The $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf featured 11 older fillies and mares going 1 1/4 miles on the turf. Nassau (G1) winner The Fugue was sent off as the 8-5 favorite off a close second in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1). In to challenge her included 5-1 second choice Ridasiyna, off her Prix de l'Opera (G1) win, and 11-2 third choice Marketing Mix, winner of the Rodeo Drive (G1) last out.
Zagora gets the lead in the stretch
Jockey Victor Espinoza sent 38-1 Star Billing to the lead down the hill through fractions of 24.70, 48.72, 1:13.70, and 1:36.74 while stalked by Marketing Mix and 12-1 In Lingerie. Entering the lane for the last time, Star Billing tired allowing Marketing Mix to inherit a short lead but 9-1 Zagora, who sat fourth early, closed late to win by 3/4 length in 1:59.70. It was another 1/2 length back to late-running The Fugue third.
Left: Zagora in the winner's circle. Trainer Chad Brown said, "She had everything go her way today. She got the turf she likes, she got a great trip, and she's been training great. I've never seen her look better health wise. Everything came together for her today and it couldn't happen to a horse that deserved it more."
Right: Zagora heads over to the turf before the race. Jockey Javier Castellano said, "I had a beautiful trip. I was just where I wanted to be behind the speed. Turning for home, I went to the outside and she gave me a good kick. It's a pleasure to a part of this. Chad (Brown) gave me a great opportunity to ride her."
Second place finisher Marketing Mix returns after the race. Trainer Tom Proctor said, " Our filly ran good; the other filly just ran better. This is an exceptional filly, and we're proud of her. She will be going to Florida in a day or two to spend some time on the farm and she will be back in training next year." Jockey Garrett Gomez added, "I thought I was in a good spot all the way around. At the 3/8 pole, the tempo quickened, and when (Star Billing) went and I went with him. But then (Zagora), she just ran right by us."
Right: Third place finisher and beaten favorite The Fugue returns after the race. Trainer John Gosden said, "She was a bit unlucky. She didn't have any room and William (Buick) was sitting there with nowhere to go. It was until the last 1/16 that she got out, and she finished well. That's racing."
The trophy presentation for the Filly and Mare Turf. Owner Martin Schwartz (far left raising trophy) said, "I said why don't we try the Flower Bowl at 1 1/4, so we feel confident she can get the distance and as you know it was a bog that day and she lost in the last few jumps and that gave us total confidence. In addition, we felt that she would have an extra week to prepare for the Breeders' Cup and she would have 5 weeks instead of 4 and that was so Chad could work his magic. He's absolutely remarkable. When he tells me the horse is ready to run, they never run poorly."
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: Zagora in the winner's circle. Trainer Chad Brown said, "She had everything go her way today. She got the turf she likes, she got a great trip, and she's been training great. I've never seen her look better health wise. Everything came together for her today and it couldn't happen to a horse that deserved it more."
Second place finisher Marketing Mix returns after the race. Trainer Tom Proctor said, " Our filly ran good; the other filly just ran better. This is an exceptional filly, and we're proud of her. She will be going to Florida in a day or two to spend some time on the farm and she will be back in training next year." Jockey Garrett Gomez added, "I thought I was in a good spot all the way around. At the 3/8 pole, the tempo quickened, and when (Star Billing) went and I went with him. But then (Zagora), she just ran right by us."
