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Highland Falls breaks through in G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup

by Christian Abdo

Godolphin’s Kentucky homebred Highland Falls put away the favored Arthur’s Ride to earn his first top-level victory in Sunday’s Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, a 1 1/4-mile test for 3-year-olds and up, at Saratoga Race Course.

In victory, the 4-year-old Curlin chestnut earned a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1, $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic in November at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

Trained by dual Eclipse Award-winner Brad Cox, Highland Falls won the nine-furlong Grade 3 Blame in June at Churchill Downs ahead of a runner-up finish to returning foe Tapit Trice at that distance under Florent Geroux in the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup on July 20 at its namesake oval.

On Sunday, Highland Falls added the services of Flavien Prat, who earned a meet-record 13th graded stakes win, breaking the previous mark of 12 set by Hall of Famer Joel Rosario in 2022. In a determined prominent victory, Prat also extended his meet stakes wins record to 17.

“I thought if one horse could handle the distance, it was him. We wanted to break running and then try to make a good pace,” said Prat. “That was the case, and we got past the wire for the first time, it felt like Arthur’s Ride was going a bit quicker, easier than me, so I don’t need to go on, but I was able to get him outside after that and give him another push. He was just a well of stamina.”

Highland Falls broke alertly from post 6, bumped with rivals to both sides, but was able to stick close to the last-out pacesetting Grade 1 Whitney-winner Arthur’s Ride, who led the seven-horse field through an opening quarter-mile in 23.25 seconds on the fast main track.

In the first turn, Highland Falls continued to track outside the Junior Alvarado-piloted Arthur’s Ride with Tapit Trice, Kuchar, and Pyrenees settling in behind as the half-mile elapsed in 47.67.

Down the backside, the front pair put a 3 1/2-length gap between themselves and Tapit Trice in third position with 4 1/2 lengths back to the rest of the field approaching three-quarters in a sharp 1:11.31.

Entering the far turn, Highland Falls and Arthur’s Ride were on even terms and it was shaping up to be a two-horse race coming to the quarter-pole with one-mile down in 1:36.19. At the top of the stretch, Arthur’s Ride had no five-length cushion like he did in the Whitney, and would be tested down the lane by his brave rival.

After a fierce stretch duel, Highland Falls wore down Arthur’s Ride and began to draw clear within the final furlong. Prat peeked behind to see the Brian Hernandez, Jr.-ridden Pyrenees making up ground, but he was already well clear for a four-length victory in a final time of 2:03.25.

Pyrenees held second, 2 3/4-lengths over the late-running Disarm, with Tapit Trice, Arthur’s Ride, defending race-winner Bright Future and Kuchar completing the order of finish.

Cox, who won the Grade 1 Spinaway with Immersive on Saturday and Grade 3 Saranac with West Hollywood on Friday, said that Prat was masterful in wearing down a tough Arthur’s Ride.

“Flavien gave him every chance to win the race. When they straightened up, it looked like he was getting the better of him,” said Cox. “Then I started watching the horses coming from the back – watching Disarm, Pyrenees and the horses I thought might be closing late. He held them at bay. I was very proud of the effort.”

Cox added that he will come up with a game plan for getting Highland Falls to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“I know he’s getting on a van tomorrow and going back to Churchill. We’ll come up with a game plan, but he’s a cool horse,” Cox said.

Hall of Famer Bill Mott, trainer of Arthur’s Ride, tipped his cap to the winner. In winning the Whitney on August 3 here, the 4-year-old Tapit gray secured a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic, where Mott said he will still be pointed.

“He took it to us. I don’t have any big excuse,” said Mott. “The horse ran hard last time. Now we have 60 days back to the Breeders’ Cup. We’ll have time to regroup. Hopefully, he comes back good, and we can move forward and try to train for that.”

Prat thanked his fellow riders for their influences on his craft and his agent Brad Pegram on finding live mounts.

“It’s a great honor. It’s obviously a great group of riders and very talented riders. I’ve been learning a lot around them and it’s a team effort,” said Prat. “My agent Brad has done an incredible job to book me on very good horses, and trainers and owners give me the opportunity. I’m very thankful.”

Hernandez, Jr., said the Cherie DeVaux-trained Pyrenees, who was second in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster last-out in June at Churchill, came with a good run.

“He ran a big race. Turning for home with the way those two hooked up down the backside, I thought they’d both come back to us, but Highland Falls kept going and kept finding, and my horse ran a big second,” said Hernandez, Jr. “We’re proud of him. For him to be second in two Grade 1s now, you’ve got to be proud of him.”

Highland Falls, out of the dual Grade 1-winning Awesome Again mare Round Pond, is a half-brother to Group 1-victor Long River. He banked $550,000 in victory while improving his record to 9-5-2-1 and returning $16 for a $2 win bet.

Live racing resumes Monday at Saratoga with a 12-race program to close out the 39-day meeting. The card includes the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful [Race 10] and the Listed $150,000 Harvey Pack [Race 8]. First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course, and the best way to bet every race of the summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.