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Girl Power rules in Classic!

Zenyatta towered over her Classic rivals in both stature and talent (Tara Gregg/Horsephotos.com) Owners Jerry and Ann Moss and trainer John Shirreffs have received flak all year long for keeping their star runner ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) competing against the girls. On Saturday, all naysayers and critics were silenced in emphatic fashion as the massive dark bay mare ran down the boys in the $4,545,000 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita to keep her record perfect. The victory, which came in her now familiar come-from-behind fashion, moved Zenyatta's career line to a perfect 14-for-14, surpassing the great Hall of Famer Personal Ensign. She's now earned $5,474,580 to become the richest North American-based distaffer in Thoroughbred racing history, easily overtaking 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri who accumulated $4,079,820 during four seasons of racing. "There are tears coming to my eyes," an emotional Shirreffs said. "I can't believe it. She is a great, great filly. She is all heart. The way the crowd took to her was just amazing. They cheered for her, they clapped for her; they love her. What a wonderful relationship." "Every race she ran has been an experience. Every time," Jerry Moss said. "Going to see her at the barn, she's such a great character, you know. Just to have her this long and since she was a yearling and have these guys work on her the way they have. For Annie and I to share this together has just been the greatest time."

The excitement built all day for the Classic, but Zenyatta never appeared fazed by the frenzy taking place around her. Keeping her pre-race ritual of dancing her way through the paddock and post parade, the first signs of strain came when the five-year-old mare gave the starters trouble loading into the gate. Finally finessed in by the starters, the mare received an encouraging pat on the neck from jockey Mike Smith.

For those who breathed a sigh of relief, the excitement wasn't over yet.

The Moss' showed their support for their star (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) Quality Road (Elusive Quality) balked at loading into the gate, and no shoving, pushing or whip cracking could get the irate sophomore to enter his drawn post of stall 12. The starters blindfolded the bay colt and, after leading him in a circle, finally managed to load the runner. As soon as he realized what had happened, though, Quality Road began bucking and kicking, leaving his handlers no choice but to back him out of the stall. The rest of the Classic field was unloaded as the veterinarian checked Quality Road and eventually scratched him, resulted in the first gate scratch in the history Breeders' Cup Classic. "He received a couple of lacerations to his limbs," Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith explained. "So there was no choice but to scratch him. They're just superficial lacerations. They're minor. It's not going to be a problem. But you can't race when you have a bleeding laceration." "The horse is OK," trainer Todd Pletcher said of Quality Road. "He's got some scrapes and scratches. We're very disappointed but it's just one of those things. We'll have to regroup and try again. It was bad timing. We got the worse luck at the worst time on the biggest day."

Zenyatta once again proved a stubborn load, but once in settled down. The gates opened and Smith immediately angled Zenyatta over to the fence as Regal Ransom (Distorted Humor) went to the lead. The dark bay colt was closely tracked on his outside by first Einstein (Brz) (Spend a Buck) and then multiple Group 1 hero Rip Van Winkle (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) through splits of :24, :47 4/5 and 1:11 4/5. Colonel John (Tiznow) was not far back while running in third.

Zenyatta rallied down the center of the track before a crowd of supporters (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Zenyatta began making her move nearing the turn, and Smith allowed her to angle off the inside as they entered the lane. The mare appeared ready to scoot between Summer Bird (Birdstone) to her inside and Twice Over (GB) (Observatory) to the outside in midstretch, but the hole disappeared and Smith sent her to the center of the track. For the first time in her career, Zenyatta had to dig in but still ran down the lane with ears pricked, eager to strut her stuff. She easily caught Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) late in the lane, and drew off to be one length clear on the wire while stopping the clock in 2:00 3/5 for 1 1/4 Pro-Ride miles. "When we loaded the second time, she sure stood there when the gates opened," Smith explained. "I needed to help her out of there, but once I got out of there, she settled into stride really well. She started to get to them in the stretch, and the crowd started screaming. Then she started looking at the crowd, so I had to get after her a little bit, but she still won within herself." "I still never got to the bottom of her," Smith added. "That's the amazing thing. She still had run left. She's incredible. She's sent from heaven."

Sent off the 5-2 favorite in the 13-horse field, Zenyatta paid $7.60, $5.60 and $3.80 to her exuberant supporters. Gio Ponti, who recorded four straight Grade 1 scores on the turf this year, gave his connections a brief moment of happy anticipation, but the colossal streak that was Zenyatta dashed their hopes of Classic glory. Nonetheless, the gutsy four-year-old held second by 1 1/4 lengths over Twice Over, returning $9.20 and $6.60 as the 12-1 eighth choice.

"He ran so awesome," Ramon Dominguez said of Gio Ponti. "He split horses like a champion inside the sixteenth-pole and just took off when he got clear. That filly's just an extremely nice filly and I am so pleased and so happy with the way my horse ran. He did everything good. It's not like the race set up for him and he got lucky...every step of the way I knew I had that much horse, and he just did everything like a very nice horse."

Zenyatta has now staked her claim on Horse of the Year honors (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "The horse ran a great race but he couldn't beat the winner. She's a freak. What can I say? She's a freak," reacted Gio Ponti's trainer, Christophe Clement. "I'm thrilled with his race. This proved it was the right decision to run in the Classic and not the Turf (G1). This is a very good horse. I will talk with the owner to see what he wants to do in the future, but I hope to have the horse back in the barn and hope to try again next year." Twice Over rated in midpack before coming four wide into the stretch. He rallied to take down third by three parts of a length and gave back $7 at 9-1. The $1 exotics totaled $43.70 (exacta), $596.20 (trifecta) and $3,417 (4-7-5-3 superfecta). Belmont S. (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) hero Summer Bird finished the best of the three-year-olds in fourth. He was followed under the wire by Colonel John, Richard's Kid (Lemon Drop Kid), Awesome Gem (Awesome Again), Regal Ransom, Mine That Bird (Birdstone), Rip Van Winkle, Einstein and Girolamo (A.P. Indy). Zenyatta began her Hall of Fame career on November 22, 2007, at Hollywood Park, winning by three lengths with David Flores in the saddle. Flores would guide the then sophomore lass through her first allowance condition, which she won by 3 1/2 lengths, and in her stakes and four-year-old bow, the El Encino S. (G2).

Smith took over on Zenyatta when she made her only start on dirt, and outside of California, next up in the Apple Blossom H. (G1) at Oaklawn Park. She posted a dominating 4 1/2-length decision that day over then reigning champion older mare Ginger Punch, and has been unstoppable since. Returning to Shirreffs' shedrow at Hollywood Park, the mare reeled off wins in the Milady H. (G2), Vanity H. (G1), Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2) and Lady's Secret S. (G1) before running away with last year's Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) under a hand ride from Smith.

Zenyatta will undoubtedly join Personal Ensign in the Hall of Fame (Tara Gregg/Horsephotos.com) That event concluded her four-year-old season, and the dark bay was honored with an Eclipse Award as champion older mare. Originally scheduled to make her 2009 bow in the Louisville Distaff S. (G2) on Kentucky Oaks Day, Shirreffs opted to scratch his charge because of the off track. Zenyatta was then rerouted to a title defense in the May 23 Milady, and continued on the same path as 2008 with repeat scores in the Vanity, where she toted 129 pounds, the upgraded Clement L. Hirsch (G1) and the Lady's Secret. By choosing to give their champion a shot at the big boys instead of going for yet another title defense in the Ladies' Classic gave Shirreffs an unprecedented shot at becoming the first trainer to send out winners in both the Ladies Classic and Classic. The conditioner accomplished the feat, as Life is Sweet (Storm Cat) captured Friday's main event by 2 1/2 lengths after knocking heads with her stablemate in three of her prior four races. Bred by Maverick Production Limited in Kentucky, Zenyatta is out of Broodmare of the Year Vertigineux (Kris S.), making her a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 queen Balance (Thunder Gulch), an unraced juvenile colt named Souper Spectacular (Giant's Causeway) and a Bernardini weanling filly named Eblouissante. Zenyatta, who is from the same family as 2001 Canadian champion turf mare Sweetest Thing (Candy Stripes), was a bargain at only $60,000 for her owners at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Other graded winners in Zenyatta's family include this season's Beaumont S. (G2) victress War Kill (War Chant); 1977 Kentucky Oaks (G2) queen Sweet Alliance (Sir Ivor); Irish Derby (Ire-G1) winner Shareef Dancer (Northern Dancer), who was the 1983 champion three-year-old colt for England and Ireland; and Grade 1-winning sire Mizzen Mast (Cozzene).

BREEDERS' CUP RESULTS

Girl Power rules in Classic!

Zenyatta towered over her Classic rivals in both stature and talent (Tara Gregg/Horsephotos.com) Owners Jerry and Ann Moss and trainer John Shirreffs have received flak all year long for keeping their star runner ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) competing against the girls. On Saturday, all naysayers and critics were silenced in emphatic fashion as the massive dark bay mare ran down the boys in the $4,545,000 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita to keep her record perfect. The victory, which came in her now familiar come-from-behind fashion, moved Zenyatta's career line to a perfect 14-for-14, surpassing the great Hall of Famer Personal Ensign. She's now earned $5,474,580 to become the richest North American-based distaffer in Thoroughbred racing history, easily overtaking 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri who accumulated $4,079,820 during four seasons of racing. "There are tears coming to my eyes," an emotional Shirreffs said. "I can't believe it. She is a great, great filly. She is all heart. The way the crowd took to her was just amazing. They cheered for her, they clapped for her; they love her. What a wonderful relationship." "Every race she ran has been an experience. Every time," Jerry Moss said. "Going to see her at the barn, she's such a great character, you know. Just to have her this long and since she was a yearling and have these guys work on her the way they have. For Annie and I to share this together has just been the greatest time."

The excitement built all day for the Classic, but Zenyatta never appeared fazed by the frenzy taking place around her. Keeping her pre-race ritual of dancing her way through the paddock and post parade, the first signs of strain came when the five-year-old mare gave the starters trouble loading into the gate. Finally finessed in by the starters, the mare received an encouraging pat on the neck from jockey Mike Smith.

For those who breathed a sigh of relief, the excitement wasn't over yet.

The Moss' showed their support for their star (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) Quality Road (Elusive Quality) balked at loading into the gate, and no shoving, pushing or whip cracking could get the irate sophomore to enter his drawn post of stall 12. The starters blindfolded the bay colt and, after leading him in a circle, finally managed to load the runner. As soon as he realized what had happened, though, Quality Road began bucking and kicking, leaving his handlers no choice but to back him out of the stall. The rest of the Classic field was unloaded as the veterinarian checked Quality Road and eventually scratched him, resulted in the first gate scratch in the history Breeders' Cup Classic. "He received a couple of lacerations to his limbs," Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith explained. "So there was no choice but to scratch him. They're just superficial lacerations. They're minor. It's not going to be a problem. But you can't race when you have a bleeding laceration." "The horse is OK," trainer Todd Pletcher said of Quality Road. "He's got some scrapes and scratches. We're very disappointed but it's just one of those things. We'll have to regroup and try again. It was bad timing. We got the worse luck at the worst time on the biggest day."

Zenyatta once again proved a stubborn load, but once in settled down. The gates opened and Smith immediately angled Zenyatta over to the fence as Regal Ransom (Distorted Humor) went to the lead. The dark bay colt was closely tracked on his outside by first Einstein (Brz) (Spend a Buck) and then multiple Group 1 hero Rip Van Winkle (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) through splits of :24, :47 4/5 and 1:11 4/5. Colonel John (Tiznow) was not far back while running in third.

Zenyatta rallied down the center of the track before a crowd of supporters (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Zenyatta began making her move nearing the turn, and Smith allowed her to angle off the inside as they entered the lane. The mare appeared ready to scoot between Summer Bird (Birdstone) to her inside and Twice Over (GB) (Observatory) to the outside in midstretch, but the hole disappeared and Smith sent her to the center of the track. For the first time in her career, Zenyatta had to dig in but still ran down the lane with ears pricked, eager to strut her stuff. She easily caught Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) late in the lane, and drew off to be one length clear on the wire while stopping the clock in 2:00 3/5 for 1 1/4 Pro-Ride miles. "When we loaded the second time, she sure stood there when the gates opened," Smith explained. "I needed to help her out of there, but once I got out of there, she settled into stride really well. She started to get to them in the stretch, and the crowd started screaming. Then she started looking at the crowd, so I had to get after her a little bit, but she still won within herself." "I still never got to the bottom of her," Smith added. "That's the amazing thing. She still had run left. She's incredible. She's sent from heaven."

Sent off the 5-2 favorite in the 13-horse field, Zenyatta paid $7.60, $5.60 and $3.80 to her exuberant supporters. Gio Ponti, who recorded four straight Grade 1 scores on the turf this year, gave his connections a brief moment of happy anticipation, but the colossal streak that was Zenyatta dashed their hopes of Classic glory. Nonetheless, the gutsy four-year-old held second by 1 1/4 lengths over Twice Over, returning $9.20 and $6.60 as the 12-1 eighth choice.

"He ran so awesome," Ramon Dominguez said of Gio Ponti. "He split horses like a champion inside the sixteenth-pole and just took off when he got clear. That filly's just an extremely nice filly and I am so pleased and so happy with the way my horse ran. He did everything good. It's not like the race set up for him and he got lucky...every step of the way I knew I had that much horse, and he just did everything like a very nice horse."

Zenyatta has now staked her claim on Horse of the Year honors (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "The horse ran a great race but he couldn't beat the winner. She's a freak. What can I say? She's a freak," reacted Gio Ponti's trainer, Christophe Clement. "I'm thrilled with his race. This proved it was the right decision to run in the Classic and not the Turf (G1). This is a very good horse. I will talk with the owner to see what he wants to do in the future, but I hope to have the horse back in the barn and hope to try again next year." Twice Over rated in midpack before coming four wide into the stretch. He rallied to take down third by three parts of a length and gave back $7 at 9-1. The $1 exotics totaled $43.70 (exacta), $596.20 (trifecta) and $3,417 (4-7-5-3 superfecta). Belmont S. (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) hero Summer Bird finished the best of the three-year-olds in fourth. He was followed under the wire by Colonel John, Richard's Kid (Lemon Drop Kid), Awesome Gem (Awesome Again), Regal Ransom, Mine That Bird (Birdstone), Rip Van Winkle, Einstein and Girolamo (A.P. Indy). Zenyatta began her Hall of Fame career on November 22, 2007, at Hollywood Park, winning by three lengths with David Flores in the saddle. Flores would guide the then sophomore lass through her first allowance condition, which she won by 3 1/2 lengths, and in her stakes and four-year-old bow, the El Encino S. (G2).

Smith took over on Zenyatta when she made her only start on dirt, and outside of California, next up in the Apple Blossom H. (G1) at Oaklawn Park. She posted a dominating 4 1/2-length decision that day over then reigning champion older mare Ginger Punch, and has been unstoppable since. Returning to Shirreffs' shedrow at Hollywood Park, the mare reeled off wins in the Milady H. (G2), Vanity H. (G1), Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2) and Lady's Secret S. (G1) before running away with last year's Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) under a hand ride from Smith.

Zenyatta will undoubtedly join Personal Ensign in the Hall of Fame (Tara Gregg/Horsephotos.com) That event concluded her four-year-old season, and the dark bay was honored with an Eclipse Award as champion older mare. Originally scheduled to make her 2009 bow in the Louisville Distaff S. (G2) on Kentucky Oaks Day, Shirreffs opted to scratch his charge because of the off track. Zenyatta was then rerouted to a title defense in the May 23 Milady, and continued on the same path as 2008 with repeat scores in the Vanity, where she toted 129 pounds, the upgraded Clement L. Hirsch (G1) and the Lady's Secret. By choosing to give their champion a shot at the big boys instead of going for yet another title defense in the Ladies' Classic gave Shirreffs an unprecedented shot at becoming the first trainer to send out winners in both the Ladies Classic and Classic. The conditioner accomplished the feat, as Life is Sweet (Storm Cat) captured Friday's main event by 2 1/2 lengths after knocking heads with her stablemate in three of her prior four races. Bred by Maverick Production Limited in Kentucky, Zenyatta is out of Broodmare of the Year Vertigineux (Kris S.), making her a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 queen Balance (Thunder Gulch), an unraced juvenile colt named Souper Spectacular (Giant's Causeway) and a Bernardini weanling filly named Eblouissante. Zenyatta, who is from the same family as 2001 Canadian champion turf mare Sweetest Thing (Candy Stripes), was a bargain at only $60,000 for her owners at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Other graded winners in Zenyatta's family include this season's Beaumont S. (G2) victress War Kill (War Chant); 1977 Kentucky Oaks (G2) queen Sweet Alliance (Sir Ivor); Irish Derby (Ire-G1) winner Shareef Dancer (Northern Dancer), who was the 1983 champion three-year-old colt for England and Ireland; and Grade 1-winning sire Mizzen Mast (Cozzene).

Conduit takes down another Turf trophy

Conduit was a 'live' Turf winner (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Ballymacoll Stud's homebred CONDUIT (Ire) (Dalakhani) thwarted Presious Passion's (Royal Anthem) gallant attempt to wire Saturday's $2,727,000 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), reeling in the longtime leader in deep stretch to defend his title successfully. On the heels of Presious Passion's ferocious fractions, Conduit blazed 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:23 3/5, just off the stakes record of 2:23 2/5 he posted last year. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Conduit thereby joins High Chaparral (Ire) (2002-03) as the only two-time winners of the Breeders' Cup Turf. As expected, Presious Passion sprinted straight to the front and opened up a long lead through splits of :23, :45, 1:09 1/5 and 1:34 2/5. Spanish Moon (El Prado [Ire]), Conduit's stablemate, settled in second, with the filly Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) also forwardly placed in the pack. Conduit gradually crept forward on the backstretch, and as the field closed in on Presious Passion on the far turn, the defending champion was perfectly poised to strike.

Under a shrewd but daring maneuver by regular rider Ryan Moore, Conduit knifed his way between Dar Re Mi and Spanish Moon turning into the stretch and took aim on Presious Passion. The front runner was still in full flight, and threatening to lead from flag-fall to finish, but Conduit was bearing down on the outside. The 4-5 favorite got up by a half-length at the wire, returning $3.80, $3 and $2.20.

Conduit is two-for-two in America (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) "I was stuck behind a lot of horses early, but that didn't worry me," Moore said. "I got a nice spot down the backside and I went inside to move up. Last year went about as planned, but this year wasn't according to plan. I knew I was going to get there." "It's always a big day for the world championship," said Stoute, who was winning his fourth Turf and fifth Breeders' Cup title overall. "It's a very important race and it was great to see him go and do it two in a row. We're also pleased with the fourth horse Spanish Moon." Presious Passion held second by 1 1/4 lengths, and the nearly 6-1 fourth choice in the seven-horse field gave back $5 and $3.80. "The horse didn't want to relax," jockey Elvis Trujillo said of Presious Passion. "The first part was a little fast. I know this horse very good. He fights. Doesn't matter how fast we go. The last quarter he'll fight everybody. It's tough to build a big lead like that and try to hold on. Even when he (Conduit) came up to me I thought I was going to win. The other horse just got past me in the last sixteenth." "I thought he ran his race," trainer Mary Hartmann said of Presious Passion. "He laid it all on the line and he just got caught. He fought back. He just doesn't like to let them go by." Dar Re Mi crossed the wire 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Spanish Moon and paid $3 as the 5-1 third choice. "She ran a great race," trainer John Gosden said of Dar Re Mi. "It was a little tight from the quarter-pole but that is racing. She ran absolutely great. The first two -- well you know what they are -- they are fantastic horses. It was a real race. She ran great against the colts and older horses. I couldn't be more pleased."

Spanish Moon was unable to capitalize on his good early position and faded to fourth. Red Rocks (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]), the 2006 Turf winner who was taking part in the race for the fourth straight time, wound up fifth in his swan song and was trailed by Monzante (Maria's Mon) and Telling (A.P. Indy). Allegre (Orientate) was withdrawn Thursday after developing an abscess in his right front foot.

Conduit ran down a loose-on-the-lead Presious Passion (inside) (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Conduit, who earned an Eclipse Award as champion turf horse after plundering last year's edition, has compiled a record of 14-7-2-3 with an impressive $5,376,913 in earnings. The winner of the 2008 St. Leger (Eng-G1) and Gordon S. (Eng-G3), the four-year-old just missed in the Brigadier Gerard S. (Eng-G3) in his 2009 debut. After finishing a distant third to Sea the Stars and Rip Van Winkle (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) in the Eclipse S. (Eng-G1), Conduit next added the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. (Eng-G1) to his resume. In so doing, Conduit became the first St Leger hero to land the King George since Alcide in 1959. Stoute rested him since that late July triumph, with a view toward a title defense in the Turf. Conduit returned in the October 4 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) and rallied for an honorable fourth, an effort that set him up perfectly for the Breeders' Cup. Out of the unraced Sadler's Wells mare Well Head, the Irish-bred colt is a half-brother to English Group 2 winner Hard Top (Ire) (Darshaan). Well Head is herself a half-sister to Spectrum (Rainbow Quest), hero of the 1995 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) and Champion S. (Eng-G1), and Stream of Gold (Ire) (Rainbow Quest), victor of the 2008 Mac Diarmida H. (G2). Conduit hails from the stellar family of multiple English and Irish highweight Petrushka (Ire) (Unfuwain), 2000 St Leger hero Millenary (Rainbow Quest), and English and French champion filly Sun Princess (English Prince).

Conduit could line up next in the November 29 Japan Cup (Jpn-G1), but Stoute was not ready to commit just yet.

"It could be on his agenda, but we want to get him back home and have a close look at him for about 10 days until we make a decision on Tokyo. We would like to go there, but it depends on how he comes through this return journey and the race."

Plans call for Conduit to enter stud next year in Japan at Shigeyuki Okada's Big Red Farm, which purchased him prior to his repeat score in the Turf.

Goldikova emulates Miesque in Mile

Goldikova is worth her weight in the Mile (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Trainer Freddie Head has often remarked that his star pupil GOLDIKOVA (Ire) (Anabaa) could be better than Hall of Famer Miesque, whom he rode to back-to-back Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) victories in 1987-88. In Saturday's $1,818,000 Mile at Santa Anita, defending champion Goldikova gave even more substance to that claim by blasting to her second straight title. Confidently handled by Olivier Peslier, the Wertheimer and Frere homebred produced a sustained charge from far back to catch the sophomore colt Courageous Cat (Storm Cat) by a half-length in the final yards. Goldikova blazed the firm-turf mile in 1:32 1/5 to become the fourth two-time winner of the Mile, following Miesque, Lure (1992-93) and Da Hoss (1996, 1998). Peslier dropped Goldikova much farther back off the early pace after breaking from the far outside post 11. That tactic was the opposite of the one he employed from a wide post in the Prix de la Foret (Fr-G1) last out, where Goldikova pressed the early pace en route to being upset in third. Peslier made sure not to repeat the same mistake. As the French sensation lagged near the rear, the front-running Gladiatorus (Silic [Fr]) ripped through fractions of :22 4/5 and :45 1/5. Cowboy Cal (Giant's Causeway), who applied intense pressure throughout, ranged alongside through six furlongs in a blistering 1:08 1/5. Courageous Cat was well placed in fifth. Turning for home, the early leaders began to tire, and Courageous Cat unleashed his bold gambit in the stretch. The three-year-old tried to make the most of his stealing a march on Goldikova, but he could not maintain his advantage as the top-class four-year-old hit top gear. Goldikova kept up her relentless progress for the entire length of the stretch, and she cut down Courageous Cat to win going away.

"The draw (post 11) wasn't a big help," Peslier admitted. "I didn't want to make a run until the last turn. I came wide because that was the only place to go. She's lovely. She won last year; she won this year. I'm so glad for my owners that they have a filly like this."

"She was a little far back, but the pace was strong," Head recapped. "I was confident she would win when she came with her run into the stretch. It looked like she stopped a little, but Olivier smacked her 200 yards out for her last burst. She was a little keyed up going to the gate but quieter than usual. She's very special. It's been a long season and now to make this long trip in November."

Goldikova overtook a Courageous Cat (blaze-face) (Patrick Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com) Goldikova, the 7-5 favorite, rewarded her legions of supporters with mutuels of $4.80, $4 and $2.60. The nearly 23-1 Courageous Cat returned $12.80 and $8 for finishing second by one length. Justenuffhumor (Distorted Humor) rattled home from dead last for third, yielding $8 at 16-1, and fellow closer Court Vision (Gulch) was just a head away in fourth. The $1 exotics totaled $54.60 (exacta), $705.30 (trifecta) and $6,628.80 (11-6-10-1 superfecta). "(Courageous Cat) ran his eyeballs out," jockey Garrett Gomez said. "He gave me 120 percent. He is still real young -- only a three-year-old -- and is lightly raced. I took back a little on the first turn and gave up a little position, but I wanted him to shut down a little and relax; and he did. I thought for a while I might get there first. He kept digging, but the filly was just too good." "Huge effort -- just a huge effort," agreed Bill Mott, Courageous Cat's trainer. "I thought we might win it. He looked like a winner. He ran a winning race. It's hard to say. He's a three-year-old colt that is a little tender experience-wise, and he nearly beat last year's Breeders' Cup Mile champion." "I'm really happy with (Justenuffhumor)," assistant trainer Neal McLaughlin said of the third-place finisher. "He had a great trip. I thought there'd be an abundance of speed. We saved ground and came up the inside. No excuses. We got beat by a super filly."

Delegator (GB) (Dansili [GB]), Karelian (Bertrando), Ferneley (Ire) (Ishiguru), Whatsthescript (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]), Gladiatorus, Cowboy Cal and Zacinto (GB) (Dansili [GB]) completed the order of finish. Jockey Ryan Moore commented on Zacinto's being eased.

"I pulled him up," Moore said. "I was afraid that he might have hurt himself. He took a bad step or something like that and I was concerned, but it turns out he's fine. He is OK."

Now a seven-time Group/Grade 1 winner, Goldikova boasts a record of 15-10-2-2 with a massive $4,090,090 bankroll.

Goldikova could attempt a three-peat next year (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) Two-for-two as a juvenile in 2007, Goldikova chased the peerless Zarkava a couple of times as a three-year-old. She recovered from a nearly disastrous start to finish second in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1) and subsequently checked in a non-staying third in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (Fr-G1). Goldikova resumed the winning thread when getting away from Zarkava in the Prix Chloe (Fr-G3), then went on to defeat older horses in the Prix Rothschild (Fr-G1) and the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1). She capped her 2008 campaign in the Breeders' Cup Mile, where she dethroned Kip Deville (Kipling) by 1 1/4 lengths and extended her winning streak to four.

Goldikova suffered a shock defeat in her 2009 bow in the Prix d'Ispahan (Fr-G1), winding up a well-beaten seventh on soft ground. Sidelined for nearly two months thereafter, she returned with a comfortable score in the Falmouth S. (Eng-G1). Goldikova posted an effortless title defense in the Prix Rothschild, which was just a prelude to her six-length rout of males in the Prix Jacques le Marois (Fr-G1) in stakes-record time. She was freshened in advance of her prep in the Foret, and she took the expected step forward here.

