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.”
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: 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.”
