Breeders' Cup Turf: Meehan looking for third win in race with Jayarebe
?q=100)
Of the 12 runners British-based trainer Brian Meehan has started in the Breeders’ Cup, two have won the BC Turf – Red Rocks in 2006 and Dangerous Midge in 2010.
They are his only winners in the famous two-day festival, a list that may grow if Jayarebe is sent to California for the BC Turf on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
“We’re very keen to come,” he said.
A 3-year-old colt, Jayarebe won the Group 2 Prix Dollar at 1 1/4 miles on soft turf at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris last Saturday, his third group stakes win of 2024. Jayarebe set the pace, was passed briefly, and fought back to win by a head.
“The ground wasn’t ideal,” Meehan said. “He was happy in front and he enjoyed it out there.”
A start in the BC Turf would be Jayarebe’s first appearance in a Grade 1 or Group 1 this year and first career race at 1 1/2 miles. The distance is not a concern for Meehan.
“No problem at all,” Meehan said Tuesday.
Jayarebe often leads or races close to the front. Jayarebe won the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Ascot in June on good-to-firm turf after an ideal stalking trip.
Firm turf is expected at sunny Del Mar.
“Definitely, faster ground will suit him,” Meehan said. “I think he’s got speed and he can quicken. It doesn’t matter where he is. He’s very versatile.”
In August, Jayarebe was second by two lengths to Economics in the Group 2 Guillaume d’Ornaro for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles at Deauville. Economics followed that win with a victory in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes last month.
Meehan cautioned that he needs to see how Jayarebe recovers from the win in Paris before committing the colt to the California journey. If Jayarebe runs at Del Mar, regular rider Sean Levey will have the mount.
A winner of 4 of 7 starts, Jayarebe races for Iraj Parvizi, who owned Dangerous Midge. This year, Jayarebe has won 3 of 5 starts.
“He’s only 3 and he was lightly raced at 2,” Meehan said. “He’s going to keep improving.”
Jayarebe will be part of a European team led by Rebel’s Romance, winner of the 2022 BC Turf for Godolpin Racing and trainer Charlie Appleby. Rebel’s Romance did not start in the 2023 BC Turf.
:: BREEDERS’ CUP TURF: See DRF’s special section with top contenders, odds, comments, news, and more
Other foreign candidates include Los Angeles, who was third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Sunday and is a candidate for the Group 1 Champion Stakes on Oct. 19 at Ascot; and the Japan-based Shahryar, who was third in the 2023 BC Turf.
The American runners are led by Far Bridge, winner of two Grade 1 races in New York in his last two starts – the Sword Dancer Stakes on Aug. 24 at Saratoga and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on Sept. 28 at Aqueduct.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.