The 2016 Breeders' Cup World Championships ended on Saturday with 9 races all with year-end championship implications. 72,811 fans packed Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, a new record for Saturday since the event expanded to 2 days. Conditions were excellent with clear skies, minimal wind, and temperatures in the mid 80's, with the main track rated fast and the turf course firm.
Full results with several photos are available for each race at the link below the pay-off chart.
The $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) features the best older horses going 1 1/4 miles on the main track. Dubai World Cup (G1) winner California Chrome was sent off as the 9-10 favorite in the field of 9 over 8-5 Arrogate and 8-1 Frosted. Jockey Victor Espinoza sent California Chrome to the front exiting the chute through fractions of 23.28, 47.15, and 1:10.96 while 1 1/2 lengths ahead of 17-1 Melatonin, who was 2 lengths ahead of Arrogate in third. Entering the lane, California Chrome continued to lead through 1 mile in 1:35.72, but Arrogate came out for room, collared the favorite at the 1/16 pole, and outfinished him by 1/2 a length in 2:00.11. It was a long 10 3/4 lengths back to 33-1 Keen Ice third.
Winning trainer Bob Baffert said, "When Chrome was out there cruising, I thought no way he's going to catch him, he's going to run second, but at least he showed up. Then all of a sudden, Mike's riding and he's catching up little by little with that big stride kicking in. I felt like when Trevor (Denman) says ‘this is un-believe-able.' I never thought he would be able to catch Chrome."
The Breeders' Cup Classic
Purse: $6,000,000 Distance: 1 1/4 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
10 Arrogate Smith 5.40 2.80 2.60
4 California Chrome Espinoza 2.60 2.40
3 Keen Ice Castellano 5.80
Winning Time: 2:00.11
$1 Exacta 10-4 5.00
$1 Trifecta 10-4-3 74.60
$1 Superfecta 10-4-3-9 296.30
$1 Super High Five 10-4-3-9-6 942.30
$2 Pick Six 2-5-12-12-5-10 292,423.20
The $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) is for older horses going 1 mile on the turf. Prix de la Foret (G1) winner Limato was sent off as the 3-1 favorite in the field of 14 over defending champion Tepin at 7-2 and Ironicus at 15-4. 47-1 What a View was loose on the lead through fractions of 21.81, 44.61, and 1:08.59 while pressed by 13-1 Midnight Storm and stalked by 22-1 Miss Temple City. Entering the lane What a View Tired badly allowing Midnight Storm to inherit the front through 7/8 in 1:20.87. 12-1 Tourist, 6th early, came through traffic and held off late-running Tepin by 1/2 length in 1:31.71, a new stakes record and just 2/100 off the course record. It was another 1 1/4 length back to Midnight Storm third, while Limato was 6th.
Winning jockey Joel Rosario said, "It was a good trip, a perfect trip. It looked like they were going fast up front and I just wanted to save ground the whole way around and not have to stop him at any point in the race. I had to take a little hold turning for home to keep my position, but after that he got a clear run."
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) features older fillies and mares sprinting 7 furlongs on the main track. Acorn (G1) winner Carina Mia was the 3-1 favorite in the field of 13 over 7-2 Haveyougoneaway and 5-1 Tara's Tango. 18-1 Gloryzapper was quickest away through fractions of 21.98 and 44.82 while pressed by 9-1 Finest City and stalked by 15-1 Paulassilverlining. Entering the stretch Gloryzapper tired as Finest City took over through 3/4 in 1:09.42. 14-1 Wavell Avenue, 7th early, put in a strong late rally but Finest City held her off by 3/4 length in 1:22.37. It was another 1 1/4 length back to Paulassilverlining third, with Carina Mia finishing 9th.
Winning trainer Ian Kruljac said, "She sends herself out of there and Mike chose not to take her back and it was absolutely perfect. She has high cruising speed and I could tell he was in hand. It is just such an honor to compete with all these top trainers and have a top filly." Jockey Mike Smith added, "I was really happy for the Ian and his first big opportunity. What a way for you to get your career going. The old handicapping angle of ‘turf to dirt' and a long turf race to a middle distance sprint is really a good way to get a horse ready for a race like this. They learn to relax a little better and it's easier on them."
