The 2019 Breeders' Cup World Championships ended on Saturday with nine races, all with year-end championship implications. 67,811 fans were in attendance at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California on a partly cloudy afternoon with temperatures reaching the high 80s. With the dry conditions, as expected the main track remained fast and the turf course firm.
Full results with several photos will be available for each race at the link below the pay-off chart as they are finished.
The $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) features the best older horses going 1 1/4 miles on the main track. Whitney (G1) winner and American Pharoah (G1) runner-up McKinzie was sent off as the 11-4 favorite in the field of 11 over 7-2 Yoshida and 9-2 Vino Rosso. 16-1 War of Will set the pace of 23.09, 47.16, and 1:10.71 while pressed by 15-1 Mongolian Groom and stalked by McKinzie. Turning for home War of Will tired as McKinzie inherited the lead through 1 mile in 1:36.35. Vino Rosso, 4th early under Irad Ortiz Jr., came out 3 wide and rallied to win going away by 4 1/4 lengths in 2:02.80. It was another 4 1/4 back to late-running 10-1 Higher Power third. Sadly, Mongolian Groom broke down at the 3/16 pole, was vanned to the equine hospital on the grounds, and after radiographs were taken, euthanized when the fracture to his left hind ankle was proven irreparable.
Winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who won 4 Breeders' Cup races and the Shoemaker Award, said, "He was moving in the turn so, so good. He was moving so good at McKinzie. Going into the first turn I had to use him a little bit. Going onto the backside I said, ‘I've got a good chance if McKinzie is going to come back to me at the distance. That worked out good, he came back to me and my horse responded to me the way I expected him to and he won off on his own at the end."
The Longines Breeders' Cup Classic
Purse: $6,000,000 Distance: 1 1/4 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
10 Vino Rosso Ortiz Jr. 11.20 5.80 4.00
8 McKinzie Rosario 4.80 3.60
7 Higher Power Prat 6.00
Winning Time: 2:02.80
$1 Exacta 10-8 23.80
$1 Trifecta 10-8-7 3,226.20
$1 Superfecta 10-8-7-6 1,213.00
$1 Super High Five 10-8-7-6-1 14,362.80
$1 Pick Six 1-4-11-11-9-10 55,668.80
The $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) features older horses going 1 1/2 miles on the turf. Arlington Million (G1) winner Bricks and Mortar was sent off as the even-money choice in the field of 12 over 7-2 Old Persian and 5-1 Anthony Van Dyck. 41-1 Acclimate set the pace of 24.81, 48.44, 1:13.26, and 1:37.91 while pressed by 45-1 Bandua and stalked by 51-1 United and 22-1 Channel Maker. Turning for home Bandua gained a short lead throigh 10f in 2:01.35 before tiring. United inherited the lead mistretch but Bricks and Mortar, 7th early, closed with a rush to win by a head in 2:24.73. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Anthony Van Dyck third.
Winning trainer Chad Brown said, "I wasn't sure until he hit the wire. He needed every inch of the mile and a half. I was worried when he was in between horses. I talked to Irad and he said he was pulling the whole way so he gave him his head and let him get in the clear, and once he saw daylight he just went. This is the biggest win of my career."
The Longines Breeders' Cup Turf
Purse: $4,000,000 Distance: 1 1/2 miles turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
9 Bricks and Mortar Ortiz Jr. 4.00 3.20 2.40
3 United Prat 25.60 13.00
5 Anthony Van Dyck Moore 4.00
Winning Time: 2:24.73
$1 Exacta 9-3 68.60
$1 Trifecta 9-3-5 439.30
$1 Superfecta 9-3-5-1 2,746.20
The $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) featured a field of 11 older fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on the main track. Personal Ensign (G1) and Beldame (G2) winner Midnight Bisou was sent off as the even-money choice over 7-1 Dunbar Road and 9-1 Blue Prize. 10-1 Serengeti Empress set the pace of 22.98, 46.68, and 1:10.83 while pressed by 52-1 Mo See Cal and 11-1 Paradise Woods. Serengeti Empress continued to lead to midstretch through 1 mile in 1:37.14 before Blue Prize, 10th early, came out 5 wide for room and outfinished favorite Midnight Bisou to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:50.50. It was another 3 1/4 lengths back to pacesetter Serengeti Empress third.