The Irish-bred filly was produced by the winning Blushing Groom (Fr) mare Born Gold, who is also responsible for Group 3 scorers Gold Round (Caerleon) and Gold Sound (Fr) (Green Tune), the Group 3-placed pair of Born Something (Ire) (Caerleon) and Red Tune (Green Tune), and the unraced juvenile colt Ocean Seven (Green Tune). Born Gold is a full sister to multiple Group 1 heroine Gold Splash. Goldikova's second dam is Group 1 queen Riviere d'Or (Lyphard), and her third dam is champion Gold River (Fr) (Riverman), who captured the 1981 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1).

Head held out hopes for Goldikova to go for a three-peat in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs.

"We haven't discussed her future -- maybe we'll come back and try for three."

Dancing in Silks upsets Sprint in tight photo

Dancing in Silks (green hat) prevailed in a four-way photo (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) California-breds made it a sweep of Saturday's shortest Breeders' Cup races when Ken Kinakin's DANCING IN SILKS (Black Minnaloushe) prevailed in a four-way photo to notch the $1,818,000 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) under Joel Rosario. Despite winning a fast renewal of the California Cup Sprint in his latest start, the four-year-old gelding was let go at 25-1 and led a trio of longshots under the wire. Dancing in Silks tracked in fourth early as Cost of Freedom (Cee's Tizzy) outhustled both 9-5 favorite Zensational (Unbridled's Song) and last year's Sprint runner-up Fatal Bullet (Red Bullet) for the lead. That one led by a length through a quarter in :21 4/5 and a half in :44 1/5, and opened up in midstretch by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong to go. Rivals were closing in from both sides, however, with Dancing in Silks gaining ground to his outside, Crown of Thorns (Repent) charging like a freight train outside that one, and 2-1 second choice Gayego (Gilded Time) hoping to sneak through along the rail. Ultimately, it was the two outside horses who had the upper hand at the finish with Dancing in Silks barely outlasting 15-1 chance Crown of Thorns by a nose. Cost of Freedom, a head behind the top pair, nosed out Gayego for third at 18-1.

Dancing in Silks returned $52.60, $19.20 and $12, with Crown of Thorns paying $13.20 and $8.60. Cost of Freedom gave back $9.20. The $1 exotics were worth $227.90 (exacta), $2,145.90 (trifecta) and $7,651 (6-4-2-5 superfecta).

Dancing in Silks slid through to score in the Sprint (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com) Zensational failed to show any kind of kick and checked in fifth, one spot ahead of early presser Fatal Bullet. Next under the wire were Fleeting Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit), Capt. Candyman Can (Candy Ride [Arg]), and Join in the Dance (Sky Mesa). "The way Zensational had been training and Gayego won the Ancient Title (G1), it looked like a tough situation (for us)," winning trainer Carla Gaines said. "The way the post positions set up, we were able to sit off the pace and make our run. The racing gods were smiling upon us today." Dancing in Silks competed on Breeders' Cup day last year, just not in the Breeders' Cup itself. The bay finished second in the Damascus S. on the Breeders' Cup Saturday undercard, his only prior open company stakes attempt. Dancing in Silks also finished third in the Real Good Deal S. and On Trust H. for California-breds last year, and opened up his 2009 campaign with a fourth in the Sunshine Millions Sprint. Off nearly seven months after that, Dancing in Silks returned to take a turf allowance/optional claimer at Del Mar, scored in the Pirate's Bounty S. versus state-breds over the Del Mar Polytrack, then won the Cal Cup in a photo. With this initial graded stakes score, Dancing in Silks has now bankrolled $1,447,622 from a mark of 13-7-2-2.

Bred by Ronald Jex, Dancing in Silks brought $21,429 at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (British Columbia division) Yearling and Mixed Sale in 2006. Produced from the multiple stakes-winning Lemhi Love (Royal and Regal), Dancing in Silks is a half-brother to Canadian Grade 3 queen Gins Majesty (Go for Gin) and Grade 1-placed producer Love at Noon (Afternoon Deelites). This is the family of Grade 2 winner Rocky Marriage (Riva Ridge) as well as Grade 3 scorers False Promises (Jules) and Hey Byrn (Put It Back).

Vale of York collars Lookin at Lucky for Juvenile upset

Vale of York pulled the rug out from under his more respected rivals in the Juvenile (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Godolphin's VALE OF YORK (Ire) (Invincible Spirit) surged in the final strides to edge Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike) by a head in Saturday's $1,818,000 Juvenile (G1), rewarding his backers with a massive upset at 30-1 odds. Runner-up in the Gran Criterium S. (Ity-G1) at Milan, Italy, the Saeed bin Suroor trainee broke poorly and was steadied sharply early, but recovered and established a perfect spot down the backstretch, closely stalking the pace along the rail in fourth. He encountered trouble when trapped along the inside in upper stretch, but the bay shifted paths to the outside and stormed home in the final eighth of a mile beneath Ahmed Ajtebi, who became the first Middle Eastern-born jockey to win a Breeders' Cup race. Lookin at Lucky turned in a strong showing from the far outside post, losing ground on both turns, and the 2-1 favorite had every chance in deep stretch but could not outfinish the winner to his inside. Noble's Promise (Cuvee), who rallied boldly to the lead off the far turn and held a one-length advantage through a mile in 1:37 1/5, could not sustain his momentum and wound up a half-length back in third. Piscitelli (Victory Gallop), who established early splits in :24 1/5, :48 3/5 and 1:13, held fourth.

Vale of York completed 1 1/16 miles over the Pro-Ride in 1:43 2/5.

"He ran a huge race," bin Suroor said. "I fancied the horse before the race. He was improving all the time. He ran a big race last time when he finished second in a Group 1 (Gran Criterium) in Italy. Every time he's come for a race he's handled everything really well. He's a tough horse, and next year we'll bring him for the Kentucky Derby (G1)."

"No difficulties today. I had a very good trip," Ajtebi commented. "The last time I rode this horse (in the Gran Criterium) about three weeks ago in Italy he was very unlucky. We were going to win, and he saw the crowd and he stopped himself. By the time I got him going, we got beat. Today it all went well. When I shifted him out, he just went and he was strong enough at the finish to get it done." 

Ahmed Ajtebi gave Vale of York the perfect ride in the Juvenile (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com) Off as 11th choice among 13 rivals, Vale of York paid $63.20, $24.40 and $12.40. Lookin at Lucky totaled $4.40 and $3 for his hard-luck second. "He showed today what a good horse he is," trainer Bob Baffert said of the runner-up. "It's just frustrating to know you have much the best horse and to come up short like that. I didn't give him any chance at all at the half-mile pole. At least you know that you can look forward to the Derby." "Today, my horse got banged around pretty hard a couple of times going into the first turn because there were a couple horses going into the turn on the inside that came out," jockey Garrett Gomez said of Lookin at Lucky's trip. "It turned him a little sideways, but he took all that. For a young horse to keep on doing what he did -- and when that horse came to him and he could fight with something, accelerate and show me that much more -- makes me really excited about next year." Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner Noble's Promise (Cuvee), the 6-1 second choice, returned $4.60 after finishing a head better than the 50-1 Piscitelli. Next under the wire came Aikenite (Yes It's True), Beethoven (Ire) (Oratorio [Ire]), Radiohead (GB) (Johannesburg), William's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), Eskendereya (Giant's Causeway), Alfred Nobel (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), Pulsion (Include), Aspire (Tale of the Cat) and D' Funnybone (D'wildcat). The $1 exotics paid $167.40 (exacta), $1,181.10 (trifecta) and $23,929.90 (7-13-4-2 superfecta).

Bred in Ireland by Stock Vale Ltd., Vale of York is out of the unraced Halling mare Red Vale, who is a half-sister to Grade 3 queen Uraib (Ire) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]). This is the female family of multiple Group 1 scorer King of Kings (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), winner of the 1998 English Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1); Hong Kong champion miler Sound Print (Be My Guest); French Group 2 king General Monash (Thorn Dance); 2000 Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) runner-up Amethyst (Ire) (Sadler's Wells); and Group 2 hero China Visit (Red Ransom).

A maiden winner in his first career start, Vale of York captured the Stardom S. at Goodwood and finished third in the Royal Lodge S. (Eng-G2) at Ascot prior to the Gran Criterium. He's now earned $1,217,160 from a 6-3-1-1 line. Racing's newest millionaire sold for $36,606 at the 2008 Tattersalls (England) November sale and RNA'ed for $101,631 at the recent Tattersalls October yearling sale.

Furthest Land records Dirt Mile shocker

Furthest Land competed in the "blue-collar" Breeders' Cup (Claiming Crown) in July (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Ken and Sarah Ramsey's FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike) continued his remarkable ascension through the class ranks when posting a 21-1 upset in the $909,000 Dirt Mile (G1). Claimed for $35,000 at Belmont Park on last year's Breeders' Cup weekend, the four-year-old gelding posted his first graded victory when capturing the Kentucky Cup Classic (G2) in his previous start, and he rallied from just off the pace to secure his biggest career win on Saturday at Santa Anita, collaring pacesetter Midshipman (Unbridled's Song) in deep stretch before withstanding a final surge from runner-up Ready's Echo (More Than Ready) by three-quarters of a length. Mastercraftsman (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), the overwhelming 7-5 favorite, could not sustain his rally while in tight quarters during the stretch run and checked in fourth. Julien Leparoux gave a heady ride aboard the Mike Maker-trained winner, who settled in along the rail entering the first turn as Midshipman flashed to the front and established an opening quarter-mile in a moderate :23 4/5. Furthest Land continued to stalk, a couple of lengths back, as the pacesetter recorded the next splits in :47 2/5 and 1:11, and after waiting briefly for room while entering the stretch, the dark bay came off the rail and went after Midshipman, catching the front runner inside the sixteenth pole. Ready's Echo, who rated in last through the opening three-quarters of a mile, was flying on the far outside from the back of the pack, but the 24-1 outsider left himself too much to do and settled for a second, a head better than Midshipman.

"I sat on the rail right behind the leader (Midshipman). It opened up at the quarter-pole. I found room to strike, and that was it," Leparoux explained. "He always runs big on synthetics. It was not an easy win to have, but he ran big."

Furthest Land is now three for three on synthetic tracks.

Furthest Land gave Julien Leparoux his third win in the 2009 BC (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) "That was incredible," Maker said. "Honestly, he has trained as well as he ever has. He gave me a lot of confidence and his (synthetic) record speaks for itself." Furthest Land paid $44.60, $18.40 and $9.60 after completing the mile in 1:35 2/5 on the Pro-Ride. Ready's Echo, who was bumped hard at the top of the stretch by Mambo Meister (King Cugat), capped the $329.10 longshot exacta ($1) and returned $18.20 and $9.40 after rallying for the place. Midshipman, the 3-1 second choice in 10-horse field, was good for $4.20. Mastercraftsman finished another three-quarters of length back. Mambo Meister, Neko Bay (Giant's Causeway), Mr. Sidney (Storm Cat), Chocolate Candy (Candy Ride [Arg]), Bullsbay (Tiznow) and Pyro (Pulpit) rounded out the order of finish. Furthest Land's biggest career victory boosted his bankroll to $869,689 from his mark of 16-8-2-1. After being claimed, he won three straight in allowance or optional claiming company on the turf for his new connections. Furthest Land was then unplaced in a pair of turf stakes attempts, including an eighth in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1), but broke through with his initial stakes score in the off-the-turf Golden Bear S. on June 10. On that sloppy track at Indiana Downs, he set a new track record of 1:40 4/5 for the mile and 70 yards. Next came the Claiming Crown Jewel, but Furthest Land never fired on the dirt at Canterbury Downs, checking in fourth. He rebounded in the aforementioned Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park, garnering his first graded victory with a neck decision over the Polytrack.

Bred by Catherine Wills in Kentucky, Furthest Land is the first registered foal from the unraced Flagrant (Rahy), a half-sister to multiple Grade 3 winner and Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) runner-up Dynever (Dynaformer). This is the family of Grade 1 heroine Reluctant Guest (Hostage) and Japanese Grade 1 hero Gold Allure (Sunday Silence). Furthest Land has an unraced juvenile half-sister named Embroidery (More Than Ready).

Well-timed 'Pounce' snares Juvenile Turf

Pounced stretches clear at the wire (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Lady Serena Rothschild's POUNCED (Rahy) split rivals in the stretch and ran down longtime leader Bridgetown (Speightstown) to garner Saturday's $909,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) at Santa Anita. The English shipper was handing the trainer/jockey tandem of John Gosden and Frankie Dettori their second straight victory in the event, following the success of Donativum (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux) one year ago. In the process, the nearly 5-2 favorite vindicated his trainer's judgment. Leading up to the race, Gosden had indicated that Pounced was as good as, if not better than, Donativum. "We had a nice draw," Gosden said regarding his breaking from post 4. "There wasn't much pace but he got through the gap when he had to. It's fantastic to win this race for the second straight year, and to do it at Santa Anita, my second home." "I had a box seat, very pleased that we got the split (between horses), and he fought really hard for me," Dettori said. "I was worried about getting clear but the gap was big enough for me to go through and my horse was very brave.

"When I got the split, it took a little while to get in top gear, but it was always going to get there in the end," the winning rider noted. "So it was a very straightforward trip. But it always happens when you go to a horse that can help you, and he did really help me."

Pounced, who was coming off a runner-up effort in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) (Fr-G1) in his stakes debut, enjoyed an ideal stalking trip. Tucked along the fence for most of the way, the flashy chestnut traveled well within himself, just behind Bridgetown through splits of :23 3/5, :48 2/5 and 1:12 2/5. The top American hope, Interactif (Broken Vow), pressed the pace on the outside and loomed as a threat turning for home.

Meanwhile, Dettori was biding his time on Pounced, waiting for a seam to open up between Bridgetown and Interactif. As soon as a sliver of daylight between the two appeared, he sent Pounced through it, and the colt gamely plowed right through to challenge. In a scene reminiscent of Friday's Juvenile Fillies Turf, when the stalking Tapitsfly (Tapit) reeled in pacesetter Rose Catherine (Speightstown), Pounced overtook Bridgetown in deep stretch and was well on top at the wire.

After completing the mile in 1:35 2/5 on firm turf, Pounced returned $6.80, $4.80 and $3.20. The 8-1 Bridgetown yielded $6.60 and $4.20 for his brave runner-up effort. Interactif , the 3-1 second choice, missed second by a head and paid $3.20 for his wide-trip third. English invader Awesome Act (Awesome Again), a nearly 32-1 longshot, outperformed his odds with a strong late run for fourth. The $1 exotics were worth $31 (exacta), $90.60 (trifecta) and $2,750.70 (4-7-11-6 superfecta).

An exuberant Dettori celebrating the win aboard Pounced (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "Kenny (trainer McPeek) wanted me to put him in the race and just nurse him along as best I could," said Robert Landry, who rode Bridgetown. "He really responded. When I asked at the top of the lane, he dropped his head and really dug in. That other horse just ran past him. He ran a courageous race. He's a really good horse who is only going to get better." Jockey Kent Desormeaux was far from disappointed in Interactif's third-place effort. "We quickened so fast going into the turn that I couldn't quite compensate for the turn, and that left some room for the others," Desormeaux said. "I hope this horse can 'dirt' because he acts like he wants to be my Derby horse." "It's always easy after a race to figure things out," Interactif's trainer, Todd Pletcher, reflected. "In retrospect, maybe we should have put the pressure on earlier, but if we picked it up, the seven (Bridgetown) would have picked it up too, so it probably would have been the same result. I think the post hurt us a little bit. We were pushed four-wide into the first turn, but from post 11 we got a decent trip. We just couldn't quicken enough in the last part." Buzzword (GB) (Pivotal) came home fifth, followed by the also-eligible Dean's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), Gallant Gent (Yankee Gentleman), Viscount Nelson (Giant's Causeway), Becky's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), King Ledley (Stormin Fever), Zip Quik (City Zip) and Codoy (Bernstein). Kera's Kitten (Kitten's Joy) was scratched, along with also-eligible Summer Movie (Holy Bull).

Bred in Kentucky by Carwell Equities Ltd., Pounced now sports a mark of 4-2-2-0, $668,504. After just failing by a neck in his career debut at Ascot in July, he easily broke his maiden by three lengths at Newbury the following month. Pounced then stepped up considerably in class for the Grand Criterium, where he led much of the way but was run down by the Aga Khan's Siyouni (Pivotal).

Pounced is out of the Irish stakes-placed Golden Cat (Storm Cat), who is also responsible for the Group 3-placed pair of Pampas Cat (Seeking the Gold) and Big Bound (Grand Slam), English stakes-placed Celtic Cat (Danehill), a yearling filly named Catopuma and a weanling colt named Wood Tiger, both by Elusive Quality. Pounced's second dam, Irish St. Leger (Ire-G1) winner Eurobird (Ire) (Ela-Mana-Mou), is a half-sister to two champions -- Irish Derby (Ire-G1) winner Assert (Ire) (Be My Guest) and French Derby (Fr-G1) victor Bikala (Kalamoun).

Pounced is not the first Breeders' Cup winner produced by this family. He was preceded by English and French champion sprinter Last Tycoon (Ire) (Try My Best), who captured the Mile (G1) at Santa Anita in 1986.

California Flag flies high in Turf Sprint

California Flag ran away from his rivals in the Turf Sprint (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) Dueled into submission in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, Hi Card Ranch's homebred CALIFORNIA FLAG (Avenue of Flags) experienced a far more favorable scenario in Saturday's renewal of the about 6 1/2-furlong turf dash at Santa Anita worth $909,000. Breaking on top and finding no pressure from any quarter from 13 rivals, the gray sped through splits of :21 2/5 and :43 and strolled home by 1 3/4 lengths while completing the distance in 1:11 1/5 under Joe Talamo. California Flag paid $8.80, $5.60 and $3.80 as the 3-1 favorite. "He made the lead pretty easily, and going right until about the three-eighths pole, I was pretty confident," Talamo said. "He had so much in reserve coming down the stretch and really kicked it in the last part." Deep closers occupied the next two slots, with course-and-distance specialist Gotta Have Her (Royal Academy) finishing fast to edge Cannonball (Catienus) for second by three parts of a length. One of three females in the field, Gotta Have Her returned $8.80 and $5.60 at 9-1 and capped the $1 exacta worth $38.60. Cannonball, the near 6-1 third choice, paid $4.80 with the $1 trifecta coming back $317.50. A head behind Cannonball was Delta Storm (Storm Boot), a 17-1 chance who completed the $4,226.70 superfecta (3-7-6-14) with a $1 base.

Rounding out the order of finish were Canadian Ballet (City Zip), Silver Timber (Prime Timber), Noble Court (Doneraile Court), El Gato Malo (El Corredor), Get Funky (Straight Man), Square Eddie (Smart Strike), Diamondrella (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]), Lord Shanakill (Speightstown), defending champion Desert Code (E Dubai) and Strike the Deal (Van Nistelrooy). Tenga Cat (Storm Cat) and Cherokee Heaven (Cherokee Run), the also-eligibles, failed to draw into the field.

Joe Talamo added a first BC win to his already impressive resume (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) California Flag earned his first stakes win in the 2008 Morvich H. (G3), scoring in a course record time of 1:11.10 for about 6 1/2 furlongs. He was thrown in the deep end when entered in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, leading during the latter part of the race before fading badly to finish 10th, and returned to a much more congenial spot in the Hollywood Turf Express H. (G3) in late November to conclude his four-year-old campaign with an easy 4 1/2-length victory. "The difference between this year and last year is that last year we just said 'go' and this year we used our heads," trainer Brian Koriner said. "The horse has matured." The gray didn't make his 2009 bow until recording a neck score in the Green Flash H. on August 19, then successfully defended his title in the September 30 Morvich. He has compiled a record of 16-8-0-1, $952,996.

California Flag is out of Ultrafleet (Afleet), making him a full brother to multiple Grade 3 heroine Cambiocorsa (Avenue of Flags) and a half-sibling to the Grade 3-placed Shadow Raider (Memo [Chi]). Ultrafleet also has an unraced juvenile filly named Platinum Mine (Memo [Chi]), a yearling colt named Vader (Vindication) and a weanling filly called Cosmopolitan (Harlan's Holiday).

Conduit takes down another Turf trophy

Conduit was a 'live' Turf winner (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Ballymacoll Stud's homebred CONDUIT (Ire) (Dalakhani) thwarted Presious Passion's (Royal Anthem) gallant attempt to wire Saturday's $2,727,000 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), reeling in the longtime leader in deep stretch to defend his title successfully. On the heels of Presious Passion's ferocious fractions, Conduit blazed 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:23 3/5, just off the stakes record of 2:23 2/5 he posted last year. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Conduit thereby joins High Chaparral (Ire) (2002-03) as the only two-time winners of the Breeders' Cup Turf. As expected, Presious Passion sprinted straight to the front and opened up a long lead through splits of :23, :45, 1:09 1/5 and 1:34 2/5. Spanish Moon (El Prado [Ire]), Conduit's stablemate, settled in second, with the filly Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) also forwardly placed in the pack. Conduit gradually crept forward on the backstretch, and as the field closed in on Presious Passion on the far turn, the defending champion was perfectly poised to strike.

Under a shrewd but daring maneuver by regular rider Ryan Moore, Conduit knifed his way between Dar Re Mi and Spanish Moon turning into the stretch and took aim on Presious Passion. The front runner was still in full flight, and threatening to lead from flag-fall to finish, but Conduit was bearing down on the outside. The 4-5 favorite got up by a half-length at the wire, returning $3.80, $3 and $2.20.

Conduit is two-for-two in America (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) "I was stuck behind a lot of horses early, but that didn't worry me," Moore said. "I got a nice spot down the backside and I went inside to move up. Last year went about as planned, but this year wasn't according to plan. I knew I was going to get there." "It's always a big day for the world championship," said Stoute, who was winning his fourth Turf and fifth Breeders' Cup title overall. "It's a very important race and it was great to see him go and do it two in a row. We're also pleased with the fourth horse Spanish Moon." Presious Passion held second by 1 1/4 lengths, and the nearly 6-1 fourth choice in the seven-horse field gave back $5 and $3.80. "The horse didn't want to relax," jockey Elvis Trujillo said of Presious Passion. "The first part was a little fast. I know this horse very good. He fights. Doesn't matter how fast we go. The last quarter he'll fight everybody. It's tough to build a big lead like that and try to hold on. Even when he (Conduit) came up to me I thought I was going to win. The other horse just got past me in the last sixteenth." "I thought he ran his race," trainer Mary Hartmann said of Presious Passion. "He laid it all on the line and he just got caught. He fought back. He just doesn't like to let them go by." Dar Re Mi crossed the wire 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Spanish Moon and paid $3 as the 5-1 third choice. "She ran a great race," trainer John Gosden said of Dar Re Mi. "It was a little tight from the quarter-pole but that is racing. She ran absolutely great. The first two -- well you know what they are -- they are fantastic horses. It was a real race. She ran great against the colts and older horses. I couldn't be more pleased."

Spanish Moon was unable to capitalize on his good early position and faded to fourth. Red Rocks (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]), the 2006 Turf winner who was taking part in the race for the fourth straight time, wound up fifth in his swan song and was trailed by Monzante (Maria's Mon) and Telling (A.P. Indy). Allegre (Orientate) was withdrawn Thursday after developing an abscess in his right front foot.

Conduit ran down a loose-on-the-lead Presious Passion (inside) (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Conduit, who earned an Eclipse Award as champion turf horse after plundering last year's edition, has compiled a record of 14-7-2-3 with an impressive $5,376,913 in earnings. The winner of the 2008 St. Leger (Eng-G1) and Gordon S. (Eng-G3), the four-year-old just missed in the Brigadier Gerard S. (Eng-G3) in his 2009 debut. After finishing a distant third to Sea the Stars and Rip Van Winkle (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) in the Eclipse S. (Eng-G1), Conduit next added the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. (Eng-G1) to his resume. In so doing, Conduit became the first St Leger hero to land the King George since Alcide in 1959. Stoute rested him since that late July triumph, with a view toward a title defense in the Turf. Conduit returned in the October 4 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) and rallied for an honorable fourth, an effort that set him up perfectly for the Breeders' Cup. Out of the unraced Sadler's Wells mare Well Head, the Irish-bred colt is a half-brother to English Group 2 winner Hard Top (Ire) (Darshaan). Well Head is herself a half-sister to Spectrum (Rainbow Quest), hero of the 1995 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) and Champion S. (Eng-G1), and Stream of Gold (Ire) (Rainbow Quest), victor of the 2008 Mac Diarmida H. (G2). Conduit hails from the stellar family of multiple English and Irish highweight Petrushka (Ire) (Unfuwain), 2000 St Leger hero Millenary (Rainbow Quest), and English and French champion filly Sun Princess (English Prince).

Conduit could line up next in the November 29 Japan Cup (Jpn-G1), but Stoute was not ready to commit just yet.

"It could be on his agenda, but we want to get him back home and have a close look at him for about 10 days until we make a decision on Tokyo. We would like to go there, but it depends on how he comes through this return journey and the race."

Plans call for Conduit to enter stud next year in Japan at Shigeyuki Okada's Big Red Farm, which purchased him prior to his repeat score in the Turf.

BREEDERS' CUP THEY SAID IT

NOVEMBER 7, 2009

"You know, Life is Sweet is the princess, and Zenyatta is the queen in my barn."

—trainer John Shirreffs describing Classic (G1) winner ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) and Ladies' Classic (G1) heroine LIFE IS SWEET (Storm Cat)

One of Zenyatta's many fans who turned out to support their star (Patrick Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com) "You know, she's really grown and really shown and developed a personality that she really shows off to her fans. She's just grown and handled everything. Del Mar was a big, big turning point for her with the crowd because now she sort of plays the crowd. She loves the crowd. When people yell at her she just does her little prance. I don't know. She's got a relationship with her fans." —Shirreffs on Zenyatta's antics toward her fans "I'd have to say that this certainly makes up for anything that anybody would have thought because we ran against probably one of the best fields ever assembled for a Breeders' Cup Classic. So I think we put it all on the line, like they said. We were all in in the Classic." —Shirreffs in regards to the criticism the Zenyatta team has endured about her 2009 campaign "She just does what she has to do. Everyone talks about the margin of victory because some horses like to just give it their all and go all out. She always just does what she has to do. If they run fast, she'll just run faster. That's what she's always done. She's never tried to just blow the field away. She just likes to get by them and that's good enough for her." —jockey Mike Smith on what Zenyatta puts into her races

"Well, it started out with a little concern after the mishap at the gate. We had to unload and everyone had to get off. And she started getting a little agitated. We got her back in the gate, and she was standing so still I didn't want to move her. But I was a little worried when the gates opened she wouldn't move period, and she didn't. She actually spotted a length or two leaving there. I had to get her out of there. I had to hit her out of there. When she did come out she was in her left lead. Which isn't what you want to be in. You want to be in your rights on the straights and lefts on the turns. I let her go. Let her get back to the lead and she gathered herself up."

—Smith on the delay at the start of the Classic

Queen of the Breeders' Cup! (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) "Then she kicked on. And the crowd started screaming. She thought maybe I should stop and pose again. She started pricking her ears and looking at the crowd, and I got after her a little bit, and she went on. And she still went, believe it or not, well within herself. She was pricking her ears and galloped out. She didn't even take a breath after the race was over. It's just incredible." —Smith on Zenyatta hamming it up to the crowd in the Classic stretch "Very quietly. Stepped off very gently and just prayed that she didn't get too excited." —Smith when asked how he handled Zenyatta being backed out of the gate "You know, I wish they would have brought her here so we could have proved to the racing world what Zenyatta's really about. I think she proved it today. But like I said there was still more left there. I'm not going to go out and say I'm going to beat her, because that's just someone's opinion. But I would have gave anything to run against her." —Smith on a match race between Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro)

"We think John did an unbelievable job with her, and Mike rode her like a champ. We can't thank these two guys enough for making this experience for us."

