The Challenge: First California Crown Will be Earned

The first edition of the California Crown Stakes (G1), the new name of the former Awesome Again/Goodwood Stakes, certainly has a field to match its boosted purse. 

And, as a Breeders' Cup Challenge race to the Classic (G1), it figures to provide some answers ahead of that 1 1/4 mile test in five weeks at Del Mar.

Contested as the Awesome Again from 2012 through last year, the California Crown now features a $1 million purse—up from $300,000 in 2023—as Santa Anita Park attempts to build a signature race day. It figures to provide some Breeders' Cup answers, specifically among the top Southern California-based runners being considered for the Classic.

Returned to his route racing in Saturday's 1 1/8-mile test, Saudi Cup (G1) winner Senor Buscador  will look to take a step forward from his fourth-place finish in the seven-furlong Pat O'Brien Stakes (G1) Aug. 24 at Del Mar. It's a logical progression as that previous effort marked the first start for the 6-year-old son of Mineshaft   since he finished third in the Dubai World Cup (G1) March 30 at Meydan.

The connections of Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner National Treasure   will be looking for hints Saturday as they try to decide between a start in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) or Classic for the 4-year-old son of Quality Road  , who also boasts a classic victory—last year's Preakness Stakes (G1) at 1 3/16 miles.

National Treasure is conditioned by four-time Breeders' Cup Classic winner Bob Baffert, who also will send out two-time grade 1-winning 3-year-old Muth . Muth was sidelined after his two-length victory in the Arkansas Derby (G1) in March but the son of Good Magic   returned with a two-length score in the Shared Belief Stakes Sept. 1 at Del Mar. 

In the expected field of seven, Baffert also has entered this year's Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Newgate  for his first start since an off-the-board finish in the Dubai World Cup.

Japan's Classic Trio

While it wasn't a Challenge race, two Japan-based horses pointing for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) prepped Sept. 25 for the 1 1/4-mile race while a third, Kentucky Derby (G1)-placed Forever Young , is expected to prep this week.

American fans already are familiar with Derma Sotogake , who finished second in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic, and 2023 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Ushba Tesoro , who finished fifth in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic. While neither won Wednesday's 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8-mile) Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Racecourse, they did enough to provide optimism for their connections in the race aftermath.

While loose-on-the-lead William Barows claimed victory, Ushba Tesoro made up more than 10 lengths late to finish second by a length. Derma Sotogake finished fifth. For both, the race was the first start since the March 30 Dubai World Cup (G1), so a prep was in order.

According to our correspondent Bob Kieckhefer, Ushba Tesoro's rider Yuga Kawada expressed confidence in the way his horse ran and belief he'll move forward in the Classic while Derma Sotogake's rider Christophe Lemaire noted that his horse prefers the dirt tracks in America.

Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Forever Young is scheduled for a Breeders' Cup prep in the Japan Dirt Classic Oct. 2 at Oi Racecourse.

Small World

Also this week, prominent Japanese owner Masaaki Matsushima, who has at times partnered with Coolmore-affiliated owners, visited 2023 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) winner Auguste Rodin  at Ballydoyle. Matsushima and Japanese riding legend Yutaka Take, who has competed in eight Breeders' Cup races, were guided by 18-time Breeders' Cup-winning trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Auguste Rodin is being pointed to the Nov. 24 Japan Cup (G1).