The 2010 Breeders' Cup World Championships ended on Saturday with 8 races all with year-end championship implications. In contrast to Friday, fans and participants enjoyed mostly sunny skies, minimal wind, and temperatures in the upper 40's for most of the day. 72,739 fans were on hand, a 23.6% increase over the Saturday card at Santa Anita in 2009, and total attendance for the two days increased from 96,496 to 114,353.
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 2008 Ladies' Classic and the Classic last year, was sent off as the even-money favorite in the field of 12 in her attempt to extend her career to an unprecedented 20 straight wins. 37-1 First Dude set an early pace of 23.24, 47.14, and 1:11.01 over the fast track while being stalked by 6-1 Quality Road. At the top of the stretch, 30-1 Espoir City took a brief lead through 1 mile in 1:37.12, was soon passed by 5-1 Blame and 9-2 Lookin at Lucky. Zenyatta, who was last for 7 furlongs, closed ground on the outside, but Blame held her off by a head in 2:02.28. It was a long 3 1/2 lengths back to 26-1 Fly Down third.
Winning trainer Al Stall Jr. said, "Everything went our way. A clean break, nice pace, made the lead, held her off, and galloped off in front of her. We've seen that kind of performance before. He's very consistent. We're just glad to be here." Jockey Garrett Gomez added, "I followed Lookin at Lucky and another horse going into the turn all the way to the top of the stretch. I pointed him in between a little gap that I had, and when I did he just jumped into the bridle and took me too them. I was just trying to hold the wonder horse off and give her her first defeat."
The Breeders' Cup Classic
Purse: $5,000,000 Distance: 1 1/4 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
5 Blame Gomez 12.40 4.40 3.80
8 Zenyatta Smith 3.60 2.80
6 Fly Down Leparoux 8.60
Winning Time: 2:02.28
$2 Exacta 5-8 43.70
$2 Trifecta 5-8-6 596.20
$1 Superfecta 5-8-6-12 3,417.00
$2 Pick Six 1-7-10-1-8-5 800,160.40
The $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) is for older horses going 1 mile on the turf. Goldikova, winner of the last two editions of this race, was sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the field of 11 in her attempt to be the first 3-time winner of a Breeders' Cup race. 5-1 Sidney's Candy set the early pace of 24.02, 47.49, and 1:11.33 over the firm course while being stalked by 47-1 Get Stormy and 56-1 Beethoven. Entering the stretch Sidney's Candy continued to lead but the pacesetters all tired in the final furlong, as Goldikova, 6th early, accelerated past 5 horses in short order and drew off late to win by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:35.16. It was a neck back to 22-1 The Usual Q.T. third.
Trainer Freddie Head, who won this race in twice as a jockey aboard Miesque and now three times as a trainer with Goldikova, said, "It's quite unreal. She's amazing, she can do anything. It's too good to be true. I'm very emotional. I was the first jockey to win this race twice with a mare, and now I'm the trainer of a mare winning (this race) three times. It's unreal. We don't know how good this filly is. She's extraordinary. I don't have the words." Winning jockey Olivier Peslier said, "Right now, she is the best filly in the world. First my filly, and now it's (up) to Zenyatta. I didn't want to ask too much of her (early). She was wide on the turn but after that she relaxed behind the pace. On the last turn, she was flying and she kept running. I don't know the words to describe what it feels like to ride a champion like that."
The $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) features older horses going 1 1/2 miles on the turf. Behkabad was sent off as the 11-10 favorite in the field of 7 after morning line favorite Workforce was scratched. 10-1 Champ Pegasus led for the first 1 1/4 miles through fractions of 24.70, 50.17, 1:15.91, 1:40.88, and 2:05.27 over the firm course, while as many as 2 lengths in front of 8-1 Dangerous Midge who stalked him second. Champ Pegasus continued to lead by 1 1/2 lengths at the 1/8 pole but Dangerous Midge drew even at the 1/16 pole and drew off to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 2:29.40. It was another 2 lengths back to favorite Behkabad third.
