Ryan Moore will surely be scheming a rocket start for European star City Of Troy in Sunday’s (3 November) G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (2000m) on the speed-friendly dirt track at Del Mar.
The son of Justify will break from gate three as this European turf star moves into the uncharted waters of American dirt racing. An alert start will help avoid kickback as well allowing him to show the relentless pace when in full stride that has characterised his six turf victories.
Not only will City Of Troy meet stars of the American dirt scene in one of the United States of America's richest races at one of the world's grandest meetings but will also encounter three highly accomplished Japanese contenders.
City Of Troy 's trainer Aidan O'Brien's worldwide achievements – including 18 Breeders' Cup winners – are well documented but victory has eluded him in the Breeders' Cup Classic despite 17 previous contenders. This modest statistic has clearly made no impact on the long-plan to direct City Of Troy towards this major American target.
"Being by Justify there was always a good chance he would perform on dirt and we have always dreamed that he could be very competitive in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He has a brave heart, a high cruising speed and is tactically very quick," O'Brien said.
Justify became the 13th winner of America's Triple Crown in 2018 before being sent to stud.
Like City Of Troy, Japan's Forever Young is a three-year-old who has won six of his seven starts. Now he has a chance of avenging his only defeat when a close third – despite a disastrous trip – in his bid to become the first Japanese-trained winner of the G1 Kentucky Derby (2000m, dirt) at Churchill Downs in May.
Now on a second big-race venture to America, his trainer Yoshito Yahagi observed trackside at Del Mar on Wednesday (30 October): "Forever Young has a difficult draw in stall one but he is in much better form to how he was in May. He is a different horse, I would say."
Fierceness is not as physically imposing as some of his rivals and has mixed some dazzling efforts with some head scratching ones. But the Todd Pletcher-trained, John Velazquez-ridden colt has now put two excellent consecutive performances together – latterly winning Saratoga's G1 Travers Stakes (2000m, dirt). This suggests that this shipper from the East to West Coast could be a leading American Classic contender.
Back in May, Rebel's Romance had landed the 13th win of his illustrious career with a strong victory in Sha Tin's G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m).
He now goes for a repeat G1 Breeders' Cup Turf (2400m) victory following on from his 2022 triumph. That was at Keeneland – and jockey William Buick will be aware that the Charlie Appleby-trained gelding now confronts Del Mar, probably the tightest turf track in the USA. But the prolific-winning six-year-old comes here fresh off yet another victory – Koln's G1 Preis Von Europa (2400m) in September.
Rivals include tough mare Emily Upjohn who resumes her partnership with the now USA-based superstar Frankie Dettori. Emily Upjohn and Dettori won Group 1 races together over this weekend's distance in 2022 and 2023.
