AIDAN O’BRIEN racked up his 27th top-level triumph of the year as Mendelssohn took victory on the opening night of the Breeders’ Cup in San Diego.
With Ryan Moore on board, the result was never really in doubt once past the stretch and despite US-trained runners finishing second, third and fourth, it was O’Brien who took home his fourth Juvenile Turf triumph, his 12th Breeders’ Cup success overall and the $1m prize.
“A beautiful horse who’s very talented,” Moore said afterwards.
“He’s still learning and even today he wasn’t sure when he was front. He got away well and travelled very kindly the whole race. He was able to ease his way out and he won, and I felt he still had plenty to give. He’s a big, raw horse still and he’ll improve with racing and experience.”
There had been disappointment for O’Brien earlier in the evening when both September and Happily fell short in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf.
Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore strike with Mendelssohn in the @BreedersCup Juvenile Turf! #BC17 pic.twitter.com/dvJIHqdXOt
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 3, 2017
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