The 2009 Breeders' Cup World Championships ended on Saturday with 8 races all with year-end championship implications. It was cooler than on Friday, with the temperature in the low 70's under partly sunny skies and haze obscuring the usual stunning backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains. 58,845 fans were on hand, a 6% increase over the Saturday card in 2008, and total attendance for the two days increased from 86,588 to 96,496.
Full results with several photos per race are available at the link below the pay-off chart.
The $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) features the best older horses going 1 1/4 miles on the main track. Undefeated mare Zenyatta, winner of the Ladies' Classic last year, was sent off as the 5-2 favorite in the field of 12 in her first attempt against males. Originally 13 were entered but Quality Road broke through the starting gate and was scratched. 39-1 Regal Ransom set an early pace of 24.16, 47.88, 1:11.88, and 1:36.16 over the synthetic Pro-Ride while as many as 1 1/2 lengths in front of 7-2 Rip Van Winkle and 12-1 Colonel John. Turning for home, 12-1 Gio Ponti, who was 9th early, split horses on the inside to take a short lead at the 1/8 pole. However, Zenyatta, who was last early, came out wide for the drive and wore down Gio Ponti late to get the hard-fought victory in 2:00.62. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to 9-1 Twice Over third.
Winning trainer John Shirreffs said, "There are tears coming to my eyes. I can't believe it. She is a great, great filly. She is all heart. The way the crowd took to her was just amazing. They cheered for her, they clapped for her; they love her. What a wonderful relationship." When asked if she is Horse of the Year, he added, "You tell me." Jockey Mike Smith added, "I still never got to the bottom of her. That's the amazing thing. She still had run left. She's incredible. She's sent from heaven. She's God's horse. I was able to cut the corner with her off the turn, and that made the difference. She started to get to them in the stretch, and the crowd started screaming. Then she started looking at the crowd, so I had to get after her a little bit, but she still won within herself."
The Breeders' Cup Classic
Purse: $5,000,000 Distance: 1 1/4 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
4 Zenyatta Smith 7.60 5.60 3.80
7 Gio Ponti Dominguez 9.20 6.60
5 Twice Over Queally 7.00
Winning Time: 2:00.62
$1 Exacta 4-7 43.70
$1 Trifecta 4-7-5 596.20
$1 Superfecta 4-7-5-3 3,417.00
$2 Pick Six 6-7-11-2-2/4-4/12 4,822.40
The $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) features older horses going 1 1/2 miles on the turf. Defending champion Conduit was the 9-10 favorite in the field of 7, after Allegre scratched. 6-1 third choice Presious Passion was allowed an uncontested lead of as many as 10 lengths through fractions of 23.08, 45.14, 1:09.24, and 1:34.58 over the firm course. Entering the stretch after10 furlongs in 1:59.72, Conduit, who was last early, moved up to challenge the pacesetter. After a brief duel, Conduit surged ahead to win by 1/2 a length in 2:23.73. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to 5-1 Dar Re Mi third.
Winning jockey Ryan Moore said, "I was stuck behind a lot of horses early but that didn't worry me. I got a nice spot down the backside and I went inside to move up. Last year went about as planned but this year wasn't according to plan. I knew I was going to get there." Trainer Sir Michael Stoute added, "It's always a big day for the world championship. It's a very important race and it was great to see him go and do it two in a row. We're also pleased with the fourth horse Spanish Moon."
The Emirates Airlines Breeders' Cup Turf
Purse: $3,000,000 Distance: 1 1/2 miles turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
9 Conduit Moore 3.80 3.00 2.20
8 Presious Passion Trujillo 5.00 3.80
5 Dar Re Mi Dettori 3.00
Winning Time: 2:23.75
$1 Exacta 2-6 12.80
$1 Trifecta 2-6-5 40.30
$1 Superfecta 2-6-5-7 67.30
The $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) is for older horses going 1 mile on the turf. Defending champion Goldikova was sent off as the 7-5 favorite in the field of 11. 13-1 Gladiatorus set the early pace of 22.98, 45.22, and 1:08.34 while being challenged by 9-1 Cowboy Cal and 19-1 Whatsthescript. Entering the stretch, 23-1 Courageous Cat came through and opened up a 1 1/2 length lead with a furlong remaining but Goldikova, 10th early, closed down the center of the course to win by 1/2 a length in 1:32.26. It was a length back to 16-1 Justenuffhumor third.
