Centennial Farms’ Antiquarian captured his first Grade 1 victory in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga on August 30, earning a “Win and You’re In” spot for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Antiquarian won by 1 1/2 lengths in a time of 2:02.16 and is reported to be in excellent condition post-race. The event was marked by a rough start when Mindframe, another Pletcher trainee, unseated jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. following a bumping incident triggered by Phileas Fogg. Fortunately, both Mindframe and Ortiz escaped serious injury, with Ortiz planning to return to racing on September 4.
Pletcher also secured a third Breeders’ Cup Classic berth with Fierceness, who won the Pacific Classic at Del Mar the same day. Meanwhile, Sierra Leone, the reigning champion 3-year-old male, finished a strong second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup despite a troubled trip and will continue training at Saratoga before moving to Belmont for his final career start. Sierra Leone, a Gun Runner colt with over $7 million in earnings, is expected to retire to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud after the Classic. Pletcher expressed confidence in his trio of Classic contenders, hoping all remain healthy for the race in November.
