Breeders' Cup: 'It was over straight away' - no fairytale finale for City Of Troy in the Classic - day two as it happened

It doesn't get much bigger than this.

After months of anticipation, the time for talking is (just about) over and we are all set for City Of Troy's date with destiny in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

For the first time since Galileo in 2001, a Derby winner goes for America's biggest dirt race, this year with a total prize fund of £7 million, but worth a whole lot more than that in prestige to Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore.

The horse his master trainer has repeatedly stated to be the best he has ever trained has so far lived up to the hype with eight wins from his nine starts, the freak 2,000 Guineas blowout the sole aberration.

Since then, City Of Troy has won the Derby, Eclipse and Juddmonte International and arrives in California on a wave of support from punters in Britain and Ireland which has him installed as the 7-4 favourite on his final start before being whisked away to stud.

This will be O'Brien's 18th attempt at winning the Classic, a quest that began all the way back in 2000 when Giant's Causeway finished second.

The big question is how City Of Troy will handle a surface that until this week was completely alien to him. His sire Justify won the US Triple Crown in 2018, which has given Coolmore more confidence than they have ever had heading into a Classic. Still, there are so many unknowns, not to mention the powerful home team led by Travers Stakes winner Fierceness, and a strong Japanese contingent headed by Kentucky Derby third Forever Young.

The big one is due off at 9.41, but there is plenty of other big-race action before and after.

It could be a big night for Charlie Appleby and William Buick as they hold the favourites for the Breeders' Cup Turf (9.01) in Rebel's Romance, the Filly & Mare Turf (10.25) with Cinderella's Dream and the Turf Mile (11.45) courtesy of "the best three-year-old we've brought to the Breeders' Cup" in 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner Notable Speech.

Strap in folks, it's going to be a good one.

The 2024 Breeders' Cup comes to a spectacular conclusion this eveningCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Just the NINE Grade 1s this evening:

• 7.00 Del Mar: Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Dirt) 7f 
• 7.41 Del Mar: Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (3yo+) (Turf) 5f
• 8.21 Del Mar: Breeders' Cup Distaff (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Dirt) (3yo+) 1m1f
• 9.01 Del Mar: Breeders' Cup Turf (3yo+) (Turf) (3yo+) 1m4f
• 9.41 Del Mar: Breeders' Cup Classic (3yo+) (Dirt) (3yo+) 1m2f
• 10.25 Del Mar: Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Turf) 1m3f
• 11.05 Del Mar: Breeders' Cup Sprint (3yo+) (Dirt) 6f
• 11.45 Del Mar: Breeders' Cup Mile (3yo+) (Turf) 1m
• 12.25 Del Mar: Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (3yo+) (Dirt) 1m

Got an opinion on City Of Troy (come on, everyone does by this point) in the Classic? Got a fancy for one of the other Grade 1s, or anything else on your mind for a sensational card?

Let me know by emaiing liveblog@racingpost.com and I'll feature as much correspondence as possible.

Frankie Dettori has had his first winner of the 2024 Breeders' CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

We're off to a cracking start already on the undercard and Frankie Dettori and Owen Burrows have just combined to win the Grade 3 Goldikova Stakes with Raqiya.

From a wide draw, Dettori made all on the Shadwell filly, who was a Listed winner at Sandown during the summer.

Dettori has five rides to come this evening, with Emily Upjohn in the Breeders' Cup Turf (9.01) the clear standout.

An ear-splitting rendition of the national anthem followed the presentations to officially mark the start of the championship action on night two. I preferred last night's The Star Spangled Banner if I'm being honest.

City Of Troy at Del Mar preparing for his Classic bidCredit: Edward Whitaker

From the moment the colt By US Triple Crown winner Justify out of Group 1-winning Galileo mare Together Forever, you suspect the 'lads' at Coolmore would have had one eye on this very date in the calendar.

The Breeders' Cup Classic has become the holy grail for the world's most powerful breeding operation. They have seen and accomplished almost everything there is to do in horseracing, but this is the one they crave above all others. 