Trainer Freddie Head, who won this race in twice as a jockey aboard Miesque and now twice as a trainer with Goldikova, said, "She was a little far back but the pace was strong. I was confident she would win when she came with her run into the stretch. It looked like she stopped a little, but Olivier smacked her 200 yards out for her last burst. It's been a long season and now to make this long trip in November. Maybe we'll come back and try for three." Winning jockey Olivier Peslier said, "The draw (post 11) wasn't a big help. I didn't want to make a run until the last turn. I came wide because that was the only place to go. She's lovely. She won last year; she won this year. I'm so glad for my owners (Wertheimer et Frere) that they have a filly like this."
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) is for older horses going 1 mile on the synthetic main track. Mastercraftsman was sent off as the 7-5 favorite in the field of 10. 3-1 Midshipman led early through fractions of 23.97, 47.47, and 1:11.08, while as many as 1 1/2 lengths in front of 14-1 Neko Bay in second. Entering the stretch, 21-1 Furthest Land, who sat in fourth early, came through between horses to get the lead at the 1/16 pole and was all-out to hold off 24-1 Ready's Echo by 3/4 length in1:35.50. It was just a head back to pacesetter Midshipman third, and 3/4 more to late-running favorite Mastercraftsman fourth.
Winning trainer Mike Maker said, "That was incredible. Honestly, he has trained as well as he ever has. He gave me a lot of confidence and his (synthetic) record speaks for itself." Jockey Julien Leparoux added, "I sat on the rail right behind the leader (Midshipman). It opened up at the 1/4 pole. I found room to strike, and that was it. He always runs big on synthetics. It was not an easy win to have, but he ran big."
Vale of York (center, blue silks) wins the Juvenile
The $2 million Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) features 2-year-old colts and geldings going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Lookin at Lucky was the 2-1 favorite in the field of 13. 50-1 Piscitelli was loose on the lead through fractions of 24.26, 48.78, and 1:13.02 with 7-1 D'Funnybone sitting 2 1/2 lengths back in second. On the turn, 6-1 Noble's Promise, who stalked the pace in third early, came out three wide to take over the lead by midstretch. However, 30-1 Vale of York came through between horses to get the win by a head over Lookin at Lucky in 1:43.48. It was another 1/2 length back to Noble's Promise third.
Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, "He ran a huge race. I fancied the horse before the race. He was improving all the time. He ran a big race last time when he finished second in a Group 1 (Gran Criterium) in Italy. Every time he's come for a race he's handled everything really well. He's a tough horse, and next year we'll bring him for the Kentucky Derby." Jockey Ahmed Ajtebi added, "No difficulties today. I had a very good trip. The last time I rode this horse (in the Gran Criterium) we were going to win, and he saw the crowd and he stopped himself. By the time I got him going, we got beat. He was unlucky to lose the time before that also. Today it all went well. When I shifted him out, he just went and he was strong enough at the finish to get it done."
The Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
7 Vale of York Ajtebi 9.20 4.40 3.20
13 Lookin At Lucky Gomez 5.00 3.80
4 Noble's Promise Martinez 4.40
Winning Time: 1:43.48
$1 Exacta 7-13 167.40
$1 Trifecta 7-13-4 1,181.10
$1 Superfecta 7-13-4-2 29,929.90
Dancing in Silks (second from outside) wins the Sprint
The $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) is for top older sprinters going 6 furlongs. Zensational was sent off as the 9-5 choice in the field of 9. 19-1 Cost of Freedom was quickest out of the chute and set fractions of 21.88 and 44.22 while a length in front of 5-1 Fatal Bullet. Cost of Freedom continued to lead to the 1/8 pole through 5/8 in 55.88, but 25-1 Dancing in Silks from 4th, 16-1 Crown of Thorns from 6th, and 2-1 Gayego from last were quickly closing the gap. Four horses hit the line together in 1:08.14, and the photo finish determined that Dancing in Silks prevailed by a nose over Crown of Thorns second, by a head over Cost of Freedom third, by a nose over Gayego fourth.
Winning jockey Joel Rosario said, "I had a very good trip in perfect position and had a good chance outside when we got to the stretch. It was very close but my horse always has his head up, so I was just hoping that would help at the finish." Trainer Carla Gaines added, "The way Zensational had been training and Gayego won the Ancient Title, it looked like a tough situation (for us). The way the post positions set up, we were able to sit off the pace and make our run. The racing gods were smiling upon us today. I don't have to give Joel any instructions."
