The 2012 Breeders' Cup World Championships ended on Saturday with 9 races all with year-end championship implications. The weather was excellent with temperatures in the low 80's, sunny skies and minimal wind for participants and the 55,123 in attendance. As is typical for Santa Anita during the fall meet, the main track was fast and the turf course wsas firm.
Full results with several photos are available for each race at the link below the pay-off chart.
The $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) features the best older horses going 1 1/4 miles on the main track. Awesome Again (G1) winner Game On Dude was sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the field of 12 over 6-1 Flat Out and 13-2 Mucho Macho Man. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. sent 9-1 Fort Larned to the lead and he set fractions of 23.20, 46.50, and 1:10.12 while pressed by Mucho Macho Man and 16-1 To Honor and Serve. Near the end of the backstretch Fort Larned opened up a 2 1/2 length lead, getting 1 mile in 1:34.66. Mucho Macho Man rallied and closed the gap at the 3/16 pole, but Fort Larned outfinished him by 1/2 a length in 2:00.11. It was a long 6 1/2 lengths back to Flat Out third.
Winning trainer Ian Wilkes said, "We had to be there near the front and he was ready today. He had galloped great over the track. I knew we were good when he broke sharp. That's where Brian (Hernandez) won the race. We broke sharp and Game On Dude broke bad. I trust Brian because the horse trusts Brian." Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. added, "It's the greatest birthday ever. I always had a lot of confidence in him. Ian and I talked about the race and he told me don't take him out of his game and let him do whatever he wants to do. He has a good cruising speed and I just let him go.
The Breeders' Cup Classic
Purse: $5,000,000 Distance: 1 1/4 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
4 Fort Larned Hernandez 20.80 9.80 6.80
11 Mucho Macho Man Smith 6.60 4.60
2 Flat Out Rosario 5.20
Winning Time: 2:00.11
$1 Exacta 4-11 62.70
$1 Trifecta 4-11-2 306.90
$1 Superfecta 4-11-2-10 1,763.30
$1 Super High Five 4-11-2-10-9 14,024.60
$2 Pick Six 11-4-7-9-2-4(6 correct) 419,245.40
The $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) is for older horses going 1 mile on the turf. Woodbine Mile (G1) and Shadwell Mile (G1) winner Wise Dan was sent off as the 9-5 favorite over 2-1 Excelebration and 5-1 Moonlight Cloud. Jockey Joe Talamo sent 6-1 Obviously to the lead and he set fractions of 23.34, 46.16, and 1:08.81 while stalked by 35-1 Suggestive Boy and Wise Dan. Obviously led to the 1/8 pole before Wise Dan powered by to win by 1 1/2 lengths over late-running 10-1 Animal Kingdom in a new course record 1:31.78. It was another 1/2 length back to Obviously third.
Trainer Charles Lopresti said, "I was able to use that race at Keeneland (Shadwell Turf Mile) as the perfect setup for today. I didn't have to do much with him. He proved he was the best horse today. I never had any doubts. I was just a little concerned about how the race would shape up. He's just a special horse. We'll probably take him back to our farm in Kentucky and give him some time. We'll make a plan for him at the first of the year." Jockey John Velazquez added, "I just wanted to get him in the right position. When I was able to do that, and you've got a horse as good as this, you can expect a result like this."
The $1.5 million Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) is for top older sprinters going 6 furlongs. Defending champion Amazombie was sent off as the 7-2 favorite in the field of 14 over 4-1 The Lumber Guy and 6-1 Coil. 29-1 Sum of the Parts was quickest away through an opening quarter of 21.41 before 13-1 Trinniberg took over through a half in 43.73 and 5/8 in 55.52. The Lumber Guy, fourth early, closed in the final furlong but Trinniberg easily held him off by 3/4 length in 1:07.98. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to 21-1 Smiling Tiger third.
Winning jockey Willie Martinez said, "You can dream it, you can feel it, but when you taste it, it's a totally different thing. I never lost confidence in him. He's been running against the best sprinters all year, I figured if I was first or second turning for home, he was going to be very tough to beat. This means the world to me." Trainer Shivananda Parbhoo added, "When he turned for home, I felt really good. I added blinkers today because I thought in his last few races he had lost confidence, but we never lost our confidence in him. I knew he would be in front at the 1/8 pole, and that's why I added the blinkers. This is awesome."
The Breeders' Cup Sprint
Purse: $1,500,000 Distance: 6 furlongs
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
9 Trinniberg Martinez 29.40 13.20 11.00
7 The Lumber Guy Velazquez 6.40 5.00
10 Smiling Tiger Leparoux 12.20
Winning Time: 1:07.98
$1 Exacta 9-7 101.70
$1 Trifecta 9-7-10 2,721.50
$1 Superfecta 9-7-10-1 54,432.90
The $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) features older horses going 1 1/2 miles on the turf. Turf Classic (G1) winner Point of Entry was the 5-2 favorite in the field of 12 over 7-2 St Nicholas Abbey and 4-1 Shareta. Jockey Joe Bravo snet 46-1 longest shot Turbo Compressor to the lead down the hill through fractions of 23.83, 46.77, 1:10.80, 1:35.28, and 1:59.28 while stalked by 23-1 Optimizer. In the lane, Turbo Compressor tired badly, while 17-1 Little Mike, third early, moved up to take the lead. Point of Entry rallied from 8th but Little Mike held him off by 1/2 a length in 2:22.83, just 3/100 second off the course record. It was another 3/4 length back to St Nicholas Abbey third.
