Essential Quality, Vequist stamp championship credentials on Breeders' Cup Friday

The first day of racing at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships produced a bevy of breathtaking performances as talented 2-year-olds scored signature victories on "Future Stars Friday."

The first of five winners at Keeneland was Golden Pal, who led all the way to nab the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2) as the 4-5 favorite. Even though jockey Irad Ortiz briefly attempted to ration the colt’s blistering speed, Golden Pal refused to relent, sprinting along through splits of :21.62 and :44.63 before digging deep to beat deep closers Cowan and Ubettabelievit in 1:02.82 for 5 1/2 furlongs.

Golden Pal was shortening stride down the stretch, shrinking his lead from four lengths to three-quarters of a length at the wire, but victory was never really in doubt. A son of Uncle Mo out of 2015 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) runner-up Lady Shipman, Golden Pal could be a prime contender for the 2021 Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot if trainer Wesley Ward and owner Ranlo Investment opt to travel abroad.

Ward nearly nabbed another victory with Outadore, who carved out fractions of :23.64, :48.12, and 1:12.60 to turn for home in command of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). But down the lane, 30-1 shot Fire At Will rallied to the front from a pace-tracking position, powering clear under Ricardo Santana to beat stretch-running Battleground by three lengths in 1:35.81. Outadore held on for third place in the 1-mile event.

Owned by Three Diamonds Farm, Fire At Will secured his third straight victory, following triumphs in the With Anticipation S. and Pilgrim (G2) on the New York circuit. A son of Declaration of War produced by a Kitten’s Joy mare, Fire At Will is bred to be an elite turf star, and his effort at Keeneland suggests the Mike Maker trainee is bound for a bright future.

The $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) was billed as a showdown between four undefeated fillies, but in the end, they finished 2-3-4-5 while Vequist stole the show. Saving ground behind fractions of :23.30, :47.12, and 1:11.32, the daughter of Nyquist rallied gamely up the rail in the final furlong, edging two lengths clear of Dayoutoftheoffice, Girl Daddy, and Simply Ravishing while stopping the timer in 1:42.30 for 1 1/16 miles.

Victorious in the Spinaway (G1) during the summer at Saratoga, Vequist entered the Breeders’ Cup off a runner-up effort behind Dayoutoftheoffice in the Frizette (G1). Enjoying a perfect trip under Joel Rosario helped Vequist turn the tables, and prevailing at Keeneland likely secured the Robert Reid trainee an Eclipse Award as the champion 2-year-old filly of 2020. The 2021 Kentucky Oaks (G1) now looms as a long-term goal for the Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, and Swilcan Stable colorbearer.

The final two races of the afternoon saw trainer Brad Cox secure a lucrative double. Aunt Pearl was the first to strike, leading all the way to win the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) under Florent Geroux. Clear by at least 2 1/2 lengths at every call, Aunt Pearl maintained her margin to the finish line, beating the late-charging European raiders Mother Earth and Miss Amulet in the time of 1:35.71 for a mile.

The daughter of Lope de Vega has never been headed in three starts, previously winning a Churchill Downs maiden race and the Jessamine (G2) by daylight margins. The Irish-bred filly looks like an exciting young turf star for the partnership of Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Peter Deutsch, Michael E. Kisber, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables.

Cox returned to the winner’s circle in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), won by the undefeated Essential Quality in a driving finish. Coming off a runaway win in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), Essential Quality was content to settle in mid-pack through quick splits of :22.58, :45.31, and 1:10.48 before rallying boldly into contention down the lane. Under urging from Luis Saez, Essential Quality was always moving strongest, forging clear to beat 94-1 longshot Hot Rod Charlie by three-quarters of a length. Breeders’ Futurity runner-up Keepmeinmind rallied to beat heavy favorite Jackie’s Warrior for third place.

A Godolphin homebred, Essential Quality completed the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:42.09 to stake his claim as the champion 2-year-old male of 2020. A son of Tapit produced by an Elusive Quality mare, Essential Quality is bred to improve with maturity and looms as an exciting prospect for the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Completing the Breeders’ Futurity/Breeders’ Cup Juvenile double has given Essential Quality 30 qualification points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, placing him firmly atop the early leaderboard.

The Breeders’ Cup continues on Saturday with nine more championship races, including the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.