The Sentient Breeders' Cup Sprint
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 6 furlongs
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
6 Dancing in Silks Rosario 53.60 19.20 12.00
4 Crown of Thorns Bejarano 13.20 8.60
2 Cost of Freedom Baze 9.20
Winning Time: 1:08.14
$1 Exacta 6-4 227.90
$1 Trifecta 6-4-2 2,145.90
$1 Superfecta 6-4-2-5 7,651.00
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint features older horses sprinting about 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf. California Flag was sent off as the 7-2 favorite in the full field of 14 despite dumping his jockey and running loose in a workout on Wednesday morning. Jockey Joe Talamo sent California Flag to the front immediately and he opened a clear lead down the chute through a quarter in 21.50 and a half in 43.09. With a furlong remaining he was 3 1/2 lengths in front, as 10-1 Gotta Have Her was closing late, but California Flag easily cruised under the line 1 3/4 lengths ahead in a time of 1:11.28. It was another 3/4 lengths back to 6-1 Cannonball third.
Winning trainer Brian Koriner said, "Last year we just said 'go' and this year we used our heads. The horse has matured, and Joe did a great job. Once we made the lead, it was over. This is great. I hope there are more (Breeders' Cup wins) to come. I am not going to be greedy, but this is what it's all about." Jockey Joe Talamo added, "He made the lead pretty easily, and going right until about the 3/8 pole, I was pretty confident. He had so much in reserve coming down the stretch and really kicked it in the last part. Last year we went 41 for the half, this year we went 43. That was the difference."
The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 6 1/2 turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
3 California Flag Talamo 8.60 5.60 3.80
7 Gotta Have Her Baze 8.80 5.60
6 Cannonball Dominguez 4.80
Winning Time: 1:11.28
$1 Exacta 3-7 38.60
$1 Trifecta 3-7-6 317.50
$1 Superfecta 3-7-6-14 4,226.70
Kicking off the championship races on Saturday was the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) for 2-year-olds going 1 mile on the turf. Pounced was the 5-2 favorite in the full field of 12. 8-1 Bridgetown battled for the early lead with 3-1 Interactif through fractions of 23.61, 48.50, and 1:12.47 over the firm course. Bridgetown opened up a 1 1/2 length lead in midstretch through 7/8 in 1:23.70, but Pounced, 5th early, closed late on the outside to get the win by 3/4 length in 1:35.47. It was another head back to Interactif third.
Winning jockey Frankie Dettori said, "I had a box seat, very pleased that we got the split (between horses), and he fought really hard for me. I was worried about getting clear but the gap was big enough for me to go through and my horse was very brave." Trainer John Gosden added, "There wasn't much pace but he got through the gap when he had to. It's fantastic to win this race for the second straight year (Pounced in 2008) and to do it at Santa Anita, my second home."
Breeders' Cup Saturday Results - There were 9 races Saturday highlighted by the $5 million Classic where Fort Larned won by a half length over Mucho Macho Man. Also on the card, favorites Wise Dan won the Mile and Shanghai Bobby won the Juvenile. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 9 races here.
Breeders' Cup Friday Results - There were 6 races Friday highlighted by the Ladies' Classic where favorite Royal Delta held off My Miss Aurelia to win for the second year in a row and the Filly and Mare Turf where Zagora was an upset winner. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 6 races here.
2012 Breeders' Cup Entries - Lots of info about the Breeders' Cup, each race, links to profiles for all the horses entered, and info about each race. Free Past Performances - for all the races
Thursday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 49 of the Breeders' Cup horses out on Thursday morning at Santa Anita. The Europeans were out of quarantine and the east coasters delayed by Hurricane Sandy finally arrived, so it was a very busy morning.
Wednesday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 34 of the Breeders' Cup horses out in the fog on Wednesday morning at Santa Anita. The sun didn't make it out until 8:30am and visibility was quite poor at times.
Tuesday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 69 of the Breeders' Cup horses out on the track Tuesday morning at Santa Anita, including Classic favorite Game On Dude and 7 more of the Classic horses.
Breeders' Cup Weather - What will the weather be like at Santa Anita Park on November 2 and 3? Here are lots of places to find out!
2011 Breeders' Cup Saturday Results - The feature race was the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic where Drosselmeyer was an upset winner. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 9 races here.
2011 Breeders' Cup Friday Results - Friday was headlined by the $2 million Ladies Classic (formerly the Distaff) won by Royal Delta. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 6 races here.
Review: Crushing the Cup 2012 - by Jim Mazur and Peter Mallett. An invaluable tool for trying to unlock the mysteries of handicapping the Breeders' Cup races at Santa Anita updated for 2012.
Breeders' Cup History - Historical info, past results, and photos from previous runnings
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.
Free Prep Replays - for major prep races in the Breeders' Cup Challenge. The ones with camera logos have video available.
Blazing Silks, Breeders' Cup Edition- an interactive social network game that allows horse racing fans and social gamers to train and care for Thoroughbred horses.