—owner Jerry Moss showing his appreciation to Shirreffs and Smith

Team Zenyatta (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) "Well, that's up to you guys, really. It's not really up to us. We just brought the horse here. We beat whoever showed up, frankly. She ran her race and she won. I'm not taking anything away from that other filly (Rachel Alexandra). As I've always said, she's run a tremendous campaign, and they deserve a lot of credit. I think it's a tough one. So you guys are going to have to figure it out." —Moss when asked if he believed Zenyatta should be honored as Horse of the Year "Well, she's a lot more generous than a lot of stars are, let me put it that way (laughing). She gives you back an awful lot." —Moss comparing Zenyatta with some of the stars he's met as co-founder of A&M Records

—English-based rider Thomas Queally on his trip aboard TWICE OVER (GB) (Observatory), who finished third in the Classic

—jockey Kent Desormeaux on Classic fourth-placer SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone)

—Bob Baffert, who conditions Classic sixth-placer RICHARD'S KID (Lemon Drop Kid)

"We were right next to the big mare. He ran his hair out."

—trainer Craig Dollase on AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again), who ran seventh in this second Classic appearance

"She's a different class. By far. By millions."

—conditioner Saeed bin Suroor on Zenyatta; bin Suroor's runners, REGAL RANSOM (Distorted Humor) and GIROLAMO (A.P. Indy), finished eighth and 12th, respectively

"It's been a phenomenal ride (with this horse). He needs to get a little rest, and then get back on the dirt. I had a clean trip. About the three-eighths pole I saw Zenyatta going. I tried to follow her because I didn't want her to get away from me, but he couldn't do it."

—jockey Calvin Borel on Kentucky Derby (G1) hero MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone), who ran ninth in the Classic

"I'm kind of disappointed. I thought we were in great shape when they went by the grandstand for the first time; he looked comfortable. Going into the first turn he still looked good. But down the backstretch, when Zenyatta kicked on by us, he just didn't snap up and go. Calvin said when he asked him, he made a run, but he couldn't sustain it. He's traveled seven thousand miles this year and that takes a lot out of a horse."

—Chip Woolley, who trains Mine That Bird

"He sat off them just fine but when I got to the three-eighths pole he emptied out pretty quick. He warmed up well. I suppose the big delay at the start might not have helped him, but really no excuse today; it's after having a long season in Europe and maybe this race was just one race too many."

—jockey Johnny Murtagh on multiple Group 1 winner RIP VAN WINKLE (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]), who crossed under the Classic wire in 10th

Goldikova left trainer Freddie Head speechless (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "But for me, first I want to say that it's something -- I don't have the words to say what I feel because having ridden a horse like her, and now training a horse like her, it's something you can't dream of. —Freddie Head on the feeling of riding Miesque and training GOLDIKOVA (Ire) (Anabaa), both two-time winners of the Mile (G1) "I get much more nervous just watching than riding. I think I was much more nervous before the race than when I used to ride Miesque." —Head on the difference between watching from the stands and riding in the race

"Well, the amazing thing is a horse like her, she's very easy to train. I mean, she does everything herself. And coming here and winning is not more difficult than any race we run in. She's always gives her best. She has no problem. Never puts her foot wrong. She just keeps on galloping and she's happy wherever she is. So it is quite special. She's a freak, I think, really."

—Head says that Goldikova trains herself

"It was a completely different race. She showed us today that she could come from a long way (back). We have never been riding her that way. But you see last time at Longchamp we got beat because we were drawn 14 out of 14 (in the Prix de la Foret [Fr-G1]). So today being drawn 11, we didn't have a choice. I wanted my jockey to wait. He couldn't get a cover not being too far. So I wasn't too concerned in the race, but it's always difficult to give distance away."

—Head contrasts Goldikova's come-from-the-clouds manner of winning this time with her pace-stalking victory in 2008

Goldikova showed a new dimension to come from far back (Benoit Photo) "Yeah, he said he thought he had a good run, and he was almost sure of the win all the way. When he came into the turn, he knew he had won the race. But from the stands, that's not what I thought (laughing)." —Head relates what Peslier told him afterward "And today Freddie told me how to ride, and said I can't start well because if I'm too on the bridle...maybe she's dead before the last turn. And I prefer to just stay quiet, see what's happening, and see what's happening after the turn. And she's very kind. She's very relaxed. On the turn I just see the pacemaker is very far. But anyway, I'm just thinking, you know, the fast pace. I leave a chance, and for sure my filly finishes well. When she is very relaxed, always she finishes well." —Olivier Peslier on his early tactics aboard Goldikova

"For the last turn, and I have two possibilities, outside or inside. And also outside you can follow the pace, and I'm going to stay in. And I see Frankie (Dettori on Delegator [GB]) just moving well. And I just come through to the middle. After that I don't want to stay really on the rail. I just go straight to the outside. Because if I follow the pace inside maybe I have no place to go, too many horses, and I want plenty space. For sure she's coming very fast. And everybody thinks she's winning. Very easy."

—Peslier on his late tactics aboard Goldikova

"No, I don't think it had any impact. But I must say that every horse in the race had Lasix. I think it would have been silly to come away from such a long, long distance and not to run on equal terms with the others. So it's not a question of her being better with Lasix or not. But I just -- it was just paying respect to her to give her every tool to try and win a race like that."

—Head on running Goldikova on Lasix

Conduit will retire to stud in Japan next year (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "We don't know yet." —Gerard Wertheimer, co-owner/breeder of Goldikova, won't be lured into confirming whether Goldikova will stay in training "Yes, it was a messier race this year. (Jockey) Ryan (Moore) will tell you more about that. But he wasn't as convincing this time. But I think understand under the circumstances it was probably as good a performance." —trainer Sir Michael Stoute on CONDUIT's (Ire) (Dalakhani) title defense in the Turf (G1)

"My only problem was I stopped behind two horses that I didn't want to be following, which wouldn't take me to him. So we actually used a bit of petrol early on just to get him into a nice spot down the back straight. You know, I always thought his class would return in the end."

—jockey Ryan Moore on his early maneuvering aboard Conduit

"I'd just like to say one thing. It's a remarkable statistic that four out of (my) five Breeders' Cup winners have come from Ballymacoll Stud -- this small stud in County Meath -- and it's a wonderful tribute to Peter Reynolds and Lord Weinstock and his son, Simon, who set this whole show up. And we're delighted to keep it going with the help of Laura and Michael Lester."

—Stoute pays tribute to the owners of Conduit, who also campaigned 1996 Turf winner Pilsudski (Ire) and 2003 Filly & Mare Turf (G1) queen Islington (Ire)

Dancing in Silks outran the expectations of everyone but his connections (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "Yeah, definitely. That was a huge disappointment. On days like today it definitely makes it feel a lot better." —jockey Joe Talamo when asked whether his victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint made up for missing the mount on I Want Revenge, the morning-line favorite who was scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby (G1) "I really to be honest tried to discourage (owner) Ken (Kinakin) from putting that much money up. The horse is doing tremendously well. He was doing so much better than he was the previous year. He had matured. He was very, very sound. But still I was concerned about dumping all that money in there. And he sad no, Carla, power of positive thinking, let's go. And I said okay, let's. And it's been fun ever since, especially right now." —Trainer Carla Gaines explaining her doubts about putting up a 9 percent supplement to get DANCING IN SILKS (Black Minnaloushe) in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1)

"It's always a relief to win any race, and winning (a) Breeders' Cup race is the icing on top of the cake. We've had a great year, really. It's been a fantastic year for Godolphin. But it wouldn't be quite complete unless we'd won a race here. I think this really does make it a really benchmark year for Godolphin."

—Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) with VALE OF YORK (Ire) (Observatory); Godolphin topped all owners with 15 entries in the 14-race Breeders' Cup program, and the 30-1 Vale of York provided them with their lone winner

"I think the first thing is that when he ran so well at Ascot, we were looking for a nice Grade 1 for him to compete in. And the race in Milan was a good run for him. He ran exceptionally well there. He got beaten, but it was a really strong effort. Because he's so tough and he takes to traveling well, that's when we thought about the Breeders' Cup Juvenile because, as we say, he's very tough and takes his traveling well. But he had to run well in Milan to book his ticket to here. And he did run well there, so that's why we came here."

—Crisford on the decision to send Vale of York to the Breeders' Cup; the two-year-old colt made his first four starts in England before shipping to Italy for the Gran Criterium (Ity-G1)

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey Ahmed Ajtebi congratulate either other following Vale of York's win (Benoit Photos) "Ahmed Ajtebi has been riding for our stable for more than six months now. He was riding for our stable throughout the winter for some of our horses in Dubai, and certainly some of them in Europe. Basically, he's a Dubai national. He's a young, apprentice jockey. You know, he's had some big opportunities, Sheikh Mohammed has given him some big opportunities in some of the big horses we've got in our stable. He doesn't ride all of them, obviously, Frankie Dettori is our stable jockey. We don't even have a retainer with Ahmed Ajtebi. But he certainly rides some of them. And the ones that Sheikh Mohammed would like him to ride, and this horse was one of them." —Crisford on Ahmed Ajtebi, who became the first Middle Eastern-born jockey to win a Breeders' Cup race when garnering the Juvenile; Frankie Dettori didn't have a mount in the race "Well now he might be voted Claimer of the Year. I like his breeding by Smart Strike, the mare that Sheikh Mohammed stood. So the breeding was impeccable. The horse was three years old. He was young. I used my claiming methods primarily from the rag sheets. He had improving rag sheets numbers. (Trainer) Mike (Maker) checked him out. Said he was clean, clean leg and all that, so we decided to go for it. And now you know the rest of the story." —owner Ken Ramsey on why he claimed Dirt Mile (G1) winner FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike) for $35,000 in October 2008 "I want to take my hat off to Mike, without him we certainly wouldn't have been here. He has really developed this horse from a $35,000 claimer to a Grade 1 Breeders' Cup winner. You got to take your hat off to him. He's probably a future Hall of Famer just like his mentor, D. Wayne Lukas." —Ramsey on Mike Maker, who is another in a long line of former D. Wayne Lukas assistants who have gone on to success on their own

"I figured if we can get a mile, he was closing today, we should get a mile and a quarter in Dubai and, the (purse) is going to be $10 million, I understand. So maybe we can somehow finagle an invitation from Sheikh Mohammed to take him over there."

—Ramsey, who won the 2005 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) with Roses in May, on future plans for Furthest Land; the 2010 Dubai World Cup will be run over Tapeta for the first time, and Furthest Land is now three-for-three over all-weather tracks

Pounced gave Gosden his fourth BC victory (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "He's an equally agile, athletic horse, you know. He has a high cruising speed, great acceleration. He's grown in length in the last year. Changed shape. Must have been the good grass in Kentucky when he was a baby." —trainer John Gosden comparing Juvenile Turf (G2) winner POUNCED (Rahy) to Donativum (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux) who won the same race for him in 2008 "I personally like the European courses where we don't race on medication. So I'd be happy to run on no Lasix today. But I've been around the block a few times and I know everybody else is using it. And I come to the heat of Santa Anita, and the cauldron of racing here on Breeders' Cup day. It puts the horse under a lot of pressure, and I don't want to find out under that pressure he's bled when others have had the advantage of using Lasix. That's why I use it. When in Rome, do what Romans will do. However, of course he can win without medication." —Gosden comments on his decision to treat Pounced with first-time Lasix

"Well, I thought about it for a few years that when I left I made a mistake. Charlie Whittingham gave me the greatest compliment of my life. I was saddling a horse with him. But it hadn't been public knowledge. He was behind tightening the girth and he lent over and said John, tell me you're thinking of going home. I'll come and pack for you (laughing)."

—the English-based Gosden on whether he'd ever return to Santa Anita full-time

Goldikova emulates Miesque in Mile

Goldikova is worth her weight in the Mile (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Trainer Freddie Head has often remarked that his star pupil GOLDIKOVA (Ire) (Anabaa) could be better than Hall of Famer Miesque, whom he rode to back-to-back Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) victories in 1987-88. In Saturday's $1,818,000 Mile at Santa Anita, defending champion Goldikova gave even more substance to that claim by blasting to her second straight title. Confidently handled by Olivier Peslier, the Wertheimer and Frere homebred produced a sustained charge from far back to catch the sophomore colt Courageous Cat (Storm Cat) by a half-length in the final yards. Goldikova blazed the firm-turf mile in 1:32 1/5 to become the fourth two-time winner of the Mile, following Miesque, Lure (1992-93) and Da Hoss (1996, 1998). Peslier dropped Goldikova much farther back off the early pace after breaking from the far outside post 11. That tactic was the opposite of the one he employed from a wide post in the Prix de la Foret (Fr-G1) last out, where Goldikova pressed the early pace en route to being upset in third. Peslier made sure not to repeat the same mistake. As the French sensation lagged near the rear, the front-running Gladiatorus (Silic [Fr]) ripped through fractions of :22 4/5 and :45 1/5. Cowboy Cal (Giant's Causeway), who applied intense pressure throughout, ranged alongside through six furlongs in a blistering 1:08 1/5. Courageous Cat was well placed in fifth. Turning for home, the early leaders began to tire, and Courageous Cat unleashed his bold gambit in the stretch. The three-year-old tried to make the most of his stealing a march on Goldikova, but he could not maintain his advantage as the top-class four-year-old hit top gear. Goldikova kept up her relentless progress for the entire length of the stretch, and she cut down Courageous Cat to win going away.

"The draw (post 11) wasn't a big help," Peslier admitted. "I didn't want to make a run until the last turn. I came wide because that was the only place to go. She's lovely. She won last year; she won this year. I'm so glad for my owners that they have a filly like this."

"She was a little far back, but the pace was strong," Head recapped. "I was confident she would win when she came with her run into the stretch. It looked like she stopped a little, but Olivier smacked her 200 yards out for her last burst. She was a little keyed up going to the gate but quieter than usual. She's very special. It's been a long season and now to make this long trip in November."

Goldikova overtook a Courageous Cat (blaze-face) (Patrick Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com) Goldikova, the 7-5 favorite, rewarded her legions of supporters with mutuels of $4.80, $4 and $2.60. The nearly 23-1 Courageous Cat returned $12.80 and $8 for finishing second by one length. Justenuffhumor (Distorted Humor) rattled home from dead last for third, yielding $8 at 16-1, and fellow closer Court Vision (Gulch) was just a head away in fourth. The $1 exotics totaled $54.60 (exacta), $705.30 (trifecta) and $6,628.80 (11-6-10-1 superfecta). "(Courageous Cat) ran his eyeballs out," jockey Garrett Gomez said. "He gave me 120 percent. He is still real young -- only a three-year-old -- and is lightly raced. I took back a little on the first turn and gave up a little position, but I wanted him to shut down a little and relax; and he did. I thought for a while I might get there first. He kept digging, but the filly was just too good." "Huge effort -- just a huge effort," agreed Bill Mott, Courageous Cat's trainer. "I thought we might win it. He looked like a winner. He ran a winning race. It's hard to say. He's a three-year-old colt that is a little tender experience-wise, and he nearly beat last year's Breeders' Cup Mile champion." "I'm really happy with (Justenuffhumor)," assistant trainer Neal McLaughlin said of the third-place finisher. "He had a great trip. I thought there'd be an abundance of speed. We saved ground and came up the inside. No excuses. We got beat by a super filly."

Delegator (GB) (Dansili [GB]), Karelian (Bertrando), Ferneley (Ire) (Ishiguru), Whatsthescript (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]), Gladiatorus, Cowboy Cal and Zacinto (GB) (Dansili [GB]) completed the order of finish. Jockey Ryan Moore commented on Zacinto's being eased.

"I pulled him up," Moore said. "I was afraid that he might have hurt himself. He took a bad step or something like that and I was concerned, but it turns out he's fine. He is OK."

Now a seven-time Group/Grade 1 winner, Goldikova boasts a record of 15-10-2-2 with a massive $4,090,090 bankroll.

Goldikova could attempt a three-peat next year (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) Two-for-two as a juvenile in 2007, Goldikova chased the peerless Zarkava a couple of times as a three-year-old. She recovered from a nearly disastrous start to finish second in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1) and subsequently checked in a non-staying third in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (Fr-G1). Goldikova resumed the winning thread when getting away from Zarkava in the Prix Chloe (Fr-G3), then went on to defeat older horses in the Prix Rothschild (Fr-G1) and the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1). She capped her 2008 campaign in the Breeders' Cup Mile, where she dethroned Kip Deville (Kipling) by 1 1/4 lengths and extended her winning streak to four.

Goldikova suffered a shock defeat in her 2009 bow in the Prix d'Ispahan (Fr-G1), winding up a well-beaten seventh on soft ground. Sidelined for nearly two months thereafter, she returned with a comfortable score in the Falmouth S. (Eng-G1). Goldikova posted an effortless title defense in the Prix Rothschild, which was just a prelude to her six-length rout of males in the Prix Jacques le Marois (Fr-G1) in stakes-record time. She was freshened in advance of her prep in the Foret, and she took the expected step forward here.

The Irish-bred filly was produced by the winning Blushing Groom (Fr) mare Born Gold, who is also responsible for Group 3 scorers Gold Round (Caerleon) and Gold Sound (Fr) (Green Tune), the Group 3-placed pair of Born Something (Ire) (Caerleon) and Red Tune (Green Tune), and the unraced juvenile colt Ocean Seven (Green Tune). Born Gold is a full sister to multiple Group 1 heroine Gold Splash. Goldikova's second dam is Group 1 queen Riviere d'Or (Lyphard), and her third dam is champion Gold River (Fr) (Riverman), who captured the 1981 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1).

Head held out hopes for Goldikova to go for a three-peat in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs.

"We haven't discussed her future -- maybe we'll come back and try for three."

BREEDERS' CUP RESULTS

Life is Sweet for Shirreffs in Ladies' Classic

Life is Sweet had the track to herself late in the Ladies' Classic (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com) Pam and Martin Wygod's LIFE IS SWEET (Storm Cat) has faced a dynamo named Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in three of her last four starts, with that fourth run coming against the boys. On Friday, the bay lass finally found a race that didn't contain her nemesis, who also happens to be her stablemate, and ran away with the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) by 2 1/2 lengths to give trainer John Shirreffs his second straight win in the race. "I'm just so happy for Life is Sweet," Shirreffs said. "She's such a nice filly. She ran so great early in the year. I was glad she was able to get it done today. She really deserves this. She had been coming into this race really great." Zenyatta was a dominant victress of last year's Ladies' Classic for Shirreffs, and Life is Sweet utilized a similar come-from-behind running style as her stablemate to make her conditioner just the third to earn consecutive runnings of the event. As 8-5 favorite Careless Jewel (Tapit) drew off to a quick and dominating lead through splits of :23 2/5, :45 3/5 and 1:09 3/5, jockey Garrett Gomez allowed Life is Sweet to settle in the rear of the field. The three-year-old gray Careless Jewel, who was seeking her sixth straight win, began to feel the effects of her swift pace and visibly shortened stride heading into the second turn. Life is Sweet was just gearing up at that point, circling the entire field and sweeping by down the center of the track. The bay miss effortlessly drew off to finish the 1 1/8-mile test in 1:48 2/5, earning her first victory since taking the Santa Margarita Invitational H. (G1) in mid-March over the Pro-Ride.

"I was a little disappointed the way she left the gate," Gomez admitted. "She was a little antsy today; she halfway hopped when she left the gate and she got pinched a little bit. She's been wanting just to drop back and not help me at all, and just completely off the bridle, and John (Shirreffs) told me today he thought she was back to her old self, and when I got around the first turn and she kind of grabbed me I said, you know, I think he's right. She grabbed a hold of me and I had to slow her down a little bit, just like I did this spring. She traveled exactly the same.

Life is Sweet proudly wearing the Breeders' Cup flowers (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "I actually thought they'd go ahead and start backing up about the three-eighths pole and they kept kicking on and I started getting a little worried. I started making a little run and all of the sudden, about the quarter-pole, they all started coming back really solid and she started finding her stride. I went by the last one and she just stayed on really solid, and I'm glad she picked today to show up." Life is Sweet didn't get much respect from the wagering public as she was sent off the 8-1 fifth choice in the field of eight-horse field. She rewarded her faithful followers with $18.20, $8 and $5 while keying the $85.80 exacta ($1). Mushka (Empire Maker), winner of the Spinster S. (G1) last out via disqualification, held second by one length over a fast-closing Music Note (A.P. Indy), returning $12.80 and $6.40 at 16-1. "At the quarter-pole, she felt like a winner," said Kent Desormeaux, who had piloting duties aboard Mushka. "She cornered like she couldn't lose, but the winner came and got me." Music Note filled out the third spot in the Ladies' Classic for the second straight year, giving back $3.20 as the near 5-2 second pick and ending the $523.60 trifecta ($1). Proviso (GB) (Dansili [GB]), who crossed under the wire first in the Spinster but was placed second for interference, was another 2 3/4 lengths back in fourth, rounding out the 2-3-7-5 superfecta ($1) that totaled $2,533.40.

E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1) runner-up Rainbow View (Dynaformer), who was trying a synthetic track for the first time, followed in fifth with Cocoa Beach (Chi) (Doneraile Court), Lethal Heat (Unusual Heat) and Careless Jewel completing the order under the wire.

"(Music Note) was stuck behind with nowhere to go, but when the rider (Rajiv Maragh) took a chance and moved her, she flew. But the winner was too far ahead by then. (Cocoa Beach) did not run well. Very disappointing," said trainer Saeed bin Suroor of his two charges.

Music Note (inside) couldn't run down Life is Sweet (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "She broke well. At the first quarter she was going OK, but then she locked on to the bridle and went as far as she could as fast as she could. That's not her," jockey Robert Landry explained about Careless Jewel. "Normally, she'll just relax. It's disappointing because she is a much better filly than she showed today. That's for sure. She's a great filly. She'll be back and she'll be bigger and stronger." Life is Sweet began her career under the tutelage of Bill Mott, running fourth in last year's Ashland S. (G1) as well as recording runner-up efforts in the Sands Point S. (G2) and Calder Oaks while racing on turf. Once transferred to Shirreffs, and the synthetics in California, the now four-year-old immediately moved up her game, capturing the El Encino S. (G2), La Canada S. (G1) and aforementioned Santa Margarita. She faced fellow Shirreffs trainee Zenyatta for the first time in the Milady H. (G2), following her home to be second, then took on the boys in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), where she rallied for a third-place finish. Fourth-place runs resulted in Life is Sweet's past two races, once again behind Zenyatta, in the Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1) and Lady's Secret S. (G1). Returning to the winner's circle following this top-level score, her record now stands at 15-6-3-1 and she's banked $1,770,810 in lifetime earnings. "She's had some tough races," Gomez said. "Her campaign this summer was very difficult. She had to run against Zenyatta a couple times. She ran against the boys once. When you run some tough races like she did, it will take something out of you. I'm glad they were able to get her confidence back and have her prepared for today. My hat is off to John and Mr. and Mrs. (Pam and Martin) Wygod for a tremendous job."

The Kentucky-bred Life is Sweet is out of stakes winner Sweet Life (Kris S.), who ran second in the 2000 Beverly Hills H. (G1) and has since produced a juvenile full sister to the Ladies' Classic winner named Ain't She Sweet as well as an unnamed yearling full sister. Sweet Life is herself a half-sister to 1995 Milady H. (G1) victress Pirate's Revenge, four-time stakes scorer Echo of Yesterday and Grade 3-placed stakes hero Caribbean Pirate, all three by Pirate's Bounty.

Life is Sweet was preceded in stakes glory by another full sister, Sweet Catomine, who was named 2004 champion two-year-old filly following victories in that year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Del Mar Debutante (G1) and Oak Leaf S. (G2). Sweet Catomine would go on to take the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and Santa Ysabel S. (G3) before ending her racing career with a fifth to the boys in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Others of note in the family include 1996 Peter Pan S. (G2) and Bay Shore S. (G3) winner Jamies First Punch (Fit to Fight) as well as Grade 2 heroine Forest Fealty (Baederwood).

Midday shines brightly in Filly & Mare Turf

Midday became just the third sophomore to win, following Banks Hill and Ouija Board (Tara Gregg/Horsephotos.com) Legendary British horseman Henry Cecil has trained the winners of 35 classics over the course of his illustrious career, but not until Group 1 star MIDDAY (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) powered to victory in Friday's $1,818,000 Filly & Mare Turf (G1) did he hoist his first Breeders' Cup trophy. Under a heady ride by young jockey Tom Queally, the Juddmonte Farms homebred drove through to the inside of fellow Juddmonte runner Visit (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) in midstretch and kicked away to establish her supremacy. Midday had a comfortable length to spare over the late-running Pure Clan (Pure Prize), with defending champion Forever Together (Belong to Me) closing mildly for third. The winning sophomore reeled off 1 1/4 miles on Santa Anita's firm turf in 1:59 and furnished mutuels of $6.60, $4.80 and $3 as the 2-1 second choice. "It was lovely," Cecil said. "I did fancy Father Time (GB) (Dansili [GB]) in the Marathon, but he just didn't seem to let himself go at all (and wound up a distant sixth), so I was wondering what was going to happen here. It's a relief. It's great for the Prince (Khalid Abdullah). He has been a great supporter of mine. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here now.

"I was quite happy. They suddenly quickened up a bit, and when (Queally) asked her, she moved through nicely. She finishes well, and she gets the trip well. When she hit the front, I think she thought she had just enough for the end, and she had."

"The biggest win of my career -- undoubtedly," said Queally, a 25-year-old native of County Waterford, Ireland. "She hit a flat spot over on the backside, and I had to get after her. She has a top gear that is really something, but we had to find it. When she quickens, it's just a dream. I saw lots of rails all the way around. It was a dream run. Nine times out of 10 it won't work out that way for you, but today was the day. I am over the moon."

In the early going, Midday settled in fifth as Visit strode to the lead through an opening quarter in :24. Dynaforce (Dynaformer) advanced to press the issue through a half in :48 4/5, with Rutherienne (Pulpit) in third and Maram (Sahm) in fourth.

As Visit injected more pace on the backstretch, getting six furlongs in 1:12 4/5, Midday improved her position along the rail and was a stalking third through one mile in 1:36. By this point, Visit had put away Dynaforce for good, but Midday was poised to strike turning for home. When Queally asked her in earnest in the stretch, Midday found another gear and drew clear of a stubborn Visit.

Pure Clan, who had been near the back early, eventually followed the winner's path through on the inside, but her rally was too little, too late to trouble a long-gone Midday. The runner-up gave back $7.80 and $4 at 7-1 and ended the $26.80 exacta ($1).

"(Pure Clan) came home great," rider Garrett Gomez said. "She actually surprised me that she was coming home as well as she was because the last sixteenth of a mile it was like I'd put some new gas in the machine. I actually just accelerated, and it's been a while since I've seen one do that after going a mile. She really kicked it into a nice over-gear for us and she ran good -- too bad I couldn't get her going sooner.