Winning trainer Dale Romans said, "Our first reaction after the (Turf Classic) was to shorten him up, but he had been trying to stretch him out all year so we decided to stick to our plan. We talked over the race last night and thought (Turbo Compressor and Optimizer) would be gunning for the lead. We were going to try to sit right off of them. He showed he could rate. He's always been an overachiever but he does deserve to be champion." Jockey Ramon Dominguez added, "I couldn't commit to being on the lead (because of the distance). I did get a great trip right off the leaders. When I asked him to run, he gave me a great kick."
The Emirates Airlines Breeders' Cup Turf
Purse: $3,000,000 Distance: 1 1/2 miles turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
7 Little Mike Dominguez 36.60 7.20 5.40
1 Point of Entry Velazquez 4.20 3.00
3 St Nicholas Abbey O'Brien 3.80
Winning Time: 2:22.83
$1 Exacta 7-1 68.20
$1 Trifecta 7-1-3 301.20
$1 Superfecta 7-1-3-12 2,030.30
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. Champagne (G1) and Hopeful (G1) winner Champagne Bobby was the 6-5 favorite in the field of 9 over 5-2 Power Broker and 8-1 Title Contender. Jockey Martin Garcia sent Title Contender to the lead through fractions of 22.28 and 45.55 while pressed by Shanghai Bobby. On the far turn jockey Rosie Napravnik asked Shanghai Bobby and he easily took the lead through 3/4 in 1:10.78. 20-1 He's Had Enough, 7th early, moved alongside Shanghai Bobby at the 1/8 pole setting up a duel to the line, with Shanghai Bobby holding him off by a head in 1:44.58. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to 10-1 Capo Bastone third.
Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "I was concerned about the fractions. That was our strategy, to be aggressive, the way the track was playing. We didn't want to get shuffled back. It's great to have an undefeated 2-year-old and go all the way from April to November; it's pretty hard to do. It's a real feather in his cap. He's got everything you want. He's fast and he's courageous. He's handled everything we've thrown at him, from 4 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles. He just keeps coming." Jockey Rosie Napravnik added, "We were in that golden spot. He outran (Title Contender) way too early because once he gets to the lead, he gets a little bit lost. I was worried at that point, because he just came to a walk. I was hoping those horses would come up to him sooner than later. They did, and he kicked on again. He's a terrific horse."
The Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
4 Shanghai Bobby Napravnik 4.60 3.40 2.60
3 He's Had Enough Gutierrez 12.60 7.40
7 Capo Bastone Rosario 5.00
Winning Time: 1:44.58
$2 Exacta 4-3 45.40
$2 Trifecta 4-3-7 366.70
$2 Superfecta 4-3-7-8 1,862.90
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) features older horses sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Eddie D Stakes (G1) winner Unbridled's Note was the 9-2 favorite in the field of 14 over 11-2 California Flag and 6-1 Bridgetown. 15-1 Starspangledbanner was quickest away and crossed the main track in front through fractions of 21.11 and 42.39. In the final furlong he tired badly as 7-1 Mizdirection, 11th early, charged on the outside to win by 1/2 a length over Unbridled's Note in 1:11.39. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to 9-1 Reneesgotzip third.
Winning jockey Mike Smith said, "Before the race, Mike (Puype) told me ‘I don't care if you ride her around them. I don't care if you ride her inside them. I don't care if you ride her in front of them. I don't care if you ride her from behind – just ride her the way you know you can.' I was really glad he said that to me because it allowed me to ride her with confidence. When we came across the dirt, I had a lot ground to make up but I was really confident I could." Trainer Mike Puype added, "She was wide. She lost ground. She ran like a true champion to lose that much ground and still beat a field as talented as this."
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) is for older horses going 1 mile on the main track. Forego (G1) winner Emcee was the 5-2 favorite in the field of 9 over 3-1 Shackleford and 9-2 Jersey Town. Emcee led through fractions of 22.77 and 46.58 while stalked by 15-1 Tapizar, who took over the lead at the top of the lane through 3/4 in 1:10.72. 8-1 Rail Trip rallied from 7th but Tapizar was pulling away to a 2 1/4 length win in 1:35.34. It was another 1 3/4 length back to 19-1 Delegation third.
Winning trainer Steve Asmussen said, "The Kelso (6th) was a bad race. We threw it out and he sure performed great today. His success at Santa Anita allowed us to think about this race to begin with, especially off such a bad race in the Kelso. He trained as good as ever out here, looked a picture of health, and ran well today."
Jockey Corey Nakatani added, "This never gets old. Winning a race on Breeders' Cup day is special; it's special just to get the chance to compete. It's extremely gratifying. We had a good trip. He got away in good order. Last time he just didn't handle the track. I told Steve (Asmussen) to go on to the Breeders' Cup, and I'm glad he did."
