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."
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: 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."