"(Trainer Bob Holthus) told me to ride her away from there and I couldn't get her to hook up. I couldn't get her to really do a whole lot. I couldn't get her on her feet enough, and I thought she's done this as many times as I have, so let her show me the way and hopefully sooner or later she'll help me, and she did. But that last sixteenth of a mile was pretty amazing."

Although Forever Together, last of eight for the first nine furlongs, delivered her customary late charge on the outside, she couldn't make an impression on the top two and settled for third. The slight 2-1 favorite crossed the wire 1 1/4 lengths adrift of Pure Clan and yielded $2.40 to show.

"I warned him (jockey Julien Leparoux) in the paddock that I didn't see much pace here, and told him you might want to be a little closer," said Jonathan Sheppard, Forever Together's trainer. "I was very concerned after a quarter-mile that she was too far back. She made her run, she always does, but from an almost impossible position."

"On the backside, I asked her a little bit just to stay with them," Leparoux recapped. "She made a good move from the three-eighths to the wire. I don't know, maybe she has lost a step, but not much. She just wasn't good enough today."

Forever Together had a neck to spare over Visit, who staved off Magical Fantasy (Diesis [GB]) by a nose to save fourth. The $1 trifecta was worth $95, and the $1 superfecta totaled $536.50 (6-5-2-1). Maram, Rutherienne and Dynaforce rounded out the order of finish.

Midday is the latest performer from her outstanding family (Tara Gregg/Horsephotos.com) With the $1,080,000 winner's windfall, Midday has joined the millionaires' club, sporting $1,565,655 in earnings from her 11-4-2-3 line. A steadily-improving type at two last season, the bay broke her maiden by a nose in her third start and concluded her campaign with a fourth in the Montrose Fillies S. Midday made her 2009 debut versus males in a conditions race at Epsom, where she finished an encouraging second, but took a massive leap forward when romping by six lengths in the Lingfield Oaks Trial. Midday then lined up in the Oaks (Eng-G1) and traveled beautifully until being hampered at the top of the straight. She recovered and knuckled down bravely in a protracted duel with the highly-touted Sariska (Pivotal), only to come up short by a head. Midday took her on again in the Irish Oaks (Ire-G1), but failed to handle the desperately soft ground and came home 7 1/2 lengths behind Sariska in third. On a better variety of soft going in the Nassau S. (Eng-G1) at Goodwood, Midday earned her first top-level score by an impressive 2 1/4 lengths from Rainbow View (Dynaformer). Midday was reportedly not quite fit when contesting the Prix de l'Opera (Fr-G1) last out off a two-month holiday. She made her move to strike the front in the stretch, but tired and was relegated to third.

Bred in Great Britain, Midday is out of the English stakes-placed Midsummer (Kingmambo), who is herself a half-sister to eight stakes performers -- chief among them Oaks heroine and English highweight Reams of Verse (Nureyev), as well as multiple Group 1 victor and Irish highweight Elmaamul (Diesis [GB]). Interestingly, Reams of Verse is the second dam of Group 1-placed Zacinto (GB) (Dansili [GB]), who will fly the flag for Juddmonte in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Mile (G1).

This is also the family of Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) hero and multiple highweight Zafonic (Gone West); Group 3 winner Zamindar (Gone West), the sire of unbeaten champion Zarkava; and Regal Parade (Pivotal), who captured the Sprint Cup (Eng-G1) at Haydock on September 5.

Plans call for Midday to stay in training, and possibly defend her title in next year's Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs.

She Be Wild rides rail for Juvenile Fillies score

She Be Wild is small but spunky (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Jockey Julien Leparoux kept SHE BE WILD (Offlee Wild) ran along the rail in the lane of Friday's $1,818,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and the move paid off as the dark bay lass scooted through a hole in late stretch to give trainer Wayne Catalano yet another Juvenile Fillies victory. Taking the 2006 running with eventual champion Dreaming of Anna, the conditioner saddled Nancy Mazzoni's colorbearer to finish up 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 4/5. "When they were loading, she was getting a little excited but she broke good," Catalano said. "Everything went well. I'm really happy with her. I was a little worried when it looked like she might get trapped, but I have a good rider who is patient. I felt good when she poked her head in the hole. She's not a big filly so it doesn't take much room." "I got a perfect race," Leparoux said. "I was on the rail all the way. I was hoping it would open up at the top, but I didn't really know. It did open up, a little bit, and that was good. That was all I needed." She Be Wild appeared ready to lead the field when the gates opened, spurting to the front, but Leparoux quickly got his mount settled down, opening the way for Always a Princess (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) to take command through splits of :23 4/5, :47 2/5 and 1:11 3/5.

She Be Wild was content to track in the two path just behind in third while Connie and Michael (Roman Ruler) pressed Always a Princess. Connie and Michael couldn't keep up with the pace, fading as the field entered the stretch. Always a Princess still maintained the advantage through a mile in 1:37, but Leparoux had already angled She Be Wild over to the rail. The pair accelerated to take the win by three parts of a length.

Sent off the 7-1 fifth pick, She Be Wild rewarded her supporters with payouts of $16.80, $9 and $5 for her rail-skimming score. Beautician (Dehere) just got up to take second by a head over Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision), giving back $9.40 and $6 at 8-1 while show was worth $3 as the 7-2 favorite. The $1 exacta returned $72.20, the $1 trifecta totaled $407.90 and the 8-4-3-12 superfecta ($1) paid $7,384.90.

She Be Wild and Julien Leparoux teamed up for the first time here (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "When she came to me at the barn, she was not a real big filly, but she had a lot of spunk to her," Catalano said. "Once we got to training her, she showed a lot of ability. She's got a tremendous stride for a small horse, and that's what caught my eye and my attention on her stride and her work ethics. And, the spunk that she had in her, they seemed to have a little horse that has a lot of heart." Biofuel (Stormin Fever) was making a big rally down the center of the track, but was slammed by Negligee (Northern Afleet) in midstretch when that one suddenly veered toward the grandstand. She recovered her stride and got up for fourth, a head in front of Always a Princess. Next under the wire were Negligee, Zilva (Successful Appeal), Connie and Michael, Ms Vanenzza (Successful Appeal), Bickersons (Silver Deputy), Devil May Care (Malibu Moon) and Champagne d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro). She Be Wild dominated her first three starts, breaking her maiden by 7 1/4 lengths for a $40,000 claiming tag at Arlington Park in May. She took the rest of the summer off, returning on August 8 in the Top Flight S. to score by 5 1/4 lengths. The juvenile miss made her graded bow in the one-mile Arlington-Washington Lassie (G3) and closed for a 5 3/4-length victory on September 5, then suffered her first and only career loss when second by just a half-length in the Alcibiades S. (G1) at Keeneland on October 9. She avenged that defeat here, with Alcibiades winner Negligee finishing far back here.

Bred by her owner and Mike Mazzoni in Kentucky, She Be Wild was an OBS April two-year-old RNA at $19,000. She is out of Trappings (Seeking the Gold) and comes from the same family as 2002 Prioress S. (G1) winner Carson Hollow (Carson City) and 2002 Canadian champion turf horse Portcullis (Smart Strike).

Catalano is already looking to the future with She Be Wild, who moved her record to 5-4-1-0 having now earned $1,311,040.

"I think Mr. Mike and Nancy would like to look at the Kentucky Oaks (G1) down the road. So we'll look somewhere in that move," he said.

Decision decisive in Filly & Mare Sprint

Informed Decision remains unbeaten on synthetic surfaces (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Augustin Stable's INFORMED DECISION (Monarchos) proved to be better than Ventura (Chester House) in the Madison S. (G1) at Keeneland in April and demonstrated her superiority over that rival once more Friday with a score in the $909,000 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita. Under the guidance of Julien Leparoux, Informed Decision enjoyed a favorable stalk-and-pounce journey, getting the jump on Ventura to win by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths. Final time for seven furlongs was 1:21 3/5. Informed Decision paid $8.80, $3 and $2.80 as the 3-1 second choice. "She broke good, and put me right where I wanted to be early in the race," Leparoux said. "She was nice and relaxed and comfortable. I was very happy from the start because I know what kind of kick she can give me. She can win any way."

Informed Decision tracked in second behind Free Flying Soul (Quiet American) through fractions of :23 1/5 and :45 4/5. Ventura, the 4-5 choice, was near the back of the nine-horse pack and was forced to swing five-wide turning for home, but by then Informed Decision had taken off and would not be denied.

"Pace makes the race. They were going exceptionally slow up front and there wasn't any one up there to help me," said jockey Garrett Gomez, aboard Ventura. "She gave me her usual kick as we started to make our run. She's the kind of filly that you have to time just right. If I ask her too soon, that's not good either. When my filly kicked in, she started to gain on the other one, but she kicked in too and went into a higher gear. I just couldn't catch her."

Ventura was three lengths clear of the 35-1 outsider Free Flying Soul for second, returning $2.60 and $2.20. The latter gave back $7.40. The $1 exotics paid $7.70 (exacta), $120.60 (trifecta) and $540 (7-9-1-2 superfecta). Fourth across the wire was 5-1 third choice Sara Louise (Malibu Moon), who was followed by Only Green (Ire) (Green Desert), Silver Swallow (Alphabet Soup), Evita Argentina (Candy Ride [Arg]), Seventh Street (A.P. Indy) and Game Face (Menifee).

"I'm pretty sure we'll keep her in training for next year," winning trainer Jonathan Sheppard said. "We'll give her a break as we did last year. Probably bring her back somewhere around Keeneland time somewhere in the spring."

Informed Decision ran her line to 14-11-0-2, $1,771,617. She began a five-race win streak in the Missile Belle S. at Belmont Park last September prior to ending her three-year-old season with a 4 1/4-length score in the Raven Run S. (G2) at Keeneland. The gray lass opened 2009 in the Madison S. beating Ventura by a head on the line, and continued her domination of the female sprinting ranks with a three-quarters of a length win in the Humana Distaff S. (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day. She posted a 4 3/4-length victory in the Chicago H. (G3) over Arlington Park's Polytrack on Independence Day, but could do no better than a one-paced third on Saratoga's sloppy dirt in the Ballerina S. (G1). She returned to the winner's circle following a strong 2 1/2-length score in the Presque Isle Downs Masters S. (G3) over Tapeta and last time landed the Thoroughbred Club of America S. (G3).

Bred in Kentucky by Charles L. Kidder & Nancy M. Cole, Informed Decision has passed through the sales ring twice, bringing $150,000 as a Fasig-Tipton July yearling and $320,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May two-year-old. She is out of the winning Palangana (His Majesty) and has a pair of unnamed half-sisters, a Zavata juvenile and a Champali yearling, as well as a 2009 full brother. Informed Decision's second dam is Grade 3 winner and Grade 2-placed Countess North (Northern Dancer), who produced 1985 New Orleans H. (G2) winner Westheimer (Blushing Groom [Fr]).

This is the same family as three-time Grade 1 heroine Banker's Lady (Nijinsky II), Grade 1 scorer Ecton Park (Forty Niner), Grade 2 winners Banker's Gold (Forty Niner), Impetuous Gal (Briartic), Relaxing Rhythm (Easy Goer) and Spring Waltz (Silver Charm) as well as Grade 3 victress Meribel (Peaks and Valleys).

Tapitsfly lives up to her name in Juvenile Fillies Turf

Tapitsfly flew home at Santa Anita (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Frank L. Jones Jr.'s homebred TAPITSFLY (Tapit) wore down the game pacesetter Rose Catherine (Speightstown) to prevail in Friday's $909,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf S. at Santa Anita. Trained by Dale Romans and ridden by Robby Albarado, the gray tracked in second while Rose Catherine winged her way through splits of :22 4/5, :47 and 1:10 1/5. The early leader was all heart when Tapitsfly challenged her in the stretch, but she could not fend her off. Tapitsfly had too much firepower inside the final furlong and forged ahead by a half-length to compete the firm-turf mile in 1:34 1/5. "No one deserves to win a race like this more than Mr. Jones," Romans said. "He's been in the business a long time and has had horses for over 30 years. My father (Jerry Romans) trained for him before me. It's just a great win for him and for me too. I thought we had a great trip. I thought that if she got her nose in front, she wouldn't stop. That other filly (Rose Catherine) ran a great race, but my filly hung on." "It was a great trip," Albarado said. "She broke well -- she put herself in position. I just wanted to clear most of them into the first turn so I wouldn't get packed out too wide. She's awful quick leaving the gate. She got herself into position and the first time I pressed, she went on. She came home nice. She's a little fighter, I'll tell you that. She's a true grass horse for sure. The only time I rode her on the grass she was at her most impressive."

Sent off as the 9-1 fifth choice in the 12-filly field, the winner returned $21.60, $8.60 and $6. Rose Catherine finished well clear in second by 3 1/4 lengths, paying $6.80 and $5.80 as the co-second choice at 6-1. House of Grace (Limehouse) got up for third, rewarding her backers with $5 at 7-1. Another 1 1/4 lengths back came the 20-1 Hatheer (Storm Cat), who prevailed in a tight four-way scramble for fourth. The $1 exotics were worth $76.20 (exacta), $479.40 (trifecta) and $7,358 (10-4-7-9 superfecta).

"(Rose Catherine) was running so easy for me," jockey Javier Castellano said of the runner-up. "Her ears were up. When I asked her, she took off. We just got beat, but I'm so, so happy with the way she ran."

Robby Albarado was all smiles following the Juvneile Fillies Turf (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "I thought (House of Grace) ran well," trainer Ken McPeek said of the third-place finisher. "It was a turf course that obviously favored speed because the horses that were one and two early ended up that way. Mike (Luzzi) did a good job sneaking her up through the rail. For a closer in a field where speed held, she ran good." Jungle Tale (Lion Heart) rallied from last for fifth, followed by La Nez (Storm Creek), Potosina (Cactus Ridge), 3-2 favorite Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), Smart Seattle (Smart Strike), Lisa's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), Elusive Galaxy (Ire) (Elusive City) and Junia Tepzia (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]). The also-eligibles Dad's Crazy (Langfuhr), who had upset Tapitsfly in the Miss Grillo, and In the Slips (More Than Ready) did not draw into the field. "I had a bit of a bump turning into the straight," jockey Johnny Murtagh said of Irish shipper Lillie Langtry. "About halfway down the straight I got pushed out a bit, but I think I was done at the time. I'm not sure if she handled the course. She didn't turn well. She's a big, rangy filly." "Johnny said the race was a little bit rough," trainer Aidan O'Brien said. "He never got a happy run. I think he got a little bit of a bump early. We'll bring her home and train her for the classics at home." Tapitsfly took four tries to break her maiden. After accomplishing that agenda item at Saratoga on August 3, she switched to turf and posted a front-running score in the P. G. Johnson S. at the Spa one month later. Tapitsfly hoped to stay on the grass in the October 4 Miss Grillo S. at Belmont, but that event was transferred to the main track. Although Tapitsfly pressed the pace throughout, she ultimately tired and finished second as the 1-2 favorite. Now two-for-two on turf, she has compiled an overall mark of 7-3-2-1, $668,142.

The Kentucky-bred is the second registered foal from the winning Flying Marlin (Marlin), who has since produced an unnamed yearling filly by Pollard's Vision and a weanling filly by Strategic Mission. She hails from the family of globetrotting Grade 1 star Golden Pheasant (Caro [Ire]) and multiple Japanese Grade 1-placed Bella Rheia (Narita Top Road).

Man of Iron edges Cloudy's Knight in Marathon

Man of Iron just got the victory in the Marathon (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) The 2009 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita got off to a thrilling start on Friday as MAN OF IRON (Giant's Causeway) rallied determinedly to catch Cloudy's Knight (Lord Avie) in deep stretch and outfinished his nine-year-old rival by a nose in the $454,500 Marathon. The European horses were expected to dominate the 1 3/4-mile event over the Pro-Ride, but Man of Iron was the most unheralded member of the four-horse contingent. The regally-bred colt garnered his first stakes victory when stopping the teletimer in 2:54 beneath Johnny Murtagh. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Man of Iron entered his U.S. debut off an allowance score over the all-weather track at Dundalk, England, and the three-year-old finished fourth behind stablemate and Dirt Mile (G1) favorite Mastercraftsman (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) in the Diamond S. (Ire-G3) two back. The chestnut was best known for being the younger half-brother to a pair of Belmont S. (G1) winners, champion Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold), but Man of Iron is now starting to carve out his own legacy on the track. "That was brilliant," O'Brien said. "We're delighted. Johnny gave him a wonderful ride. Johnny said that he was just going to take his time because that's the way he likes to be ridden. That's what he did. It was just a marvelous ride." Black Astor (Black Minnaloushe) broke running from the rail and led the way through opening splits in :48 1/5, 1:13 3/5 and 1:39 as Murtagh rated near the back of the field. Cloudy's Knight, who stalked in midpack under Rosemary Homeister Jr., got first run on the pacesetter midway on the far turn, and the venerable nine-year-old gelding, who recently returned from a year layoff with a pair of Grade 3 victories, stormed into the stretch with the lead. Mastery (GB) (Sulamani [Ire]), the 7-5 favorite, came next on the far outside, and Man of Iron, who shifted course to the inside leaving the far turn, was in full flight approaching the quarter-pole. Cloudy's Knight looked strong in upper stretch and reached the 12-furlong point with a length lead in 2:29 2/5, but he began to drift toward the outside and couldn't withstand the winner's late surge.

"It was his first time over the course so I let him just go along without any hurry," Murtagh said. "I wanted to stay out of trouble. I asked him at the three-eighths pole and he responded beautifully. He got the win right on the wire so it worked out just right."

Man of Iron gave the Europeans their first win on the day (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Off as the 6-1 fourth choice among 10 rivals, Man of Iron paid $14.80, $7.20 and $4.40. Cloudy's Knight came next in the wagering at nearly 8-1 and gave back $7.40 and $4.60. It was 2 1/4 lengths back to Mastery, who returned $2.40. The $1 exotics totaled $60.10 (exacta), $225.10 (trifecta) and $2,845.50 for the 9-4-6-10 superfecta that included 30-1 Gangbuster (Langfuhr), who finished another 11 1/2 lengths back in fourth. Defending champ Muhannak (Ire) (Chester House) checked in fifth and was followed under the wire by 3-1 second choice Father Time (GB) (Dansili [GB]), Eldaafer (A.P. Indy), Nite Light (Thunder Gulch) and Black Astor. Sir Dave (Untuttable) was eased. Bred in the Bluegrass State by Shell Bloodstock, Man of Iron is out of Grade 2 heroine Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister), who finished second in the 1999 Acorn S. (G1) and third in the Mother Goose S. (G1), earning $250,920 from an 8-2-4-2 mark. She is out of 1982 Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine Blush With Pride (Blushing Groom [Fr]), making her a full sister to Group 3 victor Turnberry Isle (Ire) (Deputy Minister) and a half-sister to Group 2 heroine and Group 1 runner-up Smolensk (Danzig) as well as Group 1 runner-up Maryinsky (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Named Broodmare of the Year in 2007, the 13-year-old mare is also the dam of 2008 Peter Pan (G2) winner Casino Drive (Mineshaft) and the unraced two-year-old colt Arco Felice (Giant's Causeway).

This is the female family of multiple classic winner El Gran Senor (Northern Dancer), who was a champion in England and Ireland; English and Irish champion Try My Best (Northern Dancer); English, French and Irish highweight Xaar (Zafonic); and Spinning World (Nureyev), who captured the 1997 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) and was highweighted in both France and Ireland.

Man of Honor has now earned $326,481 from a 10-4-0-1 career line.

BREEDERS' CUP THEY SAID IT

NOVEMBER 6, 2009

Garrett Gomez and John Shirreffs congratulate each other following Life is Sweet's win (Paula Smith/Horsephotos.com) "This mare's been running hard, and she actually ran against the boys a couple of times. (Trainer) John (Shirreffs) did a tremendous job getting the filly's confidence back up underneath her and having her ready for today. And that's all it was. Really kind of getting her confidence back, and like I said, he did a tremendous job doing that." —jockey Garrett Gomez on Ladies' Classic (G1) heroine LIFE IS SWEET (Storm Cat) "Well, yeah, because I knew she probably would have ended up second. Zenyatta's a champion mare, and this mare is, too, but Zenyatta's beat her a couple of times pretty handily." —Gomez laughing when asked if the absence of Zenyatta changed anything in the Ladies' Classic "Oh, we'd sure like to have a good pace and a good trip, and have a little luck tomorrow. Because in a big field you usually have to have some luck somewhere to save a little ground or get an opening. So that's what we're hoping for." —Life is Sweet's trainer, John Shirreffs, on the scenario he'd prefer for ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) in the Classic (G1)

"We were running in this race regardless. But we were very happy that she was going in the Classic."

—co-owner Martin Wygod on if he would have run Life is Sweet in the Ladies' Classic against Zenyatta

"I was trying to scream, but I wasn't breathing, so I was really trying to get it out, but I couldn't get it out because I had stopped breathing. It's extremely exciting. Especially when you know she got the job done and was still close to an eighth of a mile left for her. It was, I don't know, exhilarating."

—Wygod describing his reaction to seeing Life is Sweet winning the Ladies' Classic

"If she's totally sound, we would seriously think about racing her another year, but she's going to have to go over a careful exam. If she's 100 percent, we would think about another year."

—Wygod about bringing Life is Sweet back for a five-year-old campaign

"She had a little bit of trouble in the stretch, but I don't think that cost her the race. The pace was fast, and I thought that she would get to it, but she just didn't have it."

—jockey Rajiv Maragh on his ride aboard third-placer MUSIC NOTE (A.P. Indy) in the Ladies' Classic

"She was just in-and-out out there. She went left, she went right on me, and I couldn't get her to settle. And then, it just wasn't there. Today just wasn't her day."

—rider John Velazquez explaining PROVISO (GB) (Dansili [GB]) antics in the Ladies' Classic, where she ran fourth

"She was a little too fresh and keen and she had herself traveling three-wide into the bend. She didn't relax enough down the backstretch. Look where the winners come from; tells you everything, doesn't it?"

—trainer John Gosden on the performance of Ladies' Classic fifth RAINBOW VIEW (Dynaformer)

"Naturally I am a little disappointed. She's a young filly and she's had a tough season. She got tired at the end. The important thing is that she came back OK, and that was our main concern. She's a nice filly. And she's only three and has her whole career ahead of her."

—conditioner Josie Carroll on Ladies' Classic favorite CARELESS JEWEL (Tapit), who ran eighth and last after setting quick fractions on the front end

Henry Cecil (beside lady) gazes on as Midday graces the winner's circle (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "I think it's a lovely feeling, I tell you. The Prince (Khalid Abdullah) has always been a great sort of friend and supporter for me, and very loyal through my bad times. It's lovely to be able to repay him with a win here, because he loves the Breeders' Cup. He adores it, and he deserves winners." —Master trainer Henry Cecil on scoring his first Breeders' Cup victory with Juddmonte Farms' homebred MIDDAY (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) in the Filly & Mare Turf (G1) "I think the Breeders' Cup, I always sort of dreaded it, because I haven't been a great success at it over the years. To win it, certainly lived up to my expectations, the excitement and thrill. Once you've won a race here you feel you can probably do it again. We have one more to come." —Cecil on breaking his long Breeders' Cup drought, and looking forward to TWICE OVER (GB) (Observatory) in Saturday's Classic (G1) "Well, we went through a bad patch for four or five years when things were going wrong in every way. I didn't have the horses, and probably my health hasn't been terribly good. But I was determined to get back. Probably I'll never get back to what I was, because I don't want to train more than 100 to 120 horses now, where I used to train 200. When I'm competing against armies with a battalion, it's not easy. I love to be able to compete in some good races. I feel everything is on the up -- it has been for the last two years. And long may it continue. —Cecil on his recent renaissance

"(Midday's) a peculiar filly in that she's got loads of class -- a great turn of foot -- but she tends to hit a flat spot. Of course it's a worry when the horse comes off the bridle a little bit. But I knew when she hit top gear she'd respond and find plenty for me. And thankfully she had plenty in reserve when it mattered."

—jockey Tom Queally is well acquainted with Midday's character

"I dissected it to begin with, and found there wasn't a whole lot of pace, and I didn't want to give the leaders too much of a lead. I always had it in the back of my mind that she might hit a flat spot, which she did. But as the boss likes me to ride the horses, keep it simple, get a nice position, and get her on the stretch. Keep her balanced. And I knew she had the heart and the attitude, plus the ability to dig deep when it mattered."

—Queally's pre-race analysis set the stage for his winning ride

"I've got to sit down and talk to Henry and Prince Khalid. But the plan would be to take her back to Europe and campaign her next year in Europe. And possibly come defend her title, hopefully at Churchill next year."

—Juddmonte Racing Manager Teddy Grimthorpe on future plans for Midday

"Personally I'd love to run her another year, but I've experience with horses like (1979 champion older mare) Waya (Fr). They tend to leave so much on the racetrack that I'd just as soon turn her into a broodmare."

—owner George Strawbridge Jr. speaking of champion FOREVER TOGETHER (Belong to Me), who finished third in her Filly & Mare Turf title defense

She Be Wild gave Leparoux the first of his two Friday BC wins (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "When I was watching the rerun after the race (the Alcibiades), I knew what happened. I said, she had three races (going into it). She was pulled up (won easily) in all three races. She didn't get what she needed out of it to have a two-turn race. She had a two-turn race there at Keeneland." —trainer Wayne Catalano on SHE BE WILD's (Offlee Wild) only career loss in the Alcibiades S. (G1) prior to taking the Juvenile Fillies (G1) "I knew at the quarter pole (that she wouldn't go on). It's just her second start. I wouldn't throw rocks at her. She's very classy. She's maturing and has the brains to (be a two-turn horse)." —jockey Kent Desormeaux on Juvenile Fillies eighth-place runner CONNIE AND MICHAEL (Roman Ruler) "The Dubai World Cup is pretty special. But to win the Breeders' Cup here for Frank (Jones) is probably number one. It tops the list so far." —trainer Dale Romans on the victory of TAPITSFLY (Tapit) in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, which surpassed his win in the 2005 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) with Roses in May

"Well, I think it is the greatest moment by far. And many, many thanks to Dale. His father and I were very close. His daddy trained for me. And then, he passed on a little early in life, and Dale's my adopted son."

—Frank Jones, the owner/breeder of Tapitsfly, likewise savors the moment

"Well, I'm probably one of these folks that doesn't have a lot to do with the breeding or the racing of them. I just leave that in the hands of other people, and Beau Lane and Dale decided who we should breed this mare to. And obviously they've done a great job. And I just stand back and let them do their work, and I can go on about my other business."

—Jones gives the credit for Tapitsfly's success to others

"Yeah, I had trouble getting it drawn up because you couldn't figure out the formula. I told Robby (Albarado) we didn't have a lot of options. I thought we needed to break and give (Tapitsfly) the first sixteenth, eighth of the mile to try to clear the rest of the pack. And it worked out perfect, because it seemed she just liked to sit off of her (pacesetter Rose Catherine [Speightstown]) ."

