The $2 million Emirates Airline Filly and Mare Turf (G1) is for older fillies and mares going 1 3/8 miles around 3 turns on the Churchill Downs turf course. 2009 winner Midday was sent off as the 9-10 favorite in the field of 11 off three straight wins, in the Nassau Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks, and Prix Vermeille (all G1). In to challenge her included 5-1 second choice Harmonious, winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland last out, and 11-2 third choice Red Desire, a close third in the Flower Bowl (G1) at Belmont.
Shared Account holds off Midday
8-1 Plumania was allowed a lead of 1 1/2 lengths first time past the stands as she set slow early fractions of 25.64, 50.32, 1:15.94, and 1:40.95 over the firm turf, with 24-1 Eclair de Lune and 46-1 Shared Account stalking her second and third. Jockey Tom Queally kept favorite Midday in close 5th, just 4 lengths off. Entering the stretch for the last time, Red Desire, who raced in 6th early, came through to take the lead getting 1 1/4 miles in 2:05.77, but Shared Account and Midday were closing quickly. Shared Account outfinished Midday by a neck in 2:17.74, and it was another neck back to 32-1 Keertana third.
Shared Account wins the Filly and Mare Turf over Midday
Left: Shared Account heads to the winner's circle. Trainer Graham Motion said, "I'm speechless. I'm very emotional. I love this filly. I'm not surprised she won. I'm really surprised she was overlooked (by the bettors). She only had one bad race. I'm so glad for Edgar (Prado)."
Right: Shared Account in the post parade. Jockey Edgar Prado said, "It worked out like we planned. I tried to get the filly nice and relaxed in the first part of the race. She broke so good, and I dove right into the rail and. I was able to cover her up. I was very happy where I was. I was hoping the hole would stay open until I got there, and luckily the filly was running pretty good. Once she saw the clear, she kept grinding. I think she really wanted to win today. I knew who was next to me, but I figured as long as I kept my head in front I was really happy."
Second place finisher and beaten favorite Midday returns after the race. Jockey Tom Queally said, "No, the trip didn't beat her. The filly that finished first beat her. My filly handled the course well. That wasn't an issue either. We had a chance to get through and win, and it didn't happen. She ran her race, but got beat." Trainer Henry Cecil added, "She did nothing wrong. She ran a great race but she's had three tough races and in November she might not be quite at her best."
Right: Third place finisher Keertana runs out after the finish. Trainer Tom Proctor said, "She ran good but like my daddy always said, 'No one ever remembers who finishes second or third.' People who are happy with that are unemployed." Jockey Jose Lezcano added, "She ran a big race for me. I had a good trip and she was running hard down the stretch, but I couldn't catch the others."
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.
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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
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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.
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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: Shared Account heads to the winner's circle. Trainer Graham Motion said, "I'm speechless. I'm very emotional. I love this filly. I'm not surprised she won. I'm really surprised she was overlooked (by the bettors). She only had one bad race. I'm so glad for Edgar (Prado)."
Second place finisher and beaten favorite Midday returns after the race. Jockey Tom Queally said, "No, the trip didn't beat her. The filly that finished first beat her. My filly handled the course well. That wasn't an issue either. We had a chance to get through and win, and it didn't happen. She ran her race, but got beat." Trainer Henry Cecil added, "She did nothing wrong. She ran a great race but she's had three tough races and in November she might not be quite at her best."
