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, and often decides the early favorite for the next Kentucky Derby, especially when run at Churchill Downs. Saratoga Special (G2) and Champagne (G1) winner Union Rags was sent off as the 11-10 favorite in the field of 13 over 6-1 Creative Cause and 7-1 Hansen.
Hansen holds off Union Rags in the stretch.
Jockey Ramon Dominguez sent Hansen to the lead immediately and he set fractions of 23.26, 47.39, and 1:12.24 while 42-1 Speightscity stalked him 1 1/2 lengths behind. Entering the stretch, Union Rags, 6th early, closed on the pacesetter but Hansen dug in late to hold him off by a head in 1:44.44. It was another length back to Creative Cause third.
Hansen wins the Juvenile
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
5 Hansen Dominguez 16.20 6.60 4.60
10 Union Rags Castellano 3.20 2.20
7 Creative Cause Rosario 3.60
Winning Time: 1:44.44
$2 Exacta 5-10 46.20
$2 Trifecta 5-10-7 223.60
$2 Superfecta 5-10-7-2 1,907.20
Left: Hansen heads to the winner's circle. Winning trainer Mike Maker said, "He’s a natural. Obviously his performance speaks for itself. That’s the way he wants to run and we weren’t going to change a thing. It’s just that natural ability. Obviously he’s got a lot of speed and he’s always shown it. He’s also got a lot of fight; a bunch of good characteristics. We pointed to the Breeders’ Cup before he ever ran. I only told that to the owners, and they’re as crazy as I am."
Right: Hansen leads first time by. Jockey Ramon Dominguez said, "He ran superb for me. Going into the first turn, he was a little aggressive. That made me a little concerned. When we got to the backside, he switched to his right (lead) and he came back to me and relaxed beautiful. I got pressed pretty early, around the 3/8 pole, but he continued coming for me. I'm very pleased. He’s special."
Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Union Rags at the finish. Trainer Michael Matz said, “They were wide on the first turn; they were wide on the second turn. He (Javier Castellano) said the other horse had it his own way, and he (Union Rags) galloped out good and strong. He said, ‘one more jump and we would have had him.’ I didn’t get a good draw. I guess that’s racing. What are you going to do? It’s one of those things. I wish I had an answer for you. It’s disappointing, that’s for sure, but I guess that’s horseracing.”
Right: Third place finisher Creative Cause acts up in the post parade. Jockey Joel Rosario said, “We had a nice trip. We were moving about the same time as Union Rags and I was trying to leave enough, but the winner (Hansen) was just a little bit better. He got a little aggressive in the post parade from all the noise and the people and I think it might have cost us a little bit in the end.”
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: Hansen heads to the winner's circle. Winning trainer Mike Maker said, "He’s a natural. Obviously his performance speaks for itself. That’s the way he wants to run and we weren’t going to change a thing. It’s just that natural ability. Obviously he’s got a lot of speed and he’s always shown it. He’s also got a lot of fight; a bunch of good characteristics. We pointed to the Breeders’ Cup before he ever ran. I only told that to the owners, and they’re as crazy as I am."
Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Union Rags at the finish. Trainer Michael Matz said, “They were wide on the first turn; they were wide on the second turn. He (Javier Castellano) said the other horse had it his own way, and he (Union Rags) galloped out good and strong. He said, ‘one more jump and we would have had him.’ I didn’t get a good draw. I guess that’s racing. What are you going to do? It’s one of those things. I wish I had an answer for you. It’s disappointing, that’s for sure, but I guess that’s horseracing.”
