In the days leading up to the 41st Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in California, usracing.com is publishing profiles of the horses in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday, Nov. 2. Profiles will be updated following the post-position draw on Monday, Oct. 28.
2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Contender Profile: CITY OF TROY
City of Troy is a 2-year-old champion, a Derby winner, and a son of Triple Crown winner Justify.
He’s conditioned by the world’s top trainer, ridden by the world’s top jockey, and comes into the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) with three Group 1 wins in a row.
Favorite, right? Meet the biggest question mark in the field.
As big of a star as he is in Europe, City of Troy will be competing on a dirt track for the first time in his first trip to America.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien, with 18 BC victories (16 on turf), remains winless in the Classic. As usual, he’s hopeful for a breakthrough, but is well aware of what his 3-year-old colt is up against.
“He was by Justify, so there was always a big chance that he would work on the dirt. He has a very brave heart,’’ O’Brien said. “He has a very high cruising speed, tactically, very quick.
But … “it’s a very difficult task. It’s probably the toughest race in the world, really, the Classic,’’ he added. “It’s at the end of the season, even against older horses, for a try to be on a total different continent, a totally different race makeup, totally different surface. There’s so many first times that he has to deal with. And no matter what we do in this part of the world, we can’t replicate that.”
2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds and Post Positions: City of Troy
Betting advice: May be the best horse in the race, but turf to dirt is a huge ask. Should figure in exotics.
Post position:3
Odds: 5-2
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Owners: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith
Career record: 7-6-0-0
Career earnings: $3,043,854
Age: 3
Last race: Juddmonte International (1st), York, Aug. 21
Top Equibase speed figure: N/A
Pedigree: Justify-Together Forever, by Galileo
Color: Bay
Running style: Close to pace
Notes: Went 3-for-3 as a 2-year-old, but 3-year-old debut ended with the only loss of his career in the 1-mile 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Since then, wins in the 1 ½-mile Betford (Epsom) Derby, the 1 ¼-mile Coral Eclipse and the 1 5/16-mile Juddmonte International … From 97 BC starters, Moore has ridden 19 winners (all in turf races)