—Jones on his strategy session with jockey Robby Albarado

Johnny Murtagh proudly sported the Irish flag following Man of Iron's Marathon score (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "He didn't break very well, but it takes him maybe a half-mile to warm up into it. But I think going down the back straight for the second time at the half-mile pole when I gave him a little squeeze, he seemed to come alive. I was following the eventual second, and, you know, I decided to stay on the inside. Got a beautiful run through on the inside. It opened up, and he was very brave until the end." —jockey Johnny Murtagh on the trip of MAN OF IRON (Giant's Causeway), who got the Breeders' Cup program off to a rousing start with a nose decision over Cloudy's Knight (Lord Avie) in the Marathon "The last few days, watching the people and the excitement build. The recognition he's gotten as the (Kentucky) Derby (G1) winner has been great. I'm starting to realize that it's more of an honor than a privilege to win the Kentucky Derby." —trainer Chip Woolley when asked what his favorite part of Breeders' Cup week has been; the conditioner will saddle MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone) in the Classic "I think it's a beautiful surface. For everybody, it's definitely the way forward. If you don't want to race on grass, it's the best alternative. It's safe. It's even. It's level. It's smooth. And it's still forgiving. I think for everybody going forward, all over the world, there is no doubt that it's a safe, beautiful surface." —conditioner Aidan O'Brien praising Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface in advance of sending RIP VAN WINKLE (Ire) (Galileo [Ire[) in the Classic

"I don't know. It could have been a couple of things. It could have been the Pro-Ride. He had a long campaign all year long. Running against the best horses throughout the year. So it is the end of the year, so, you know, fresh horses came at him. I'm not going to blame it on the Pro-Ride, I'm not going to blame it on anything. It's unfortunate he went out in his last race not winning. First thing I thought about when I came to the gates today though."

—Albarado reminisces about his experience with two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, who wound up fourth in his synthetic debut in the 2008 Classic

Vale of York collars Lookin at Lucky for Juvenile upset

Vale of York pulled the rug out from under his more respected rivals in the Juvenile (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Godolphin's VALE OF YORK (Ire) (Invincible Spirit) surged in the final strides to edge Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike) by a head in Saturday's $1,818,000 Juvenile (G1), rewarding his backers with a massive upset at 30-1 odds. Runner-up in the Gran Criterium S. (Ity-G1) at Milan, Italy, the Saeed bin Suroor trainee broke poorly and was steadied sharply early, but recovered and established a perfect spot down the backstretch, closely stalking the pace along the rail in fourth. He encountered trouble when trapped along the inside in upper stretch, but the bay shifted paths to the outside and stormed home in the final eighth of a mile beneath Ahmed Ajtebi, who became the first Middle Eastern-born jockey to win a Breeders' Cup race. Lookin at Lucky turned in a strong showing from the far outside post, losing ground on both turns, and the 2-1 favorite had every chance in deep stretch but could not outfinish the winner to his inside. Noble's Promise (Cuvee), who rallied boldly to the lead off the far turn and held a one-length advantage through a mile in 1:37 1/5, could not sustain his momentum and wound up a half-length back in third. Piscitelli (Victory Gallop), who established early splits in :24 1/5, :48 3/5 and 1:13, held fourth.

Vale of York completed 1 1/16 miles over the Pro-Ride in 1:43 2/5.

"He ran a huge race," bin Suroor said. "I fancied the horse before the race. He was improving all the time. He ran a big race last time when he finished second in a Group 1 (Gran Criterium) in Italy. Every time he's come for a race he's handled everything really well. He's a tough horse, and next year we'll bring him for the Kentucky Derby (G1)."

"No difficulties today. I had a very good trip," Ajtebi commented. "The last time I rode this horse (in the Gran Criterium) about three weeks ago in Italy he was very unlucky. We were going to win, and he saw the crowd and he stopped himself. By the time I got him going, we got beat. Today it all went well. When I shifted him out, he just went and he was strong enough at the finish to get it done." 

Ahmed Ajtebi gave Vale of York the perfect ride in the Juvenile (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com) Off as 11th choice among 13 rivals, Vale of York paid $63.20, $24.40 and $12.40. Lookin at Lucky totaled $4.40 and $3 for his hard-luck second. "He showed today what a good horse he is," trainer Bob Baffert said of the runner-up. "It's just frustrating to know you have much the best horse and to come up short like that. I didn't give him any chance at all at the half-mile pole. At least you know that you can look forward to the Derby." "Today, my horse got banged around pretty hard a couple of times going into the first turn because there were a couple horses going into the turn on the inside that came out," jockey Garrett Gomez said of Lookin at Lucky's trip. "It turned him a little sideways, but he took all that. For a young horse to keep on doing what he did -- and when that horse came to him and he could fight with something, accelerate and show me that much more -- makes me really excited about next year." Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner Noble's Promise (Cuvee), the 6-1 second choice, returned $4.60 after finishing a head better than the 50-1 Piscitelli. Next under the wire came Aikenite (Yes It's True), Beethoven (Ire) (Oratorio [Ire]), Radiohead (GB) (Johannesburg), William's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), Eskendereya (Giant's Causeway), Alfred Nobel (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), Pulsion (Include), Aspire (Tale of the Cat) and D' Funnybone (D'wildcat). The $1 exotics paid $167.40 (exacta), $1,181.10 (trifecta) and $23,929.90 (7-13-4-2 superfecta).

Bred in Ireland by Stock Vale Ltd., Vale of York is out of the unraced Halling mare Red Vale, who is a half-sister to Grade 3 queen Uraib (Ire) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]). This is the female family of multiple Group 1 scorer King of Kings (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), winner of the 1998 English Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1); Hong Kong champion miler Sound Print (Be My Guest); French Group 2 king General Monash (Thorn Dance); 2000 Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) runner-up Amethyst (Ire) (Sadler's Wells); and Group 2 hero China Visit (Red Ransom).

A maiden winner in his first career start, Vale of York captured the Stardom S. at Goodwood and finished third in the Royal Lodge S. (Eng-G2) at Ascot prior to the Gran Criterium. He's now earned $1,217,160 from a 6-3-1-1 line. Racing's newest millionaire sold for $36,606 at the 2008 Tattersalls (England) November sale and RNA'ed for $101,631 at the recent Tattersalls October yearling sale.

Dancing in Silks upsets Sprint in tight photo

Dancing in Silks (green hat) prevailed in a four-way photo (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) California-breds made it a sweep of Saturday's shortest Breeders' Cup races when Ken Kinakin's DANCING IN SILKS (Black Minnaloushe) prevailed in a four-way photo to notch the $1,818,000 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) under Joel Rosario. Despite winning a fast renewal of the California Cup Sprint in his latest start, the four-year-old gelding was let go at 25-1 and led a trio of longshots under the wire. Dancing in Silks tracked in fourth early as Cost of Freedom (Cee's Tizzy) outhustled both 9-5 favorite Zensational (Unbridled's Song) and last year's Sprint runner-up Fatal Bullet (Red Bullet) for the lead. That one led by a length through a quarter in :21 4/5 and a half in :44 1/5, and opened up in midstretch by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong to go. Rivals were closing in from both sides, however, with Dancing in Silks gaining ground to his outside, Crown of Thorns (Repent) charging like a freight train outside that one, and 2-1 second choice Gayego (Gilded Time) hoping to sneak through along the rail. Ultimately, it was the two outside horses who had the upper hand at the finish with Dancing in Silks barely outlasting 15-1 chance Crown of Thorns by a nose. Cost of Freedom, a head behind the top pair, nosed out Gayego for third at 18-1.

Dancing in Silks returned $52.60, $19.20 and $12, with Crown of Thorns paying $13.20 and $8.60. Cost of Freedom gave back $9.20. The $1 exotics were worth $227.90 (exacta), $2,145.90 (trifecta) and $7,651 (6-4-2-5 superfecta).

Dancing in Silks slid through to score in the Sprint (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com) Zensational failed to show any kind of kick and checked in fifth, one spot ahead of early presser Fatal Bullet. Next under the wire were Fleeting Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit), Capt. Candyman Can (Candy Ride [Arg]), and Join in the Dance (Sky Mesa). "The way Zensational had been training and Gayego won the Ancient Title (G1), it looked like a tough situation (for us)," winning trainer Carla Gaines said. "The way the post positions set up, we were able to sit off the pace and make our run. The racing gods were smiling upon us today." Dancing in Silks competed on Breeders' Cup day last year, just not in the Breeders' Cup itself. The bay finished second in the Damascus S. on the Breeders' Cup Saturday undercard, his only prior open company stakes attempt. Dancing in Silks also finished third in the Real Good Deal S. and On Trust H. for California-breds last year, and opened up his 2009 campaign with a fourth in the Sunshine Millions Sprint. Off nearly seven months after that, Dancing in Silks returned to take a turf allowance/optional claimer at Del Mar, scored in the Pirate's Bounty S. versus state-breds over the Del Mar Polytrack, then won the Cal Cup in a photo. With this initial graded stakes score, Dancing in Silks has now bankrolled $1,447,622 from a mark of 13-7-2-2.

Bred by Ronald Jex, Dancing in Silks brought $21,429 at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (British Columbia division) Yearling and Mixed Sale in 2006. Produced from the multiple stakes-winning Lemhi Love (Royal and Regal), Dancing in Silks is a half-brother to Canadian Grade 3 queen Gins Majesty (Go for Gin) and Grade 1-placed producer Love at Noon (Afternoon Deelites). This is the family of Grade 2 winner Rocky Marriage (Riva Ridge) as well as Grade 3 scorers False Promises (Jules) and Hey Byrn (Put It Back).

Attendance and handle up on Breeders' Cup Friday

Attendance for Breeders' Cup Championship Friday at Santa Anita Park increased by 20 percent over Championship Friday last year as 37, 651 were on hand today for the nine-race card that included six Breeders' Cup World Championships races. Attendance on Championship Friday in 2008 was 31,257.

The common-pool handle for the nine races was $48,439,458 a 1 percent increase over the 2008 10-race Friday card. An additional $1,159,007 in a separate pool was wagered in France.

A total of approximately $8.8 million was wagered through exchange wagering on Betfair.

The on-track handle was $7,097,789, an increase of 3.6 percent from 2008. On-track handle increased by 9.8 percent when comparing wagering totals from the first nine races of last year's Friday card to this year's nine races, when $6,463,571 was bet 12 months ago.

The common-pool handle for Friday does not include the Classic Double on the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) and the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) or the inaugural jockeys bet.

"This was an encouraging start for the event with solid support from the Southern California racing fans. We saw strong performances today on track, at the turnstiles and at the betting windows," Breeders' Cup President and CEO Greg Avioli said.

"(Friday's) strong wagering figures are an encouraging sign for Saturday's program with the great anticipation and fan appeal of Zenyatta's (Street Cry [Ire]) participation in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic," said Sherwood C. Chillingworth, executive vice president of the Oak Tree Racing Association.

Friday's program was the first of the two-day, 14- race, $25.5 million Breeders' Cup World Championships held during the Oak Tree Racing Association meeting at Santa Anita. The 26th Breeders’ Cup concludes Saturday with eight World Championships races.

Furthest Land records Dirt Mile shocker

Furthest Land competed in the "blue-collar" Breeders' Cup (Claiming Crown) in July (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Ken and Sarah Ramsey's FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike) continued his remarkable ascension through the class ranks when posting a 21-1 upset in the $909,000 Dirt Mile (G1). Claimed for $35,000 at Belmont Park on last year's Breeders' Cup weekend, the four-year-old gelding posted his first graded victory when capturing the Kentucky Cup Classic (G2) in his previous start, and he rallied from just off the pace to secure his biggest career win on Saturday at Santa Anita, collaring pacesetter Midshipman (Unbridled's Song) in deep stretch before withstanding a final surge from runner-up Ready's Echo (More Than Ready) by three-quarters of a length. Mastercraftsman (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), the overwhelming 7-5 favorite, could not sustain his rally while in tight quarters during the stretch run and checked in fourth. Julien Leparoux gave a heady ride aboard the Mike Maker-trained winner, who settled in along the rail entering the first turn as Midshipman flashed to the front and established an opening quarter-mile in a moderate :23 4/5. Furthest Land continued to stalk, a couple of lengths back, as the pacesetter recorded the next splits in :47 2/5 and 1:11, and after waiting briefly for room while entering the stretch, the dark bay came off the rail and went after Midshipman, catching the front runner inside the sixteenth pole. Ready's Echo, who rated in last through the opening three-quarters of a mile, was flying on the far outside from the back of the pack, but the 24-1 outsider left himself too much to do and settled for a second, a head better than Midshipman.

"I sat on the rail right behind the leader (Midshipman). It opened up at the quarter-pole. I found room to strike, and that was it," Leparoux explained. "He always runs big on synthetics. It was not an easy win to have, but he ran big."

Furthest Land is now three for three on synthetic tracks.

Furthest Land gave Julien Leparoux his third win in the 2009 BC (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) "That was incredible," Maker said. "Honestly, he has trained as well as he ever has. He gave me a lot of confidence and his (synthetic) record speaks for itself." Furthest Land paid $44.60, $18.40 and $9.60 after completing the mile in 1:35 2/5 on the Pro-Ride. Ready's Echo, who was bumped hard at the top of the stretch by Mambo Meister (King Cugat), capped the $329.10 longshot exacta ($1) and returned $18.20 and $9.40 after rallying for the place. Midshipman, the 3-1 second choice in 10-horse field, was good for $4.20. Mastercraftsman finished another three-quarters of length back. Mambo Meister, Neko Bay (Giant's Causeway), Mr. Sidney (Storm Cat), Chocolate Candy (Candy Ride [Arg]), Bullsbay (Tiznow) and Pyro (Pulpit) rounded out the order of finish. Furthest Land's biggest career victory boosted his bankroll to $869,689 from his mark of 16-8-2-1. After being claimed, he won three straight in allowance or optional claiming company on the turf for his new connections. Furthest Land was then unplaced in a pair of turf stakes attempts, including an eighth in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1), but broke through with his initial stakes score in the off-the-turf Golden Bear S. on June 10. On that sloppy track at Indiana Downs, he set a new track record of 1:40 4/5 for the mile and 70 yards. Next came the Claiming Crown Jewel, but Furthest Land never fired on the dirt at Canterbury Downs, checking in fourth. He rebounded in the aforementioned Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park, garnering his first graded victory with a neck decision over the Polytrack.

Bred by Catherine Wills in Kentucky, Furthest Land is the first registered foal from the unraced Flagrant (Rahy), a half-sister to multiple Grade 3 winner and Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) runner-up Dynever (Dynaformer). This is the family of Grade 1 heroine Reluctant Guest (Hostage) and Japanese Grade 1 hero Gold Allure (Sunday Silence). Furthest Land has an unraced juvenile half-sister named Embroidery (More Than Ready).

Well-timed 'Pounce' snares Juvenile Turf

Pounced stretches clear at the wire (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Lady Serena Rothschild's POUNCED (Rahy) split rivals in the stretch and ran down longtime leader Bridgetown (Speightstown) to garner Saturday's $909,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) at Santa Anita. The English shipper was handing the trainer/jockey tandem of John Gosden and Frankie Dettori their second straight victory in the event, following the success of Donativum (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux) one year ago. In the process, the nearly 5-2 favorite vindicated his trainer's judgment. Leading up to the race, Gosden had indicated that Pounced was as good as, if not better than, Donativum. "We had a nice draw," Gosden said regarding his breaking from post 4. "There wasn't much pace but he got through the gap when he had to. It's fantastic to win this race for the second straight year, and to do it at Santa Anita, my second home." "I had a box seat, very pleased that we got the split (between horses), and he fought really hard for me," Dettori said. "I was worried about getting clear but the gap was big enough for me to go through and my horse was very brave.

"When I got the split, it took a little while to get in top gear, but it was always going to get there in the end," the winning rider noted. "So it was a very straightforward trip. But it always happens when you go to a horse that can help you, and he did really help me."

Pounced, who was coming off a runner-up effort in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) (Fr-G1) in his stakes debut, enjoyed an ideal stalking trip. Tucked along the fence for most of the way, the flashy chestnut traveled well within himself, just behind Bridgetown through splits of :23 3/5, :48 2/5 and 1:12 2/5. The top American hope, Interactif (Broken Vow), pressed the pace on the outside and loomed as a threat turning for home.

Meanwhile, Dettori was biding his time on Pounced, waiting for a seam to open up between Bridgetown and Interactif. As soon as a sliver of daylight between the two appeared, he sent Pounced through it, and the colt gamely plowed right through to challenge. In a scene reminiscent of Friday's Juvenile Fillies Turf, when the stalking Tapitsfly (Tapit) reeled in pacesetter Rose Catherine (Speightstown), Pounced overtook Bridgetown in deep stretch and was well on top at the wire.

After completing the mile in 1:35 2/5 on firm turf, Pounced returned $6.80, $4.80 and $3.20. The 8-1 Bridgetown yielded $6.60 and $4.20 for his brave runner-up effort. Interactif , the 3-1 second choice, missed second by a head and paid $3.20 for his wide-trip third. English invader Awesome Act (Awesome Again), a nearly 32-1 longshot, outperformed his odds with a strong late run for fourth. The $1 exotics were worth $31 (exacta), $90.60 (trifecta) and $2,750.70 (4-7-11-6 superfecta).

An exuberant Dettori celebrating the win aboard Pounced (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "Kenny (trainer McPeek) wanted me to put him in the race and just nurse him along as best I could," said Robert Landry, who rode Bridgetown. "He really responded. When I asked at the top of the lane, he dropped his head and really dug in. That other horse just ran past him. He ran a courageous race. He's a really good horse who is only going to get better." Jockey Kent Desormeaux was far from disappointed in Interactif's third-place effort. "We quickened so fast going into the turn that I couldn't quite compensate for the turn, and that left some room for the others," Desormeaux said. "I hope this horse can 'dirt' because he acts like he wants to be my Derby horse." "It's always easy after a race to figure things out," Interactif's trainer, Todd Pletcher, reflected. "In retrospect, maybe we should have put the pressure on earlier, but if we picked it up, the seven (Bridgetown) would have picked it up too, so it probably would have been the same result. I think the post hurt us a little bit. We were pushed four-wide into the first turn, but from post 11 we got a decent trip. We just couldn't quicken enough in the last part." Buzzword (GB) (Pivotal) came home fifth, followed by the also-eligible Dean's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), Gallant Gent (Yankee Gentleman), Viscount Nelson (Giant's Causeway), Becky's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), King Ledley (Stormin Fever), Zip Quik (City Zip) and Codoy (Bernstein). Kera's Kitten (Kitten's Joy) was scratched, along with also-eligible Summer Movie (Holy Bull).

Bred in Kentucky by Carwell Equities Ltd., Pounced now sports a mark of 4-2-2-0, $668,504. After just failing by a neck in his career debut at Ascot in July, he easily broke his maiden by three lengths at Newbury the following month. Pounced then stepped up considerably in class for the Grand Criterium, where he led much of the way but was run down by the Aga Khan's Siyouni (Pivotal).

Pounced is out of the Irish stakes-placed Golden Cat (Storm Cat), who is also responsible for the Group 3-placed pair of Pampas Cat (Seeking the Gold) and Big Bound (Grand Slam), English stakes-placed Celtic Cat (Danehill), a yearling filly named Catopuma and a weanling colt named Wood Tiger, both by Elusive Quality. Pounced's second dam, Irish St. Leger (Ire-G1) winner Eurobird (Ire) (Ela-Mana-Mou), is a half-sister to two champions -- Irish Derby (Ire-G1) winner Assert (Ire) (Be My Guest) and French Derby (Fr-G1) victor Bikala (Kalamoun).

Pounced is not the first Breeders' Cup winner produced by this family. He was preceded by English and French champion sprinter Last Tycoon (Ire) (Try My Best), who captured the Mile (G1) at Santa Anita in 1986.

Larry Jones calls it a career

It was business as usual Saturday morning at Barn 43 at Churchill Downs with trainer Larry Jones in the saddle and galloping his horses during training hours.

But the game, and Jones' life, will change on Sunday.

"I am sleeping in that morning," said Jones, who is turning over the training of his 23 horses to his wife Cindy. "I'm gonna tell Cindy that I'm sick."

Jones, a 53-year-old native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, who began training in 1982, retired as a trainer after the Saturday card. His final starter, Payton d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), finished fifth in the Chilukki S. (G2).

Jones galloped four horses Saturday morning, the final one being No Such Word (Candian Frontier).

"That's it, I'm done," Jones said with a laugh after he got off the two-year-old filly.

"I'm gonna keep on galloping. I think I'm on the gallop list tomorrow, but on the late, late ones. I think tomorrow will be my first day as an exercise rider because I have always had a trainer's license when I have been galloping my horses."

Jones owns one stakes victory at Churchill Downs, where he saddled his first starter. That winner was Proud Spell in the 2008 Kentucky Oaks (G1), who was later named champion three-year-old filly.

But it was another filly that really kick-started Jones' career, Island Sand, who finished second to champion Ashado in the 2004 Oaks.

"She was right here in this barn and she was the one that really put us on the map," Jones said. "We drove back to Ellis Park with her in the trailer that afternoon after the race. We stopped at a McDonald's for a bite to eat and she went through the drive-through with us."

Jones, who saddled Hard Spun and Eight Belles to runner-up finishes in the 2007 and 2008 runnings of the Kentucky Derby, still has that trailer.

"It is in Maryland with all my stuff in it that has to get to Oaklawn Park," Jones said.

Cindy Jones will oversee the barn operations through the end of the Churchill Downs meet on November 28 and then the couple will head home to Henderson, Kentucky, for the holidays and Christmas with the grandchildren.

Longtime assistants Deirdre Jackson and Cory York will handle the stable's move to Arkansas and continue to work with Cindy.

In brief

LILLIE LANGTRY (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) is reported to have sustained a fracture to her knee following her disappointing effort in Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Following her eighth placing in that contest, part-owner John Magnier told the Racing Post, "She has a small fracture in her knee. It was nobody's fault and everybody here at Santa Anita dealt with it efficiently. It's not a career-threatening injury. She will have a pin inserted in the knee on Sunday and then she will follow on home in 10 days' time." Earlier this season, the dark bay won the Debutante S. (Ire-G2) and Fillies Sprint S. (Ire-G3) and third in the Moyglare Stud S. (Ire-G1)...

Edward P. Evans' homebred MALIBU PRAYER (Malibu Moon) was the bridesmaid in the Mother Goose S. (G1), Delaware Oaks (G2) and Monmouth Oaks (G3) this season, but finally earned her first significant victory Saturday with a one-length triumph in the $167,550 Chilukki S. (G2) at Churchill Downs. Tracking a quick pace set by the favorite One Caroline (Unbridled's Song), the sophomore took over from that rival turning for home and held sway through the lane to finish one mile over the fast track in 1:36 1/5. The Todd Pletcher pupil entered the Chilukki following a 6 3/4-length romp in the Cat Chat, an overnight stakes at Belmont Park. She has now earned $348,526 from a line of 9-4-3-2...

Don van Racing et al's THE USUAL Q. T. (Unusual Heat) became the second California Cup winner to notch a graded stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday when scoring in the $150,000 Oak Tree Derby (G2) by a head at odds of 10-1. Earlier in the card, California Cup Sprint victor Dancing in Silks (Black Minnaloushe) won the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) by a nose. The Usual Q. T., whose Cal Cup score had come in the Mile, has now won four straight since breaking his maiden in his sixth career start at Del Mar in August. Trained by Jim Cassidy and ridden here by Victor Espinoza, The Usual Q. T. saw his earnings balloon to $276,670 after running nine furlongs on firm turf in 1:44 2/5. His career mark now stands at 9-4-4-0...

By the time he reached the half-mile mark in Saturday's $150,000 Nashua S. (G2), Kingfield Stables' BUDDY'S SAINT (Saint Liam) had taken command and merely extended his margin of victory from there. With Jose Lezcano holding the reins, the Bruce Levine runner was 12 lengths clear on the wire while finishing one mile on Aqueduct's fast dirt in 1:36 3/5. Buddy's Saint was the near 4-1 third choice against his five rivals, and paid $9.90, $5.40 and $3.60. The bay juvenile was still a maiden when he started here, and was making just his second career start in the Nashua. He captured his initial try by a head at Belmont on September 26 but was disqualified and placed second for bumping with a rival in the stretch. Buddy's Saint has now earned $98,600. Levine added that the November 28 Remsen S. (G2) is next up for his charge...

Later on Aqueduct's Saturday card, the juvenile fillies got their turn in the spotlight in the $106,500 Tempted S. (G3). Starlight Partners' AILALEA (Pulpit) held off the late charge of Mambo Fever (Stormin Fever) to win by 1 1/4 lengths under Eibar Coa. The 8-5 favorite in the field of six, the Todd Pletcher trainee posted one-mile in 1:36 3/5 on the fast main track to return $5.40, $3.30 and $2.40. Ailalea broke her maiden by four lengths going the same distance on the good dirt at Belmont Park prior to this one, and now owns a 4-2-0-1, $98,300, record...

Gary and Mary West Stables' EXPANSION (Maria's Mon) took advantage of a tightly bunched field in Saturday's $150,000 Red Smith H. (G2) at Aqueduct to post a 1 1/4-length victory under jockey Channing Hill. Trained by Chad Brown, the bay four-year-old followed 9-5 second choice Grand Couturier (GB) (Grand Lodge) three wide around the final turn, angled to the outside of that one, and took off in the lane. Expansion completed 1 3/8 miles on the firm turf in 2:18 4/5 while making his stakes bow in this event. This win pushes his earnings to $251,110 and he now boasts a 16-4-7-1 career line. He gave back $27.60, $7.80 and $5 as the 12-1 third longest shot in the seven-horse field...

After enduring several difficult trips on the Breeders' Cup Friday program, jockey Jeremy Rose finally reached the winner's circle wearing the Augustin Stable silks when guiding SMART BID (Smart Strike) to a one-length victory in the $100,000 Damascus S., which kicked off the Saturday card at Santa Anita. Trained by Graham Motion, the sophomore completed seven furlongs over Pro-Ride in 1:21 2/5. It was the first start in more than seven months for Smart Bid, who narrowly missed taking the Transylvania S. (G3) over the Keeneland turf in his previous start. He was a well-beaten sixth two back in the Sham S. (G3) in his only prior attempt over the Santa Anita strip. The near 14-1 chance has now earned $168,918 from a line of 7-3-1-2...

Bad Action earned his first stakes win in the Pegasus (Bill Denver/Equi-Photo) Sanford H. Robbins, Winning Move Stable and P & D Kaplan Racing's BAD ACTION (Brahms) was sent off the 11-1 second longest shot in Friday evening's $150,000 Pegasus S. (G3) at Meadowlands, but the Gary Gontessa charge ran like a winner. Saving ground on the inside while running in last, the dark bay angled out underneath jockey David Cohen, came wide rounding the turn and drew off to be a half-length clear of longshot Big Top (Giant's Causeway) on the wire. Bad Action ran 1 1/8 miles on the fast dirt in 1:49, returning $24, $10 and $4 to his backers while keying nice exotics that totaled $188 (exacta), $602.60 (trifecta) and $2,250.20 (4-3-1-6 superfecta). The three-year-old gelding, who was racing in straight claiming events as recently as September, made his stakes bow a second in the Proud Truth S. at Aqueduct prior to this one. He now owns a 21-8-5-3 line to go along with $299,115 in lifetime earnings...

