A short field of 9 older horses went 1 1/2 miles around 3 turns of the Matt Winn Turf Course in the $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). Sarafina was sent off as thd 2-1 choice off her wins in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud (G1). In to challenge her included 3-1 second choice Sea Moon, third in the Ladbrokes St Leger (G1) last out, and 5-1 Midday, off a fourth place effort in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1).
St Nicholas Abbey leads down the stretch
Jockey Julien Leparoux sent 6-1 Await the Dawn to the lead immediately and he set fractions of 24.92, 50.09, 1:14.67, and 1:39.93 while stalked by 9-1 Dean's Kitten. Entering the stretch for the final time, 14-1 Brilliant Speed, 4th early, moved up to take over the lead, getting 1 1/4 miles in 2:05.34. 7-1 St Nicholas Abbey, who sat about 3 1/2 lengths off the pace most of the way, closed well to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Sea Moon in 2:28.85 over the good turf. It was another length back to Brilliant Speed third, and 3 more to favorite Sarafina fourth.
St Nicholas Abbey wins the Turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
1 St Nicholas Abbey O'Brien 15.60 7.20 5.40
7 Sea Moon Moore 5.00 4.20
8 Brilliant Speed Velazquez 7.00
Winning Time: 2:28.85
$2 Exacta 1-7 76.20
$2 Trifecta 1-7-8 1,221.80
$2 Superfecta 1-7-8-2 4,536.80
Left: St Nicholas Abbey in the winner's circle. Owner Derrick Smith said, "Everything came together today. He's always been a brilliant horse. We always had immense confidence in him. Somebody asked me today, when did you know he was going to win? Before the race because that's how confident Aidan was today." Trainer Aidan O'Brien added, " “This is very special. Unbelievable. It was a wonderful race. He (son Joseph O’Brien, winning jockey) is an amazing rider. It’s been a great day. It’s been a great day. Thank you very much.”
Right: St Nicholas Abbey in the paddock before the race. Jockey Joseph O'Brien, son of trainer Aidan, said, “It’s a dream come true. I rode him twice before and this is my first time winning on him. He relaxed lovely. We had a nice pace and he picked up where it mattered. It wasn’t a mad pace and he was comfortable and relaxed great. Obviously today it’s an easier track for him (than Longchamp). I think he was a little better going left-handed here than right-handed in the Arc (de Triomphe). The Arc was a rough race and sometimes the best horse doesn’t always win. He traveled well today and looked great and picked up great.”
Left: Second place finisher Sea Moon in the post parade. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute said, “We’re pleased with him. He’s a progressing horse that hopefully has a bright future. On the day, he found a more mature horse that was better than he was. But we’re proud of him.”
Right: Third place finisher Brilliant Speed returns after the race. Trainer Tom Albertrani said, “He did it so easy. Coming into the stretch, I thought we were home. He was so sharp. I knew I had him razor sharp. It was a good effort. We’ll definitely bring him back next year. He’s maturing all the time.”
Fourth place finisher and beaten favorite Sarafina in the paddock before the race. Jockey Christophe Lemaire said, “The trip was a bit long for her on that kind of ground. Soft ground. It’s quite soft. I was in a spot where I could improve my position without any effort, but when I put her out, she couldn't quicken really, like she’s used to doing on good ground.”
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: St Nicholas Abbey in the winner's circle. Owner Derrick Smith said, "Everything came together today. He's always been a brilliant horse. We always had immense confidence in him. Somebody asked me today, when did you know he was going to win? Before the race because that's how confident Aidan was today." Trainer Aidan O'Brien added, " “This is very special. Unbelievable. It was a wonderful race. He (son Joseph O’Brien, winning jockey) is an amazing rider. It’s been a great day. It’s been a great day. Thank you very much.”
Left: Second place finisher Sea Moon in the post parade. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute said, “We’re pleased with him. He’s a progressing horse that hopefully has a bright future. On the day, he found a more mature horse that was better than he was. But we’re proud of him.”
