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Breeders Cup News

Breeders' Cup: Davis Takes the Reins with Two Prime Contenders

After a stellar summer and an impressive autumn campaign, Dylan Davis is set for his third Breeders’ Cup appearance, this time at Del Mar. The 29-year-old jockey is feeling optimistic with two promising rides on Friday’s card.

Davis will be aboard Quickick in the $2 million Juvenile Fillies for trainer Tom Amoss, and Abientot in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf for Mark Casse. These will be his third and fourth Breeders’ Cup mounts, after previously riding Carson’s Run to a ninth-place finish in last year’s Juvenile Turf and Second of July in the 2020 Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Quickick, who broke her maiden in her second race at Saratoga, impressively defeated fillies Scottish Lassie and Snowyte—both of whom went on to run one-two in the Grade 1 Frizette at Aqueduct. Davis has been Quickick’s jockey throughout her career, including a strong second-place finish in the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland, where she was runner-up to Immersive, the likely favorite for Friday’s Juvenile Fillies.

Reflecting on Quickick’s performance in the Alcibiades, Davis noted, “She was on her left lead down the stretch. I believe a bit more experience and focus could have seen her win that race.”

Amoss sees Davis as a rising talent, stating, “Dylan’s always been a top rider with limited opportunities against a world-class jockey colony. Now, with more chances, he’s proving how good he truly is. We’re fortunate to have him riding Quickick.”

For Casse, Davis will ride Abientot, a filly with two wins in five starts under her belt, including a thrilling, last-second victory in the Grade 3 Matron over six furlongs. Casse chose the Juvenile Fillies Turf (one mile) over a shorter five-furlong Juvenile Turf Sprint, feeling confident that Abientot will excel over the longer distance.

“She ran a great sprint, but I think she’ll handle the mile well,” Davis commented. “If she shows the same burst of speed, she’ll be a real contender. I’m excited for her.”

A Breeders’ Cup win would crown what has already been a banner year for Davis, who is the son of jockey Robbie Davis. At Saratoga, Davis finished third in the standings with 36 wins and a personal-best eight stakes victories. He carried that momentum into the Belmont at Big A fall meet, where he leads the standings with 41 wins, 13 ahead of his closest competitor, Kendrick Carmouche.

Davis’s success at Saratoga has opened doors, including opportunities with top trainer Chad Brown. Davis has won seven races from 15 starts for Brown at the fall meet, including a Grade 3 Knickerbocker victory with Andthewinneris. Brown has also assigned Davis to ride promising juveniles Keewaydin and Fully Subscribed, who will race in the Grade 2 Remsen and Grade 2 Demoiselle in December.

“Chad told me he wanted me to succeed, and he’s been giving me great opportunities,” Davis shared. “I feel very fortunate and honored to be part of his team.”

Brown praised Davis’s skill, citing a recent ride on Pretty Ana in the Grade 2 Mother Goose as an example of his growth. Despite a rough start, Davis managed to re-rally the filly to finish third, missing by just a neck.

“Most riders would have given up after the break,” Brown remarked. “But Dylan kept her in the game without rushing her. He rode like a seasoned professional. He’s truly earned his success.”

While Davis’s opportunities are expanding, he won’t be riding on Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup card. Although he piloted Classic contender Tapit Trice to victory in the Grade 2 Woodward, Irad Ortiz Jr. will take the reins in the Classic.

“I’d never been in the conversation for a Classic ride before,” Davis said. “It’s new for me, and while I won’t be on Tapit Trice, I’m always looking forward.”

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BREEDERS CUP NEWS

Breeders' Cup Clocker Report: Cogburn and Gun Pilot Get Their Final Tune-Ups

DEL MAR, Calif. – With just four days until the Breeders’ Cup kicks off, Monday morning training hours at Del Mar were calm yet focused, as all contenders have now arrived for the 2024 event.

Only three Breeders’ Cup hopefuls completed recorded works, two on the main track and one on the turf, each with light maintenance runs. Most other participants kept it low-key with jogs and gallops. Under overcast skies and cooler temperatures in the low 60s, the session began at 5:30 a.m., setting a steady pace for the morning.

Trainer Steve Asmussen completed his Breeders’ Cup preparations early Monday, following up on Sunday’s tune-ups by sending Turf Sprint favorite Cogburn and Sprint contender Gun Pilot for an easy three-furlong breeze. Cogburn took to the track right at opening, warming up in the chute and breezing effortlessly. Gun Pilot followed shortly after, finishing his three furlongs in 36.80 seconds. Cogburn’s gallop-out showed more energy, while Gun Pilot eased off smoothly after his work.

On the turf, Satono Carnaval, an undefeated Juvenile Turf entrant from Japan trained by Noriyuki Hori, delivered a progressive workout. Easing into the pace down the backstretch, he quickened through the turn, breezing from the quarter pole in 25.50 seconds before continuing strongly into the clubhouse turn—a style consistent with other Japanese contenders this year.

The morning also saw first appearances from the stables of Todd Pletcher, Chad Brown, and Bob Baffert. Their horses, including Pletcher’s Classic contender Fierceness and Brown’s Sierra Leone, turned in easy gallops as they adjusted from recent final works at home bases in New York and Santa Anita. Japanese runner Forever Young, another Classic contender, is expected to have his final prep on Tuesday.

There was a brief scare late in the morning when Ushba Tesoro spooked, unseating his rider and momentarily entangling himself in his reins. Luckily, the situation resolved safely as his rider remounted, allowing Ushba Tesoro to complete his training as planned.

Among the more notable gallops was East Avenue, trained by Brendan Walsh and a strong contender in the Juvenile alongside Chad Brown’s Chancer McPatrick. The striking Godolphin homebred showed imposing form as he passed the wire twice, signaling he’s in top condition heading into the weekend.

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