Lancaster Bomber second as Oscar Performance delivers in Juvenile Turf

Lancaster Bomber fared best of the raiding party in second place as Oscar Performance ran out a dominant winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.

Aidan O'Brien had saddled three of the last five winners of the Grade One contest and was double-handed in this year's renewal, with Ryan Moore partnering Intelligence Cross and Seamie Heffernan doing the steering on Lancaster Bomber.

Heffernan settled his mount in midfield, while Moore appeared intent on playing his cards late aboard Intelligence Cross. However, Oscar Performance raced close to the pace throughout under Jose Ortiz and after taking the lead early in the straight, picked up well to score with plenty in hand.

Lancaster Bomber came home well to fill the runner-up spot ahead of Good Samaritan in third.

Intelligence Cross and the sole British-trained runner, Simon Crisford's Rodaini, never threatened to land a blow.

It was a first Breeders' Cup success for trainer Brian Lynch.

He said: "It's absolutely fantastic. You always hope it's in the stars and it's lovely when they all line up.

"You're at this game seven days a week and these big days are what it's all about.

"To finally put my name alongside one of these big races, I'm ecstatic."

Heffernan felt Lancaster Bomber was an unlucky loser.

He said: "I didn't enjoy the best trip and I had to switch round two rivals turning for home.

"I was quite tight near the rail for much of the way and for me, I'm definitely as good as the winner."

O'Brien said: "It was a good race run on very fast ground and we are delighted with Lancaster Bomber's run.

"He wouldn't be used to going that kind of pace, but he really stayed on and I think he was closing on the winner at the finish.

"Ryan said he made a decision to come out on Intelligence Cross, but he didn't get a clear run after that."

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Source: At The Races