cup berths

The $1 million California Crown (G1) at Santa Anita awarded the victorious Subsanador a “Win and You’re In” ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The talented Argentine-bred defeated 2023 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) runner-up National Treasure by a head, with Santa Anita H. (G1) hero Newgate another nose behind in third place. The winning time for 1 1/8 miles was a respectable 1:48.68.

Later that Saturday, Johannes earned his way to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) with a fast-finishing score in the City of Hope Mile (G2). After saving ground in fourth place, the son of Nyquist launched a decisive rally to win the one-mile turf test by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:32.45.

Three Technique could make third Breeders’ Cup appearance

Sixth in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and eighth in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), Three Technique could be heading back to the Breeders’ Cup after qualifying to the Dirt Mile with a stretch-running score in Saturday’s one-mile Ack Ack (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Three Technique trailed a four-horse field for the first seven furlongs, then closed sharply in the final furlong to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:36.77.

Mufasa roars in Vosburgh, Zulu Kingdom remains unbeaten in Pilgrim

Chilean-bred Mufasa went 8-for-10 in his home country before taking his game to the U.S. for 2024. Now he’s a U.S. graded stakes winner and a Breeders’ Cup qualifier, having employed pace-pressing tactics to dominate Saturday’s seven-furlong Vosburgh (G3) at Aqueduct. Mufasa romped by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:22.51 to earn a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

On the same card, Zulu Kingdom brought his record to 3-for-3 with a determined triumph in the 1 1/16-mile Pilgrim (G2), a stepping stone to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). Over a yielding turf course, Zulu Kingdom closed f⁰rom fifth place to score by a neck in 1:48.67.

Keeneland opens with eight qualifiers

Opening week of the stakes-packed Keeneland fall meet includes eight Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifiers. Here’s how the action is shaping up:

• Friday, Alcibiades (G1): Spinaway (G1) 1-2-3 finishers Immersive, Quietside, and Sherbini are expected to battle for a fees-paid spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).
• Friday, Jessamine (G2): P. G. Johnson S. winner Totally Justified is among the possible starters for this Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) prep.
• Friday, Phoenix (G2): Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1) winner Nakatomi will seek qualification to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, a race in which he finished third last year.
• Saturday, Breeders’ Futurity (G1): Hopeful (G1) runner-up Ferocious will make his route debut in this 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) qualifier.
• Saturday, Coolmore Turf Mile (G1): Fourstardave H. (G1) winner Carl Spackler and 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Mountain Bear could turn up in this Breeders’ Cup Mile prep.
• Saturday, Thoroughbred Club of American (G2): Last year’s Spinaway (G1) winner Brightwork will aim to beat older rivals and earn a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).
• Sunday, Bourbon (G2): Former British campaigner Cavallo Bay, third when making his U.S. debut in the With Anticipation (G3), will seek a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf berth in his second stateside start.
• Sunday, Spinster (G1): Reigning Spinster and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Idiomatic will look to defend her title and earn a fees-paid berth back to the Distaff.

Juveniles take center stages at Aqueduct

Talented two-year-olds will seek Breeders’ Cup berths in a quartet of “Win and You’re In” qualifiers at Aqueduct this week:

• On Friday, the Futurity (G3) points the way to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1). Mentee, who owns a track record over the Aqueduct dirt, is trying grass for the first time. He’ll face Under Who’s Radar, winner of the National Thoroughbred League Juvenile Sprint S. at Kentucky Downs.
• Saturday brings the Champagne (G1), a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile qualifier. Unbeaten Hopeful (G1) winner Chancer McPatrick leads the 10-horse field.
• Also on Saturday, the Frizette (G1) awards a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Fast Saratoga debut winner Senza Parole will be a popular choice in the betting.
• In addition, the Miss Grillo (G2) was postponed from last Sunday to this Sunday. P. G. Johnson S. runner-up Virgin Colada is one expected entrant in this redrawn Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf qualifier.

Santa Anita action continues with three qualifiers

One week after hosting the inaugural California Crown, Santa Anita is putting on another excellent Saturday card with five stakes, including three Breeders’ Cup qualifiers:

• The American Pharoah (G1), a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile stepping stone and part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, is expected to draw undefeated Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner Gaming.
• Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies contenders will take the stage in the Oak Leaf (G2), also a Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifier. Nominees include Del Mar Debutante (G1) 1-2 finishers Tenma and Vodka With a Twist.
• The Rodeo Drive (G2) awards the winner a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Multiple Grade 1 winner Anisette could potentially turn up in the entries.

ParisLongchamp hosts five qualifiers on Arc day

One of the most important days on the European racing calendar is the first Sunday in October, when ParisLongchamp in France hosts an action-packed day of racing highlighted by the coveted Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).

The 1 1/2-mile Arc awards a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and is one of five Breeders’ Cup qualifiers on the card. The others include:

• The Prix Marcel Boussac (G1), a stepping stone to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
• The Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (G1), a prominent Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) qualifier.
• The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1), awarding the winner a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
• The Prix de l’Opera (G1), an important stop on the road to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifiers

The following horses have secured Win and You’re In berths to the 2024 Breeders’ Cup via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series:

Breeders’ Cup Classic

Arthur’s Ride
City of Troy
Dornoch
Highland Falls
Kingsbarns
Mixto
Peptide Nile
Subsanador

Breeders’ Cup Turf

Auguste Rodin
Blow the Horn
Economics
El Encinal
Far Bridge
Gold Phoenix
Goliath
Grand Sonata
Obataye

Breeders’ Cup Distaff

Adare Manor
Che Evasora
Randomized

Breeders’ Cup Mile

Carl Spackler
Charles Dickens
Charyn
Frateli La Vita
Johannes
Notable Speech
Romantic Warrior
Win for the Money

Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Mufasa
Remake
The Chosen Vron

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

Crown Pride
National Treasure
Raging Torrent
Three Technique

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Beach Bomb
Boudica
Content
Idea Generation
Moira
Porta Fortuna
Ten Happy Rose

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

Society
Soul of an Angel

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

Asfoora
Bradsell
Cogburn
Motorious

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

Green Impact
New Century
The Lion in Winter
Zulu Kingdom

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

And One More Time
Anshoda
Lake Victoria

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

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