Winning jockey Joe Bravo, celebrating his first Breeders' Cup winner said, "The trip was great. She broke a little slower than I expected, but she was moving up on the backside nice. I looked over and saw Mike Smith kind of asking Midnight Bisou a little soon. Blue Prize was really running her race. When we turned for home, she went on with it."
The Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 1 1/8 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
11 Blue Prize Bravo 19.80 5.60 4.20
4 Midnight Bisou Smith 2.80 2.20
9 Serengeti Empress Prat 6.00
Winning Time: 1:50.50
$1 Exacta 11-4 21.10
$1 Trifecta 11-4-9 261.50
$1 Superfecta 11-4-9-2 2,171.20
The $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) features older horses going 1 mile on the turf. Fourstardave (G1) winner and Woodbine Mile (G1) runner-up Got Stormy was sent off as the even-money favorite in the field of 13 over 7-2 Uni and 4-1 Circus Maximus. 24-1 Hey Gaman set the pace of 22.78, 45.32, and 1:09.27 while pressed by 17-1 El Tormenta and stalked by 17-1 Bowies Hero. Turning for home the pacesetters tired as Got Stormy took over the lead through 7f in 1:21.12. Uni, 10th early under Joel Rosario, came out 5 wide for room and rallied to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:32.45. It was another 1 1/4 length back to 8-1 Without Parole third.
Winning jockey Joel Rosario said, "We had a perfect trip. The speed got away from me a little on the backstretch, but she was comfortable and in a good spot so I just sat still with her. I asked her at the 3/8 pole and she gave me a strong run. That's when I knew we would win. But when we got alongside of (Got Stormy), she fought back a little. For a minute I thought uh-oh, because she's a very nice filly who beat us this summer. But, my filly still had more left and we pulled cleared her in the last sixteenth."
The TVG Breeders' Cup Mile
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 1 mile turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
11 Uni Rosario 9.20 4.80 3.60
6 Got Stormy Gaffalione 4.80 3.40
10 Without Parole Ortiz Jr. 5.60
Winning Time: 1:32.45
$1 Exacta 11-6 16.30
$1 Trifecta 11-6-10 179.80
$1 Superfecta 11-6-10-9 555.70
The $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) is for top older sprinters going 6 furlongs. Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1) 2nd place finisher Shancelot was sent off as the 3-2 favorite in the field of 8 over 9-5 Mitole and 4-1 Catalina Cruiser. Shancelot was loose on the lead through fractions of 21.47 and 44.04 while stalked by 33-1 Matera Sky and 10-1 Firenze Fire. Shancelot led to midstretch through 5f in 56.19 but Mitole, 4th early, rallied past to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:09.00. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to 19-1 Whitmore third.
Winning trainer Steve Asmussen said, "I think that he is so easy to be around, nothing but class and the ability he has is just tremendous. When he broke well, I loved it. And, Ricardo knows the horse and the confidence he has in him. We talked about just doing whatever was right for Mitole. We have no control over who does anything or where they do it, just be sure you're happy with him and he's happy with you and the rest will take care of itself."
The $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) features older fillies and mares going 1 1/4 miles on the turf. Defending champion and Flower Bowl (G1) winner Sistercharlie was sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the field of 10 over 9-2 Vasilika and 10-1 Fanny Logan. 15-1 Mirth sped away from the field cutting fractions of 23.45, 46.45, and 1:09.68 while as many as 9 lengths ahead of Vasilika, in turn 3 lengths ahead of 13-1 Iridessa sitting third. Turning for home Mirth continued to lead through 1 mile in 1:34.15 before tiring. Iridessa rallied by and outfinished Vasilika to win by a neck in 1:57.77, just 0.61 seconds off the course record. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to favorite Sistercharlie third.
Winning trainer Joseph O'Brien said, "That was fantastic. Wayne (Lordan) gave her a great ride and got into a really nice position early on. I've got a great team back home that work for me. This is unbelievable."
The Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf
The $1 million Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) is for older horses going 1 mile, 1 full lap of the main track. Arkansas Derby (G1) and Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1) winner Omaha Beach was sent off as the even-money choice in the field of 10 over 9-2 Improbable and 7-1 Mr. Money. 9-1 Spun to Run set the pace of 23.05, 46.51, and 1:10.50 while pressed by 16-1 Blue Chipper and stalked by Mr. Money. Turning for home, Spun to Run opened up a 2 1/2 length lead through 7f in 1:23.31. Omaha Beach, 7th early, put in a 5 wide rally to no avail as Spun to Run cruised to a 2 3/4 length win in 1:36.58. It was another 1 1/4 length back to Blue Chipper third.
Winning trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero said, "He was a different horse after I put the blinkers on. I really expected him to go wire-to-wire today. I just wanted my rider to let him run and show how he can run. A horse who can do what he can do, you've just got to let him run. This means so much to me. So much. It puts me at a different level as a trainer."
The Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 1 mile
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
3 Spun to Run Ortiz Jr. 20.20 7.00 4.80
5 Omaha Beach Smith 3.40 2.40
8 Blue Chipper Prat 6.00
Winning Time: 1:36.58
$1 Exacta 3-5 27.70
$1 Trifecta 3-5-8 488.60
$1 Superfecta 3-5-8-10 5,705.10
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) features older horses sprinting 5 furlongs around one turn. Turf Monster Stakes (G3) winner Pure Sensation was sent off as the 7-2 choice in the field of 12 over 5-1 Eddie Haskell and 11-2 Shekky Shebaz. 14-1 Belvoir Bay led through fractions of 21.47 and 43.43 while pressed by Shekky Shebaz and stalked by 15-1 Om and 15-1 Stormy Liberal. Belvoir Bay opened up a 2 length lead midstretch and easily held off Om to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a new course record 54.83. It was a nose back to Shekky Shebaz third.
Winning trainer Peter Miller said, "She's just a tough filly. She's just so tough. I was telling everyone all week that she ran second to Blue Point and Blue Point would be even money in this race. She got no respect. I don't know what they were thinking, but Mr. Barber had confidence and he bet with both hands."
The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 5 furlongs turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
12 Belvoir Bay Castellano 31.60 14.40 7.60
11 Om Franco 13.80 9.40
4 Shekky Shebaz Ortiz Jr. 5.60
Winning Time: :54.83
$1 Exacta 12-11 133.70
$1 Trifecta 12-11-4 2,233.70
$1 Superfecta 12-11-4-5 17,402.70
Kicking off Championship Saturday, the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) features older fillies and mares sprinting 7 furlongs on the main track. Test (G1) and Dogwood Stakes winner Covfefe was sent off as the 3-2 favorite in the field of 9 over 2-1 Come Dancing and 9-2 Bellafina. 58-1 longest shot Danuska's My Girl set the pace of 22.13 and 44.78 while pressed by 37-1 Heavenhasmynikki and stalked by Covfefe. Turning for home Covfefe took over the lead, opening up by 2 1/2 lengths through 3/4 in 1:09.58. Bellafina rallied late from 5th but Covfefe held her off to win by 3/4 length in 1:22.40. It was a long 7 3/4 lengths back to 22-1 Dawn the Destroyer third.
Winning trainer Brad Cox said, "She overcame a lot today too. I think eight Test winners maybe have tried this and not been able to break through. One, two and three were all holes horses hadn't performed well from, 3-year-olds hadn't performed well in the race. The list went on of all these things which hadn't been done. But I didn't waiver. I thought there was no shot of her not running her race. I knew she was going to run her race. You just stay optimistic and know your horse is doing well and the rest will take care of itself."
The Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 7 furlongs
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
1 Covfefe Rosario 5.00 3.60 3.00
6 Bellafina Prat 5.00 3.60
8 Dawn the Destroyer Gaffalione 6.60
Winning Time: 1:22.40
$1 Exacta 1-6 10.40
$1 Trifecta 1-6-8 94.10
$1 Superfecta 1-6-8-9 343.80
Immediately before the 9 championship races was the $200,000 Qatar Twilight Derby Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. 8-1 Kingly set the pace of 23.54, 47.32, and 1:11.16 while pressed by 19-1 Mo Forza and stalked by 3-1 favorite Neptune's Storm. Turning for home Mo Forza took over through 1 mile in 1:34.84 and drew off to win by 1 3/4 lengths over 15-2 Succeedandsurpass in 1:48.18. It was a neck back to Neptune's Storm third.
