Warm Heart uses Yorkshire Oaks as warm-up for Breeders' Cup

Many international races that are part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series produce winners that are 100-1 shots to even consider coming to America, but Warm Heart is an obvious candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf after capturing the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday at York Racecourse in England.

As part of the Challenge Series, the Yorkshire Oaks, run at a little less than 1 1/2 miles, offers its winner automatic fees-paid entry into the Filly and Mare Turf and travel expenses to California. Aidan O’Brien, who trains Warm Heart for Coolmore connections, specifically mentioned the race as an autumn target for Warm Heart, a 3-year-old filly by Galileo out of Sea Siren, by Fastnet Rock.

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Warm Heart held off Free Wind by a desperate head in the Yorkshire Oaks and arguments could be made that the runner-up was best on the day. While James Doyle, getting a rare plum ride for O’Brien, worked out a near-perfect stalking trip for Warm Heart, Frankie Dettori on Free Wind got hung up a bit in traffic, forcing him to delay making his run. Moreover, Free Wind as a 5-year-old conceded nine pounds to Warm Heart, and Free Wind likely wins in a couple more strides.

The top two were well clear of third-place Savethelastdance, the O’Brien-trained favorite who led and held gamely while racing over a good-to-firm course with far less give than she prefers. Warm Heart is just the opposite. A wet course lowers her ceiling considerably and the last time she encountered a course like the one she found Thursday, Warm Heart won the Group 2 Ribblesdale at Ascot.

While European courses are liable to turn wet and heavy in the autumn, Santa Anita on Breeders’ Cup weekend is very likely to be firm and quick, just as Warm Heart prefers. California, here she comes.

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