The $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) features older horses going 1 1/2 miles on the turf. Sword Dancer (G1) winner Flintshire was the 9-5 favorite in the field of 12 over 7-2 Found and 15-4 Highland Reel. Jockey Seamus Heffernan sent Highland Reel to an uncontested lead of as many as 7 lengths through fractions of 24.83, 48.00, 1:12.70, 1:36.16, and 1:59.34, chased by 10-1 Ectot and 18-1 Ashleyluvssugar. Entering the lane for the final time Highland Reel continued to lead by 4 lengths. Flintshire, 4th early, put in a strong rally but was left with too much ground to make up as Highland Reel cruised to a 1 3/4 length win in 2:23.00. It ws another 2 1/4 lengths back to Found third.
Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said, "Seamus (Heffernan) is a great lad. We were quite happy to make the running here. He's a very good horse and I'm absolutely delighted." Co-owner Derrick Smith added, "It was great. The race was set up for us with the ground and everything else."
The Longines Breeders' Cup Turf
Purse: $4,000,000 Distance: 1 1/2 miles turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
12 Highland Reel Heffernan 9.60 5.20 3.40
4 Flintshire Castellano 3.20 2.40
10 Found Moore 3.00
Winning Time: 2:23.00
$1 Exacta 12-4 14.40
$1 Trifecta 12-4-10 43.80
$1 Superfecta 12-4-10-7 325.60
The $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) features 2-year-old colts and geldings going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Iroquois Stakes (G3) winner Not This Time was the 5-2 favorite in the field of 11 over 9-2 Classic Empire and 5-1 third choice Gormley. Syndergaard was quickest away through fractions of 23.05 and 46.60 while pressed by Classic Empire and stalked by 7-1 Three Rules. On the far turn Classic Empire moved up to gain the lead through 3/4 in 1:10.48 and soon opened up a 2 length advantage in the stretch, getting a mile in 1:35.96. Not This Time, 6th early, closed well but fell short, as Classic Empire prevailed by a neck in 1:42.60. It was a long 7 1/2 lengths back to 8-1 Practical Joke third.
Winning jockey Julien Leparoux said, "He broke sharp and I put him in the race right away. He took second very nice. I tried to open up coming to the quarter pole, which he did and held off Not This Time. He is a nice colt. We really love him and we knew he was going to run good, so I'm glad we got the win." Trainer Mark Casse added, "I thought at the top of the lane he was going to win easily. Then it got pretty close, but Dale (Romans) said all along it was going to be us two and it was quite a deal.I thought his race in the Bashford Manor was as good as any 2 year old I've ever trained."
The Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
5 Classic Empire Leparoux 11.00 5.00 3.80
10 Not This Time Albarado 4.60 3.40
9 Practical Joke Rosario 4.60
Winning Time: 1:42.60
$1 Exacta 5-10 19.70
$1 Trifecta 5-10-9 144.70
$1 Superfecta 5-10-9-11 1,284.20
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) features older horses sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs down Santa Anita's unique Hillside course. Poker Stakes (G3) winner and City of Hope (G2) runner-up Obviously was the 7-2 favorite in the field of 14 over 6-1 Washington DC and 13-2 Om. Jockey Flavien Prat sent Obviously to a 1 1/2 length lead down the hill through fractions of 21.41 and 43.08 while chased by 12-1 Pure Sensation and 27-1 defending champion Obviously. Obviously continued to lead, clocking 3/4 in a blistering 1:05.21. Om, last early, rallied strong despite jockey Gary Stevens losing his whip at the 1/16, but Obviously held on to win by a nose in 1:11.33. It was another length back to Pure Sensation third.
Winning trainer Phil D'Amato said, "This is tremendous. A (first Breeders' Cup) win for me and for my old boss Mike Mitchell, who had the horse before me." Jockey Flavien Prat added, "I got a good trip. He didn't break well like he does every time but when I sent him and he got the lead he got comfortable. I asked him before the dirt and he went on. He got a little tired but the wire was there."
The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 6 1/2 furlongs turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
2 Obviously Prat 9.60 5.20 3.60
12 Om Stevens 6.00 4.40
1 Pure Sensatiion Carmouche 6.60
Winning Time: 1:11.33
$1 Exacta 2-12 29.10
$1 Trifecta 2-12-1 312.40
$1 Superfecta 2-12-1-6 9,686.30
The $1.5 million TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) is for top older sprinters going 6 furlongs. Pat O'Brien Stakes (G1) winner Masochistic was the 8-5 favorite in the field of 7 over 5-2 A.P. Indian and 4-1 Drefong. Drefong and Masochistic hooked up for a speed duel soon after exiting the chute with the pair clocking fractions of 21.49 and 44.03. Entering the stretch Drefong opened up a 1/2 length advantage through 5/8 in 55.98, and pulled away late to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Masochistic in 1:08.79. It was just a ose back to 15-1 Mind Your Biscuits third.
