The $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) is the richest turf race in North America. After Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner and expected favorite Workforce was scratched, just 7 of the original field of 8 drawn went to post in this 1 1/2 mile trip around 3 turns over the Churchill Downs turf. Prix Niel (G2) winner and Arc fourth place finisher Behkabad was sent off as the 11-10 favorite over 4-1 second choice Winchester, winner of the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Belmont Park last out. 9-2 third choice Al Khali, winner of the Bowling Green (G2) before finishing a close fourth in the Pattison Canadian International (G1) completed the top three on the board.
Dangerous Midge in the center overtakes pacesetter Champ Pegasus on the rail.
Jockey Joel Rosario sent 10-1 Champ Pegasus to the front and he was allowed an uncontested lead of about 2 lengths through early fractions of 24.70, 50.17, 1:15.91, and 1:40.88. 8-1 Dangerous Midge stalked him in second, in turn 3 lengths in front of favorite Behkabad third. Entering the stretch, Champ Pegasus continued to lead through 10 furlongs in 2:05.27, but Dangerous Midge was quickly gaining on the pacesetter. Dangerous Midge passed Champ Pegasus at the 1/16 pole and drew off late to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 2:29.40 over the firm course. It was another 2 lengths back to Behkabad third.
Left: Frankie Dettori makes his trademark flying dismount from Dangerous Midge in the winner's circle. 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."
Right: Dangerous Midge was a bit fractious in the post parade. Trainer Brian Meehan said, "I was a little upset when he got upset. When the horses come out of the paddock and they get onto the track at home, they turn and they canter. He went quite well with his pony all week, and I thought that would negate that with him. He's always been an improving type of horse. We always felt all the way through that he was going to get there. His last start at Newbury (won the Arc Trial), he was really impressive, and that really made my mind up."
Left: Second place finisher Champ Pegasus leading first time by. Trainer Richard Mandella said, "Everybody in the race realized there was nobody that wanted to do to the lead. My horse doesn't have a lot of experience and I thought I didn't want him buried behind a slow pace, being in the one-hole. I said, `he breaks good, don't be afraid to go to the lead and just nurture him.' He did a great job and he ran his heart out."
Right: Third place finisher Behkabad runs off after the post parade. Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said, "He did his race, but the
horses in front of us just continued on." Jockey Christophe Lemaire added, "We had a good race behind the leader. The leaders never quit. We tried to catch them but they never stopped. There was no trouble (in the race) at all."
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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Left: Second place finisher Champ Pegasus leading first time by. Trainer Richard Mandella said, "Everybody in the race realized there was nobody that wanted to do to the lead. My horse doesn't have a lot of experience and I thought I didn't want him buried behind a slow pace, being in the one-hole. I said, `he breaks good, don't be afraid to go to the lead and just nurture him.' He did a great job and he ran his heart out."
