It was a busy weekend in the US too with most of the winners now heading to the Breeders' Cup races.
Starting off in Keeneland with the Gr 2 Woodford over1100m on the turf with 9 runners and the winner was the English raider Khadeem who ran a blinder coming from the back of the field to the front where he was followed by Script 25/1 and Joe Shiesky 5/1.
The Thoroughbred Club of America Gr 2 for f&m over 1200m went to Praying on 9/1 which the connections must have been doing a good deal of, with favourite Vahva second and Zeitus third.
Then the Gr 1s started with the First Lady for f&m over 1600m turf which finished up with a field of 11. Simply In Front 10/1 was the first home (Keneally-Curtis) with Segesta second and English raider Choisya third.
The Breeders' Futurity Gr 1 over 1700m for the 2yos saw an impressive win from Ted Noffey, the odds-on favourite, who should be a strong contender in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Blackout Time was 2 ¾ lengths away in second and Litmus Test 10/1 ran thid of the 7 runners.
The Coolmore Turf Mile Gr 1 was the highlight of the afternoon and a bit of an upset here as it went to Rhetorical 9/1 (Walden- I Ortiz) with Program Trading second and Brilliant Berti just nudged Jonquil out of third. It was not his day for Diego Velzquez as he finished fifth but his target is in the Breeders'.
On Sunday there was the Spinster Gr 1 where Thorpedo Anna was at prohibitive odds and then failed to come on in the straight and it was left to Gin Gin and Nitrogen to fights out the finish and that was the order they finished in – Nitrogen put up a great fight to get back into close contention at the finish.
The Castle & Key Bourbon Gr 2 over 1700m went as expected to Final Score a son of Not This Time (whose progeny did well here). Turf Star 12/1 and Gordon Pass 52/1 were the placegetters.
At Aqueduct on Saturday Asbury Place had no problems in winning the Jockey Club Invitational with Noble Confessor 8/1 second and Hill Road third.
The Frizette Gr 1 over 1400m for 2yo fillies saw favourite Iron Orchard confirm her class with Rileytole 35/1 second and Five Bars third.
The Champagne over 1600m for 2yos went to Napoleon Solo from Talkin with Universe 25/1 third.
The Gr 2 Miss Grille saw Ground Support 12/1 win (Danner-Beschizza) from Deep Learning and Quiet Street.
Then to Santa Anita and the Gr 1 American over 1700m for the 2yos with 6 runners so the win went to Intrepide – Mullins -Berrios from Desert Gate and no third dividend.
The Rodeo Drive Gr 2 over 2000m turf for f&m at least attracted 8 runners with Mission of Joy 12/1 (d'Amato-Rispoli) winning from Speed Shopper 15/1 and Starry Heavens.
The Oak Leaf Gr 2 was for 2yo fillies and the odds-on favourite Explore for Baffert – J J Hernandez with La Wally second.
