Fire At Will Upsets Juvenile Turf

LEXINGTON, KY – Three Diamonds Farm’s Fire At Will used a powerful stretch move to spring the 30/1 upset in Friday’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf presented by Coolmore America (G1) at Keeneland.

Ignored on the tote as he broke from post 7 under Ricardo Santana Jr., Fire At Will sat a prominent stalking position while saving ground in third.

Outadore went to the lead and, with Gretzky the Great giving closest watch, posted opening fractions of :23.64, :48.12, and 1:12.60.

Straightening for home still on the lead, Outadore soon came under pressure from Fire At Will, who tipped off the rail at the top of the stretch and was running furiously toward the front.

Taking the lead at the 1/8 pole, the Mike Maker trainee pulled ahead late to win the 1-mile good turf route by 3 lengths in 1:35.81.

“I got a beautiful trip,” Santana Jr. said. “I had plenty of horse in the tank. Thank God, everything played out perfect.”

Battleground, the 7/2 favorite, rallied to take second by a neck over Outadore, while Cadillac and Sealiway rounded out the top five.

Gretzky the Great, The Lir Jet, Devilwala, Ebeko, Mutasaabeq, Go Athletico, Public Sector, Abarta, and New Mandate completed the order of finish.

Barrister Tom and Harlan Estate were scratched as Also Eligibles.

Fire At Will’s win was his third straight following the With Anticipation Stakes and the Pilgrim Stakes (G2), improving his record to 4-3-0-0. The Declaration of War colt, purchased for $97,000 as a yearling, has now earned $657,932.

“We have been high on him since Day One, and with each race, he’s gotten better,” Maker said. “It’s very satisfying to get Three Diamonds Farm their very first Breeders’ Cup win.”

Fire At Will returned $62.40 to win, $24.40 to place, and $14 to show. Battleground brought back $5.60 to place and $3.80 to show, while Outadore paid $7.60 to show.