Aidan O’Brien has landed in California to receive disappointing news as two of his top horses were assigned unfavorable starting positions at the upcoming Breeders’ Cup event.
O’Brien, renowned for his successful racing career, is on the verge of setting a new record with three more Group 1 wins to match his own world record of 28 victories in a year. Additionally, he is just one win away from becoming the most accomplished Breeders’ Cup trainer to date.
With eight opportunities to enhance his current tally of 20 Cup triumphs over the weekend, O’Brien’s key contenders include Minnie Hauk, the runner-up at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, set to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Among his other hopefuls are Precise, the winner of the Fillies’ Mile, slated for the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf, and Gstaad, the second-place finisher at the Dewhurst Stakes, gearing up for the Juvenile Turf.
Despite the setback of receiving unfavorable post positions, Precise drew the last stall, number 13 out of 13, while Gstaad will start from position 14 on the tight Del Mar turf oval.
Bookmakers quickly adjusted their odds following the news, with Precise now at 11-10 from Evens and Gstaad moved out to 11-10 from 4-5. Lee Phelps, a spokesperson, remarked on the challenging berths for Precise and Gstaad, noting the impact on their chances at the Del Mar track.
Notably, Henri Matisse defied the odds last year by winning the Juvenile Turf from the 12th stall at the same venue, offering O’Brien some reassurance.
In preparation for the races, O’Brien observed his horses on the track for the first time, expressing satisfaction with their demeanor and readiness. He outlined their schedule leading up to the event, mentioning plans for them to acclimate to the venue.
Regarding the unfavorable draws, O’Brien maintained a pragmatic outlook, acknowledging the randomness of the situation and emphasizing the importance of his jockey’s assessment.
