A field of 12 older horses made final entry in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), a 1 mile trip around one turn of the main track at Churchill Downs. Here Comes Ben, winner of the Forego (G1) and Kelly's Landing, was sent off as the 5-2 favorite over 7-2 second choice Tizway, off his win in the Helso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park. 6-1 third choice Morning Line, winner of the Pennsylvania Derby (G2), completed the top three on the tote board.
Dakota Phone catches Morning Line at the wire with Gayego just behind.
22-1 Hurricane Ike, Morning Line, and 7-1 Vineyard Haven battled for the lead through the chute and down the backstretch through fractions of 22.41 and 44.94. Around the turn, Hurricane Ike and Vineyard Haven both tired as Morning Line inherited a 1 1/2 length advantage through 3/4 in 1:09.44 and 7/8 in 1:22.09. However, 38-1 Dakota Phone, last for the first 5 furlongs, swung out wide by jockey Joel Rosario and closed with a rush to nail Morning Line at the winning post, by a head in 1:35.29. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to 9-1 Gayego third. Favorite Here Comes Ben failed to fire, finishing 11th beaten 12 1/4 lengths.
Dakota Phone (outside) wins the Dirt Mile over Morning Line
Left: Dakota Phone heads to the winner's circle. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said, "We always thought that, if we could get our horse in a race where there was a very fast pace, he would have a chance to close them down no matter what the distance. I was pretty much in favor of running in the Mile, and there was some question if he could do it on dirt. I have a lot of confidence in Rosario, and he's fast proving that he's going to be one of the better riders in the country. He's a young rider and very strong finisher, and that helped us today."
Right: Dakota Phone in the post parade. Jockey Joel Rosario said, "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."
Left: Second place finisher Morning Line was quite rambunctious in the post parade. Trainer Nick Zito, asked about yet another 2nd place finish in a long line of 2nd's in stakes races this year, said, "I can't believe this. What do they say about adversity and God testing somebody? I guess I'm becoming immune to it. But it's amazing how tough this year has been. But I have to be glad the way they ran. When Morning Line was in front and Cool Coal Man (finished 4th) was running, I said, I'm going to be OK."
Right: Third place finisher Gayego in the post parade. trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, "Gayego ran good." Jockey Frankie Dettori added, "They ran very, very quick, but my horse got into a good rhythm and he finished very strong for me."
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.
Left: Dakota Phone heads to the winner's circle. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said, "We always thought that, if we could get our horse in a race where there was a very fast pace, he would have a chance to close them down no matter what the distance. I was pretty much in favor of running in the Mile, and there was some question if he could do it on dirt. I have a lot of confidence in Rosario, and he's fast proving that he's going to be one of the better riders in the country. He's a young rider and very strong finisher, and that helped us today."
Left: Second place finisher Morning Line was quite rambunctious in the post parade. Trainer Nick Zito, asked about yet another 2nd place finish in a long line of 2nd's in stakes races this year, said, "I can't believe this. What do they say about adversity and God testing somebody? I guess I'm becoming immune to it. But it's amazing how tough this year has been. But I have to be glad the way they ran. When Morning Line was in front and Cool Coal Man (finished 4th) was running, I said, I'm going to be OK."
