Breeders' Cup 2017: Review of Friday's action in Del Mar as Mendelssohn wins Juvenile Turf

Europe got on the board at the Breeders' Cup when Mendelssohn claimed the Juvenile Turf at Del Mar for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore.

Drawn one, Moore had the perfect trip throughout, tracking Richard Fahey's Gimcrack winner Sands Of Mali. Last seen finishing second to stablemate U S Navy Flag at 50/1 in the Dewhurst, Mendelssohn was much more strongly fancied this time and returned the 9/2 second-favourite.

As Sands Of Mali's stamina began to ebb away in the straight, Moore kicked on and Mendelssohn ran out a ready winner from Untamed Domain and Voting Control. Gordon Elliott's Beckford was last coming out of the back straight before finishing with a rattle and only just missing out on the places. Masar, James Garfield and Rajasinghe never featured.

O'Brien, winning his 27th top level race of the year, said: "He progressed with every run and his level of progression was so good we were afraid to turn him off. He was still a little green and he'd been getting better all the time. It was brilliant, he's stepped up again today so it's marvellous.

"It's been a big team effort and we're just a small part. We're so grateful to everybody and we're privileged to be here."

Moore said: "He shouldn't have been 50/1 last time, he's a beautiful horse but he's just been a bit backward. The time before the Dewhurst he knocked himself coming out of the stalls, he's a very talented horse.

"Everything went our way today. He's been a bit slow mentally but he was professional today but even when he hit the front he wasn't sure what to do. It went well, we had a good draw but it went smoothly because he has the talent to do that.

"I've always thought he was a good horse, especially since the Dewhurst, and although he was stargazing in front, I always felt there was something left in the tank."

Gordon Elliott said of Beckford: "He's run a very good race to get into the money."

George Scott said of James Garfield: "It's such a tight track and we got wiped out early on and were then running into the back of horses but that's the name of the game."

William Buick said of Masar: "I was an unlucky loser, he pecked and the stirrup slipped, he finished very strongly. I've never known that happen in my career. I think he would have won."

O'Brien was not as fortunate earlier in the card when his September was a fast finishing third behind Rushing Fall in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Having missed the break Seamie Heffernan had no other option but to take his medicine and drop in at the rear, with stablemate Happily also meeting interference from her draw in stall two.

Rushing Fall, ridden by Javier Castellano, headed into the race unbeaten for Chad Brown and shot clear in the straight, chased by Best Performance. September was really getting rolling down the middle of the track but unfortunately for her the line came too soon and she had to settle for third.

Happily never recovered her position after the early interference and finished well beaten.

Heffernan said: "She ran very well but I think I was a bit unlucky."

O'Brien said: "Seamus' filly ran well but Ryan (Moore) just looked after Happily as very early in the race her chance had gone. Seamie hit trouble on September, it was a very rough race, I think Happily will stay and could be an Oaks filly next year.

Frankie Dettori said of the unplaced Juliet Capulet: "I got a very good break and was in the right spot but she's a sprinter and didn't get home."

The feature race on the opening day of the meeting went to John Velazquez as Forever Unbridled won the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Third in the race last year, she made no mistake this time around. Velazquez was a late jockey change, replacing Joel Rosario.

"She's really easy, she broke well and I got her back. I knew it was short stretch so I didn't want to be too far back but I got to the front too soon," said Velezquez.

Trainer Dallas Stewart said: "She's such a great filly, she's three from three this year and since we've spaced her races she's been very successful."

Battle Of Midway showed tremendous guts to come out on top in an thrilling duel with Sharp Azteca in the final two furlongs to win the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.