Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf berth goes to Battle of Marengo at the Curragh

Battle of Marengo won his second consecutive stakes, and earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, with a victory in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland on Sunday.

It was not immediately clear whether Battle of Marengo would be sent to Santa Anita for the BC Juvenile Turf on Nov. 3. Trainer Aidan O’Brien told the press after the race that the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, England, on Oct. 27 was a consideration, but that Battle of Marengo could be finished for the year.

British and Irish bookmakers cut Battle of Marengo to as low as 14-1 in the future-book for the 2013 English Derby.

Ridden by O’Brien’s son, Joseph, Battle of Marengo had little difficulty beating three rivals. Sent off as the 4-9 favorite, Battle of Marengo was second for the first five furlongs of the one-mile race.

He challenged for the lead with three furlongs left, took the lead with a quarter-mile remaining and won by 3 1/2 lengths over Orgilgo Bay. The race was run on heavy turf.

Battle of Marengo, by Galileo, has won 3 of 4 starts. Owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Susan Magnier, Battle of Marengo won his first stakes in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Trial at Leopardstown, Ireland, on Sept. 8.

The Beresford Stakes was part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering a fees-paid berth to the BC Juvenile Turf, provided the winner is nominated to the BC program.

Japan: Lord Kanaloa wins $2.47 million sprint

Lord Kanaloa set a course record with a career-best performance in Sunday’s $2.47 million Sprinters Stakes at Nayakama Racecourse in Japan.

Ridden by Yasunari Iwata for trainer Takayuki Yasuda, Lord Kanaloa (3-1) broke from the outside in the field of 16 and closed from midpack to win by three-quarters of a length over the 3-2 favorite Curren Chan.

Lord Kanaloa ran about six furlongs on firm turf in 1:06.7. A 4-year-old colt by King Kamehameha, Lord Kanaloa was only a Group 3 winner earlier this year.

Yasuda mentioned after the race that an international start could be in the plans for Lord Kanaloa, who races for Lord Horse Club. Lord Kanaloa was second in the Group 1 Centaur Stakes in Japan in early September.

The field of 16 included Little Bridge, who won the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Little Bridge finished 10th.

Italy: Amaron collects Group 1 victory

Amaron, the winner of two Group 3 races in Germany earlier in his career, won the Group 1 Premio Vittori di Capua in Milan, Italy, on Sunday.

The 3-2 favorite, Amaron was always near the front in the one-mile race, and took the lead in the final furlong. Ridden by Mirco Demuro, Amaron won by a length over Amarillo in the field of seven.

Amaron, 4, is a 3-year-old colt by Shamardal trained by Andreas Lowe.