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Breeders’ Cup Classic

By Racing Correspondent | 06 Nov 2011 |


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Mike Smith rode a sensational race on Drosselmeyer, timing his move to perfection, in the 10 furlongs Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs race track, to erase the frustating memories of his defeat on the mighty Zenyatta to Blame at the post a year ago. In a spectacular turn of foot on the Quarter Mile straight at the last turn, Drosselmeyer overhauled almost eight runners to land the $ 5 million prize packet. Smith now joins Jerry Baily with 15 Cup wins, which no other rider has achieved. Bob Baffert trained Game On Dude ridden by Smith’s ex girlfriend Chantal Sutherland finished second ahead of Ruler On Ice. The highly rated So You Think failed again on American Turf.

"This is incredible," said Smith. "That defeat of Zenyatta still hurts. Last year I sat here devastated. My life was over. To come here like this is amazing. Thank God. I congratulated Chantal on the way back. I told her she rode a great race, she could hold her head up."

Breeders’ Cup Mile (Grade I):

The dreams of the golden filly, Goldikova and Oliver Peslier to make it four in a row, in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, failed to see daylight when Gulch’s Court Vision and Turallure sped past inside the last 100 yards. Dale Romans trained Court Vision was ridden by R.Alborado to win by a hairline from Turallure. Goldikova finished third to end her Breeders’ Cup campaign.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade I):

Wrote was the saving grace for the European string after their campaign at the 28th Breeders’ Cup had taken off to a miserable start. Aidian O’Brien trained Wrote was ridden by Ryan Moore to an imposing victory, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Moving ahead to lead inside the final furlong, Wrote produced a fine gallop to extend the margin to 2 ¼ lengths at the finish. Escaper finished second, a nose in front of Ferraaj.

Moore said: "This is a nice type of horse. He gave me confidence with the way he moved through the race and it's nice to have a winner. I was unlucky yesterday because if Misty For Me hadn't slipped coming out of the stalls she would have won."

Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (Grade I):

William Mott trained Royal Delta (USA) won the 9 furlongs Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic beating Its Tricky by 2 ½ lengths. Pachattack finished third.

Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (Grade I):

Bill Spaur trained Amazombie (USA) held on by a neck from Force Freeze, in the 6 furlongs sprint on dirt. Another compatriot Jackson Bead finished third.