Breeders’ Cup Replay | 2023 Turf: Auguste Rodin Uses Dream Trip To Hold Off Up To The Mark

Auguste Rodin won the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita Park, using a dream trip under jockey Ryan Moore to give trainer Aidan O’Brien his record 7th victory in the race.

Was runner-up Up to the Mark the better horse who unfortunately had a worse trip? Watch the replay & get the Racing Dudes’ expert analysis, then tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section!

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Watch the race replay here:

The press release:

Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs. John Magnier et al.’s Auguste Rodin (IRE) ($7) cut the corner at the top of the stretch to surge to the front en route to posting a three-quarters of a length victory over Up to the Mark in the 40th running of the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) for 3-year-olds and up Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Auguste Rodin covered the mile and a half over a firm turf course in 2:24.30. It is the seventh win in the race for O’Brien and 18th overall in the World Championships and fifth for Moore, 14th overall in the Breeders’ Cup.

Longshot Balladeer led the field of 11 unopposed early on with Broome (IRE) and Adhamo (IRE) tracking in second and third with Up to the Mark fourth. Auguste Rodin was in mid-pack racing the rail and that is where he stayed as the field entered the far turn.

On the turn, Auguste Rodin was following Shahryar (JPN) while still on the rail and at the top of the lane slipped inside Balladeer to shoot to the front as Up to the Mark was making a four-wide bid. By getting the jump on Up to the Mark, Auguste Rodin was able to maintain the advantage to the wire.

Up to the Mark finished a half-length in fron of Shahryar with Gold Phoenix (IRE) another 1 ¼ lengths back in fourth.

Auguste Rodin is a 3-year-old son of Deep Impact (JPN) out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Rhododendron (IRE). The victory was worth $2,080,000 and improved his bankroll to $4,958,538 with a record of 10-7-1-0 and five Group or Grade 1 victories.