A full field of 14 two-year-olds contested the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), a 1 mile test around 2 turns of the Matt Winn Turf Course. Finale was sent off as the 4-1 favorite off his wins in the Continental Mile at Monmouth and the Summer Stakes (G3) at Woodbine. In to challenge him included 11-2 second choice Caspar Netscher, fifth in the Middle Park (G1) arfter winning the Mill Reef (G2), and 13-2 third choice Majestic City, second in both the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and Breeders' Futurity (G1).
Wrote leads in the stretch
Jockey Garrett Gomez sent Majestic City to the lead first time by and he set fractions of 23.75 and 48.37 over the good turf while stalked by 33-1 Excaper. On the far turn, Excaper took over the lead from the tired Majestic City, getting 3/4 in 1:13.37. Into the stretch, Excaper continued to lead to the 1/16 pole, through 7f in 1:25.38, but 12-1 Wrote, 7th early, reeled him in late to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:37.41. Excaper outfinished 8-1 Farraaj by a nose to hold second money.
Wrote wins the Juvenile Turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
5 Wrote Moore 25.20 13.80 8.60
11 Excaper Wilson 30.40 15.80
4 Farraaj Callan 7.80
Winning Time: 1:37.41
$2 Exacta 5-11 964.00
$2 Trifecta 5-11-4 8,131.20
$2 Superfecta 5-11-4-12 90,140.40
Right: Wrote heads to the winner's circle. Trainer Aidan O'Brien said, "I think he just got beat first time, then he won his maiden second time, and then he won a race in Galway the next time. We always liked him after that. He went to Newmarket for his first run in the group race and just got a little bit unbalanced coming down the hill the first time. It can happen sometimes in Newmarket. After that, he had a little bit of a temperature for a while, so he had to have a break. This was his first one back. He'd been working very well, and Joe's been really happy with him in his work."
Left: Wrote in the post parade. Jockey Ryan Moore said, "I had a nice trip; good position all the way. When I got to the outside, he picked it up really well in the stretch .It was a very easy run round. It went smoothly. Ground felt good. He moved well and the horse quickened up very well. "
Left: Second place finisher Excaper after the race with jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson and trainer Ian Black. Wilson said, “The race set up just the way we planned. Sometimes, it does not do that, but today it did. He is a raw talent and been a good pupil, and learned his lessons well. (Trainer) Ian (Black) had been down here all week and he said the turf was a little softer down on the inside, so I kept him off the rail. He ran great and only one horse beat us.”
Right: Third place finisher Farraaj returns after the race. Jockey Neil Callan said, “It was a good race. I got a good pitch from the gate, traveled just off the speed. Just when I went for my split into the straight the second horse (Excaper) leaned on me a little. Ultimately he galloped out well to the line. He’s a lengthening sort of horse. That’s why I committed him at the top of the stretch. He ran very creditably. I was proud of him.”
Seventh place finisher and beaten favorite Finale toward the back of the pack as they pass by the first time. Jockey John Velazquez said, “The post (12) kind of hurt him. I tried to find a place to tuck in going to the first turn, but it was too crowded and he wanted to run. We were 5 wide into the turn and we probably lost the race right there.”
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.
Right: Wrote heads to the winner's circle. Trainer Aidan O'Brien said, "I think he just got beat first time, then he won his maiden second time, and then he won a race in Galway the next time. We always liked him after that. He went to Newmarket for his first run in the group race and just got a little bit unbalanced coming down the hill the first time. It can happen sometimes in Newmarket. After that, he had a little bit of a temperature for a while, so he had to have a break. This was his first one back. He'd been working very well, and Joe's been really happy with him in his work."
Left: Second place finisher Excaper after the race with jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson and trainer Ian Black. Wilson said, “The race set up just the way we planned. Sometimes, it does not do that, but today it did. He is a raw talent and been a good pupil, and learned his lessons well. (Trainer) Ian (Black) had been down here all week and he said the turf was a little softer down on the inside, so I kept him off the rail. He ran great and only one horse beat us.”
