Report: Godolphin's Old Persian 'deserves a crack' at Breeders' Cup

Old Persian, who rolled to a win in Woodbine's Sept. 14 Northern Dancer Turf (G1), could receive a return North American trip for the Breeders' Cup Turf.

SportingLife.com reports that Charlie Appleby, who trains the Godolphin homebred, said the "Breeders' Cup is in our sights."

"That was the penciled plan going into the Northern Dancer," Appleby added, "and I think he deserves a crack at it now. A mile and a half on the turf at Santa Anita should suit him well."

A 4-year-old son of Dubawi, Old Persian produced lofty speed figures for his Northern Dancer Turf performance, a 2 1/2-length victory over Nessy. With jockey James Doyle in to ride, the colt finished up 12 furlongs in 2:27.78.

Since then, Northern Dancer has returned to Appleby's base in Europe and "in good order," he told SportingLife.com.

Old Persian opened his season with back-to-back wins at Meydan, winning the Dubai City of Gold (G2) and Sheema Classic (G1) before disappointing when seventh in the Coronation Cup (G1). Before shipping to Woodbine, he also finished third in the Grosser Preis von Berlin (G1).

Appleby will be aiming for his third Breeders' Cup victory after scores in the 2013 Juvenile Turf with Outstrip, the 2017 Filly & Mare Turf with Wuheida and the 2018 Juvenile Turf with Line of Duty.

This could be a year in which the shippers dominate the Breeders' Cup Turf. While Horse of the Year candidate Bricks and Mortar is 5-for-5 in 2019, trainer Chad Brown is hesitant to send the horse a mile and a half, and no other American male runner on the lawn has separated himself from the pack.