Two days of great racing at Del Mar, a tricky but pleasant track.
If you are looking to see who did better out of the home team and the raiders, stop here as it was much in favour of the home team but then the races mostly are more suitable for them.
Friday's card started off with an upset we Magnum Force won the Juvenile Turf Sprint for Ger Lyons and Col Keane. We (Whistlejacket) ran fifth but got blocked a couple of times and at least they pay the first 10.
Immersive managed to hold her unbeaten record in the Juvenile Fillies and Lake Victoria was too good for the rest in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
The Breeders' Cup Juvenile went to Citizen Bull when favourite East River stumbled at the start. In the US you have to get a good start.
Henri Matisse gave the Coolmore lads a second win and a double for O'Brien-Moore in the Juvenile Turf – he's another of the Wooton Bassetts doing well at present.
Saturday's card also started off with an upset when Soul of an Angel scored at 20/1. The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint was another upset when Starlust came through for Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan at 34/1, giving them another big race win.
The Distaff went to the lovely Thorpedo Anna. It was a pleasure just to watch her get her 5th Gr1 of the year and she seems to have a lovely personality.
And Rebel's Romance added to his multi-country/continent wins in the BC Turf but he had to withstand a serious challenge from the Japanese runners Roushan Park who always gets under the radar and Sharyar.
And the gorgeous Sierra Leone finally got to shine in the sun by winning the Classic – hope his connections found the wait worthwhile! Fierceness was second and Forever Young not that far away in third.
Canada's wonderful Moira won the F&M Turf – she's never been out of the frame and was Canada's horse of the year and a real national hero/ine at home.
The Sprint went to Straight No Chaser which could be a description of how he ran. Bentornatio 28/1 and Mullikin were the bridesmaids.
The Turf Mile gave trainer Cherie de Vaux her first BC winner when More Than Looks saluted under a top ride from J-l Ortiz.
And then the Dirt Mile was a win for the Argentinian-bred Full Serrano.
A sad note – Jayarebe collapsed after the BC Turf and unfortunately had suffered a fatal cardiac attack. So heart breaking for all the connections.
Otherwise it sounds like a good time was had by all!
