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: HIGHLAND FALLS
Highland Falls stalked the leader (favorite Arthur’s Ride), held off the closers (Pyrenees and Disarm), and won the 1 1/4-mile, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) by four lengths at Saratoga on Sept. 1.
Highland Falls. NYRA Photo.
Will another Godolphin colorbearer win the Breeders’ Cup Classic?
Who could argue against this son of a Classic winner (Curlin)-Distaff winner (Round Pond), by Classic winner (Awesome Again) in this edition of the Classic?
The 1 ¼-mile Classic features international stars City of Troy and Forever Young as well as top American 3-year-old Fierceness. But Highland Falls should be considered a formidable foe, and at a good price.
The chestnut colt did not run as a 2-year-old and has compiled five wins and two runner-up finishes in nine starts. He’s competed against many of his Classic opponents (Arthur’s Ride, Tapit Trice, Newgate). He’s well-seasoned, handled by top trainer Brad Cox, and had Flavien Prat in the irons for the first time in the JCGC (Florent Geroux has been the regular rider).
“Flavien gave him every chance to win the race. When they straightened up, it looked like he was getting the better of him (Arthur’s Ride),” Cox said of the JCGC. “Then I started watching the horses coming from the back – watching Disarm, Pyrenees and the horses I thought might be closing late. He held them at bay. I was very proud of the effort.”
Highland Falls has put in five works since his last race, most recently going 5 furlongs in 1:00 at Churchill Downs on Oct. 18.
In 2024, he also won the Blame Stakes (G3) and finished second in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) to Skippylongstocking and second to Tapit Trice (fourth in the JCGC) in the Monmouth Cup (G3).
Betting advice: Looks to be on the upswing, and he’s finished in the top 3 in eight of nine career starts. Don’t dismiss well-bred colt at a decent price.
2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds and Post Positions: Highland Falls
Post position: 2
Odds: 20-1
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owner: Godolphin
Career record: 9-5-2-1
Career earnings: $1,192,060
Age: 4
Last race: Jockey Club Gold Cup (1st), Aqueduct, Sept. 1
Top Equibase speed figure: 113
Pedigree: Curlin-Round Pond, by Awesome Again
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Stalker
Notes: Godolphin tops all owners in Breeders’ Cup earnings with $29.4 million with a record of 129-18-10-16 … The worldwide operation of Dubai’s Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also has the most BC winners with 18 … Trainer Brad Cox has 10 BC winners from 38 starters … A late-developer, Highland Falls missed the Triple Crown races, but after the Jockey Club Gold win, Cox said: “We always thought he was a mile-and-a-quarter horse. We gave him a shot (fourth in the Santa Anita Handicap in March), and he really didn’t get involved. He probably lacked the seasoning.”