The $1 million Jet Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) featured a field of 14 older fillies and mares sprinting 7 furlongs on the main track. Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) winner Groupie Doll was the 7-10 favorite over 9-2 Dust and Diamonds and 6-1 Turbulent Descent. Jockey Joe Talamo sent 21-1 Teddy's Promise to the lead exiting the chute through fractions of 22.23 and 44.19 while pressed by Dust and Diamonds. On the turn, Groupie Doll came 4 wide to take the lead at the 1/8 pole through 3/4 in 1:08.45, then drew off to win by 4 1/2 lengths over Dust and Diamonds in 1:20.72. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to 10-1 Switch third.
Winning trainer Buff Bradley said, "She broke really good. I saw Rajiv riding her, but that was the plan. I told him to keep her close and in a position where she could make her move. It worked out wonderfully. I don't know what I would have done if she would have lost. I don't think I could have gotten out of here. Everyone wanted to ‘single' her, and to be honest, I was sweating that more than anything." Jockey Rajiv Maragh added, "You're the big favorite and expected to win, but you still have to get there. It's never easy until you pass the wire. There were several scenarios that could have unfolded. One that I didn't want to see was Dust and Diamonds on an easy lead. When I saw that she wasn't, it let us sit back and be more patient. She's done that all year and now done that on the biggest stage. She is so consistent. She's obviously going to be champion."
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) features 2-year-olds going 1 mile on the turf. Pilgrim Stakes (G3) winner Noble Tune was the 7-2 favorite in the field of 14 over 9-2 Dundonnell and 6-1 Artigiano. 56-1 Summit County led first time by through fractions of 22.48 and 46.47 before 18-1 Brown Almighty briefly gained the front through 3/4 in 1:10.26. 9-1 George Vancouver, 7th early, came through between horses to win going away by 1 1/4 lengths over Noble Tune in 1:33.78. It was a neck back to 10-1 Balance the Books third.
Winning jockey Ryan Moore said, "We were in a nice position the entire way. He traveled very well and quickened when he needed to. Everything worked out." Trainer Aidan O'Brien added, "This is great. Ryan gave him an absolutely brilliant ride."
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf
Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 1 mile turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
3 George Vancouver Moore 20.60 11.00 7.20
9 Noble Tune Dominguez 6.00 3.80
8 Balance the Books Leparoux 6.00
Winning Time: 1:33.78
$1 Exacta 3-9 62.80
$1 Trifecta 3-9-8 553.10
$1 Superfecta 3-9-8-6 2,352.60
Breeders' Cup Saturday Results - There were 9 races Saturday highlighted by the $5 million Classic where American Pharoah was an impressive winner in his final start before retiring to stud. Also on the card, Found won the Turf, Nyquist won the Juvenile, and Tepin won the Mile. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 9 races here. Get more photos and comments for each race here.
Breeders' Cup Friday Results - There were 4 races Friday highlighted by the Distaff where Stopchargingmaria won by a neck over Stellar Wind and the Dirt Mile won by Liam's Map. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 4 races here.
Thursday Breeders' Cup Photos - Photos and comments for 38 horses out on Thursday morning at Keeneland on both the main and training tracks, including American Pharoah. Beholder was also out, but was found to have bled when scoped and is scratched from the Classic.
Wednesday Breeders' Cup Photos - Photos and comments for 46 horses out on a very rainy Wednesday morning at Keeneland on both the main and training tracks, including Keen Ice, Frosted, and Golden Horn. No American Pharoah yet, hopefully he comes out tomorrow.
2015 Breeders' Cup Entries - Check out the entries, post postitions, and morning line odds for the 13 Breeders' Cup World Championship races to be held at Keeneland on October 30 and 31.
Tuesday Breeders' Cup Photos - Photos and comments for 31 horses out on a rainy Tuesday morning at Keeneland including Stephanie's Kitten, Grand Arch, and Private Zone.
Monday Breeders' Cup Photos - Photos and comments for 28 horses out Monday morning at Keeneland including Rachel's Valentina and a timed work by Beholder.
Sunday Breeders' Cup Photos - Photos and comments for 10 horses out Sunday morning at Keeneland including Liam's Map and Lea
Breeders' Cup Weather - Check out the latest weather forecasts for the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland
Review: Crushing the Cup 2015 - by Jim Mazur and Peter Mallett. An invaluable tool for trying to unlock the mysteries of handicapping the Breeders' Cup races at Keeneland updated for 2015.
2014 Breeders' Cup Saturday Results - The feature race was the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic won by Bayern. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 9 races here.
2014 Breeders' Cup Friday Results - Friday was headlined by the $2 million Ladies Classic won by Untapable. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 4 races here.
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.
TV Schedule - for all the preps and other programming leading up to the big day
Breeders' Cup Postcards - Breeders' Cup theme virtual postcards to send your friends including many past winners
Breeders' Cup Supplemental Entries - The old official policy on supplemental entries plus all the supplemental entries and how they fared, mostly it was a losing proposition. There are no more supplements now, only late nominations making it impossible to track now.
