Aomori City charges late for third in G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Aomori City unleashed a late surge to snatch third in a dramatic running of the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, USA, on Friday, 1 November.   

In a quirk of fate, Aomori City burst through the starting stalls shortly before the off, with the same thing having happened to Modern Games prior to his win in the race at the same course three years earlier.   

The Charlie Appleby-trained runner was soon reloaded and raced in a clear last of the 12 runners early on, some eight lengths behind the pace-setting Dream On, with stable-mate Al Qudra racing keenly in eighth.    

Both Godolphin colts continued to race towards the rear and charted wide courses as they looked to improve at the top of the straight. James Doyle switched Al Qudra back inside soon after but lost all chance as he was impeded by Seagulls Eleven a furlong out, an incident that almost unshipped the jockey.   

Wiliam Buick remained wide and quickened from 10th to third inside the final furlong, finishing a neck and a half-length behind Henri Matisse and Iron Man Cal. 

Charlie Appleby said: “It was a big run from Aomori City. Breaking through the gates early was less than ideal and we had a bad draw [11], although the winner was drawn wider than us. We dropped in and came running late with a good, solid run. James was a bit unlucky on Al Qudra and fortunate to stay up. Well done to the winning team.”    

William Buick added: “Aomori City ran super. It probably didn’t help that he hit the gate and broke through. He didn’t travel as well as I expected, but maybe that’s because he broke through the gate. It was a good run from a wide draw. Maybe with a good draw and different gate situation, he could have won the race.”