The fields for the 14 races that comprise the Breeders’ Cup World Championships actually start to return into focus in summer season and fall and this common function will provide a snapshot profile of one of many earlier weekend’s standout stars.
Geaux Rocket Trip punched his ticket to the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Traditional with a 1 ¾-length victory July 22 within the $1,017,500 TVG.com Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. Geaux Rocket Trip was a promising prospect on the highway to the 2023 Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve, however a fever knocked him out of the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby and off the Triple Crown path. On Saturday, the bay Sweet Trip colt confirmed elite expertise within the Haskell.
Geaux Rocket Trip has raced 4 instances and he’s by no means run a foul race with three wins and a second-place end within the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes in solely his second profession begin. After the fever knocked him off the Triple Crown path, affected person Corridor of Fame coach Richard Mandella determined to take his time together with his gifted prospect.
Mandella introduced Geaux Rocket Trip again from a three-month layoff within the Affirmed Stakes June 4 and he received by 1 ¾ lengths because the overwhelming favourite at Santa Anita Park.
“He’s only a stylish little dude,” Mandella stated after the Affirmed.
Geaux Rocket Trip beat solely 4 horses within the Affirmed, so the Haskell was a way more daunting check in opposition to Kentucky Derby winner Mage, Belmont Stakes Offered by NYRA Bets third-place finisher Tapit Trice, unbeaten Southwest Stakes winner Arabian Knight, and extremely regarded Additional Anejo.
Corridor of Fame jockey Mike Smith picked up the mount for the primary time on Geaux Rocket Trip within the Haskell, and from the start Smith rode him with confidence. Smith moved his mount from the within publish within the eight-horse subject to 3 or 4 paths huge and within the clear approaching the primary flip, only a few lengths behind pacesetter Superior Robust and 11-10 favourite Arabian Knight.
Smith requested Geaux Rocket Trip to speed up on the ultimate flip and he ranged as much as interact Arabian Knight. He moved previous Arabian Knight with Mage difficult on his outdoors in early stretch, and it regarded like Mage would possibly surge proper previous. Geaux Rocket Trip had gasoline in reserve, nonetheless, and pulled away from the Derby winner powerfully by finishing the ultimate eighth of a mile in 12.45 seconds.
Contemplating Geaux Rocket Trip stalked a strong tempo and was attempting 1 1/8 miles for the primary time, his quick remaining furlong bodes effectively for a way he would possibly deal with extra distance. He equaled a career-best 104 Equibase Pace Determine and established a brand new greatest 100 Beyer Pace Determine, a four-point soar from his earlier high.
As a 3-year-old with solely 4 profession races, Geaux Rocket Trip has loads of room to enhance and velocity figures recommend he’ll want to take action to be a severe menace within the Longines Traditional. The common successful Equibase Pace Determine for the Traditional over the previous 20 editions in 120.85 with a median of 119. Can Geaux Rocket Trip make that type of soar? That continues to be to be seen. As for his Traditional possibilities, there are causes for optimism.
- Corridor of Famer Mandella received the Traditional in 2003 with Pleasantly Excellent and owns 9 profession Breeders’ Cup wins from 48 starters (18.75%). That’s a powerful strike charge, however West Coast-based Mandella has historically cherished residence cooking on the Breeders’ Cup as all 9 of his wins have come at Santa Anita Park, host of this yr’s World Championships. In reality, he has received with 9 of 24 Breeders’ Cup starters at Santa Anita for a exceptional 37.5% win charge. If Geaux Rocket Trip is within the beginning gate Nov. 4, it could be a mistake to miss him.
- Three-year-olds have traditionally executed effectively within the Traditional, successful six of the final 16 runnings of the race and 11 of 39 Classics within the historical past of the race. Like Geaux Rocket Trip, Bayern in 2014 and Arrogate in 2016 each profiled as 3-year-olds who began to return into their very own within the second half of the season.
- Tactical velocity has change into more and more necessary within the Traditional lately, one thing which Geaux Rocket Trip boasts having by no means been worse than fourth in any of his begins or greater than 3 ½ lengths off the tempo. Not one of the final 11 Traditional winners was worse than fifth on the first level of name within the 1 ¼-mile race or greater than 3 ½ lengths again after the primary quarter-mile.
Mandella stated after the Haskell that delivery again cross-country for the Travers Stakes Aug. 26 at Saratoga wouldn’t be an choice for Geaux Rocket Trip. The FanDuel Racing Pacific Traditional Stakes Sept. 3 at Del Mar in opposition to older horses is a much more possible subsequent begin as he might keep on the West Coast and profit from an additional week of relaxation after a career-defining win. Count on him to run effectively within the Pacific Traditional and solidify his credentials as a respectable Longines Traditional contender.
