Economics handled the transition from racing against 3-year-olds to competing against older horses with a hard-fought win in his Group 1 debut in Saturday’s $1.37 million Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, Ireland. In doing so, Economics narrowly beat the brilliant Auguste Rodin, the winner of the 2023 Irish Champion Stakes as well as the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita last November. For his win in the Irish Champion Stakes, Economics earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 2. Trainer William Haggas said in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s race that Economics is likely to make his next start in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot Racecourse in Britain on Oct. 19. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. There were two other automatic qualifying races for the Breeders’ Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday. The brilliant 3-year-old Porta Fortuna won her third consecutive Group 1 race in the $441,500 Matron Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile, earning a berth to the BC Filly and Mare Turf. Co-owner Dean Reeves said in the hour after the race that Porta Fortuna would be pointed for the BC Mile against males on the same day. “I think we’ll go straight to the Breeders’ Cup,” Reeves said. Green Impact beat three rivals to earn a berth in the BC Juvenile Turf on Nov. 1 with his win in the Group 2 Juvenile Stakes at seven furlongs. He is unlikely to race again this year, however. Economics, trained by William Haggas, and Porta Fortuna, trained by Donnacha O’Brien, were ridden by Tom Marquand. Economics, who paid $5.30 in American pools as a slight favorite, finished a neck in front of Auguste Rodin, who was also 8-5.  Marquand had Economics in a stalking position for the first mile of the race at 1 1/4 miles. Marquand moved Economics to the outside in the stretch and repelled a sustained challenge from Auguste Rodin, who finished three-quarters of a length in front of 14-1 Shin Emperor, a shipper from Japan. Economics, a colt by the Dubawi stallion Night of Thunder, has won 4 of 5 starts, with all the wins this year. Economics was closer to the front in the Irish Champion Stakes than in his two previous starts – Group 2 wins in the Dante Stakes at York Racecourse in Britain in May, and the Prix Guillaume d’Ornaro for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles at Deauville, France, on Aug. 15. “He was never keen to be too far back,” Haggas told a television audience. “He really put his head down. “He’s got a big future as long as we don’t overdo it. We’ve always planned to go for the Champion” Stakes. Auguste Rodin is a candidate for the Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on Nov. 24, trainer Aidan O’Brien told the media. Porta Fortuna ($3.90) finished a length in front of 2-1 Fallen Angel in the Matron Stakes after stalking the early pace. Porta Fortuna took the lead in the final furlong. Fallen Angel, racing for the first time since a win in the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas in May, finished a half-length in front of 17-1 Soprano, the winner of the 30-runner Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot in June. Porta Fortuna has won 7 of 11 starts. Second in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita last November, Porta Fortuna’s current winning streak includes the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and the Falmouth Stakes against older fillies and mares at Newmarket Racecourse in Britain in July. “She is special,” Reeves said on Saturday from Ireland. “You don’t know how they’ll handle the transition from 2 to 3. She just will not lose. It’s amazing to win three straight Group 1’s.” Green Impact is unlikely to be sent to California and will be rested for a 3-year-old season in 2025, Jamie McCalmont, who represents owner Mark Chan, told the press. Green Impact ($5.90) won the Juvenile by a half-length over Delacroix, the 3-5 favorite. Only four ran. Trained by Jessica Harrington, Green Impact was ridden by Shane Foley. A colt by Wootton Bassett, Green Impact has won 2 of 3 starts. The Juvenile Stakes was his stakes debut. Jan Brueghel Wins St. Leger Jan Brueghel outfinished stablemate Illinois to win Saturday’s Group 1 English St.Leger Stakes for 3-year-old colts and fillies by a neck at 1 13/16 miles at Doncaster Racecourse in Britian. The first two finishers are trained by O’Brien, who has won the St. Leger eight times. Jan Brueghel ($7) won by a neck over 2-1 Illinois in the field of seven. Ridden by Sean Levey, Jan Brueghel was never far from the front and was fully extended in the final furlong to keep the lead. Deira Mile (29-1) finished third, but was disqualified and placed fourth for bumping 9-2 Sunway in the stretch. Jan Brueghel is unbeaten in four starts, all achieved this year. The $820,100 St. Leger Stakes was his first Group 1 victory, preceded by two Group 3 races at the Curragh in Ireland and Goodwood Racecoure in Britain. Jan Brueghel and Illinois are from the final crop of the legendary stallion Galileo, who died in 2021. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.