October surprises for known, and not-so well known, horses
Winners of Breeders’ Cup preps in recent weeks included a number of familiar names. They also included four lesserknown horses – Ivar, Happy Saver, Valiance and Harvey’s Lil Goil – who stepped up to win their first U.S. Grade 1s in major races at Keeneland and Belmont. All four are being considered for the Breeders’ Cup.
Ivar – With a prospective field that includes Starship Jubilee, Raging Bull, Mo Forza and defending champ Uni – plus whatever horses ship over from Europe – the Mile once again looms as one of the most competitive Breeders’ Cup events. The field added another contender on Oct. 3 when the Brazilian-bred Ivar, ignored in the wagering at 14-1, rallied for a one-length victory in the Shadwell Mile.
A grandson of Sunday Silence via his son Agnes Gold, Ivar came from well back in the field of nine turf milers. Steered to the outside by jockey Joe Talamo, the 4-year- old colt reached contention in upper stretch, commencing a sustained run that saw him out-finish Raging
Bull and Without Parole. It was Ivar’s second win in five North American starts and his first graded score since a pair of G1s earned him the 3-yearold championship in Argentina.
Happy Saver – The likely BC Classic lineup features Improbable, Tom’s d’Etat, Maximum Security and classic winners Tiz the Law and Authentic. This stellar group had to make room for new blood when lightly raced 3-year- old Happy Saver, making his first start in a graded race at any level, turned in a hard-fought victory two weeks ago in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Making just his fourth career start, the unbeaten son of 2010 Derby winner Super Saver was well-regarded at 11-5 in the fivehorse field. Tacitus, the 3-5 favorite, got away with a poky opening half-mile in :49.68 and appeared to be on the way to his first G1 victory. But Happy Saver (on the inside) and Mystic Guide (to the outside) went by the tiring leader approaching the eighth pole, with Happy Saver out-gaming Mystic Guide to post a threequarter-length win.
Valiance – Not so long ago, the Distaff looked like it might have the strongest field of any of this year’s Breeders’ Cup races. Recent developments, however, have altered the picture. Midnight Bisou was injured and retired; She dares the devil and Horologist are skipping the Breeders’ Cup; Dunbar Road and Vexatious disappointed in their most recent outings; and Swiss Skydiver reportedly is more likely to run in the Classic.
Helping to beef up the Distaff field is Valiance, a three- quarter-length winner of the Spinster Stakes on Oct. 4. The 4-year- old Tapit filly had won five of seven starts, including a pair of minor stakes, but had yet to compete at the G1 level. Beaten horses included Kentucky Oaks winner She dares the devil and Ollie’s Candy, who has hit the board in five straight G1s this year.
Harvey’s Lil Goil – Harvey’s Lil Goil had a couple of things in her favor two weeks ago in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. First, she would be running on turf, the surface on which the versatile 3-year- old had recorded her lone graded win (the G3 Regret). And second, the field did not include Swiss Skydiver, who Harvey’s Lil Goil had chased home in the Alabama and Fantasy Stakes.
Sent off as he 7-2 third choice, Harvey’s Lil Goil settled in behind favored Sweet Melania, stalking her through a moderate three quarters in 1:12.16. Harvey’s Lil Goil took over at the top of the lane, holding off Micheline to prevail by three quarters of a length. Sweet Melania – like the winner, a daughter of American Pharoah – checked in last of seven.
If Harvey’s Lil Goil runs in the BC Filly & Mare Turf, her likely opponents will include the formidable Rushing Fall, a 10-time graded winner; champion Sister charlie, who won this race in 2018 and was third last year; and recent G1 winners Mucho Unusual and Civil Union.