A field of just eight went to post in the $3 million John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf, contested at 1 1/2 miles around three turns of the soft turf course at Monmouth Park. Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) and Irish Champion Stakes (G1) winner Dylan Thomas was sent off at 9-10 favorite over top American hope English Channel at 3-1, winner of the United Nations (G1) and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1). Last year's winner Red Rocks was back to defend his title, and was the 6-1 third choice despite only winning once this year, in the Gordon Richards (G3).
English Channel starts to draw off in the stretch with Shamdinan, Fri Guy, and Dylan Thomas behind him.
29-1 longshot Fri Guy was allowed an uncontested lead of as many as 1 1/2 lengths around the first turn and first time past the stands through fractions of 26.07, 53.20, 1:19.91, and 1:46.01 while 26-1 Shamdinan stalked him in second. English Channel sat close to the pace in third while Dylan Thomas was well back in sixth. Entering the stretch for the final time, Fri Guy tired and dropped out of contention as English Channel easily took charge. When asked for more by jockey John Velazquez, English Channel pulled away from the competition, finishing 7 lengths clear of Shamdinan in 2:36.96 over the soft going. It was another 3/4 length back to Red Rocks third, while Dylan Thomas failed to fire on the wet course and finished fifth.
English Channel wins the Turf.
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
6 English Channel Velazquez 8.00 4.40 3.00
4 Shamdinan Leparoux 17.60 9.40
2 Red Rocks Dettori 4.60
Winning Time: 2:36.96
$2 Exacta 6-4 152.00
$1 Trifecta 6-4-2 282.70
$1 Superfecta 6-4-2-3 1,234.60
Trainer Todd Pletcher helps put the winner's blanket on English Channel in the winner's circle. Pletcher said, "He delivered big-time
today. That was a big performance. He dominated some really good
horses. I was concerned (about the course condition). Obviously, it
was extremely soft, but he ran an unbelievable race."
English Channel gets his flowers. His jockey John Velazquez said, "We got the perfect trip. Our plan was to save ground and wait as long as possible before we made our move. Everything was perfect. Last year (in the Breeders'
Cup), we had an outside post and he never relaxed. This year, he's
older and he has learned to relax. That was the key today."
Left: English Channel in the post parade.
Right: Owner James Scatuorchio gives him a kiss as he comes to the winner's circle. Scatuorchio said, “He is a very popular horse and I'm going to miss racing him and he's been tremendous for our family. He's worked hard enough and someone was nice enough to make a deal with me the last week or so, so I'm thrilled for him. I'm not going to divulge it now. I always thought he was a champion and nothing takes away from Dylan Thomas. I would not beat him in France with those courses up and down. He was on my home court today and we caught a track that was not favorable to him so today was our day. That's what racing is about.”
Second place finisher Shamdinan in the paddock. His jockey Julien Leparoux said, "He was very good today. He broke sharp and was very relaxed. I did my best to keep him that way - we just got beat by a better horse."
His trainer Angel Penna Jr. said, "I am very, very happy. He ran a tremendous race. He improved dramatically from his last race, and he got beat today by a very good horse."
Third place finisher Red Rocks and a muddy Frankie Dettori return after the race. His jockey Frankie Dettori said, "He was struggling on the
ground on the inside, so I decided to go on the outside for a better
turn of foot."
His trainer Brian Meehan said, "He was down on the inside and
(Dettori) said the ground was really bad there. When he
pulled him outside to make his run up the straight, he picked
up really well, but it was too late then. He said he needed to be on
the better ground. I'm really proud of him. He tried all right. He
always tries."
Fifth place finisher and beaten favorite Dylan Thomas in the post parade. His jockey John Murtagh said, "It was not turf racing -
look (as he pointed to his mud-covered silks). He was spinning his
wheels out there. He even hated the warm-up, and this is a horse who
loves his racing and everything about it. We had no chance."
His trainer Aidan O'Brien said, "He got the trip I
expected, but he just labored in the ground. I'd say the ground beat
him. He's such a lovely actioned horse that he likes firmer ground. But
we were here and I thought (his owners) were very sporting to let him
run."
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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