Kentucky-bred Haffner cashed in on a perfect trip to notch an authoritative victory in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Keeneland to close out Future Stars Friday.
“He is improving and still growing,” said winning trainer Aidan O’Brien. “With time, and as he covers more distance, he’ll get even better. He had a great draw and a good position, so that was a big help.”
A son of Justify out of the Zoffany (IRE) mare Earth Strike (IRE), Haffner recorded his second straight victory after taking the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket in late September.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, Haffner races for Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook Smith. Bred in Kentucky by D.J. Stables and Justify Syndicate, the promising colt was a $375,000 purchase at Keeneland September.
“I think he’ll be a Classic horse next year,” O’Brien said. “He’ll have no problem going 10 (furlongs) and would probably go even farther. He’s very classy.”
Moore added, “He was drawn in four and the speed horses were inside of me, so it was very straightforward. He kept hitting the right spot.”