The $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) is the shortest race of the Championships, with a field of ten older horses (down from the originally drawn 11 after the withdrawal of Attila's Storm) going 6 furlongs around one turn of the sloppy main track at Monmouth Park. Forego (G1) winner Midnight Lute was sent off as the 5-2 favorite over 4-1 second choice Smokey Stover, winner of the Icecapade over the same track and distance, as well as the Potrero Grande (G2) and the Bay Meadows Sprint (G3) at home in California. 6-1 Idiot Proof, winner of the Ancient Title (G1), a "Win and You're In" qualifier, rounded out the top 3 on the board.
Down the stretch they splash as Midnight Lute takes the lead over Idiot Proof and Talent Search.
18-1 outsider Talent Search was gunned to the front by jockey Ryan Fogelsonger and led the pack down the backstretch and around the turn through a quarter in 21.56 and a half in 44.06 over the sloppy sealed main surface. 9-1 Commentator and Idiot Proof stayed in stalking position, while Midnight Lute was bumped at the start and raced in seventh early. Through the stretch, the pacesetters tired as Midnight Lute, out six wide for running room and better footing, unleashed a spectacular rally, running by Idiot Proof inside the 1/8 pole to win going away by 4 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:09.18. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to pacesetter Talent Search in third. Fogelsonger lodged a claim of foul against David Flores aboard Idiot Proof for interference in the stretch but the result was allowed to stand.
Midnight Lute gets his flowers. His jockey Garrett Gomez said, "He really didn't break all that bad. The horse (Ryan) Fogelsonger was on (Talent
Search) made us take back. I felt really comfortable at the half. I
felt that we had a good shot. I made the decision to come around horses
and Commentator took us out a little farther than I would have liked,
but once I got him clear, he came on."
Midnight Lute in the winner's circle with his winner's blanket. His trainer Bob Baffert said, "I've always liked the fact that I trained (his sire) Real Quiet, he was so good to us and he was a good horse himself and he reminded me of Real Quiet the way he came down the stretch with his ears flopping around. It was really exciting, but the way he did it, it's always shown that we've thought great things of this horse and today he really put in a performance. I remember going to the Breeders' Cup and watching the Arazi move, and now we're going to call it the Midnight Lute move."
Garret Gomez concentrates as Midnight Lute heads out for the post parade. His co-owner Mike Pegram said, "you know how hard it is to get to the Breeders' Cup. And to be lucky enough to get here, and the one thing that's great about racing is when you can enjoy it with your friends. To have two partners like Carl and Paul, I mean, it just makes it that much more sweeter.” Co-owner Carl Watson added, “The last couple races, you know, the way he's stepped up, I wouldn't count anything out at this point, but you can't take anything for granted. It's a tough business. We'll take it a week at a time and a day at a time."
Left: Second place finisher Idiot Proof returns after the race.
Right: Idiot Proof was a "Win and You're In" entry after winning the Ancient Title at Santa Anita. Here he is entering the paddock wearing the blanket he got after that win.
His jockey David Flores said, "I think he was
running great, but (Midnight Lute) came out of nowhere.
I think this horse is very honest and was trying every jump. At the top
of the stretch, I went left-handed to try to make him run and he gave a
good effort. I was very pleased with him."
His trainer Clifford Sise Jr. said, "I thought
he was home free. I figure he had to come back in 20 days (since Ancient
Title), and he didn't run with that little extra 'oomph.' I knew
Baffert's horse was training good, but I didn't know if he would like
the mud."
Third place finisher Talent Search in the paddock. His jockey Ryan Fogelsonger said, "I told (the stewards) that (Idiot Proof) came over on me
down the stretch a little too early and it really made me have to take
hold of my horse and pull him outside. The difference between second
and third is a lot more money for the owners."
His trainer Mark Shuman said, "He really ran a good race. I can't complain. He's a nice horse. When someone comes out like that, you have to ask (claim foul). At first I thought he took a bad step, but Ryan (Fogelsonger) said he felt good after. The
winner (Midnight Lute) really ran off at the end. We ran a good race."
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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