TROOPER D (Vindication), a half-brother to Grade 1 heroine and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) participant Rutherienne (Pulpit), captured his third career start Saturday at Churchill Downs, taking a maiden special weight by a neck over 40-1 chance Round About (Distorted Humor). Under Jamie Theriot, the sophomore covered 1 1/8 miles on the firm turf in 1:51. Bred in Kentucky by Payson Stud, Trooper D was a $190,000 Fasig-Tipton February two-year-old-in-training purchase and carries the banner of Silverton Hill LLC. The Adam Burnett pupil was fourth in his debut over the turf at Ellis Park on August 15, but regressed to fifth after a troubled start over the Polytrack at Keeneland October 9. He's now earned $30,820 and was produced by the stakes-winning Ruthian (Rahy), who has also produced the stakes-placed Big Wig (A.P. Indy)...

KAYS AND JAYS (Macho Uno) heads a field of eight in Sunday's $58,000 Cascapedia S. at Santa Anita. The Mike Mitchell trainee scored her first stakes win in the six-furlong Richland Hills S. at Lone Star Park in April, but didn't like the stretch out to 1 1/16 miles when seventh and last in the Hollywood Oaks (G2). She made her last start in the July 11 Azalea S. (G3) back on dirt at Calder, just missing by three parts of a length, and will get a jockey switch in her return to Joel Rosario. Among her rivals on Sunday are dual stakes heroine KAWEAH PRINCESS (Soto), Torrey Pines S. runner-up MUSIC MAGIC (Bernstein) and Grade 1-placed stakes victress SAUCEY EVENING (More Than Ready)...

Seven Canadian-bred juveniles will take part in Sunday's C$250,000 Coronation Futurity at Woodbine, and the undefeated HOLLINGER (Black Minnaloushe) appears the most accomplished of the group. The Roger Attfield-trained gelding broke his maiden over the Toronto track, passed his first-level allowance conditions and then made his turf debut in the Cup and Saucer S. last out, scoring by two lengths. He'll return to the Polytrack in this 1 1/8-mile event with regular rider Tyler Pizarro staying in the irons. Other contenders in the field include STORMY LORD (Stormy Atlantic), who led throughout the Cup and Saucer before being caught in late stretch, and GHOST FLEET (Arch), winner of the Swynford S. and Vandal S. who was fourth by just two lengths in the Grey S. (Can-G3) last out...

Cindy Werner, wife of trainer Ronny Werner, has set up a fund at Fifth Third Bank to assist with the cost of rehabilitation for jockey Julia Brimo who was injured in an October 30 spill at Keeneland. "They have taken the respirator out and she is breathing on her own," Cindy Werner said of the 33-year-old Brimo, who remains hospitalized in serious condition at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. "She has some movement in her extremities. She has been galloping horses for us and rode some for us at Turfway Park," Cindy Werner said. Donations to the fund would be accepted at any Fifth Third Bank or can be mailed to Werner at 1116 Flat Rock Road, Louisville, Kentucky, 40245...

Trainer Paul McGee already had one horse in his barn targeting the November 27 Clark H. (G2) in Dubious Miss (E Dubai). He may have picked up a second on Friday when DEMARCATION (Gulch) rallied to win the Ack Ack H. (G3) in his first main track start since February 2008. "The way Mr. (John) Amerman was talking last night, he was thinking about the Clark," McGee said Saturday. "We will talk about it, but Demarcation could come back and defend his title in the River City (H. [G3]). He is fine this morning." Demarcation finished in a dead heat for first in the 2008 River City...

Godolphin's DANDY MAN (Mozart [Ire]) has been retired and will stand at Ballyhane Stud. Successful in the 2006 Palace House S. (Eng-G3) at three when under the care of Con Collins, the Mountarmstrong Stud-bred sprinter was snapped up by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's operation and raced in the colors of Princess Haya of Jordan when runner-up in the King's Stand S. (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot and third in York's Nunthorpe S. (Eng-G1) the following season. After failing to build on those efforts in the royal blue, one of the few sons of the ill-fated Mozart ended his career with a fourth in Newmarket's Rous S. last month. Also the winner of three Listed races and six of his 30 starts with $543,933 in earnings, he will stand at a fee of €4,500.

California Flag flies high in Turf Sprint

California Flag ran away from his rivals in the Turf Sprint (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) Dueled into submission in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, Hi Card Ranch's homebred CALIFORNIA FLAG (Avenue of Flags) experienced a far more favorable scenario in Saturday's renewal of the about 6 1/2-furlong turf dash at Santa Anita worth $909,000. Breaking on top and finding no pressure from any quarter from 13 rivals, the gray sped through splits of :21 2/5 and :43 and strolled home by 1 3/4 lengths while completing the distance in 1:11 1/5 under Joe Talamo. California Flag paid $8.80, $5.60 and $3.80 as the 3-1 favorite. "He made the lead pretty easily, and going right until about the three-eighths pole, I was pretty confident," Talamo said. "He had so much in reserve coming down the stretch and really kicked it in the last part." Deep closers occupied the next two slots, with course-and-distance specialist Gotta Have Her (Royal Academy) finishing fast to edge Cannonball (Catienus) for second by three parts of a length. One of three females in the field, Gotta Have Her returned $8.80 and $5.60 at 9-1 and capped the $1 exacta worth $38.60. Cannonball, the near 6-1 third choice, paid $4.80 with the $1 trifecta coming back $317.50. A head behind Cannonball was Delta Storm (Storm Boot), a 17-1 chance who completed the $4,226.70 superfecta (3-7-6-14) with a $1 base.

Rounding out the order of finish were Canadian Ballet (City Zip), Silver Timber (Prime Timber), Noble Court (Doneraile Court), El Gato Malo (El Corredor), Get Funky (Straight Man), Square Eddie (Smart Strike), Diamondrella (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]), Lord Shanakill (Speightstown), defending champion Desert Code (E Dubai) and Strike the Deal (Van Nistelrooy). Tenga Cat (Storm Cat) and Cherokee Heaven (Cherokee Run), the also-eligibles, failed to draw into the field.

Joe Talamo added a first BC win to his already impressive resume (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) California Flag earned his first stakes win in the 2008 Morvich H. (G3), scoring in a course record time of 1:11.10 for about 6 1/2 furlongs. He was thrown in the deep end when entered in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, leading during the latter part of the race before fading badly to finish 10th, and returned to a much more congenial spot in the Hollywood Turf Express H. (G3) in late November to conclude his four-year-old campaign with an easy 4 1/2-length victory. "The difference between this year and last year is that last year we just said 'go' and this year we used our heads," trainer Brian Koriner said. "The horse has matured." The gray didn't make his 2009 bow until recording a neck score in the Green Flash H. on August 19, then successfully defended his title in the September 30 Morvich. He has compiled a record of 16-8-0-1, $952,996. California Flag is out of Ultrafleet (Afleet), making him a full brother to multiple Grade 3 heroine Cambiocorsa (Avenue of Flags) and a half-sibling to the Grade 3-placed Shadow Raider (Memo [Chi]). Ultrafleet also has an unraced juvenile filly named Platinum Mine (Memo [Chi]), a yearling colt named Vader (Vindication) and a weanling filly called Cosmopolitan (Harlan's Holiday).

NORTH AMERICAN GRADED STAKES RESULTS

BREEDERS' CUP THEY SAID IT

NOVEMBER 7, 2009

"You know, Life is Sweet is the princess, and Zenyatta is the queen in my barn."

—trainer John Shirreffs describing Classic (G1) winner ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) and Ladies' Classic (G1) heroine LIFE IS SWEET (Storm Cat)

One of Zenyatta's many fans who turned out to support their star (Patrick Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com) "You know, she's really grown and really shown and developed a personality that she really shows off to her fans. She's just grown and handled everything. Del Mar was a big, big turning point for her with the crowd because now she sort of plays the crowd. She loves the crowd. When people yell at her she just does her little prance. I don't know. She's got a relationship with her fans." —Shirreffs on Zenyatta's antics toward her fans "I'd have to say that this certainly makes up for anything that anybody would have thought because we ran against probably one of the best fields ever assembled for a Breeders' Cup Classic. So I think we put it all on the line, like they said. We were all in in the Classic." —Shirreffs in regards to the criticism the Zenyatta team has endured about her 2009 campaign "She just does what she has to do. Everyone talks about the margin of victory because some horses like to just give it their all and go all out. She always just does what she has to do. If they run fast, she'll just run faster. That's what she's always done. She's never tried to just blow the field away. She just likes to get by them and that's good enough for her." —jockey Mike Smith on what Zenyatta puts into her races

"Well, it started out with a little concern after the mishap at the gate. We had to unload and everyone had to get off. And she started getting a little agitated. We got her back in the gate, and she was standing so still I didn't want to move her. But I was a little worried when the gates opened she wouldn't move period, and she didn't. She actually spotted a length or two leaving there. I had to get her out of there. I had to hit her out of there. When she did come out she was in her left lead. Which isn't what you want to be in. You want to be in your rights on the straights and lefts on the turns. I let her go. Let her get back to the lead and she gathered herself up."

—Smith on the delay at the start of the Classic

Queen of the Breeders' Cup! (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) "Then she kicked on. And the crowd started screaming. She thought maybe I should stop and pose again. She started pricking her ears and looking at the crowd, and I got after her a little bit, and she went on. And she still went, believe it or not, well within herself. She was pricking her ears and galloped out. She didn't even take a breath after the race was over. It's just incredible." —Smith on Zenyatta hamming it up to the crowd in the Classic stretch "Very quietly. Stepped off very gently and just prayed that she didn't get too excited." —Smith when asked how he handled Zenyatta being backed out of the gate "You know, I wish they would have brought her here so we could have proved to the racing world what Zenyatta's really about. I think she proved it today. But like I said there was still more left there. I'm not going to go out and say I'm going to beat her, because that's just someone's opinion. But I would have gave anything to run against her." —Smith on a match race between Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro)

"We think John did an unbelievable job with her, and Mike rode her like a champ. We can't thank these two guys enough for making this experience for us."

—owner Jerry Moss showing his appreciation to Shirreffs and Smith

Team Zenyatta (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) "Well, that's up to you guys, really. It's not really up to us. We just brought the horse here. We beat whoever showed up, frankly. She ran her race and she won. I'm not taking anything away from that other filly (Rachel Alexandra). As I've always said, she's run a tremendous campaign, and they deserve a lot of credit. I think it's a tough one. So you guys are going to have to figure it out." —Moss when asked if he believed Zenyatta should be honored as Horse of the Year "Well, she's a lot more generous than a lot of stars are, let me put it that way (laughing). She gives you back an awful lot." —Moss comparing Zenyatta with some of the stars he's met as co-founder of A&M Records

—English-based rider Thomas Queally on his trip aboard TWICE OVER (GB) (Observatory), who finished third in the Classic

—jockey Kent Desormeaux on Classic fourth-placer SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone)

—Bob Baffert, who conditions Classic sixth-placer RICHARD'S KID (Lemon Drop Kid)

"We were right next to the big mare. He ran his hair out."

—trainer Craig Dollase on AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again), who ran seventh in this second Classic appearance

"She's a different class. By far. By millions."

—conditioner Saeed bin Suroor on Zenyatta; bin Suroor's runners, REGAL RANSOM (Distorted Humor) and GIROLAMO (A.P. Indy), finished eighth and 12th, respectively

"It's been a phenomenal ride (with this horse). He needs to get a little rest, and then get back on the dirt. I had a clean trip. About the three-eighths pole I saw Zenyatta going. I tried to follow her because I didn't want her to get away from me, but he couldn't do it."

—jockey Calvin Borel on Kentucky Derby (G1) hero MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone), who ran ninth in the Classic

"I'm kind of disappointed. I thought we were in great shape when they went by the grandstand for the first time; he looked comfortable. Going into the first turn he still looked good. But down the backstretch, when Zenyatta kicked on by us, he just didn't snap up and go. Calvin said when he asked him, he made a run, but he couldn't sustain it. He's traveled seven thousand miles this year and that takes a lot out of a horse."

—Chip Woolley, who trains Mine That Bird

"He sat off them just fine but when I got to the three-eighths pole he emptied out pretty quick. He warmed up well. I suppose the big delay at the start might not have helped him, but really no excuse today; it's after having a long season in Europe and maybe this race was just one race too many."

—jockey Johnny Murtagh on multiple Group 1 winner RIP VAN WINKLE (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]), who crossed under the Classic wire in 10th

Goldikova left trainer Freddie Head speechless (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "But for me, first I want to say that it's something -- I don't have the words to say what I feel because having ridden a horse like her, and now training a horse like her, it's something you can't dream of. —Freddie Head on the feeling of riding Miesque and training GOLDIKOVA (Ire) (Anabaa), both two-time winners of the Mile (G1) "I get much more nervous just watching than riding. I think I was much more nervous before the race than when I used to ride Miesque." —Head on the difference between watching from the stands and riding in the race

"Well, the amazing thing is a horse like her, she's very easy to train. I mean, she does everything herself. And coming here and winning is not more difficult than any race we run in. She's always gives her best. She has no problem. Never puts her foot wrong. She just keeps on galloping and she's happy wherever she is. So it is quite special. She's a freak, I think, really."

—Head says that Goldikova trains herself

"It was a completely different race. She showed us today that she could come from a long way (back). We have never been riding her that way. But you see last time at Longchamp we got beat because we were drawn 14 out of 14 (in the Prix de la Foret [Fr-G1]). So today being drawn 11, we didn't have a choice. I wanted my jockey to wait. He couldn't get a cover not being too far. So I wasn't too concerned in the race, but it's always difficult to give distance away."

—Head contrasts Goldikova's come-from-the-clouds manner of winning this time with her pace-stalking victory in 2008

Goldikova showed a new dimension to come from far back (Benoit Photo) "Yeah, he said he thought he had a good run, and he was almost sure of the win all the way. When he came into the turn, he knew he had won the race. But from the stands, that's not what I thought (laughing)." —Head relates what Peslier told him afterward "And today Freddie told me how to ride, and said I can't start well because if I'm too on the bridle...maybe she's dead before the last turn. And I prefer to just stay quiet, see what's happening, and see what's happening after the turn. And she's very kind. She's very relaxed. On the turn I just see the pacemaker is very far. But anyway, I'm just thinking, you know, the fast pace. I leave a chance, and for sure my filly finishes well. When she is very relaxed, always she finishes well." —Olivier Peslier on his early tactics aboard Goldikova

"For the last turn, and I have two possibilities, outside or inside. And also outside you can follow the pace, and I'm going to stay in. And I see Frankie (Dettori on Delegator [GB]) just moving well. And I just come through to the middle. After that I don't want to stay really on the rail. I just go straight to the outside. Because if I follow the pace inside maybe I have no place to go, too many horses, and I want plenty space. For sure she's coming very fast. And everybody thinks she's winning. Very easy."

—Peslier on his late tactics aboard Goldikova

"No, I don't think it had any impact. But I must say that every horse in the race had Lasix. I think it would have been silly to come away from such a long, long distance and not to run on equal terms with the others. So it's not a question of her being better with Lasix or not. But I just -- it was just paying respect to her to give her every tool to try and win a race like that."

—Head on running Goldikova on Lasix

Conduit will retire to stud in Japan next year (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "We don't know yet." —Gerard Wertheimer, co-owner/breeder of Goldikova, won't be lured into confirming whether Goldikova will stay in training "Yes, it was a messier race this year. (Jockey) Ryan (Moore) will tell you more about that. But he wasn't as convincing this time. But I think understand under the circumstances it was probably as good a performance." —trainer Sir Michael Stoute on CONDUIT's (Ire) (Dalakhani) title defense in the Turf (G1)

"My only problem was I stopped behind two horses that I didn't want to be following, which wouldn't take me to him. So we actually used a bit of petrol early on just to get him into a nice spot down the back straight. You know, I always thought his class would return in the end."

—jockey Ryan Moore on his early maneuvering aboard Conduit

"I'd just like to say one thing. It's a remarkable statistic that four out of (my) five Breeders' Cup winners have come from Ballymacoll Stud -- this small stud in County Meath -- and it's a wonderful tribute to Peter Reynolds and Lord Weinstock and his son, Simon, who set this whole show up. And we're delighted to keep it going with the help of Laura and Michael Lester."

—Stoute pays tribute to the owners of Conduit, who also campaigned 1996 Turf winner Pilsudski (Ire) and 2003 Filly & Mare Turf (G1) queen Islington (Ire)

Dancing in Silks outran the expectations of everyone but his connections (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "Yeah, definitely. That was a huge disappointment. On days like today it definitely makes it feel a lot better." —jockey Joe Talamo when asked whether his victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint made up for missing the mount on I Want Revenge, the morning-line favorite who was scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby (G1) "I really to be honest tried to discourage (owner) Ken (Kinakin) from putting that much money up. The horse is doing tremendously well. He was doing so much better than he was the previous year. He had matured. He was very, very sound. But still I was concerned about dumping all that money in there. And he sad no, Carla, power of positive thinking, let's go. And I said okay, let's. And it's been fun ever since, especially right now." —Trainer Carla Gaines explaining her doubts about putting up a 9 percent supplement to get DANCING IN SILKS (Black Minnaloushe) in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1)

"It's always a relief to win any race, and winning (a) Breeders' Cup race is the icing on top of the cake. We've had a great year, really. It's been a fantastic year for Godolphin. But it wouldn't be quite complete unless we'd won a race here. I think this really does make it a really benchmark year for Godolphin."

—Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) with VALE OF YORK (Ire) (Observatory); Godolphin topped all owners with 15 entries in the 14-race Breeders' Cup program, and the 30-1 Vale of York provided them with their lone winner

"I think the first thing is that when he ran so well at Ascot, we were looking for a nice Grade 1 for him to compete in. And the race in Milan was a good run for him. He ran exceptionally well there. He got beaten, but it was a really strong effort. Because he's so tough and he takes to traveling well, that's when we thought about the Breeders' Cup Juvenile because, as we say, he's very tough and takes his traveling well. But he had to run well in Milan to book his ticket to here. And he did run well there, so that's why we came here."

—Crisford on the decision to send Vale of York to the Breeders' Cup; the two-year-old colt made his first four starts in England before shipping to Italy for the Gran Criterium (Ity-G1)

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey Ahmed Ajtebi congratulate either other following Vale of York's win (Benoit Photos) "Ahmed Ajtebi has been riding for our stable for more than six months now. He was riding for our stable throughout the winter for some of our horses in Dubai, and certainly some of them in Europe. Basically, he's a Dubai national. He's a young, apprentice jockey. You know, he's had some big opportunities, Sheikh Mohammed has given him some big opportunities in some of the big horses we've got in our stable. He doesn't ride all of them, obviously, Frankie Dettori is our stable jockey. We don't even have a retainer with Ahmed Ajtebi. But he certainly rides some of them. And the ones that Sheikh Mohammed would like him to ride, and this horse was one of them." —Crisford on Ahmed Ajtebi, who became the first Middle Eastern-born jockey to win a Breeders' Cup race when garnering the Juvenile; Frankie Dettori didn't have a mount in the race "Well now he might be voted Claimer of the Year. I like his breeding by Smart Strike, the mare that Sheikh Mohammed stood. So the breeding was impeccable. The horse was three years old. He was young. I used my claiming methods primarily from the rag sheets. He had improving rag sheets numbers. (Trainer) Mike (Maker) checked him out. Said he was clean, clean leg and all that, so we decided to go for it. And now you know the rest of the story." —owner Ken Ramsey on why he claimed Dirt Mile (G1) winner FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike) for $35,000 in October 2008 "I want to take my hat off to Mike, without him we certainly wouldn't have been here. He has really developed this horse from a $35,000 claimer to a Grade 1 Breeders' Cup winner. You got to take your hat off to him. He's probably a future Hall of Famer just like his mentor, D. Wayne Lukas." —Ramsey on Mike Maker, who is another in a long line of former D. Wayne Lukas assistants who have gone on to success on their own

"I figured if we can get a mile, he was closing today, we should get a mile and a quarter in Dubai and, the (purse) is going to be $10 million, I understand. So maybe we can somehow finagle an invitation from Sheikh Mohammed to take him over there."

—Ramsey, who won the 2005 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) with Roses in May, on future plans for Furthest Land; the 2010 Dubai World Cup will be run over Tapeta for the first time, and Furthest Land is now three-for-three over all-weather tracks

Pounced gave Gosden his fourth BC victory (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "He's an equally agile, athletic horse, you know. He has a high cruising speed, great acceleration. He's grown in length in the last year. Changed shape. Must have been the good grass in Kentucky when he was a baby." —trainer John Gosden comparing Juvenile Turf (G2) winner POUNCED (Rahy) to Donativum (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux) who won the same race for him in 2008 "I personally like the European courses where we don't race on medication. So I'd be happy to run on no Lasix today. But I've been around the block a few times and I know everybody else is using it. And I come to the heat of Santa Anita, and the cauldron of racing here on Breeders' Cup day. It puts the horse under a lot of pressure, and I don't want to find out under that pressure he's bled when others have had the advantage of using Lasix. That's why I use it. When in Rome, do what Romans will do. However, of course he can win without medication." —Gosden comments on his decision to treat Pounced with first-time Lasix

"Well, I thought about it for a few years that when I left I made a mistake. Charlie Whittingham gave me the greatest compliment of my life. I was saddling a horse with him. But it hadn't been public knowledge. He was behind tightening the girth and he lent over and said John, tell me you're thinking of going home. I'll come and pack for you (laughing)."

—the English-based Gosden on whether he'd ever return to Santa Anita full-time

NORTH AMERICAN NON-GRADED STAKES RESULTS

LOUISIANA JEWL S., DED, $250,000, 2YO, F, 7F, 11-6.
9—	SHEZACRAZYGIRL, f, 2, Ide--Proper Dial, by Proper Reality. O-Red Oak Stable, B-Summerhill Equine, LLC (LA), T-Gregory D. Sacco, J-Joe Bravo, $150,000.
4—	The Rumor's True, f, 2, Kafwain--Awasarumor, by Alwasmi. O-Northpointe Thoroughbreds, B-David N. Meche & William Whitley (LA), $50,000.
8—	Scarlet Tribute, f, 2, Gold Tribute--Scarlet Gilia, by Hay Halo. O-P. Dale Ladner, B-J. Adcock & H. Wornall (LA), $27,500.
Also Ran: Happyfromthegitgo, Dreamsalive, Cherry Ide, Lady Blue Belle, Twelve Stepper, Miss Ellie, Dove Shot.
Winning Time: 1:27 2/5 (ft)
Margins: 2, 1 1/4, HD.
Odds: 3.90, 12.10, 4.50.

JEAN LAFITTE S., DED, $175,000, 2YO, 1M, 11-6.
8—	RULE, c, 2, Roman Ruler--Rockcide, by Personal Flag. O-WinStar Farm LLC, B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY), T-Todd A. Pletcher, J-Corey J. Lanerie, $105,000.
3—	Grand Slam Andre, c, 2, Grand Slam--Spring Free, by Royal Academy. ($95,000 yrl '08 KEESEP.). O-Robison, J. Kirk and Judy, B-Michael Rainier (KY), $35,000.
1—	Oak Motte, c, 2, Valid Expectations--Raven's Bride, by Cherokee Colony. O-Bass Seeligson Partnership and Fitzsimmons, Hugh, B-Bass/Seeligson Partnership (TX), $19,250.
Also Ran: Bench the Judge, Mt. McSauba, Bet Your Boots, U Appeal to Me, Bowling.
Winning Time: 1:37 2/5 (ft)
Margins: 9, HD, NK.
Odds: 3.00, 1.40, 7.60.

MAPLE LEAF S., WO, $170,319, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/4M, 11-7.
2—	SERENADING, m, 5, A.P. Indy--Daijin, by Deputy Minister. O-Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc. and Sikura, Glen, B-Hill 'n' Dale Farm & N.E.T.P. (KY), T-Josie Carroll, J-Patrick Husbands, $102,533.
3—	Ginger Brew, f, 4, Milwaukee Brew--Coral Necklace, by Conquistador Cielo. O-Stronach Stables, B-Adena Springs (ON), $37,433.
4—	Roses 'n' Wine, f, 4, Broken Vow--Regent's Fancy, by Vice Regent. ($143,984 yrl '06 ONTSEP.). O-Firestone Farms, B-Royal Oak Farm (ON), $20,588.
Also Ran: Flowerbomb.
Winning Time: 2:06 (ft)
Margins: 2 1/4, 3 3/4, 9.
Odds: 3.20, 0.45, 4.05.

MY TRUSTY CAT S., DED, $125,000, 2YO, F, 7F, 11-6.
6—	TRUTH AND JUSTICE, f, 2, Yes It's True--Sala de Oro, by Expelled. O-Hall, George and Lori, B-K & G Stables (KY), T-Kelly J. Breen, J-Joe Bravo, $75,000.
1—	Bella Diamante, f, 2, Lost Soldier--Sharons Song, by Badger Land. O-Lone Star Stables, B-Weldon R. Johnson Jr. (KY), $25,000.
5—	Best Reward, f, 2, Grand Reward--Best Practices, by Tough Knight. ($11,000 yrl '08 FTMOCT; $27,000 2yo 2009 OBSAPR.). O-Rolando Cabral, B-Justice Farm, Greg Justice &Steve Justice (KY), $13,750.
Also Ran: Lela, Ruby's Big Band, Storming Suzy.
Winning Time: 1:26 1/5 (ft)
Margins: 3/4, 1 1/4, NK.
Odds: 0.30, 3.30, 11.40.

DAMASCUS S., OSA, $100,000, 3YO, 7F, 11-7.
2—	SMART BID, c, 3, Smart Strike--Recording, by Danzig. O-Augustin Stable, B-George Strawbridge Jr. (PA), T-H. Graham Motion, J-Jeremy Rose, $60,000.
5—	Supreme Summit, c, 3, Cactus Ridge--Studentoftheweek, by Sunny Clime. ($10,000 yrl '07 KEEJAN; $42,000 yrl '07 OBSAUG.). O-Joseph Lacombe Stable, Inc., B-Wm A. Thomson (KY), $20,000.
3—	M One Rifle, g, 3, One Man Army--Leanessa, by Bertrando. O-Bernstein, Ed, Greenspun, Bryan and Headley, Bruce, et al, B-Ed Bernstein, Brian Greenspun, Bruce Headley & Irwin Molasky (CA), $12,000.
Also Ran: Coronet of a Baron, Viscount, Major Rock Star, All Saint, Dave's Pacemaker.
Winning Time: 1:21 2/5 (ft)
Margins: 1, HD, NK.
Odds: 13.90, 4.10, 1.30.

B-CONNECTED S., DED, $60,000, 3YO/UP, 1M, 11-6.
7—	HARLAN STREET, g, 4, Street Cry (IRE)--Curious Conundrum, by Harlan. O-J. Phillip Mote, B-Phillip Mote (KY), T-James C. Hudson, J-Diego Saenz, $36,000.
5—	Angelonmyshoulder (GB), g, 5, King's Best--Angel of The Gwaun (IRE), by Sadler's Wells. O-Louis W. Smith, B-Abergwaun Farms (GB), $12,000.
2—	Sligo Joe, g, 4, Sligo Bay (IRE)--Jade Eyed, by Friendly Lover. ($15,000 yrl '06 KEEJAN.). O-Wayne T. Davis, B-Adena Springs (KY), $6,600.
Also Ran: Galloping Home, Forest Voices, Royal Treaty.
Winning Time: 1:39 1/5 (ft)
Margins: 3 3/4, HF, 2 3/4.
Odds: 2.00, 1.70, 3.10.

