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Donativum denies Westphalia in Juvenile Turf

Donativum had to draw into the Juvenile Turf after being listed among the also-eligibles in the pre-entries (Ed Van Meter/Horsephotos.com) Her Royal Highness Princess Haya of Jordan and Darley Stable's DONATIVUM (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux) collared 3-1 favorite Westphalia (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) in the final yards of Saturday's $1,035,080 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, handing trainer John Gosden his first Breeders' Cup victory since 1984, when Royal Heroine (Ire) won the inaugural running of the Mile (G1). With Frankie Dettori in the irons, the gray gelding reeled off the mile in 1:34 3/5 on Santa Anita's firm turf to rack up his third straight score. Donativum and Westphalia, both European shippers, strode along in relaxed fashion toward the back of the pack early. At the head of affairs was Orthodox (Pulpit), who carved out splits of :22 2/5, :46 2/5 and 1:10 1/5 while being stalked by Bittel Road (Stormy Atlantic) and Coronet of a Baron (Pure Prize). Leaving the far turn, Coronet of a Baron ranged up, and after a tussle, assumed command and opened up an advantage. Meanwhile, Westphalia, who had gained ground along the rail, had to await room momentarily. He managed to angle out, found a gap and took aim on the new leader. Hot on his heels, however, was Donativum, advancing purposefully on the outside after maneuvering for room himself. The two Europeans quickly overpowered Coronet of a Baron. Irish invader Westphalia struck the front first, but the English raider Donativum was just getting into high gear. The farther they went, the stronger Donativum became, until he outdueled Westphalia by a half-length at the wire.

"On the turn, when I looked, I saw things were tight up front," Dettori said. "I was looking for the right spot, and we found it in the last hundred yards. This was my first time riding him, but once he got down to running, I knew we got it."

"I don't give Frankie any instructions," Gosden said. "He was a little farther back than I would have liked; then he got squeezed, and then pinched. I was afraid he was going to be an unlucky loser, but he got there."

The pair pulled 1 3/4 lengths clear of Coronet of a Baron, who saved third by a head from the closing City Style (City Zip). Relatively Ready (More Than Ready), Vaquero (Orientate), Orthodox, Bittel Road, Ninth Client (Malibu Moon), Grand Adventure (Grand Slam), Skipadate (Skip Away) and Paddy the Pro (Ire) (Exceed and Excel) rounded out the order of finish. The also-eligible Mark S the Cooler (Johar) did not draw into the field.

The fourth choice at nearly 6-1, Donativum provided mutuels of $13.60, $7 and $5. Westphalia returned $5.40 and $3.80 and ended the $23.60 exacta ($1). The 6-1 Coronet of a Baron yielded $5.40. The $1 trifecta was worth $152.90, and with the 29-1 longshot City Style in fourth, the $1 superfecta ballooned to $3,024.10 (4-3-7-2).

Donativum is now three-for-three since being gelded. After breaking his maiden in his fourth start, the gray captured the lucrative Tattersalls Timeform Million, a restricted sales race, at the expense of some highly regarded opponents. The runner-up that day, Crowded House (Rainbow Quest), came back to win Saturday's prestigious Racing Post Trophy (Eng-G1) at Doncaster. Donativum has now amassed $1,581,895 in earnings from his 6-3-1-0 line.

Bred by Stratford Place Stud in Great Britain, the winner was purchased by his current connections for $257,304 as a yearling at Tattersalls October. He is out of the Group 3-placed Miss Universe (Warning [GB]), making him a half-brother to California-based Grade 2 victor Worldly (GB) (Selkirk) and English stakes-placed sophomore Comeback Queen (GB) (Nayef). This is the family of Grade 1 scorers Prince Arch (Arch) and Luas Line (Ire) (Danehill).

More Breeders' Cup Recaps:

Take Charge Brandi upsets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at 61-1

30-1 Karakontie lives up to pedigree in Mile

Bayern survives inquiry to win Breeders' Cup Classic

Dayatthespa proves uncatchable in Filly & Mare Turf

Judy the Beauty holds on at wire in Filly & Mare Sprint

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