Antiquarian Makes the Dream Leap in the Jockey Club Gold Cup

Todd Pletcher’s trainee earned his first Grade I victory and secured a berth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, as the incident involving Irad Ortiz Jr. and Mindframe set the tone for a drama-filled contest

Antiquarian did his part, but also took advantage of the early trouble / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- Centennial Farms enjoyed a day to remember Sunday as Antiquarian (Preservationist) capped his rising campaign with his first top-level victory, taking the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1)—a 1¼-mile dirt test carrying $1 million in purse—and punching his ticket to the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar in November.

Ridden masterfully by John Velázquez and trained by the indomitable Todd Pletcher, the chestnut remained composed throughout, even amid a serious incident at the start that sidelined Mindframe (Constitution) and forced Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) to sharply adjust his path to avoid the fallen Irad Ortiz Jr.

“Mixed emotions,” Pletcher said. “I hate that something like that happened, but at the same time, I want Antiquarianto get the credit he deserves. This is a huge win for Centennial, and I’m thrilled for them.”

Velázquez broke from the far outside post (8) and, rather than overreact, settled Antiquarian in fourth, tracking early leader Contrary Thinking (Into Mischief). With brisk fractions of :23.00, :46.96, and 1:11.92, the pace was demanding and selective, while Sierra Leone recovered after being shuffled back by the start-line incident.

Entering the stretch, Phileas Fogg (Astern)—the horse responsible for much of the opening chaos—looked to be heading for victory, but Velázquez angled sharply, finding Antiquarian in full gear. “Kendrick was pushing him, and I thought I had to get closer before he got away. When I asked, he responded beautifully,” said the Puerto Rican jockey.

Over the final 150 meters, Antiquarian surged past Phileas Fogg, held off the late charge of Sierra Leone, and crossed the wire 1½ lengths clear in 2:02.16.

Sierra Leone, Chad Brown’s recent Whitney (G1) hero, finished second, confirming his status as one of the top older horses in his division. Phileas Fogg, initially third, was disqualified by the stewards, promoting defending champion Highland Falls (Curlin) to third.

Brown, understandably focused on rider safety, commented: “I hope Irad is okay; that’s my main concern. We lost a lot of ground due to the incident, which affected the outcome, but the important thing is that Mindframe and he recover.”

For Don Little Jr., Centennial’s president and co-owner, the win carried special significance. “Winning this race a second time, after Colonial Affair (Pleasant Colony) in 1994, is really special. It’s amazing to be part of the history of such a prestigious trophy.”

Bred in Kentucky by Brereton C. Jones, Antiquarian is out of Lifetime Memory (Istan) and hails from the same family as G1 winners Speaktomeofsummer (Summer Front) and Proud Reunion (Proud Citizen). With this win, the chestnut improved his record to 9-4-3-0, earned $550,000, and returned $28.00 to his backers.

The Pletcher trainee now emerges as a major contender for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), where he could face Sierra Leone once again along with many of the world’s top older dirt horses.