LOOKOUT S., DED, $60,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1M, 11-6.
5—	MAYHAW, f, 3, Lion Heart--Mary Sloan, by Woodman. O-Heaven Trees, B-Heaven Trees (KY), T-Andrew Leggio, Jr., J-Carlos Gonzalez, $36,000.
3—	Busy Mass, f, 3, Mizzen Mast--Busy Mis, by Miswaki. ($5,000 wlng '06 KEENOV.). O-Heartlines Horse Ranch, LP, B-Robert Losey & Paul McGinty (KY), $12,000.
6—	Vickies in Town, f, 4, Leestown--Proper Id, by Beaudelaire. ($3,000 yrl '06 LOUOCT.). O-Ray Spencer, B-Don Branham & Terry Branham (LA), $6,600.
Also Ran: Epiphanyfortiffany, Speightstown Belle, Surprises Welcomed, Sheza Botha Ours, Magic Shaw, Eccentric Girl.
Winning Time: 1:39 1/5 (ft)
Margins: 5 1/4, 2 3/4, NK.
Odds: 3.10, 2.30, 5.30.

VETERAN S., ZIA, $60,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16M, 11-7.
4—	ORIENTATE EXPRESS, g, 4, Orientate--Waterwild, by River Special. ($40,000 yrl '06 KEESEP.). O-Prairie Lane Farms LLC, B-Kidder, Griggs & J & J Mamakos (KY), T-Kelly R. Von Hemel, J-Glen Murphy, $36,600.
5—	Song of Navarone, h, 5, Sultry Song--Timely Legend, by Navarone. ($22,000 yrl '05 FTKOCT; $190,000 2yo 2006 OBSAPR.). O-George E. Coleman, B-E. H. Beau Lane III (KY), $13,200.
3—	Black Hills, g, 5, Judge T C--Little Sioux, by Tactical Advantage. ($25,000 yrl '05 OBSAUG.). O-A and R Stables LLC and Class Racing Stable, B-Juan Centeno (FL), $7,200.
Also Ran: Quiet Again.
Winning Time: 1:43 (ft)
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 3/4, 5 3/4.
Odds: 4.00, 0.60, 3.50.

OLD HICKORY S., FG, $56,400, 2YO, 6F, 11-7.
1—	COMEDERO, g, 2, Posse--Pawnee Patti, by Sir Richard Lewis. O-Peter Redekop B. C., Ltd., B-McDowell Farm (AR), T-Michael Stidham, J-James Graham, $36,000.
3—	Vito Filitto, g, 2, Mutakddim--Braggin Rights, by Iroquois Park. O-L.T.B. Inc, Ryan, James and Flitt, Jim, B-Bernard Flint & James Ryan (KY), $12,000.
4—	Enumerate, c, 2, Proud Accolade--Clandestine, by Grand Slam. O-Padua Stables, B-Padua Stables (FL), $6,000.
Also Ran: Auspicious Risk.
Winning Time: 1:10 (ft)
Margins: 1 3/4, 1, HF.
Odds: 1.50, 13.60, 0.80.

PONTALBA S., FG, $56,400, 2YO, F, 6F, 11-7.
4—	RIGHT TO RULE, f, 2, Five Star Day--Leeward Passage, by Captain Bodgit. ($21,000 wlng '07 KEENOV; $40,000 yrl '08 KEESEP.). O-Christopher G. Bardasian, B-Dave Mantrom & Julie Mantrom (KY), T-Steven M. Asmussen, J-Shane J. Sellers, $36,000.
2—	Greeley's Rocket, f, 2, Mr. Greeley--Clay's Rocket, by American Chance. O-Richard L. Davis, B-Gulf Coast Farms, LLC (KY), $12,000.
1—	Blading Gold Ring, f, 2, During--Dina Gold, by Seeking the Gold. O-Robert Wilensky, B-Robert Wilensky (KY), $6,000.
Also Ran: Passion Tamer.
Winning Time: 1:11 (ft)
Margins: NO, 4 1/4, 2 1/4.
Odds: 2.20, 0.70, 5.60.

GLACIAL PRINCESS S., BEU, $55,000, 2YO, F, 1M, 11-7.
5—	HABA HEART, f, 2, Habayeb--Private Carson, by Carson City. O-Bruce Ryan, B-Bruce Ryan (OH), T-Timothy E. Hamm, J-Azael De Leon, $33,000.
7—	Festive Girl, f, 2, Habayeb--Yellow Springs, by Piker. O-Ziba F. Graham, B-Ziba F. Graham (OH), $10,450.
4—	Rae of Sun, f, 2, Pride of Burkaan--Bright Sun, by Believe It. O-McMichael, Robert and Vazquez, Ivan, B-Winner Haven Farm, Inc (OH), $5,500.
Also Ran: Sgt. Sophie, Cowgirls Rule, Indys Sierra, Honor Grad.
Winning Time: 1:47 1/5 (ft)
Margins: HF, 3HF, 3HF.
Odds: 0.70, 3.90, 25.70.

DREAM SUPREME S., CD, $52,800, 3YO/UP, F/M, 6F, 11-7.
12—	SHE'S OUR ANNIE, f, 3, Medaglia d'Oro--Girl Gone Crazy, by Roar. O-Destiny Oaks, B-Destiny Oaks (FL), T-William H. Fires, J-Jon Kenton Court, $30,780.
4—	Adhrhythm, m, 5, Adhocracy--Relic Rhythm, by Prospector's Halo. O-Centaur Farms, Inc., B-Centaur Farms Inc. (FL), $10,260.
5—	Step Out Smartly, f, 3, Came Home--Fashion Planner, by Capote. O-G. Watts Humphrey, Jr., B-G. Watts Humphrey Jr. (KY), $6,130.
Also Ran: She's Extreme, Keep the Peace, Syriana's Song, Selva, Tequilas Dayjur, Cowgirls Don't Cry.
Winning Time: 1:10 1/5 (ft)
Margins: 2HF, NO, NO.
Odds: 1.60, 28.40, 8.00.

NORMAN HALL S., SUF, $49,000, 2YO, 6F, 11-7.
5—	NEVER KNOW, f, 2, Tomorrows Cat--Never Neverland, by Marquetry. O-Ken Posco, B-Kenneth P. Posco (MA), T-Wayne J. Marcoux, J-David D. Amiss, $30,000.
1—	Kismet's Boy, c, 2, Senor Conquistador--Kismet Girl, by Storm of Angels. O-Lloyd W. Lockhart, B-Tatiana Koski & Bill Koski (MA), $10,000.
3—	Sociano's Treasure, f, 2, Sociano--Leave the Treasure, by Leave Seattle. O-Brown, Arlene and Fonzo, Michael and Jane, B-George F. Brown, Michael Fonzo & Jane Fonzo (MA), $5,000.
Also Ran: Wheel Base Bill, Merrimack Lee.
Winning Time: 1:13 2/5 (ft)
Margins: 10 1/4, 7 3/4, 35 3/4.
Odds: 0.20, 8.30, 10.80.

Life is Sweet for Shirreffs in Ladies' Classic

Life is Sweet had the track to herself late in the Ladies' Classic (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com) Pam and Martin Wygod's LIFE IS SWEET (Storm Cat) has faced a dynamo named Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in three of her last four starts, with that fourth run coming against the boys. On Friday, the bay lass finally found a race that didn't contain her nemesis, who also happens to be her stablemate, and ran away with the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) by 2 1/2 lengths to give trainer John Shirreffs his second straight win in the race. "I'm just so happy for Life is Sweet," Shirreffs said. "She's such a nice filly. She ran so great early in the year. I was glad she was able to get it done today. She really deserves this. She had been coming into this race really great." Zenyatta was a dominant victress of last year's Ladies' Classic for Shirreffs, and Life is Sweet utilized a similar come-from-behind running style as her stablemate to make her conditioner just the third to earn consecutive runnings of the event. As 8-5 favorite Careless Jewel (Tapit) drew off to a quick and dominating lead through splits of :23 2/5, :45 3/5 and 1:09 3/5, jockey Garrett Gomez allowed Life is Sweet to settle in the rear of the field. The three-year-old gray Careless Jewel, who was seeking her sixth straight win, began to feel the effects of her swift pace and visibly shortened stride heading into the second turn. Life is Sweet was just gearing up at that point, circling the entire field and sweeping by down the center of the track. The bay miss effortlessly drew off to finish the 1 1/8-mile test in 1:48 2/5, earning her first victory since taking the Santa Margarita Invitational H. (G1) in mid-March over the Pro-Ride.

"I was a little disappointed the way she left the gate," Gomez admitted. "She was a little antsy today; she halfway hopped when she left the gate and she got pinched a little bit. She's been wanting just to drop back and not help me at all, and just completely off the bridle, and John (Shirreffs) told me today he thought she was back to her old self, and when I got around the first turn and she kind of grabbed me I said, you know, I think he's right. She grabbed a hold of me and I had to slow her down a little bit, just like I did this spring. She traveled exactly the same.

Life is Sweet proudly wearing the Breeders' Cup flowers (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "I actually thought they'd go ahead and start backing up about the three-eighths pole and they kept kicking on and I started getting a little worried. I started making a little run and all of the sudden, about the quarter-pole, they all started coming back really solid and she started finding her stride. I went by the last one and she just stayed on really solid, and I'm glad she picked today to show up." Life is Sweet didn't get much respect from the wagering public as she was sent off the 8-1 fifth choice in the field of eight-horse field. She rewarded her faithful followers with $18.20, $8 and $5 while keying the $85.80 exacta ($1). Mushka (Empire Maker), winner of the Spinster S. (G1) last out via disqualification, held second by one length over a fast-closing Music Note (A.P. Indy), returning $12.80 and $6.40 at 16-1. "At the quarter-pole, she felt like a winner," said Kent Desormeaux, who had piloting duties aboard Mushka. "She cornered like she couldn't lose, but the winner came and got me." Music Note filled out the third spot in the Ladies' Classic for the second straight year, giving back $3.20 as the near 5-2 second pick and ending the $523.60 trifecta ($1). Proviso (GB) (Dansili [GB]), who crossed under the wire first in the Spinster but was placed second for interference, was another 2 3/4 lengths back in fourth, rounding out the 2-3-7-5 superfecta ($1) that totaled $2,533.40.

E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1) runner-up Rainbow View (Dynaformer), who was trying a synthetic track for the first time, followed in fifth with Cocoa Beach (Chi) (Doneraile Court), Lethal Heat (Unusual Heat) and Careless Jewel completing the order under the wire.

"(Music Note) was stuck behind with nowhere to go, but when the rider (Rajiv Maragh) took a chance and moved her, she flew. But the winner was too far ahead by then. (Cocoa Beach) did not run well. Very disappointing," said trainer Saeed bin Suroor of his two charges.

Music Note (inside) couldn't run down Life is Sweet (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "She broke well. At the first quarter she was going OK, but then she locked on to the bridle and went as far as she could as fast as she could. That's not her," jockey Robert Landry explained about Careless Jewel. "Normally, she'll just relax. It's disappointing because she is a much better filly than she showed today. That's for sure. She's a great filly. She'll be back and she'll be bigger and stronger." Life is Sweet began her career under the tutelage of Bill Mott, running fourth in last year's Ashland S. (G1) as well as recording runner-up efforts in the Sands Point S. (G2) and Calder Oaks while racing on turf. Once transferred to Shirreffs, and the synthetics in California, the now four-year-old immediately moved up her game, capturing the El Encino S. (G2), La Canada S. (G1) and aforementioned Santa Margarita. She faced fellow Shirreffs trainee Zenyatta for the first time in the Milady H. (G2), following her home to be second, then took on the boys in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), where she rallied for a third-place finish. Fourth-place runs resulted in Life is Sweet's past two races, once again behind Zenyatta, in the Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1) and Lady's Secret S. (G1). Returning to the winner's circle following this top-level score, her record now stands at 15-6-3-1 and she's banked $1,770,810 in lifetime earnings. "She's had some tough races," Gomez said. "Her campaign this summer was very difficult. She had to run against Zenyatta a couple times. She ran against the boys once. When you run some tough races like she did, it will take something out of you. I'm glad they were able to get her confidence back and have her prepared for today. My hat is off to John and Mr. and Mrs. (Pam and Martin) Wygod for a tremendous job."

The Kentucky-bred Life is Sweet is out of stakes winner Sweet Life (Kris S.), who ran second in the 2000 Beverly Hills H. (G1) and has since produced a juvenile full sister to the Ladies' Classic winner named Ain't She Sweet as well as an unnamed yearling full sister. Sweet Life is herself a half-sister to 1995 Milady H. (G1) victress Pirate's Revenge, four-time stakes scorer Echo of Yesterday and Grade 3-placed stakes hero Caribbean Pirate, all three by Pirate's Bounty.

Life is Sweet was preceded in stakes glory by another full sister, Sweet Catomine, who was named 2004 champion two-year-old filly following victories in that year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Del Mar Debutante (G1) and Oak Leaf S. (G2). Sweet Catomine would go on to take the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and Santa Ysabel S. (G3) before ending her racing career with a fifth to the boys in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Others of note in the family include 1996 Peter Pan S. (G2) and Bay Shore S. (G3) winner Jamies First Punch (Fit to Fight) as well as Grade 2 heroine Forest Fealty (Baederwood).

Midday shines brightly in Filly & Mare Turf

Midday became just the third sophomore to win, following Banks Hill and Ouija Board (Tara Gregg/Horsephotos.com) Legendary British horseman Henry Cecil has trained the winners of 35 classics over the course of his illustrious career, but not until Group 1 star MIDDAY (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) powered to victory in Friday's $1,818,000 Filly & Mare Turf (G1) did he hoist his first Breeders' Cup trophy. Under a heady ride by young jockey Tom Queally, the Juddmonte Farms homebred drove through to the inside of fellow Juddmonte runner Visit (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) in midstretch and kicked away to establish her supremacy. Midday had a comfortable length to spare over the late-running Pure Clan (Pure Prize), with defending champion Forever Together (Belong to Me) closing mildly for third. The winning sophomore reeled off 1 1/4 miles on Santa Anita's firm turf in 1:59 and furnished mutuels of $6.60, $4.80 and $3 as the 2-1 second choice. "It was lovely," Cecil said. "I did fancy Father Time (GB) (Dansili [GB]) in the Marathon, but he just didn't seem to let himself go at all (and wound up a distant sixth), so I was wondering what was going to happen here. It's a relief. It's great for the Prince (Khalid Abdullah). He has been a great supporter of mine. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here now.

"I was quite happy. They suddenly quickened up a bit, and when (Queally) asked her, she moved through nicely. She finishes well, and she gets the trip well. When she hit the front, I think she thought she had just enough for the end, and she had."

"The biggest win of my career -- undoubtedly," said Queally, a 25-year-old native of County Waterford, Ireland. "She hit a flat spot over on the backside, and I had to get after her. She has a top gear that is really something, but we had to find it. When she quickens, it's just a dream. I saw lots of rails all the way around. It was a dream run. Nine times out of 10 it won't work out that way for you, but today was the day. I am over the moon."

In the early going, Midday settled in fifth as Visit strode to the lead through an opening quarter in :24. Dynaforce (Dynaformer) advanced to press the issue through a half in :48 4/5, with Rutherienne (Pulpit) in third and Maram (Sahm) in fourth.

As Visit injected more pace on the backstretch, getting six furlongs in 1:12 4/5, Midday improved her position along the rail and was a stalking third through one mile in 1:36. By this point, Visit had put away Dynaforce for good, but Midday was poised to strike turning for home. When Queally asked her in earnest in the stretch, Midday found another gear and drew clear of a stubborn Visit.

Pure Clan, who had been near the back early, eventually followed the winner's path through on the inside, but her rally was too little, too late to trouble a long-gone Midday. The runner-up gave back $7.80 and $4 at 7-1 and ended the $26.80 exacta ($1).

"(Pure Clan) came home great," rider Garrett Gomez said. "She actually surprised me that she was coming home as well as she was because the last sixteenth of a mile it was like I'd put some new gas in the machine. I actually just accelerated, and it's been a while since I've seen one do that after going a mile. She really kicked it into a nice over-gear for us and she ran good -- too bad I couldn't get her going sooner.

"(Trainer Bob Holthus) told me to ride her away from there and I couldn't get her to hook up. I couldn't get her to really do a whole lot. I couldn't get her on her feet enough, and I thought she's done this as many times as I have, so let her show me the way and hopefully sooner or later she'll help me, and she did. But that last sixteenth of a mile was pretty amazing."

Although Forever Together, last of eight for the first nine furlongs, delivered her customary late charge on the outside, she couldn't make an impression on the top two and settled for third. The slight 2-1 favorite crossed the wire 1 1/4 lengths adrift of Pure Clan and yielded $2.40 to show.

"I warned him (jockey Julien Leparoux) in the paddock that I didn't see much pace here, and told him you might want to be a little closer," said Jonathan Sheppard, Forever Together's trainer. "I was very concerned after a quarter-mile that she was too far back. She made her run, she always does, but from an almost impossible position."

"On the backside, I asked her a little bit just to stay with them," Leparoux recapped. "She made a good move from the three-eighths to the wire. I don't know, maybe she has lost a step, but not much. She just wasn't good enough today."

Forever Together had a neck to spare over Visit, who staved off Magical Fantasy (Diesis [GB]) by a nose to save fourth. The $1 trifecta was worth $95, and the $1 superfecta totaled $536.50 (6-5-2-1). Maram, Rutherienne and Dynaforce rounded out the order of finish.

Midday is the latest performer from her outstanding family (Tara Gregg/Horsephotos.com) With the $1,080,000 winner's windfall, Midday has joined the millionaires' club, sporting $1,565,655 in earnings from her 11-4-2-3 line. A steadily-improving type at two last season, the bay broke her maiden by a nose in her third start and concluded her campaign with a fourth in the Montrose Fillies S. Midday made her 2009 debut versus males in a conditions race at Epsom, where she finished an encouraging second, but took a massive leap forward when romping by six lengths in the Lingfield Oaks Trial. Midday then lined up in the Oaks (Eng-G1) and traveled beautifully until being hampered at the top of the straight. She recovered and knuckled down bravely in a protracted duel with the highly-touted Sariska (Pivotal), only to come up short by a head. Midday took her on again in the Irish Oaks (Ire-G1), but failed to handle the desperately soft ground and came home 7 1/2 lengths behind Sariska in third. On a better variety of soft going in the Nassau S. (Eng-G1) at Goodwood, Midday earned her first top-level score by an impressive 2 1/4 lengths from Rainbow View (Dynaformer). Midday was reportedly not quite fit when contesting the Prix de l'Opera (Fr-G1) last out off a two-month holiday. She made her move to strike the front in the stretch, but tired and was relegated to third.

Bred in Great Britain, Midday is out of the English stakes-placed Midsummer (Kingmambo), who is herself a half-sister to eight stakes performers -- chief among them Oaks heroine and English highweight Reams of Verse (Nureyev), as well as multiple Group 1 victor and Irish highweight Elmaamul (Diesis [GB]). Interestingly, Reams of Verse is the second dam of Group 1-placed Zacinto (GB) (Dansili [GB]), who will fly the flag for Juddmonte in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Mile (G1).

This is also the family of Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) hero and multiple highweight Zafonic (Gone West); Group 3 winner Zamindar (Gone West), the sire of unbeaten champion Zarkava; and Regal Parade (Pivotal), who captured the Sprint Cup (Eng-G1) at Haydock on September 5.

Plans call for Midday to stay in training, and possibly defend her title in next year's Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs.

NORTH AMERICAN ALLOWANCE RESULTS

WO, 1ST, ALW, $62,868, 3YO/UP, F/M, 6F, 11-7.
7—	SASSY STAR, m, 7, Highland Ruckus--Gigglyn Star, by Star de Naskra. ($7,669 yrl '03 FTCSEP.). O-Hindmarsh, L. and Leslie, S., B-Lynne Hindmarsh (ON), T-Sue Leslie, J-Patrick Husbands, $37,274.
4—	Executive Deed, f, 3, Bold Executive--Equideed, by Alydeed. O-Elizabeth Pathak, B-Elizabeth Pathak DVM & Dr. R. K. House (ON), $12,425.
2—	Blue Blood Wildcat, f, 4, D'wildcat--Blue Sky Lady, by Sky Classic. ($0 yrl '06 ONTSEP.). O-Regal Racing and Buscaglia, Charles, B-John Kinsey (ON), $6,834.
Winning Time: 1:10 3/5 (ft)

PHA, 9TH, ALW, $61,970, 3YO/UP, 6F, 11-7.
1—	SPIN MASTER, r, 5, Distorted Humor--S. S. Miracle, by Seattle Slew. ($500,000 2yo 2006 FTFFEB; $205,000 yrl '05 KEESEP.). O-Eldon Farm Equine, LLC and Luke, John K., B-Cobra Farm (KY), T-Steve Klesaris, J-Justin Shepherd, $33,000.
3—	Whistle Pig, g, 5, Patton--Yanni's Girl, by Commadore C.. O-H.A.C.K. Stable, B-Elizabeth R. Houghton (PA), $15,400.
5—	Just Don, g, 5, Allen's Prospect--Barracouta, by Corridor Key. O-Puts and Calls, B-Thomas C. Le Vine (PA), $8,470.
Winning Time: 1:09 1/5 (ft)

WO, 5TH, ALW, $60,525, 3YO/UP, F/M, 7F, 11-7.
11—	RED HERRING, f, 3, Empire Maker--Bionic (GB), by Zafonic. O-Juddmonte Farms, Inc., B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY), T-Robert J. Frankel, J-Patrick Husbands, $35,042.
9—	Rebecca's Song, f, 3, Rahy--Lucky Pipit (GB), by Key of Luck. ($45,000 yrl '07 KEESEP.). O-R. I. Clarkson, B-Gainsborough Farm LLC (KY), $11,681.
1—	Rashnaa, f, 3, Tapit--Tanuki, by Affirmed. ($40,000 yrl '07 KEEJAN; $50,000 yrl '07 KEESEP.). O-3 Sons Racing Stable Ltd., B-The Answer LLC (KY), $6,424.
Winning Time: 1:23 (ft)

MED, 7TH, ALW, $51,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16M, 11-6.
1—	REFUGE, g, 6, Partner's Hero--Holy Quest, by Norquestor. O-D'Arrigo Racing Stable, B-D'Arrigo Racing Stables (NJ), T-Patrick B. McBurney, J-Paco Lopez, $30,600.
8—	Boomer's Ranger, g, 4, Defrere--Boom Dynamite, by Great Prospector. O-Gordon Reeder, B-Gordon Reeder & Elizabeth Reeder (NJ), $10,200.
6—	Vanaffair, g, 3, Van Nistelrooy--Exquisite Affair, by Black Tie Affair (IRE). O-Edwin T. Broome, B-Edwin T. Broome (NJ), $6,120.
Winning Time: 1:43 2/5 (ft)

PHA, 8TH, AOC, $50,150, 3YO/UP, F/M, 6 1/2F, 11-7.
4—	D'WILD RIDE, f, 4, D'wildcat--Summer Storm, by Peace for Peace. ($80,000 yrl '06 KEESEP; $170,000 2yo 2007 FTFFEB.). O-Silly Goose Racing Stable, B-Sophian Stables (ON), T-Joseph F. Orseno, J-Paco Lopez, $30,000.
3—	Sunday Geisha, f, 4, Sunday Break (JPN)--Above the Table, by Never Tabled. O-JMJ Racing Stables LLC, B-JMJ Racing Stables LLC (KY), $10,000.
6—	Fascinatin' Rhythm, f, 4, More Than Ready--April Gator, by Green Alligator. O-Buckingham Farm, B-Buckingham Farm (MD), $5,500.
Winning Time: 1:15 3/5 (ft)

FG, 8TH, ALW, $47,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 6F, 11-7.
4—	LIL RICK'S GAL, f, 3, Macabe--Southernsluckystar, by Manzotti. ($1,700 yrl '07 LOUAPR; $21,000 2yo 2008 OBSJUN.). O-Donnan, James and Tresa and Miller, Keith and Linda, B-Jay Goodwin (LA), T-Steven M. Asmussen, J-Shane J. Sellers, $28,200.
9—	Cat Eyes, m, 5, Devil His Due--S'Mor Sunshine, by Sunshine Forever. ($16,000 yrl '05 LOUOCT.). O-Roland Tezeno, B-Clear Creek Stud, LLC (LA), $9,400.
1—	Storm Bate, f, 4, Storm Day--Bate's Lady, by Lord Carson. O-CTC Racing, B-Jarvis Fortier (LA), $5,170.
Winning Time: 1:11 (ft)

CD, 3RD, AOC, $44,426, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/16MT, 11-7.
8—	BEST LASS, f, 3, Werblin--Tejano's Love, by Tejano. ($75,000 wlng '06 OBSOCT; $90,000 yrl '07 FTKJUL; $120,000 2yo 2008 OBSMAR.). O-Magdalena Racing, B-Diane Shashura (PA), T-Kenneth G. McPeek, J-E. T. Baird, $24,780.
6—	Susies Gal, m, 5, Alphabet Soup--Twinkle, by Lively One. O-Carolyn Sue Bruder, B-Mike Bruder (KY), $10,400.
1—	Embers Glowing, f, 3, Woodman--Patnjohn, by Known Fact. O-William B. Bradley, B-Dale Caraway (KY), $5,200.
Winning Time: 1:43 4/5 (fm)

MED, 4TH, ALW, $41,000, 3YO/UP, 5FT, 11-6.
5—	GOLDEN WEEKEND, g, 4, Golden Missile--Chieftress, by Chief's Crown. ($72,000 2yo 2007 OBSAPR.). O-Timothy Ritvo, B-Centaur Farms, Inc. (KY), T-Timothy Ritvo, J-Paco Lopez, $24,600.
4—	Irish Answer, g, 5, Malabar Gold--Fuzzth, by Go for Gin. ($20,000 yrl '05 FTMOCT.). O-Irish-Three Stable, B-Pillar Property Services Inc. (KY), $7,380.
2—	Straight Romance, g, 5, Straight Man--Rhodesian Romance, by Buckaroo. ($110,000 2yo 2006 OBSMAR.). O-Lianna Stables, B-Kenneth H. Davis, Sherry R. Mansfield & Mary Ann Hockensmith (FL), $4,100.
Winning Time: :58 1/5 (gd)

RP, 9TH, ALW, $33,200, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16MT, 11-7.
7—	JUMP TO THE CHASE, g, 4, It'sallinthechase--Polly Popp, by Fenter. O-John A. Kester, B-Nelda Kettles (OK), T-Jearl Ace Hare, J-Roberto Villafan, $19,240.
6—	Pacar, g, 3, Fast Play--Tap Tap Tap, by Pleasant Tap. O-Doyle Williams, B-David Stone & Doyle Williams (OK), $7,040.
9—	Moscow Adventure, g, 3, Stravinsky--Encinitas, by Theatrical (IRE). ($25,000 yrl '07 OKCAUG.). O-Stockseth, Wayne, Dunn, Todd, Moss, Jim and Von Hemel, Donnie K., B-E.I.R.E. Stock Farm, Garvan J. Kelly &Nancy Yearsley (OK), $4,036.
Winning Time: 1:45 1/5 (fm)