Can City Of Troy be the one to end their hoodoo? Here is how we have ended up here.

July 1, 2023: A serene debut sees him win a Curragh maiden on Irish Derby weekend at odds of 6-4. It passes without too much fanfare, but Aidan O'Brien does compliment his "great presence".

July 15, 2023: Just two weeks later and we get our first proper glimpse of that magnificent engine. Ryan Moore struggles to pull City Of Troy up after running away with the Superlative Stakes, prompting to praise his "unnatural ability." That theme from the Ballydoyle maestro will continue.

October 14, 2023: After missing his engagement in the Vincent O' Brien National Stakes due to unsuitable ground, he does take his chance in the Dewhurst despite the ground turning soft. The testing conditions made little difference as he made all and is crowned champion two-year-old. Among a mountain of platitudes thrown in City Of Troy's direction, Michael Tabor brands him "Coolmore's Frankel". For the first time in public, there is a mention of the Breeders' Cup Classic, with Tabor stating: "The way he is bred, the Breeders' Cup Classic next year or the year after would be a dream."

City Of Troy crowned one of the best two-year-old seasons in recent history with victory in the DewhurstCredit: Mark Cranham

May 4, 2024: Having spent the entire winter as hot favourite for the Classics - with talk of a Triple Crown bid growing - his return in the 2,000 Guineas is an unmitigated disaster. Up with the pace early, City Of Troy weakens quickly three furlongs out and finishes ninth of 11, 17 lengths behind Notable Speech. O'Brien puts the blame squarely on himself, saying he did not have the colt properly prepared after he got revved up in the stalls. 

June 1, 2024: A month on from the Newmarket debacle, City Of Troy rocks up to Epsom and is still the 3-1 Derby favourite after nothing but positive reports from Ballydoyle. This time, all the talk proves justified as he gets a smooth passage through and streaks away from Ambiente Friendly to end debates about his  not having trained on. O'Brien declares him the best horse he has ever trained.

City Of Troy rebounded from Guineas disaster with Derby gloryCredit: Edward Whitaker

July 6, 2024: The Troy Story moved on to Sandown with a drop down to a mile and a quarter next in the Eclipse. Nowhere near as visually impressive as the Derby, City Of Troy nonetheless gets the job done over just three rivals. "It was tough today and it was specialist ground," says O'Brien. "It didn't really go according to plan but in the end I think he won pretty easily. I imagine 'The Lads' will now look at the Juddmonte or Irish Champion Stakes before looking at America where he could finish up in the Breeders' Cup Classic."

August 21, 2024: It was the Juddmonte for arguably the race of the season that was decided, and this was the best of the lot. After the unconvincing Sandown win, a field of 13 rocked up to York but Ryan Moore decided to take matters into his own hands from the off and made all for a spectacular success. Calandagan was a valiant runner-up but couldn.t get close. Subsequent Arc winner Bluestocking was more than eight lengths behind in fourth. O'Brien again states this is the best horse he has trained and all roads now pointed towards Del Mar. "He stays, he's tough, we're hoping the lads may go to the Classic with him, that would be some dream for him," said the trainer.

How much will City Of Troy's racecourse gallop at Southwell aid his Breeders' Cup Classic bid?Credit: Edward Whitaker

September 21, 2024: That road did have a pitstop on the way to the States, as the Ballydoyle brigade landed on Southwell for surely the most hyped racecourse gallop in history with a spin on Southwell's Tapeta surface to aid preparations for his first try on the dirt. Hundreds turn up to watch as Southwell open their doors and they are not disappointed as he scoots round with the minimum of fuss under Moore. A satisfied O'Brien says: This horse has a long stride and he's dour. His stride doesn't shorten, it lengthens and his pedigree with Justify is all dirt, so he should improve for going on to it."

Will that have worked the trick? We're about to find out.

The going remains firm on the Turf course and fast on the dirt with the sun once again shining bright at Del Mar.

Here is a full list of horses to have been taken out of tonight's Grade 1s since declaration time, with the Turf Mile taking a couple hits in recent days due to the absence of Ramatuelle and Diego Velazquez.