Winning jockey Martin Garcia said, We drew a great post down the inside. My horse broke sharply and came out running. My horse likes to run on the lead and ran hard every step of the way. I'm thankful for this opportunity, especially on a day like this. I am glad to get this win for the team." Trainer Bob Baffert added, "What a racehorse. What a race. He's been getting better and better, but we didn't know how fast he was. He had trained so well coming into this race I thought he was peaking. When I saw him in the paddock I just knew he was going to get it done."
The Breeders' Cup Sprint
Purse: $1,500,000 Distance: 6 furlongs
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
2 Drefong Garcia 9.80 4.80 3.80
7 Masochistic Smith 4.00 2.80
1 Mind Your Biscuits Rosario 4.60
Winning Time: 1:08.79
$1 Exacta 2-7 15.00
$1 Trifecta 2-7-1 112.30
$1 Superfecta 2-7-1-5 249.10
The $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) features older fillies and mares going 1 1/4 miles on the turf. Flower Bowl Invitational (G1) winner Lady Eli was the 8-5 favorite in the field of 13 over 7-2 Seventh Heaven and 6-1 Sea Calisi. 18-1 Avenge was sent to a clear lead first time by through fractions of 23.10, 46.16, and 1:10.11 while pressed by 22-1 Catch a Glimpse and stalked by 41-1 Pretty Perfect. At the top of the lane Avenge continued to lead through 1 mile in 1:34.12, and was 1 1/2 lengths clear at the 1/8 pole. However, Lady Eli, 9th early, and Queen's Trust, 11th early, rallied to hit the line together with Queen's Trust prevailing by a nose in 1:57.75. It was a length back to Avenge third.
Winning jockey Frankie Dettori said, "The pace was a bit slow for her and the straights are a bit short but when I got to Lady Eli's back wheels, I was confident I would catch her. She dug very deep today and it's great for the team. I am also very sad for Freddy Tylicki (who was paralyzed in a riding accident last week)." Trainer Sir Michael Stoute added, "Thank God everything went right today. I didn't really have to convince the owners to come here."
The Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 1 1/4 miles turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
11 Queen's Trust Dettori 18.00 8.40 5.80
8 Lady Eli Ortiz Jr. 3.20 2.80
4 Avenge Prat 7.40
Winning Time: 1:57.75
$1 Exacta 11-8 32.90
$1 Trifecta 11-8-4 418.80
$1 Superfecta 11-8-4-3 1,609.60
Kicking off the Championship races on Saturday was the $2 million 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), featuring the best 2-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Anoakia Stakes winner American Gal was the 4-1 favorite in the field of 12 over 9-2 Yellow Agate and 5-1 Sweet Loretta. 7-1 Noted and Quoted set the pace of 23.77, 48.19, and 1:13.01 while pressed by 33-1 Champagne Room and stalked by Sweet Loretta. Entering the lane Champagne Room took over, opening up by 2 lengths through 1 mile in 1:38.54. 13-2 Valadorna, 9th early, rallied but Champagne Room held her off by 3/4 length in 1:45.12. It was a long 3 1/4 lengths back to American Gal third.
Winning trainer Peter Eurton said, "I wasn't feeling utterly confident (coming down the stretch). She was actually moving pretty well. She was getting a little tired, but there wasn't anyone catching her. I'm feeling pretty good right now. This means an awful lot to me." Jockey Mario Gutierrez added, "I had a perfect trip. She broke really sharp. I was able to settle behind the speed and when I asked her, she ran with all her heart today."
The 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
6 Champagne Room Gutierrez 69.20 26.60 13.00
3 Valadorna Leparoux 9.80 6.60
12 American Gal Smith 4.80
Winning Time: 1:45.12
$1 Exacta 6-3 361.80
$1 Trifecta 6-3-12 2,347.30
$1 Superfecta 6-3-12-11 25,892.40
Immediately before the Championship races, a field of 12 older fillies and mares contested the $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes (G3) at 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf. 3-1 favorite Lady Shipman dueled on the front end with 21-1 Juno through fractios of 21.20 and 42.99 while stalked by 11-1 Miss Katie Mae. Lady Shipman opened up a 2 length lead in midstretch through 3/4 in 1:05.58 but 9-2 Fair Point, 8th early, rallied wide to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths over 30-1 Miss Double d'Oro in 1:11.75. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to 15-1 Most Beautiful third, and a head back to Lady SHipman fourth.
