Son of Sergei Prokofiev punches ticket to Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. (The Curragh/Tom Maher from INPHO)
Precise wins Moyglare Stud Stakes
Arizona Blaze and Precise both get “Ins’ in Breeders’ Cup
Breeders’ Cup Release
THE CURRAGH, Ireland – AMO Racing Ltd. & Giselle De Aguiar’s Arizona Blaze (GB) bounced back from a disappointing run last time out to win the 5-furlong Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes (G1) under David Egan for trainer Adrian Murray. The victory gave Arizona Blaze an automatic berth into the $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 93 stakes races in 15 countries whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.
The 3-year-old son of Sergei Prokofiev (ON) was the favorite for the Coolmore Wooton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) when finishing 11th of 17 runners despite winning the Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes (G2) at The Curragh in July.
Arizona Blaze lined up as one of two leading contenders for trainer Adrian Murray in the Amo Racing colors along with the hat-trick-seeking Bucanero Fuerte (GB).
Bucanero Fuerte was the shorter of the two in the betting at 9-2, but Arizona Blaze (11-2) was the choice of Amo Racing’s retained rider David Egan whose decision was justified as his mount kept on well to land the Group 1 feature contest by 1 length from Nighteyes (IRE), with stablemate Bucanero Fuerte in third.
Arizona Blaze sat behind Bucanero Fuerte after breaking from the stalls before edging past 3 furlongs out. The Karl Burke-trained Night Raider (IRE) attempted to challenge in the closing stages but could not compete and finished fifth.
Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) winner Asfoora (AUS) was prominent throughout but failed to find a change of gear when required and finished seventh.
Jockey David Egan said: “If anyone deserves a Group 1, it’s Arizona. He was narrowly defeated as a juvenile and nearly won the Commonwealth Cup (G1) (at Royal Ascot). I’m delighted for him today as the son of Sergei Prokofiev — he’s a Group 1 horse and they’ve been campaigning him for that.
“Another Group 1 for Kia and for myself is very gracious and humbling — onto the next one!”
Arizona Blaze finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar last year, and a return trip appears to be an option according to Amo Racing boss Kia Joorabchian who said: “I think Arizona will go on to the Breeders’ Cup — we’ll have a lot of fun with him.”
Arizona Blaze completed the 5 furlongs in 59.03 seconds on a surface listed as yielding.
Precise Upstages Favorites in Moyglare Stud Stakes
Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Westerberg’s Precise (IRE) put in a sterling performance Sunday to deny stablemate Beautify (IRE) by three-quarters of a length to win the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) at The Curragh in a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series race for an automatic position into the $1 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).
The 2-year-old daughter of Starspangledbanner (AUS) had previously gained an automatic berth into the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf when she captured the Aug. 24 Prestige Fillies’ Stakes (G3) at Goodwood last time out.
Ballydoyle’s even-money favorite Composing (IRE) was soon in front in the hands of Christophe Soumillon, with two other Ballydoyle runners ─ Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael B. Tabor’s Group 2 winning Beautify (IRE), and Precise.
The unbeaten Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy-owned Venetian Sun (IRE) was caught in a pocket early in the race but Precise had clear daylight down the outside under Ronan Whelan and quickened up well to take the lead inside the final furlong. She overhauled Beautify, who finished second with Venetian Sun and Composing in third and fourth, respectively.
Precise was the 11th Moyglare Stud Stakes winner for trainer Aidan O’Brien, who reported that the Breeders’ Cup is under consideration for her. He said: “She’s an improving filly who had a lovely run the last day and has come forward a lot. She’s a home-bred filly who is out of a Galileo mare with a good pedigree.
“That was a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup and she’d love that fast ground. She’s a slick mover. Now she’s a Group 1 winner we can go gentle with her.”
Precise completed the 7 furlongs 1:29.13 on a surface listed as yielding.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for Arizona Blaze to start in the $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, which will be run at 5 furlongs, and for Precise to start in the $1 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, which will be contested at 1 mile. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.