7.00: Pandora's Gift (5)
7.41: Nothing Better (13) Charcoal (14) Frost At Dawn (15)
8.21: Batucada (3) Miss New York (8) Awesome Result (9)
9.41: Rattle N Roll (15)
10.25: Ylang Ylang (6)
11.45: Ramatuelle (1) Diego Velazquez (4)
12.25: Sabertooth (14) Kale's Angel (16) Minaret Station (8) Tenacious Leader (15)

Frankie Dettori and Raqiya won a Grade 3 on the Breeders' Cup undercardCredit: Edward Whitaker

I can bring you some reaction from Frankie Dettori after his superb ride on Raqiya in the Goldikova Stakes.

He said: "Owen Burrows left it up to me but my good friend Richard Hills has been giving me instructions for the last three weeks! She broke well, I got to the lead and then slowed it up. She made my life easy." 

Burrows added: "She takes it all in her stride. We were a bit concerned about the draw but we left it to Frankie and he dictated it from the front. She quickened off the bend and, dare I say it, she won a shade easily. She loves fast ground and, with it being so wet in Britain, we waited to come over here." 

The winner remains in the US with Todd Pletcher.

Unsure who to back tonight?

Fear not, our top tipster Harry Wilson is on hand with tips for every race at Del Mar this evening and he is already off to a perfect start having advised 7-2 winner Raqiya in the first.

Our first Grade 1 this evening, the 7f Filly & Mare Sprint on the dirt, is rapidly approaching and there is some British representation in the shape of William Knight's Frost At Dawn, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori.

However, she is a 50-1 shot and Harry is more keen on the chances of 3-1 second favourite Society.

He writes: "Society could manage only fourth in this last year, but she contested a hot pace that day and may not have that sort of pressure this time. She improved on her reappearance when bolting up in the Ballerina, with Scylla and Vahva behind, and could have more to come."

A giant US flag was wheeled out for the opening ceremonyCredit: Edward Whitaker

By David Jennings at Del Mar

Frankie Dettori has just ridden them all to sleep here on Raqiya in the Goldikova Stakes and, for those of you wondering what the turf track is riding like, here you go: "It's beautiful. Very fast, but very springy."

Emily Upjohn, of course, is Dettori's biggest chance of a Breeders' Cup win on the day and he's pretty keen on her chances in the Turf (9.01pm your time).

He said of her claims: "She's got a big, big chance. She's well and we're going to give it a try. I'm happy with the draw. The favourite [Rebel's Romance], if he turns up, is going to be hard to beat but you can't be frightened of one horse."

What a finish to the Filly & Mare Sprint as Soul Of An Angel, drawn widest of all in stall eight, causes a huge upset by coming from the clouds to collar the leaders in the final strides.

A superb ride from Drayden van Dyke (unsure if any relation), who blows the any preconceptions about the difficulty of coming from wide and behind on the dirt to pieces. 

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr is on the verge tears while being interviewed on NBC after the 33-1 winner.

Martyn and Mandy from Lincolnshire have been in touch. They are following the action live from sunny Del Mar and it's fair to say they have some confidence in City Of Troy.

"He will win this" is their simple message. Enjoy your day, guys.

Soul Of An Angel (bottom of frame) came from nowhere to shock the front-runnersCredit: Edward Whitaker

1. Soul Of An Angel 33-1
2. Society 7-2
3. Pleasant 14-1

There was a real pace collapse at the front which helped Soul Of An Angel, who was tailed off early, to come charging back.

Bradsell returned from injury in some style this seasonCredit: Patrick McCann

Our first turf race of the night is next and there are plenty of familiar names in the five-furlong Sprint (7.41)

Nunthorpe and Flying Five star Bradsell should enjoy being back on a quick surface after only managing fifth in the Abbaye last time, while Charlie Appleby's Star Of Mystery has been popular in the betting today having been backed into 7-1 (from 11).

Believing's Group 1 form figures since June read 44223 - superb consistency and she is deserving of landing a big one before retiring to the breeding sheds.