Winning jockey Frankie Dettori said, ""I had a great trip. The blinkers kept him alive, but he didn't handle the corners very well. He's such a big horse. I kept him balanced and we had no pressure all the way. In the straight it took him a long time to motor, but we got there in the end. It felt really good to get this one. He's a nice horse." Trainer Brian Meehan added, "We're happy. We know he was quick enough on the straight and Frankie kept him balanced on the bends. He's talented and has been improving and improving. We've always liked this horse and we've just been developing him all the way through. This is a big galloping track. I wanted to be one off the lead, so he was ridden perfectly."
Dakota Phone (outside) wins the Dirt Mile over Morning Line
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) is for older horses going 1 mile on the main track. Here Comes Ben was sent off as the 5-2 favorite in the field of 12. 21-1 Hurricane Ike battled for the lead with 6-1 Morning Line exiting the chute and down the backstretch through fractions of 22.41 and 44.94. Morning Line took over the lead on the far turn through 3/4 in 1:09.44, opening up a 1 1/2 length advantage entering the stretch. However, 38-1 longest shot Dakota Phone, last early, closed with rush 5 wide to defeat Morning Line by a head in 1:35.29. It was 1 1/4 lengths back to 9-1 Cool Coal Man third, while favorite Here Comes Ben was 11th.
Winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said, "The last time I ran him on dirt (Oaklawn Handicap), I sent him to the lead, which I shouldn't have done; this horse wants to come from off the pace. This is why he won. He got fortunate and got a good pace up front, and then he got outside and ran them down." Jockey Joel Rosario added, "The way he runs, I knew I'd wind up going outside. When we did, I got a good run from him. He was running well when I got up to (Morning Line) and I thought I could go past him. I was 90 percent sure, and then he got him."
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. Uncle Mo was sent off as the 7-5 favorite in the field of 10. 57-1 longest shot Riveting Reason was loose on the lead through fractions of 23.57, 47.27, and 1:11.92 with Uncle Mo stalking him within 2 lengths. At the top of the lane Riveting Reason tired allowing Uncle Mo to inherit the lead, and he drew off with authority to win going away by 4 1/2 lengths over 7-2 second choice Boys of Toscanova in 1:42.60. It was another 6 lengths back to Rogue Romance third.
Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "That was as impressive as they get. It was an unbelievable performance; crazy fast like he's been doing all along. He runs really fast for a long time. He was right there and they were going quick all the way. Johnny pushed the button on the turn and he had another gear. When Johnny turned for home, I felt like we were in good shape. I don't get goosebumps very often, but I had them today." Jockey John Velazquez added, "That was definitely special. We had so much hope for this horse, and for him to come here and do it the
way he did it today, that was special. He galloped out very good. This is a special horse. We have to take it step-by-step. The Derby is too far away to even think about it. Let's see if we get there."
The Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
7 Uncle Mo Velazquez 4.80 3.40 2.60
2 Boys At Tosconova Dominguez 4.20 3.40
9 Rogue Romance Leparoux 4.20
Winning Time: 1:42.60
$2 Exacta 7-2 17.80
$2 Trifecta 7-2-9 147.20
$1 Superfecta 7-2-9-1 428.60
The $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) is for top older sprinters going 6 furlongs. Girolamo was sent off as the lukewarm 4-1 favorite in the field of 12. Big Drama was sent to the front immediately and he set quick fractions of 21.34 and 44.55 while 20-1 Cash Refund sat 1 1/2 lengths behind. Big Drama opened up a 2 1/2 length advantage in mid-stretch through 5/8 in 56.42. 24-1 Hamazing Destiny put in a late rally from 10th but Big Drama was in the clear, cruising under the line 1 1/2 lengths in front in 1:09.05. It was just a neck back to 6-1 Smiling Tiger third, while favorite Girolamo was 11th.
Winning jockey Eibar Coa said, "He always gets out of the gate good and has speed to get good position. Today, he broke sharp and we got the lead and kept going. He did everything on his own to the stretch. When the rest started coming to me, he just pushed harder and won." Trainer David Fawkes added, "I wanted him off the rail and he
floated him off the rail. He did everything perfectly. He went wire-to-wire; how about that? After his layoff that's when we started to sprint him. I was pretty confident in him after his last work at Calder, a deeper, more tiring track."
