Star status for Game Winner and Record but Duty's Turf win was seismic

By its very definition, Future Stars Friday of the Breeders’ Cup ought to throw up a few outcomes that might be deemed momentous with an eye on what is to come.

However, time could prove that this year’s card was particularly seismic. With Bob Baffert producing his fourth Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner in the aptly-named Game Winner, for the locals that might have been enough.

The magic of the Kentucky Derby resonates throughout the States, and Baffert is the undisputed daddy of the ‘Run for the Roses’.

Bob Baffert has another Kentucky Derby contender in Game WinnerCredit: Edward Whitaker

He has already won five, but, in masterminding two victories in the last three years with horses who went on to claim the Triple Crown, the inimitably suave Californian has prompted levels of adulation reserved for the immortals.

American Pharoah and Justify have set the bar high, but Game Winner will head into the winter a strong favourite for a race that sends Louisville into an almighty frenzy on the first Saturday in May.

The scent of mint juleps and Woodford Reserve bourbon will soothe impatient fanatics until spring is fully sprung now that Kentucky has a horse to hang the dream on once again.

“He likes Churchill Downs, so that's a good sign,” Baffert cooed with all his potent charisma when pressed on the Derby for Game Winner.

When you factor in the sensational Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Newspaperofrecord, Future Stars Friday certainly evoked a sense of giddiness at what might follow.

Newspaperofrecord eases by the line in the Breeders' Cup Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs under Irad Ortiz JrCredit: Edward Whitaker

Her devastating performance stopped the clock more than a second quicker than Line Of Duty and prompted some to wonder if she could be a filly of such rare quality that she might warrant a stab at becoming the first female Derby winner since Winning Colors in 1988.

An Ascot foray for the Coronation Stakes would be lovely, but a tilt at the 'Durby' – wow. Now that would be awesome.

Despite this teeming sense of anticipation, it was the outcome of the Juvenile Turf that left you wondering if we witnessed something maybe less profound but of even more consequence.

In Line Of Duty, Charlie Appleby – who had to sweat through a stewards' inquiry after a bumping match in the straight – has yet another serious Classic prospect for 2019, but the significance extends beyond that.

The terrier-like dynamo was the very first Galileo colt acquired by Sheikh Mohammed following the end of a 12-year-long sales boycott of Coolmore stallions.

William Buick and Charlie Appleby return to the winner's enclosure after landing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile TurfCredit: Edward Whitaker

Lot 14 at Tattersalls Book 1 Sale set Godolphin back 400,000gns and on Friday it brought the firm right back up to speed in the 21^st century by delivering a tantalising Galileo Grade 1 win. Sheikh Mohammed now has a taste of what he was missing.

On top of their own considerable wealth of resources, spearheaded by Galileo’s stud rival Dubawi, Godolphin now have access to the single most influential sire of his generation as well as assorted other Coolmore jewels. The diffusion of tensions off the track will make for quite the opposite on the track.

Saeed bin Suroor is back on the charge as well, but Appleby deserves immense credit for his role in Godolphin’s revitalisation.

In the 13 months since the impasse was lifted, he has saddled 13 Group or Grade 1 winners. Prior to events in Churchill Downs on Saturday, he had won with three of his five Breeders' Cup runners.

This year alone, Appleby has saddled Group 1 winners in seven different countries and secured that elusive first Derby in Godolphin blue for Sheikh Mohammed with Masar.

“He’s a sire that we’re lucky to be back involved with,” Appleby said of Galileo. “To have Galileo's and Dubawi's in the stable gives you a great advantage. There is no difference between them.

"When you get offspring of these mighty stallions, they fight for it. They want it. They don’t lie down when it comes to a fight and that’s what’s important.”

Future Stars Friday results

Freddy Head doesn’t take things lying down either, and he departed Louisville before the 35^th Breeders’ Cup began after a contretemps down the backside on Friday morning.

Head was apoplectic that the Mile favourite Polydream was deemed unfit to race by the local veterinary officials.

He insisted the filly’s uneven gait was normal for her, but the adjudicators were not for turning, and the man who saddled Goldikova to win the same race three times between 2008 and 2010 turned on his heels and bid Kentucky adieu.

A star of Breeders’ Cups past could not add to his legacy this time, then, but Head will grace Stateside some time soon again, as might Toast Of New York.

Jamie Osborne’s gallant 2014 Classic runner-up did not make the cut for the Classic and failed to stay in the Marathon.

While Osborne confirmed the plan is for him to race on, at this stage only the most devoted Toast fans could argue he will make an impression on future Breeders' Cups.

Still, the memory of that epic Santa Anita joust with Bayern and California Chrome will endure. He did his bit.

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