The highlight event on Day One of the 2007 Breeders' Cup World Championships was the inaugural running of the $1 million Dirt Mile. After Forefathers was scratched in favor of Saturday's TVG Sprint, a field of eight went to post in this 1 mile and 70 yard main track feature. Godolphin's local stable star Discreet Cat was sent off as the 3-2 favorite despite finishing third in the Vosburgh (G1) in his last start after finishing last in the Dubai World Cup (G1). He had not won since the 2006 Cigar Mile (G1) at Aqueduct. In to challenge him were 7-2 second choice Corinthian, winner of the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) in May but fourth in the Woodward (G1) last time out, and 6-1 third choice Wanderin Boy, winner of the Alysheba (G3) but 7th in the Woodward in his final prep.
The horses pass by for the first time in the Dirt Mile.
7-1 Gottcha Gold was loose on the lead around the clubhouse turn and down the backstretch through fractions of 22.58, 45.94, and 1:10.02 over the sloppy, sealed track while as many as 2 1/2 lengths clear of Wanderin Boy stalking him in second. Favorite Discreet Cat was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third. Entering the stretch, Gottcha Gold and Wanderin Boy tired from the fast early pace while Corinthian, who sat back in fifth early, found room between horses and moved towards the front, getting the lead at the 3/16 pole. Corinthian opened up a 2 1/2 length lead at the 1/8 pole and drew away to win by 6 1/2 over Gottcha Gold in 1:39.06 over the sloppy, sealed track. It was a long 8 1/4 lengths back to favorite Discreet Cat in third, who lacked any late rally but managed to hold third by a head over Wanderin Boy in fourth.
Corinthian heads to the winner's circle. His jockey Kent Desormeaux said, “Once we cornered from home, he stuck his
task for a solid 300 yards and I said, "Man, I can't even imagine that
anyone is near me," and I looked up at the Jumbotron and they were eight
back and I said, "You got 'em, boy, just keep doing what you're doing. This red
colt, he was a fireball down the lane."
Corinthian heads out of the tunnel for the post parade. His trainer James Jerkens said, “But down here we galloped him and gave him
a good, strong, blowout down the backstretch yesterday in the slop and he
seemed to handle it really good. I always thought the mare by Easy Goer, I always thought they excelled in the slop, looking at pedigrees, I thought there was no problem there and Pulpit, they seemed like they can do anything. We got lucky, he
took to (the mud).”
Corinthian heads back to the barn. Winning co-owner Don Little of Centennial Farms said, "We've already negotiated a stallion deal with Gainesway Farm and I'm thinking to myself maybe we can renegotiate and run him again next year. That is the plan. He will be standing at Gainesway in 2008, and after winning the inaugural Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, he is a brilliant miler and he proved it today."
Second place finisher Gottcha Gold heads out for the post parade. His jockey C. C. Lopez said, "I told
Eddie Plesa that I might get wet, but I ain't gonna get dirty. He ran a
fantastic race. I couldn't be more proud of him. I had a really good
trip, and the other horse (Corinthian) was just better."
His trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. said, "We're very
pleased. I thought he ran a good race and we're very proud of him. If
you look at the fractions, needless to day, they are a little bit faster
than we wanted. We got outrun by a good horse, but don't take us for
granted."
Third place finisher and beaten favorite Discreet Cat. His jockey Garrett Gomez said, "He was a little keen with me. Once I got him outside, he was nice and relaxed and traveling well. About the 1/2 mile pole when I needed horse, he just kind of stayed. I thought he was completely done. I just kept scrubbing away, and he hung on and ran third for us. We know (the talent) is still there. We don't know exactly what the problem is. He's traveling well and he feels good underneath me, but there's something missing, and we're going to try to find it. "
His trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, "I don't like to make excuses. There's nothing we can tell right now. Maybe it was the ground, or maybe his throat. We're headed back to the barn now."
2011 Breeders' Cup Entries and Post Positions - Final entries were taken and post positions drawn on Monday for the 15 races on November 4-5 at Churchill Downs. Lots of info about the Breeders' Cup, each race, and links to profiles for all the horses with post positions, morning line odds, and free past performances.
Thursday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 35 of the Breeders' Cup horses out on the track Thursday morning at Churchill Downs, including Goldikova who actually galloped, Drosselmeyer, and Gio Ponti. Very few repeats from previous days.
Wednesday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 57 of the Breeders' Cup horses out on the track Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs, including Havre de Grace, juvenile Speightscity who had a bullet work, and Game on Dude. All different horses from Tuesday!
Tuesday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 41 of the Breeders' Cup horses out on the track Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs, including Mile favorite Goldikova, Turf favorite Sarafina, and Juvenile favorite Union Rags.
Review: Crushing the Cup 2011 - by Jim Mazur and Peter Mallett. An invaluable tool for trying to unlock the mysteries of handicapping the Breeders' Cup races at Churchill Downs updated for 2011.
Breeders' Cup 360 - 'The Bettor's Inside Source' for all things Breeders' Cup handicapping
The Breeders' Cup Championship Day - The official page for the Breeders' Cup championship races. Just about anything you need to know about it: results, video clips, and race calls for past years, and eventually nominations, entries, and results.
European News - the latest on the Euro contenders from Sporting Life
Saturday Breeders' Cup Results - Goldikova became the first horse to win three Breeders' Cup races with her victory in the Mile. Zenyatta came up a head short in her quest for a 20th consecutive win when she was unable to catch Blame in the Classic. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 8 races here.
Friday Breeders' Cup Results - Unrivaled Belle held off the late close of Blind Luck to win the first Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic run at night. Also on the card, Shared Account won the Filly and Mare Turf, Awesome Feather won the Juvenile Fillies, Dubai Majesty won the Filly and Mare Sprint, More Than Real won the Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Eldaafer won the Marathon. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
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