Forever Unbridled springs Breeders’ Distaff surprise

Brown notches 2nd straight win

DEL MAR, US, Nov 4, (AFP): Forever Unbridled won the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Friday to cap the opening day of action in the $28 million Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar Racetrack.

The day’s four races offered a tantalizing warm-up to Saturday’s nine-race slate, which will feature Arrogate going for a repeat in the $6 million Classic, and Highland Reel aiming for a repeat victory in the $4 million Turf.

Highland Reel trainer Aidan O’Brien opened his account with a victory in the one mile, $1 million Juvenile Turf, where Mendelssohn gave the Irish trainer a 27th Grade/ Group One victory of the year.

O’Brien, who had broken the late Forever Unbridled (right), with John R. Velazquez aboard, wins the Longines Distaff horse race during the first day of the Breeders’ Cup on Nov 3, in Del Mar,

California. (AP) “She took too long to find a gear and by then it was too late and there was some horses in front of her,” jockey Ryan Moore said.

Moore made sure it didn’t happen again in the Juvenile Turf.

Mendelssohn broke sharply from the first stall, settled in behind the leaders and powered around the Richard Fahey-trained Sands of Mali as they turned for home.

Down the stretch he pulled away to beat Untamed Domain by a length, with Voting Control third, a further half-length back.

“It went very smooth,” Moore said. “When he hit the front, he wasn’t quite sure how to get down and gallop yet. So I think there’s more to come from him.”