The Sentient Breeders' Cup Sprint
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 6 furlongs
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
1 Big Drama Coa 12.40 7.00 5.00
4 Hamazing Destiny Rosario 19.80 12.20
5 Smiling Tiger Baze 5.00
Winning Time: 1:09.05
$2 Exacta 1-4 254.80
$2 Trifecta 1-4-5 2,396.60
$1 Superfecta 1-4-5-9 13,939.00
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G2) features older horses sprinting 5 furlongs on the turf. Silver Timber was sent off as the 3-1 favorite in the full field of 14. Down the backstretch and around the turn 9-1 Central City set the pace of 21.59 and 44.60 while being stalked by 11-1 Stradivinsky 1 1/2 lengths behind. The field bunched up at the 1/8 pole but 7-1 Chamberlain Bridge, 9th early, took over with 50 yards to go and drew off to a 1 1/2 length win in 56.53. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to 10-1 Unzip Me third.
Winning trainer Bret Calhoun said, "He found a seam late. Going down the backside he was retreating like I thought he would do, and I was absolutely concerned. I didn't think he had much chance and the horses in front of him were not opening up (a hole) for him. This was great." Jockey Jamie Theriot added, "It was great. He's a
horse that doesn't like to be on the inside, so I just worked my out and worked my way out. Turning for home, I had a big seam, and as soon as he saw daylight he was a different horse – he just hit gears. This has just been unbelievable. I'm two-for-two this year. I give a lot of credit to Bret Calhoun. He's been very loyal to me."
The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 5 furlongs turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
1 Chamberlain Bridge Theriot 15.80 8.20 5.60
2 Central City Albarado 9.80 7.80
4 Unzip Me Bejarano 7.00
Winning Time: :56.53
$2 Exacta 1-2 156.20
$2 Trifecta 1-2-4 1,393.60
$1 Superfecta 1-2-4-7 8,815.40
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. Master of Hounds was sent off as the 7-2 favorite in the field of 12. 10-1 Madman Diaries battled for the lead with 29-1 Humble and Hungry through fractions of 24.01, 47.97, and 1:13.05 over the firm course. 5-1 Banned put in his big on the far turn as Madman Diaries stubbornly held the lead to the 1/8 pole. However, the pace battles set the race up for the closers, as 6-1 Pluck, last early, closed late to win by 1 length over 4-1 Soldat in 1:36.98. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to 23-1 Willcox Inn third, while favorite Master of Hounds was 6th. 36-1 Rough Sailing fell on the clubhouse turn unseating jockey Anna Napravnik, and was later euthanized due to a fracture of the humerus in the right forelimb.
Winning jockey Garrett Gomez said, " "He did everything really good, he overcame a lot. He stumbled to his nose leaving the gate. (Rough Sailing) fell in front of him going to the first turn. He had to avoid that. I just tried to let him gallop along and tried to come up with some kind of run, and hopefully, he could overcome as much as he could overcome. He actually turned in a brilliant performance." Trainer Todd Pletcher added, "He stumbled badly at the start and had to maneuver (around) a fallen rider. At that point, you're just kind of hoping you can regroup and hit the board. He really exploded down the lane. He's been a colt that has been very talented but he's still learning. It was a matter of putting it all together and focusing on running straight."
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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Winning jockey Frankie Dettori said, ""I had a great trip. The blinkers kept him alive, but he didn't handle the corners very well. He's such a big horse. I kept him balanced and we had no pressure all the way. In the straight it took him a long time to motor, but we got there in the end. It felt really good to get this one. He's a nice horse." Trainer Brian Meehan added, "We're happy. We know he was quick enough on the straight and Frankie kept him balanced on the bends. He's talented and has been improving and improving. We've always liked this horse and we've just been developing him all the way through. This is a big galloping track. I wanted to be one off the lead, so he was ridden perfectly."
