The highly anticipated 2024 Breeders’ Cup World Championships commenced on Friday at the picturesque Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California, where the talented Magnum Force triumphed against the odds, claiming victory at impressive 12-1 odds in the exhilarating Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Remaining unbeaten, the exceptional filly Immersive dazzled spectators with her flawless performance in the prestigious Juvenile Fillies championship race, solidifying her status as a formidable competitor.
In a similarly impressive feat, Lake Victoria also continued her undefeated streak, capturing the title in the competitive Juvenile Fillies Turf, showcasing her remarkable talent on the turf.
Legendary trainer Bob Baffert celebrated a significant achievement as his charges, Citizen Bull and Gaming, crossed the finish line with a commanding first and second place finish in the highly competitive Juvenile race.
The excitement of the day saw the Juvenile Turf race momentarily interrupted when Aomori City broke through the starting gates, prompting a brief delay before the race continued. In a thrilling finish, Henri Matisse emerged victorious amid the drama.
Below, we highlight the results and prize money payouts from the five championship races that unfolded on Friday at Del Mar, marking a spectacular start to the event.
Friday winners
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
- Magnum Force ($27.00 win, $12.60 place, $8.40 show)
- Arizona Blaze ($22.40 place, $11.80 show)
- Governor Sam ($6.40 show)
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
- Immersive ($6.00 win, $4.00 place, $2.60 show)
- Vodka With A Twist ($6.80 place, $4.20 show)
- Quickick ($4.00 show)
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
- Lake Victoria ($3.40 win, $3.00 place, $2.20 show)
- May Day Ready ($7.80 place, $6.00 show)
- Nitrogen ($15.20 show)
- Citizen Bull ($33.80 win, $13.20 place, $9.40 show)
- Gaming ($7.40 place, $6.00 show)
- Hill Road ($20.80 show)
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
- Henri Matisse ($9.80 win, $6.20 place, $5.40 show)
- Iron Man Cal ($21.40 place, $12.20 show)
- Aomori City ($8.40 show)
The thrilling action of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships continues on Saturday, kicking off with the highly anticipated Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at precisely 12:00 p.m. ET.
**Interview with Racing Analyst Sarah Johnson on the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Highlights**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Sarah! The 2024 Breeders’ Cup World Championships kicked off with a bang. Let’s talk about Magnum Force’s impressive win in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. What do you think contributed to his success?
**Sarah Johnson:** Thank you for having me! Magnum Force certainly surprised many with his 12-1 odds victory. His pedigree, being out of the Fastnet Rock mare Tropical Rock, played a significant role in his performance. Fastnet Rock is known for producing high-caliber competitors, and it seems Magnum Force is following in those footsteps. His connections, especially Sheikh Abdulla bin Isa Al-Khalifa, have a strong history in breeding, which also contributes to his confidence on the track.
**Editor:** Absolutely! Let’s shift gears to the Juvenile Fillies race. Immersive remained unbeaten, showcasing some remarkable skills. What can we expect from her in the future?
**Sarah Johnson:** Immersive is truly a standout. Her flawless performance not only reinforces her unbeaten record but also marks her as a main contender for future races. Given her style and talent, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her performing well in next year’s major stakes races. She’s certainly a horse to watch going forward.
**Editor:** And how about Lake Victoria, who also continued her undefeated streak in the Juvenile Fillies Turf? What sets her apart?
**Sarah Johnson:** Lake Victoria’s victory is a testament to her natural talent on turf. She has the kind of agility and speed that makes her a formidable competitor in any race. Her consistency is impressive, and I believe she will continue to make waves on the racing circuit.
**Editor:** Legendary trainer Bob Baffert celebrated a significant victory with Citizen Bull and Gaming finishing first and second in the Juvenile race. How vital do you think his training methods are to their success?
**Sarah Johnson:** Bob Baffert’s methods are highly regarded in the industry. His ability to bring horses to peak performance at the right time is unmatched. The strong finish of Citizen Bull and Gaming reflects not only their innate abilities but also the meticulous preparation and strategy that Baffert implements. He has a knack for getting the best out of his horses when it matters most.
**Editor:** Thank you, Sarah! It sounds like the 2024 Breeders’ Cup is promising a thrilling season ahead. We can’t wait to see how these horses and trainers perform in the upcoming races.
**Sarah Johnson:** My pleasure! There’s certainly a lot to look forward to. The excitement in the air at Del Mar is palpable, and I’m eager to see how these athletes develop in the future.