Left: Mo Forza heads to the winner's circle. Winning jockey Joel Rosario said, "He was a little rank leaving the gate, but I had him in hand. He was pulling, but not that bad. He relaxed really well on the first turn and settled into racing. This was a special win for me, since it was for Barry Abrams. When I came down from Northern California, it was Barry who gave me my first opportunity and I won for him."
Right: Third place finisher and beaten favorite Neptune's Storm returns after the race.
Kicking off the 12-race card at 10:05AM, the $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes (G3) featured older fillies and mares sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. 14-1 Kentan Road set the pace of 22.71 and 45.22 while pressed by 5-2 favorite Girls Know Best and staled by 56-1 Dearborn. Turning for home Girls Know Best briefly led through 5f in 57.03 but tired. 11-4 second choice Just Grazed Me, 7th early, rallied 3 wide to win by 1 1/4 lengths over 11-2 Apache Princess in 1:09.94. It was another 3/4 length back to 23-1 Ippodamia's Girl third.
Left: Just Grazed Me heads into the winner's circle. Winning trainer Phil D'Amato said, "She's kind of actually changed her style more and more herself. She's coming from further behind with a bigger kick. She's just finding her groove right now. It's really nice to see a filly develop like this and hopefully have a bright future ahead of her."
Right: Fifth place finisher and beaten favorite Girls Know Best returns to be unsaddled.
The $100,000 Damascus Stakes featured older horses sprinting 7 furlongs. Originally just 5 were entered but after 1 scratch just 4 went to post. 4-1 third choice Comical Ghost set the pace of 22.22 and 44.85 while pressed by 9-1 Extra Hope and stalked by even-money choice Flagstaff. Turning for home Flagstaff took over through 3/4 in 1:09.27 and held off late-running 7-5 second choice Roadster to win by a nose in 1:22.36. It was another 1 3/4 length back to Extra Hope third, and 1 1/4 more to Comical Ghost last.
Left: Flagstaff in the winner's circle. Winning jockey Victor Espinoza said, "It was great. It worked out well. For a minute I thought it was going to be a little complicated. Then the horse in the front kind of split up so I had a little more of a chance to control there. It worked out good today. We want to get this horse better. John (Sadler), the trainer, is an excellent trainer. He knows how to prepare this horse for the best. I feel great. I'm ready to roll again."
Right: Flagstaff heads to the winner's circle. Winning trainer John Sadler added, "He's had all kinds of stuff – he had colic at three, and he had been injured several times. When he runs, he's a really nice horse. He's Game Winner's older brother, so we've always thought he was a good horse, but had just had things not go right for him. He looks the soundest he's ever been and is doing really well, so we're excited."
Results and photos for the four Breeders' Cup races on Friday are available here.
Breeders' Cup Weather - Check out the latest weather forecasts for the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita
Review: Crushing the Cup 2019 - by Jim Mazur and Peter Mallett. An invaluable tool for trying to unlock the mysteries of handicapping the Breeders' Cup races at Santa Anita.
2018 Breeders' Cup Saturday Results - The feature race was the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic won by Accelerate. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 9 races here.
2018 Breeders' Cup Friday Results - Friday was headlined by the $2 million Juvenile won by Game Winner. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 5 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 since the change.
Left: Mo Forza heads to the winner's circle. Winning jockey Joel Rosario said, "He was a little rank leaving the gate, but I had him in hand. He was pulling, but not that bad. He relaxed really well on the first turn and settled into racing. This was a special win for me, since it was for Barry Abrams. When I came down from Northern California, it was Barry who gave me my first opportunity and I won for him."
Left: Just Grazed Me heads into the winner's circle. Winning trainer Phil D'Amato said, "She's kind of actually changed her style more and more herself. She's coming from further behind with a bigger kick. She's just finding her groove right now. It's really nice to see a filly develop like this and hopefully have a bright future ahead of her."
Left: Flagstaff in the winner's circle. Winning jockey Victor Espinoza said, "It was great. It worked out well. For a minute I thought it was going to be a little complicated. Then the horse in the front kind of split up so I had a little more of a chance to control there. It worked out good today. We want to get this horse better. John (Sadler), the trainer, is an excellent trainer. He knows how to prepare this horse for the best. I feel great. I'm ready to roll again."
