Breeders’ Cup Saturday 2024 Recap Part 2

By Jarrod Horak

I am recapping the Breeders’ Cup Saturday 2024 action in three posts. In my first report, I looked back at the BC Filly & Mare Sprint, BC Turf Sprint, BC Distaff, and BC Turf. My second article featured a recap of the BC Classic, and I will recap the final four BC races in this post.

BC Filly & Mare Turf (25.38, 49.84, 1:15.08, 1:39.90, 2:03.41, 2:14.95) – Winner: Moira ($13.60)

This was a tale of two trips. Moira, ridden from post 9 by Flavien Prat, raced in midpack while out in the clear, and she smartly moved up, got clear in the stretch, and held off post time favorite Cinderella’s Dream to win by a half-length. The latter stalked inside and had nowhere to go for much of the race. She was desperate for running room under William Buick and found it too late. She was probably best in this race for trainer Charles Appleby. Didia (ARG) got a clear stalking trip and missed the place by a nose, and Beautiful Love (IRE) got a great inside stalking trip under Oisin Murphy and ended up an even 4th at 29-1 odds. War Like Goddess raced wide and finished 5th, and Content (IRE), pacesetter Full Count Felicia, Beach Bomb (SAF), Anisette (GB), Soprano (IRE), Sunset Glory (IRE), and Hang the Moon also ran. Kevin Attard was the winning conditioner and Moira was exiting a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor at 1 1/4 miles at Woodbine.

BC Sprint (21.74, 44.12, 56.04, 1:08.62) – Winner: Straight No Chaser ($14.20)

Federal Judge set the pace and that was not a surprise. 28-1 longshot Bentornado pressed from second and Straight No Chaser got the right tactical trip in third behind the two early runners. Federal Judge threw in the towel and Bentornado took the lead. It briefly looked like Straight No Chaser would not be able to keep up prior to turning for home, but he re-broke, came after Bentornado, and wore down that foe to win by a half-length for John Velazquez and Dan Blacker. Bentornado ran too good to lose and was clearly second best. Beaten favorite Mullikin came running for the show under Flavien Prat. Gun Pilot, Federal Judge, Nakatomi, Raging Torrent, Meta Max, Don Frankie (JPN), Skelly, and Remake (JPN) also ran. Straight No Chaser, seemingly a need to lead type for MyRacehorse, proved that he could stalk and pounce in this race. He was exiting a front running victory in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2). 

BC Mile (22.73, 45.90, 1:08.89, 1:20.78, 1:32.65) – Winner: More Than Looks ($15.80)

You just knew the pace would be honest with Goliad in the race. He did his thing out front and faded as expected, and Ten Happy Rose (JPN) chased from 2nd and took over the running after Goliad gave up the ghost. There were some talented turf runners in this race (Carl Spackler, Chili Flag, Johannes, Notable Speech, Porta Fortuna), but they all took a back seat to More Than Looks (Jose Ortiz/Cherie DeVaux). The latter was at the back of the pack with two furlongs to go. Ten Happy Rose was the one to catch in the stretch and stalker Johannes made his move, but More Than Looks put in a strong stretch run and went by them all to score by 3/4ths of a length. Johannes held the place by a head over closing favorite Notable Speech (Buick-Appleby). Ten Happy Rose grudgingly weakened to 4th and was followed by Geoglyph (JPN), Carl Spackler (IRE), Chili Flag (FR), Porta Fortuna (IRE), Goliad, and Win for the Money. More Than Looks finished 2nd to Carl Spackler in the Fourstardave (G1) and Keeneland Turf Mile (G1) prior to his win in this contest.  

BC Dirt Mile (22.30, 45.47, 1:09.69, 1:22.54, 1:35.48) – Winner: Full Serrano ($28.80) 

Longshot T O Saint Denis carved out the fractions and Full Serrano (ARG) chased from second, took over from the 77-1 early runner, opened up a clear lead, and held safe by a length and a half for Joel Rosario and John Sadler. Post Time rallied from 13th and last to finish a clear second. He broke 12th under Sheldon Russell and was left with a bit too much to do. Race favorite Domestic Product broke 11th, made a run under Flavien Prat approaching the stretch, and flattened out and was best of the rest in third. Tumbarumba, Katonah, Skippylongstocking (wide from post 13), Muth (wide throughout from post 10), Seize the Grey, T O Saint Denis, Cagliostro, Mufasa (CHI), Three Technique, and Saudi Crown completed the order of finish. Full Serrano was exiting a runner-up finish in the Pacific Classic (G1). 

Breeders’ Cup Saturday 2024 Recap Part 1

Sierra Leone is the boss in Breeders’ Cup Classic