Winning jockey Jose Ortiz said, "She was perfect. She broke really well and went down the hill really well for her first time and I did too in the first time for me, also. We got a good position and as soon as we crossed the dirt, I tipped out a little and she gave me a really good run."
A field of 7 California bred or sired 2-year-olds contested the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Stakes at 7 furlongs on the main track. 2-5 favorite California Diamond dueled with 7-1 Sizzlin Square through fractions of 22.77 and 46.21 while stalked by 25-1 Hot Smoke. In the stretch Hot Smoke gained a short lead through 3/4 in 1:11.15 but California Diamond fought back to win by 3/4 length in 1:23.72. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to 6-1 Milton Freewater third.
Winning trainer Peter Miller said, "He got a great trip and a great ride from Kent. There's a reason he's in the Hall of Fame, but they don't make it easy for you here, even at 2-5. I think the horse will go longer, but we'll enjoy this and see what happens down the road."
The first race on Saturday, off at 10:15am, was the $100,000 Juvenile Turf Sprint for 2-year-olds going 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf. 8-1 Awsum Roar and 28-1 Crosscheck Carlos dueled down the chute through fractions of 21.25 and 43.83 while stalked by 11-2 Red Lodge. In the stretch Awsum Roar continued to lead through 3/4 in 1:06.18 but 5-1 Kitten's Cat, 5th early, rallied to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths in a hand-timed 1:12.23. It was another length back to Awsum Roar third.
2016 Breeders' Cup Saturday - There were nine Breeders' Cup races on Saturday at Santa Anita headlined by the Classic (G1) where Arrogate ran down California Chrome to win by a half length. Also on the card, Tourist upset Tepin in the Mile (G1) and Champagne Room was a huge upset in the Juvenile Fillies. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 12 stakes on the card. More photos: Classic - Juvenile Fillies - Turf Sprint - F&M Sprint - F&M Turf - JuvenileSprint - TurfMile
2016 Breeders' Cup Friday - There were four Breeders' Cup races on Friday at Santa Anita headlined by the Distaff (G1) where Beholder edged out favorite Songbird to win her 3rd Breeders' Cup race. Also on the card, New Money Honey won the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), Tamarkuz won the Dirt Mile (G1), and Oscar Performance won the Juvenile Turf (G1). Get the results, charts, and photos for all 8 stakes on the card. More photos: Juvenile Turf -
Juvenile Fillies Turf -
Dirt Mile -
Distaff
2016 Breeders' Cup Thursday Works - Photos and comments for 39 of the Breeders' Cup horses on Thursday November 3 in the morning at Santa Anita, including Found and the rest of the Aidan O'Brien horses out of quarantine.
2016 Breeders' Cup Wednesday Works - Photos and comments for 33 of the Breeders' Cup horses on Wednesday November 2 in the morning at Santa Anita, including Flintshire and Beholder as well as California Chrome.
2016 Breeders' Cup Tuesday Works - Photos and comments for 66 of the Breeders' Cup horses on Tuesday November 1 in the morning at Santa Anita, including California Chrome.
2016 Breeders' Cup Monday Works - Photos and comments for 53 of the Breeders' Cup horses on Monday October 31 in the morning at Santa Anita.
2016 Breeders' Cup Entries - Final entries were taken and post positions drawn on Monday for the 13 Breeders' Cup Championship races on November 4 and 5 at Santa Anita. Check out the post positions, odds, and horses for all the races.
Breeders' Cup program pages to print - these are the short version with number, odds, silks, and basic info from BreedersCup.com for Friday and Saturday.
DRF Quick Sheets for the Breeders' Cup - a very short overview the last 3 Beyer figures for all the horses for Friday and Saturday.
Breeders' Cup Weather - Check out the latest weather forecasts for the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita
Review: Crushing the Cup 2016 - 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 2016, this is their 25th anniversary edition.
2015 Breeders' Cup Saturday Results - The feature race was the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic won by American Pharoah. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 9 races here.
2015 Breeders' Cup Friday Results - Friday was headlined by the $2 million Ladies Classic won by Stopchargingmaria. 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.
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.
