LAST YEAR'S WINNER - HENRI MATISSE

• Trainer: Aidan P O'Brien
• Jockey: Ryan Moore
• Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Merriebelle Stable LLC
• US Tote Win: $9.80
• BETTING STATS
• 2007-2024
• Favourites: 4/18 (22.2%) | Level stake loss -7.8%
• Odds-on Favs: 0/0
• Median winning price: 6-1
• 2007-2024 in California
• Favourites: 4/11 (36.4%) | Level stake profit +50.9%
• Odds-on Favs: 0/0
• Median winning price: 5.3-1

By Barry Faulkner

This division has been held 18 times and Aidan O’Brien has trained the winners of seven of those races, including the last three, with Henri Matisse doing the business in 2024.

When successful last year at 3.9-1, a juicy price for a jolly, Henri Matisse, became the fourth winning favourite to take, this all of them in California. Of course, it should be five but for the shambles at Del Mar in 2021, when Modern Games was removed from the tote pools after an errant withdrawal message was acted upon, with all win wagers on him voided and mayhem caused in other pools too.

Run record and class clues

In a complete flip flop with the situation in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, where Aidan O’Brien has struggled and he has thrived, Chad Brown has won this division just once, with Structor successful at Santa Anita in 2019.

Thirteen of the last 18 winners had their final prep in Europe, including Hootenanny, who won for Wesley Ward in 2014, after finishing fifth in the Prix Morny at Deauville on his previous outing. Last year’s winner emulated Unquestionable in 2023 year by failing to win the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, on his last outing before taking this. That made it 10 of the victors in this not winning last time, compared with eight who did.

Those who already had a Graded/Group Stakes success won half of the 18 runnings, while the other 50% had not scored at that level.

Run styles

As is often the case in turf races, stalkers/closers have the best record in this division.

Draw

Eleven of the 17 winners of this division have been drawn in the inside five post positions, although last year’s victor was winner was widest of all in 12.

Guidelines

• Ten (should have been 11) of the last 12 winners were in the first three in the betting

• Despite what last year’s winner achieved from the outside, an inside post is beneficial

• This has been a strong division for European shippers

• Stalkers/closers are preferred, particularly those that can close well on a firm surface

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