However, they all may have their work cut out against hot favourite Cogburn fro US trainer Steven Asmussen. He was last seen beating Khaadem in a Grade 2 at Keeneland and is no bigger than 11-10. That price is taken from British bookmakers, but he is odds-on in the States.

By Robbie Wilders

Cogburn: the red-hot favourite

European runners often have the edge over their US counterparts in the turf races at the Breeders’ Cup, but that seldom transpires in the Turf Sprint.

Glass Slippers (2020) remains the only European-trained winner since the Turf Sprint's inaugural running in 2008 and the home team's challenge revolves around Cogburn. The other US-based sprinters are being shunned by the layers.

This five-year-old has taken his form up a notch this campaign and pummelled two-time Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes winner Khaadem from the front over 6f at Keeneland when last seen in September. That performance, and his previous success in the Jaipur Stakes at Santa Anita, gives Cogburn a small buffer over the European contenders on Racing Post Ratings.

However, stall nine could have been kinder to this prominent racer on this drop back in trip, and the same is true for his chief market rival Bradsell (stall 12).

Could this be the day Believing (one) finally gets her Group 1? Seldom have we seen such a consistent sprinter, and her last three meetings with Bradsell have resulted in defeats of a head, a length and a quarter, and a neck by that rival. The biggest deficit between the pair in that sequence came in the Flying Five when Believing won her group of nine up the centre, while Bradsell came up the near side. This represents a golden chance for redemption.

Other points of British interest are last season’s Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Big Evs (stall 11), Starlust (four) and Star Of Mystery (six). Big Evs flopped in the Nunthorpe last time, but the same happened in the 2023 running before he bounced back in the US. The concern is whether the rest have simply progressed past this precocious sort.

Charlie Appleby’s superb Breeders’ Cup record gives Star Of Mystery a squeak if she can improve, but Starlust rates a likelier outsider to outrun his odds. He is nicely drawn, closely matched with Bradsell and Believing on Nunthorpe form, and shaped better than the result in the Abbaye last time as well as in the previous running of the Juvenile Turf Sprint.

They're beginning to head to post for this $1 million dollar contest and Cogburn is steady at the top of the market.

Bradsell has headed in the opposite direction today - you can get him at 7-1 now having been 4-1 this afternoon.

I'm sure plenty of you will be keeping an eye on 14-1 shot Big Evs, who was victorious at this meeting last year. Mick Appleby went close last night with stablemate Big Mojo, who was fourth in the Juvenile Turf Sprint.

By David Jennings at Del Mar

Our sprinters are not being given much respect over here. On the local Tote, Cogburn is now 3-5 to outsprint our best sprinters. In fairness, he looks terrific in the paddock. He's a bull of a horse and he's ready to rock. His coat was shining in the south Californian sunshine.

Of the others, Starlust looked particularly well. He's been on the go since the first day of May and this will be his eighth start of the season, but you wouldn't tell by looking at him. He's 33-1 and the make up of the race looks sure to suit. He's 40-1 on the local Tote here, we'll have a little bit of that.

There will be a delay to the beginning of the Turf Sprint as Believing has unseated Ryan Moore in the stalls. The horses are being backed out.

Moore has walked away and looks okay. Believing was wedged in the stalls and is being assessed by the vest as to whether she can take part.

Highclere's star sprinter has indeed been withdrawn. Horrible luck for George Boughey and his team.

Believing, who was wearing first-time blinkers, is cantering back towards the paddock and appears okay but misses the chance to crown her career with a Grade 1 triumph.

Ryan Moore is currently being assessed as to whether he is fit to take the rest of his rides. I'll bring you the latest on that as soon as I have it.

If you listen hard enough you can hear David Jennings celebrating out in Del Mar! What a win for Rossa Ryan and Ralph Beckett with Starlust.

However, just as a joyous Beckett was being interviewed by Nick Luck on NBC, a stewards' inquiry was called with the jockey of Isivunguvungu, who finished out of the places, objecting.