Photo:

Alex Evers / Eclipse Sportswire

Henri Matisse, the 7-2 favorite for trainer Aidan O’Brien, was near the back early but rallied strongly down the lane to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. It was the second victory of the day for both trainer O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore, who also won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf with Lake Victoria.

Dream On shook to the lead, clicking off an opening quarter in 22.65 seconds and the half in 46.31 seconds with Zulu Kingdom and Mentee in closest range. Dream On ran on best of that trio, still in front in upper stretch, but the cavalry was coming.

Henri Matisse, settled toward the rear two wide through the early stages, circled the field around the far turn and into the lane. He bore down past the leader with long shot Iron Man Cal just to his inside. Henri Matisse rallied just the better of the two, stopping the timer in 1:34.48 for one mile over firm Del Mar turf. He paid his backers $9.80 to win.

Aomori City, despite breaking through the gate before the start, finished powerfully outside the leading pair but had to settle for the show. New Century and Dream On completed the high five.

Stewards conducted an inquiry into the stretch run. While in close quarters with New Century, clipping heels after Seagulls Eleven drifted out into him while New Century drifted in slightly as well. Al Qudra stumbled, though remained on his feet. Jockey James Doyle, despite losing an iron, stayed in the irons and recovered his seat. Upon review, stewards made no change to the result. According to the statement made by announcer Larry Collmus, stewards ruled unanimously that Al Qudra did not have a clear path, meaning there was no grounds to disqualify another horse.

This victory brings Henri Matisse’s record to 6: 4-1-0. It is his first win at the top level, though he won a pair of Group 2 races at the Curragh over the summer.

This story will be updated.