Longshot bettors should be rejoicing if they managed to stay away from picking favorites in the majority of Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In" races.
From Aqueduct in New York to Keeneland in Kentucky to Santa Anita in California, the eight “WAYI’’ races that awarded the winners fees-paid, automatic berths in corresponding Breeders’ Cup races produced six longshot winners.
Ted Noffey, though, defied a day of upsets with an impressive 2 ¾-length in the Caliborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, improving to 3-0 and clinching a spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar on Oct. 31.
Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, Ted Noffey covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.98 in his first race around two turns. The Into Mischief colt won the 7-furlong Hopeful Stakes (G1) prior to the Futurity.
“Everything in his training indicated to us that he wouldn’t have any issue with (two turns),’’ Pletcher said. “It’s always great to see them actually do it.
“It worked out beautifully today. He had a good trip to the first turn, got into a good rhythm and was just kind of waiting on Johnny Velazquez to give him the cue. It was what we were hoping for and what we expected but, like I said, you always want to see it.”
For those who bet horse racing, and love longshots ...
In the other two “WAYI’’ races to the BC Juvenile on Saturday, longshots ruled:
At Aqueduct, Napoleon Solo ($15.94) stunned 2-5 favorite It’s Our Time by rolling to a 6 ½-length win in the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct.
At Santa Anita, 8-1 Intrepido ($19.60) surged past dueling Bob Baffert-trained favorites Desert Gate (9-10) and Kristofferson (9-5) for the surprise win in American Pharoah Stakes (G1). Desert Gate was second and Plutarch, also trained by Baffert, was third.
Napoleon Solo led from the start, with It’s Our Time, a 17 ¾-length winner in his career debut, second. In the stretch, It’s Our Time faded to fourth while Napoleon Solo, under Joel Rosario, pulled away from the field.
As for the Breeders’ Cup, trainer Chad Summers wasn’t fully committed.
“I don’t know. Look, [with] a race like this, you want to go. But that was a fast time with a young horse who has only run two races,’’ he said. “We will look at all the numbers, see how the numbers come back, get together with Al (owner Al Gold). The Breeders’ Cup is in California, I wish it was on the East Coast once or twice. Get on a plane and get over there, there’s a lot of things to take under consideration.”
Tom Amoss, who trains It’s Our Time, complimented the winner.
“Look, the horse on the lead ran superb. That three-quarter time is outstanding,’’ Amoss said. “We were trying to win the race, constantly in chase mode, and it eventually caught up to us, last eighth of a mile.”
Winning time for the mile was 1:34.57.
Intrepido (8-1), trained by Jeff Mullins, was ridden by Hector Berrios and won by three-quarters of a length.
Baffert had four of the six horses in the race, but perhaps his top 2-year-old, Brant, was not among them but will likely run in the Juvenile.
“When I made my move to the outside he responded, although not very strongly at first,” Berrios said. “When I asked him again, he responded and produced an impressive change of pace. He flew down the stretch. He’s an amazing horse.”
Winning time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:43.67.
At the Big A, 12-1 Ground Support ($26.86) beat 2-1 favorite Deep Learning by two lengths in the Miss Grillo Stakes (G2), securing a fees-paid, automatic berth in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).
The filly won her career debut at Kentucky Downs on Aug. 30 at 100-1 odds – yes 100-1!
At Keeneland, Praying ($21.74), trained by Robert Medina and ridden by John Velazquez, upset favorite Vahva by a half-length in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) and was awarded a fees-paid, automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1)
Also, New York-bred Rhetorical ($21.18) made a successful debut in open company by upsetting 6-5 favorite Diego Velazquez (fifth) in the $1.25 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1).
The Not This Time filly trained by Will Walden was ridden by Velazquez, who had five winners on the day.
Mission of Joy ($25.80), piloted by Umberto Rispoli, got up in the final strides for a head victory over fellow longshot Speed Shopper (14-1) in Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2), earning a spot in the BC Filly & Mare Turf. Amber Cascade, the favorite, was fifth.
And finally, a favorite came through in the Oak Leaf Stakes (G2), with 2-5 Explora ($2.80) drawing off for a 4 ½-length victory over La Wally to gain a berth in the BC Juvenile Fillies. The winner is trained by Baffert.
On Friday, favorites fared well as Nakatomi ($5.20) won the Stoll Kenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2), Imaginationthelady ($22.16) won the Jessamine Stakes (G2) and Tommy Jo ($2.88) won the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) by DQ at Keeneland
At Aqueduct, it was Intricate Spirit ($7.82), the second betting choice at 5-2, winning the Futurity Stakes (G3) and favorite Bottas ($4.48) capturing the Pilgrim Stakes (G2).
Amber Cascade, trained by Mike Maker, is the 5-2 in a field of eight in the $200,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2).
Explora is the 4-5 favorite for Baffert in a field of six for the $200,000 Oak Leaf Stakes (G2).
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