CT, 9TH, AOC, $33,000, 3YO/UP, 6 1/2F, 11-6.
2—	HENRY THE LOVER, g, 4, Windsor Castle--Flirtation Walk, by Danzig Connection. O-Taylor Mountain Farm LLC, B-James W. Casey (WV), T-James W. Casey, J-Luis A. Batista, $19,800.
6—	Blazing Fleet, g, 4, Ten Star Fleet--Blazing Girl, by Root Boy. O-Velma Sanders, B-Eunice Velma Sanders (WV), $6,600.
3—	Punk Robinson, g, 5, Medford--Powderer, by Talc. O-L. Jane Tobin, B-Wade S. Sanderson (WV), $3,300.
Winning Time: 1:20 2/5 (ft)

RP, 5TH, AOC, $31,500, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16MT, 11-6.
3—	BETA CAPO, h, 5, Langfuhr--Miners Mirage, by Mining. ($45,000 2yo 2006 ADNMAR.). O-Zollars, M. Cathy and R.L. Bob, B-Adena Springs (KY), T-Steven M. Asmussen, J-Quincy Hamilton, $18,900.
4—	Dakota Gypsy, g, 3, Horse Chestnut (SAF)--Fan Appeal, by Lear Fan. ($5,000 yrl '07 KEESEP.). O-Kari Craddock, B-Tony Feng & Norman Cheng (KY), $6,300.
5—	Holy Humor, g, 4, Distorted Humor--Ascot Yael, by Ascot Knight. O-Millennium Farms, B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY), $3,465.
Winning Time: 1:47 (fm)

LRL, 6TH, ALW, $30,000, 3YO/UP, 6F, 11-7.
7—	COOL PUNCH, g, 3, Two Punch--Carefree Flyer, by Zilzal. ($55,000 2yo 2008 FTMMAY.). O-Dimenna, Michael, Karkenny, Alexander and Levy, Robert P., B-Stoney Lane Farm (KY), T-Dove P. Houghton, J-Luis Garcia, $17,100.
6—	Bobcat Brody, g, 4, Trippi--Manor Flag, by Personal Flag. ($20,000 yrl '06 FTMOCT; $40,000 2yo 2007 OBSAPR.). O-May May Stable, B-Ashley Naismith (FL), $6,300.
2—	Ready to Cruise, g, 3, More Than Ready--River Cruise, by Not For Love. O-Sondra D. Bender, B-Sondra Bender & Howard M. Bender (MD), $3,300.
Winning Time: 1:10 2/5 (ft)

HST, 9TH, ALW, $29,468, 2YO, 6 1/2F, 11-7.
7—	VICTOR'S MAGIC, g, 2, Vying Victor--Peppi's Magic, by Silver Fox. O-Kerr, LottieAnn, Three Of Diamonds and R and J Thoroughbred Stables, B-Lynda Jackson & Lottie Ann Kerr (BC), T-Quinton McCabe, J-Garry Cruise, $17,354.
2—	Silver Ruler, g, 2, Silver Fox--Quiet Avenue, by Avenue of Flags. O-J and V Morgan Ventrues Ltd and Anzulovich, Dick, B-E. M. Dittloff, Mrs. E. M. Dittloff & K. Dittloff (BC), $5,785.
11—	Boone's Shadow, g, 2, Alfaari--Alma's Mill, by Boone's Mill. ($2,810 yrl '08 BRCSEP.). O-Red Horse Stable, B-Jim Alendal (BC), $3,182.
Winning Time: 1:18 3/5 (sy)

HST, 7TH, ALW, $28,257, 2YO, F, 6 1/2F, 11-7.
7—	DEAREST PRINCESS, f, 2, Stephanotis--Hyacinth, by Defrere. O-R J T Thoroughbreds, B-Battle Creek Farm (BC), T-Mel Snow, J-Geovanni Franco, $17,354.
3—	Super Starlett, f, 2, Old Topper--Starlet O'Hara, by Mass Market. O-Vacca, Prisco and Russell, Lisa, B-Prisco Vacca (WA), $5,115.
1—	Aquatic Cat, f, 2, Decarchy--Reasonably Royal, by Petersburg. O-Royal Five Stable, B-Tim Floyd/Warlock Stables (WA), $2,813.
Winning Time: 1:18 2/5 (sy)

HAW, 9TH, ALW, $27,500, 3YO/UP, F/M, 6 1/2F, 11-7.
5—	KATHLEEN L, f, 3, Pine Bluff--Negra Perla, by Clever Trick. O-Joseph W. O'Brien, B-Joseph W. O'Brien (IL), T-Doug Matthews, J-Florent Geroux, $16,500.
4—	Fandemonium, f, 4, Conte Di Savoya--Blakes Chimes, by Chimes Band. O-Dupuy, Donna and Mike, B-Donna Dupuy (IL), $5,500.
10—	Satin Sweep, f, 4, Out of Place--Silent Sweep, by End Sweep. O-Robert J. Neumeyer, B-Lamont H. Nienast, LLC (IL), $3,025.
Winning Time: 1:18 1/5 (ft)

HAW, 4TH, ALW, $26,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16MT, 11-7.
8—	TWO NINETY FIVE, g, 3, Smooth Jazz--Miss Evans, by Nijinsky II. ($9,500 yrl '07 OBSAUG.). O-Bates, George, Crooks, Sue, Strathman and Young, Terry, B-Briggs & Cromartie Bloodstock Agency,Inc. (FL), T-Terry R. Young, J-Timothy Thornton, $15,600.
1—	Yep, g, 3, Whywhywhy--Yingyingying, by Horse Chestnut (SAF). O-John L. Bell, B-Arkle Racing (KY), $5,200.
3—	Mambo Galliano, g, 3, Black Mambo--Ohbygoshbygally, by Gallapiat. O-Louie J. Roussel III, B-Paula Saunders (FL), $2,860.
Winning Time: 1:47 1/5 (gd)

FL, 8TH, ALW, $21,700, 3YO/UP, 6F, 11-7.
6—	SEEKING ELDORADO, g, 3, Hook and Ladder--Final Crossing, by Ends Well. ($120,000 2yo 2008 OBSAPR.). O-Eklektikos, B-Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman (NY), T-Linda Rice, J-John A. Grabowski, $13,020.
9—	Magestic Heart, g, 6, Deputy Cat--Light Bright Heart, by Majestic Light. ($1,700 yrl '04 NYBSEP.). O-Brian E. McCall, B-Thomas Dushas (NY), $4,340.
1—	Bluespowerhouse, g, 5, Badge--Blues Power, by Cure the Blues. O-My Purple Haze Stables, B-Michael Anchel & Raylene Anchel (NY), $2,170.
Winning Time: 1:10 4/5 (ft)

RET, 7TH, ALW, $19,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 7 1/2FT, 11-6.
9—	THE CAT WHO, f, 3, Magic Cat--Rare Lace, by Rare Brick. O-Tommy Joe Hoyt, B-Tommy Joe Hoyt (TX), T-M. Brent Davidson, J-Larry Taylor, $11,040.
2—	Cherry Pink, f, 3, Pure Prize--No Kayela, by American Standard. ($22,000 yrl '07 KEESEP.). O-Simmons and Associates, Inc., B-Chapel Hill & Stanley Inman (KY), $3,680.
11—	Countdown Queen, f, 4, Captain Countdown--Rajas Seattle Song, by Raja's Best Boy. O-William A. Handorf, B-W. A. Handorf (TX), $2,024.
Winning Time: 1:29 4/5 (fm)

RECENT INTERNATIONAL STAKES RESULTS

Australia

Twice in the frame at Group 1 level previously, ALL AMERICAN's indifferent form in five previous starts this campaign resulted in the four-year-old floating up to 40-1 in the betting. With Cox Plate (Aus-G1) victor So You Think up to set a fast tempo in front, the longshot collared that rival late en route to the professional victory.

"He was great," trainer David Hayes said. "They ran brilliant time and he's been knocking on the door all spring and he got the runs he's been trying to get. They strung out, (jockey) Corey (Brown) had him settled beautifully and the run came at the right time and he trounced them. If you can break 1:34 at Flemington then you're a pretty smart horse in that company. He's a stallion (prospect), he's a Group 1 winner and an outstanding two-year-old who's trained on at four, so I think (Arrowfield chief) Johnny Messara will be very happy."

Initially purchased by David Hayes' bloodstock manager Mark Pilkington for A$220,000 at Magic Millions 2007, a controlling half-share in the colt was sold to Arrowfield on the eve of the 2008 Golden Slipper S. (Aus-G1) after All American placed in the Blue Diamond S. (Aus-G1) and won the Skyline S. (Aus-G3) at two. Most recently, the colt was 3 1/2 lengths adrift in third in the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley October 24  and lost ground when well out of the frame in the Toorak H. (Aus-G1) October 10 at Caulfield.

Hayes said All American was now likely to head to Perth for a crack at the Railway S. (Aus-G1) at Ascot on November 21.

First up off a 133 day break, ALL SILENT won the Gilgai S. (Aus-G2) at this track and trip October 3, and the gelding proved that was no fluke with a startling last-to-first three-quarters length win here.

"He gave us a few anxious moments," winning trainer Grahame Begg said. "Coming up to the 400 (meter mark), he was on the back of Nicconi (Bianconi), but (Nicconi) didn't take him into the race and (All Silent) had to get around his heels and wind him up. Thank God it was Flemington. He loves getting on good tracks and he loves Flemington. He's a very, very good racehorse. The thing is with him is that he never exerts himself on the track and in his races he is pretty relaxed, but one thing with him is that he loves firm ground. He is four from four at Flemington."

The half-brother to triple Group 1 winner Private Steer (Danehill Dancer) took a starring role on this card last year as winner of the Cantala S. (Aus-G1). However, his autumn campaign was disappointing when the speedster struggled on heavy tracks.

In typical style, All Silent was last of nine at the 400-meter pole with Bank Robber setting the pace before covering his final 400 meters in :21.71. Connections are considering a trip to Hong Kong for the Sprint (HK-G1) at Sha Tin December 13.

New Zealand

Italy

Successful in the September 13 Bayerischer Fliegerpreis at Munich, LE BIG hit the board in the October 3 Kolner Sprintpreis and was a last-out second in the October 25 Badener Sprint (Ger-G3). Positioned in a stalking third from the outset, he quickened to the fore passing the two pole and came under a late drive to hold Rockhorse for a career high.

Japan

Chile

England

France

Italy

Ireland

She Be Wild rides rail for Juvenile Fillies score

She Be Wild is small but spunky (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Jockey Julien Leparoux kept SHE BE WILD (Offlee Wild) ran along the rail in the lane of Friday's $1,818,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and the move paid off as the dark bay lass scooted through a hole in late stretch to give trainer Wayne Catalano yet another Juvenile Fillies victory. Taking the 2006 running with eventual champion Dreaming of Anna, the conditioner saddled Nancy Mazzoni's colorbearer to finish up 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 4/5. "When they were loading, she was getting a little excited but she broke good," Catalano said. "Everything went well. I'm really happy with her. I was a little worried when it looked like she might get trapped, but I have a good rider who is patient. I felt good when she poked her head in the hole. She's not a big filly so it doesn't take much room." "I got a perfect race," Leparoux said. "I was on the rail all the way. I was hoping it would open up at the top, but I didn't really know. It did open up, a little bit, and that was good. That was all I needed." She Be Wild appeared ready to lead the field when the gates opened, spurting to the front, but Leparoux quickly got his mount settled down, opening the way for Always a Princess (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) to take command through splits of :23 4/5, :47 2/5 and 1:11 3/5.

She Be Wild was content to track in the two path just behind in third while Connie and Michael (Roman Ruler) pressed Always a Princess. Connie and Michael couldn't keep up with the pace, fading as the field entered the stretch. Always a Princess still maintained the advantage through a mile in 1:37, but Leparoux had already angled She Be Wild over to the rail. The pair accelerated to take the win by three parts of a length.

Sent off the 7-1 fifth pick, She Be Wild rewarded her supporters with payouts of $16.80, $9 and $5 for her rail-skimming score. Beautician (Dehere) just got up to take second by a head over Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision), giving back $9.40 and $6 at 8-1 while show was worth $3 as the 7-2 favorite. The $1 exacta returned $72.20, the $1 trifecta totaled $407.90 and the 8-4-3-12 superfecta ($1) paid $7,384.90.

She Be Wild and Julien Leparoux teamed up for the first time here (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "When she came to me at the barn, she was not a real big filly, but she had a lot of spunk to her," Catalano said. "Once we got to training her, she showed a lot of ability. She's got a tremendous stride for a small horse, and that's what caught my eye and my attention on her stride and her work ethics. And, the spunk that she had in her, they seemed to have a little horse that has a lot of heart." Biofuel (Stormin Fever) was making a big rally down the center of the track, but was slammed by Negligee (Northern Afleet) in midstretch when that one suddenly veered toward the grandstand. She recovered her stride and got up for fourth, a head in front of Always a Princess. Next under the wire were Negligee, Zilva (Successful Appeal), Connie and Michael, Ms Vanenzza (Successful Appeal), Bickersons (Silver Deputy), Devil May Care (Malibu Moon) and Champagne d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro). She Be Wild dominated her first three starts, breaking her maiden by 7 1/4 lengths for a $40,000 claiming tag at Arlington Park in May. She took the rest of the summer off, returning on August 8 in the Top Flight S. to score by 5 1/4 lengths. The juvenile miss made her graded bow in the one-mile Arlington-Washington Lassie (G3) and closed for a 5 3/4-length victory on September 5, then suffered her first and only career loss when second by just a half-length in the Alcibiades S. (G1) at Keeneland on October 9. She avenged that defeat here, with Alcibiades winner Negligee finishing far back here.

Bred by her owner and Mike Mazzoni in Kentucky, She Be Wild was an OBS April two-year-old RNA at $19,000. She is out of Trappings (Seeking the Gold) and comes from the same family as 2002 Prioress S. (G1) winner Carson Hollow (Carson City) and 2002 Canadian champion turf horse Portcullis (Smart Strike).

Catalano is already looking to the future with She Be Wild, who moved her record to 5-4-1-0 having now earned $1,311,040.

"I think Mr. Mike and Nancy would like to look at the Kentucky Oaks (G1) down the road. So we'll look somewhere in that move," he said.

Decision decisive in Filly & Mare Sprint

Informed Decision remains unbeaten on synthetic surfaces (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Augustin Stable's INFORMED DECISION (Monarchos) proved to be better than Ventura (Chester House) in the Madison S. (G1) at Keeneland in April and demonstrated her superiority over that rival once more Friday with a score in the $909,000 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita. Under the guidance of Julien Leparoux, Informed Decision enjoyed a favorable stalk-and-pounce journey, getting the jump on Ventura to win by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths. Final time for seven furlongs was 1:21 3/5. Informed Decision paid $8.80, $3 and $2.80 as the 3-1 second choice. "She broke good, and put me right where I wanted to be early in the race," Leparoux said. "She was nice and relaxed and comfortable. I was very happy from the start because I know what kind of kick she can give me. She can win any way."

Informed Decision tracked in second behind Free Flying Soul (Quiet American) through fractions of :23 1/5 and :45 4/5. Ventura, the 4-5 choice, was near the back of the nine-horse pack and was forced to swing five-wide turning for home, but by then Informed Decision had taken off and would not be denied.

"Pace makes the race. They were going exceptionally slow up front and there wasn't any one up there to help me," said jockey Garrett Gomez, aboard Ventura. "She gave me her usual kick as we started to make our run. She's the kind of filly that you have to time just right. If I ask her too soon, that's not good either. When my filly kicked in, she started to gain on the other one, but she kicked in too and went into a higher gear. I just couldn't catch her."

Ventura was three lengths clear of the 35-1 outsider Free Flying Soul for second, returning $2.60 and $2.20. The latter gave back $7.40. The $1 exotics paid $7.70 (exacta), $120.60 (trifecta) and $540 (7-9-1-2 superfecta). Fourth across the wire was 5-1 third choice Sara Louise (Malibu Moon), who was followed by Only Green (Ire) (Green Desert), Silver Swallow (Alphabet Soup), Evita Argentina (Candy Ride [Arg]), Seventh Street (A.P. Indy) and Game Face (Menifee).

"I'm pretty sure we'll keep her in training for next year," winning trainer Jonathan Sheppard said. "We'll give her a break as we did last year. Probably bring her back somewhere around Keeneland time somewhere in the spring."

Informed Decision ran her line to 14-11-0-2, $1,771,617. She began a five-race win streak in the Missile Belle S. at Belmont Park last September prior to ending her three-year-old season with a 4 1/4-length score in the Raven Run S. (G2) at Keeneland. The gray lass opened 2009 in the Madison S. beating Ventura by a head on the line, and continued her domination of the female sprinting ranks with a three-quarters of a length win in the Humana Distaff S. (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day. She posted a 4 3/4-length victory in the Chicago H. (G3) over Arlington Park's Polytrack on Independence Day, but could do no better than a one-paced third on Saratoga's sloppy dirt in the Ballerina S. (G1). She returned to the winner's circle following a strong 2 1/2-length score in the Presque Isle Downs Masters S. (G3) over Tapeta and last time landed the Thoroughbred Club of America S. (G3).

Bred in Kentucky by Charles L. Kidder & Nancy M. Cole, Informed Decision has passed through the sales ring twice, bringing $150,000 as a Fasig-Tipton July yearling and $320,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May two-year-old. She is out of the winning Palangana (His Majesty) and has a pair of unnamed half-sisters, a Zavata juvenile and a Champali yearling, as well as a 2009 full brother. Informed Decision's second dam is Grade 3 winner and Grade 2-placed Countess North (Northern Dancer), who produced 1985 New Orleans H. (G2) winner Westheimer (Blushing Groom [Fr]).

This is the same family as three-time Grade 1 heroine Banker's Lady (Nijinsky II), Grade 1 scorer Ecton Park (Forty Niner), Grade 2 winners Banker's Gold (Forty Niner), Impetuous Gal (Briartic), Relaxing Rhythm (Easy Goer) and Spring Waltz (Silver Charm) as well as Grade 3 victress Meribel (Peaks and Valleys).

Tapitsfly lives up to her name in Juvenile Fillies Turf

Tapitsfly flew home at Santa Anita (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Frank L. Jones Jr.'s homebred TAPITSFLY (Tapit) wore down the game pacesetter Rose Catherine (Speightstown) to prevail in Friday's $909,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf S. at Santa Anita. Trained by Dale Romans and ridden by Robby Albarado, the gray tracked in second while Rose Catherine winged her way through splits of :22 4/5, :47 and 1:10 1/5. The early leader was all heart when Tapitsfly challenged her in the stretch, but she could not fend her off. Tapitsfly had too much firepower inside the final furlong and forged ahead by a half-length to compete the firm-turf mile in 1:34 1/5. "No one deserves to win a race like this more than Mr. Jones," Romans said. "He's been in the business a long time and has had horses for over 30 years. My father (Jerry Romans) trained for him before me. It's just a great win for him and for me too. I thought we had a great trip. I thought that if she got her nose in front, she wouldn't stop. That other filly (Rose Catherine) ran a great race, but my filly hung on." "It was a great trip," Albarado said. "She broke well -- she put herself in position. I just wanted to clear most of them into the first turn so I wouldn't get packed out too wide. She's awful quick leaving the gate. She got herself into position and the first time I pressed, she went on. She came home nice. She's a little fighter, I'll tell you that. She's a true grass horse for sure. The only time I rode her on the grass she was at her most impressive."

Sent off as the 9-1 fifth choice in the 12-filly field, the winner returned $21.60, $8.60 and $6. Rose Catherine finished well clear in second by 3 1/4 lengths, paying $6.80 and $5.80 as the co-second choice at 6-1. House of Grace (Limehouse) got up for third, rewarding her backers with $5 at 7-1. Another 1 1/4 lengths back came the 20-1 Hatheer (Storm Cat), who prevailed in a tight four-way scramble for fourth. The $1 exotics were worth $76.20 (exacta), $479.40 (trifecta) and $7,358 (10-4-7-9 superfecta).

"(Rose Catherine) was running so easy for me," jockey Javier Castellano said of the runner-up. "Her ears were up. When I asked her, she took off. We just got beat, but I'm so, so happy with the way she ran."

Robby Albarado was all smiles following the Juvneile Fillies Turf (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) "I thought (House of Grace) ran well," trainer Ken McPeek said of the third-place finisher. "It was a turf course that obviously favored speed because the horses that were one and two early ended up that way. Mike (Luzzi) did a good job sneaking her up through the rail. For a closer in a field where speed held, she ran good." Jungle Tale (Lion Heart) rallied from last for fifth, followed by La Nez (Storm Creek), Potosina (Cactus Ridge), 3-2 favorite Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), Smart Seattle (Smart Strike), Lisa's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), Elusive Galaxy (Ire) (Elusive City) and Junia Tepzia (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]). The also-eligibles Dad's Crazy (Langfuhr), who had upset Tapitsfly in the Miss Grillo, and In the Slips (More Than Ready) did not draw into the field. "I had a bit of a bump turning into the straight," jockey Johnny Murtagh said of Irish shipper Lillie Langtry. "About halfway down the straight I got pushed out a bit, but I think I was done at the time. I'm not sure if she handled the course. She didn't turn well. She's a big, rangy filly." "Johnny said the race was a little bit rough," trainer Aidan O'Brien said. "He never got a happy run. I think he got a little bit of a bump early. We'll bring her home and train her for the classics at home." Tapitsfly took four tries to break her maiden. After accomplishing that agenda item at Saratoga on August 3, she switched to turf and posted a front-running score in the P. G. Johnson S. at the Spa one month later. Tapitsfly hoped to stay on the grass in the October 4 Miss Grillo S. at Belmont, but that event was transferred to the main track. Although Tapitsfly pressed the pace throughout, she ultimately tired and finished second as the 1-2 favorite. Now two-for-two on turf, she has compiled an overall mark of 7-3-2-1, $668,142.

The Kentucky-bred is the second registered foal from the winning Flying Marlin (Marlin), who has since produced an unnamed yearling filly by Pollard's Vision and a weanling filly by Strategic Mission. She hails from the family of globetrotting Grade 1 star Golden Pheasant (Caro [Ire]) and multiple Japanese Grade 1-placed Bella Rheia (Narita Top Road).

INTERNATIONAL STAKES PREVIEWS

Sunday, Rome, Italy

PREMIO ROMA (ITY-G1), €243,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/4MT

Successful in Ascot's Royal Lodge S. (Eng-G2) at two, CITY LEADER sprang back to his best with a fifth when fitted with blinkers on for the first time in the October 17 Champion S. (Eng-G1) at Newmarket. Beaten less than three lengths by Twice Over (GB) (Observatory) there, a reproduction of that effort would be sufficient to make him a major player.

Godolphin rely on BALIUS, who took the Anatolian S. (Tur-G2) at Veliefendi September 2 before running down the field along with City Leader in the Prix Dollar (Fr-G2) at Longchamp October 3.

"Balius was disappointing on his latest start, but he came out of that race in good order and I have been pleased with his work recently," trainer Saeed bin Suroor commented. "I think we have found the right race for him. The 10-furlong distance is his best trip and he has the class to run well."

Heading the home defense is the highly consistent VOILA ICI, who paid the price for taking on Schiaparelli (Monsun) before fading late to be third in the Gran Premio del Jockey Club (Ity-G1) over a mile and a half at the San Siro October 18. He had previously established a position as one of the country's leading middle-distance performers with wins in the May 9 Premio Carlo d'Alessio (Ity-G3) here, Longchamp's Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Fr-G2) July 14 and Milan's Premio Federico Tesio (Ity-G3) September 20.

PREMIO RIBOT (ITY-G2), €126,000, 3YO/UP, 1MT

Gary Tanaka's stalwart PRESSING returns to the scene of his easy success in this race 12 months ago and Premio Roma (Ity-G1) victory of 2007. In the form of his life at the age of six, the international raider comes here off the back of a trio of wins in the Premio Carlo Vittadini (Ity-G3) at the San Siro May 31, Grosser Dallmayr-Preis (Ger-G1) at Munich July 26 and International Topkapi Trophy (Tur-G2) at Veliefendi September 3.

Last year's runner-up PROJECT DANE may be closest again if he can regain that thread and warmed up for this with a third under a penalty in a course-and-distance conditions event October 13.

Sunday, Krefeld, Germany

HERZOG VON RATIBOR-RENNEN (GER-G3), €50,000, 2YO, 1 1/16MT

Man of Iron edges Cloudy's Knight in Marathon

Man of Iron just got the victory in the Marathon (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) The 2009 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita got off to a thrilling start on Friday as MAN OF IRON (Giant's Causeway) rallied determinedly to catch Cloudy's Knight (Lord Avie) in deep stretch and outfinished his nine-year-old rival by a nose in the $454,500 Marathon. The European horses were expected to dominate the 1 3/4-mile event over the Pro-Ride, but Man of Iron was the most unheralded member of the four-horse contingent. The regally-bred colt garnered his first stakes victory when stopping the teletimer in 2:54 beneath Johnny Murtagh. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Man of Iron entered his U.S. debut off an allowance score over the all-weather track at Dundalk, England, and the three-year-old finished fourth behind stablemate and Dirt Mile (G1) favorite Mastercraftsman (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) in the Diamond S. (Ire-G3) two back. The chestnut was best known for being the younger half-brother to a pair of Belmont S. (G1) winners, champion Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold), but Man of Iron is now starting to carve out his own legacy on the track. "That was brilliant," O'Brien said. "We're delighted. Johnny gave him a wonderful ride. Johnny said that he was just going to take his time because that's the way he likes to be ridden. That's what he did. It was just a marvelous ride." Black Astor (Black Minnaloushe) broke running from the rail and led the way through opening splits in :48 1/5, 1:13 3/5 and 1:39 as Murtagh rated near the back of the field. Cloudy's Knight, who stalked in midpack under Rosemary Homeister Jr., got first run on the pacesetter midway on the far turn, and the venerable nine-year-old gelding, who recently returned from a year layoff with a pair of Grade 3 victories, stormed into the stretch with the lead. Mastery (GB) (Sulamani [Ire]), the 7-5 favorite, came next on the far outside, and Man of Iron, who shifted course to the inside leaving the far turn, was in full flight approaching the quarter-pole. Cloudy's Knight looked strong in upper stretch and reached the 12-furlong point with a length lead in 2:29 2/5, but he began to drift toward the outside and couldn't withstand the winner's late surge.

"It was his first time over the course so I let him just go along without any hurry," Murtagh said. "I wanted to stay out of trouble. I asked him at the three-eighths pole and he responded beautifully. He got the win right on the wire so it worked out just right."

Man of Iron gave the Europeans their first win on the day (Ted Terquinio/Horsephotos.com) Off as the 6-1 fourth choice among 10 rivals, Man of Iron paid $14.80, $7.20 and $4.40. Cloudy's Knight came next in the wagering at nearly 8-1 and gave back $7.40 and $4.60. It was 2 1/4 lengths back to Mastery, who returned $2.40. The $1 exotics totaled $60.10 (exacta), $225.10 (trifecta) and $2,845.50 for the 9-4-6-10 superfecta that included 30-1 Gangbuster (Langfuhr), who finished another 11 1/2 lengths back in fourth. Defending champ Muhannak (Ire) (Chester House) checked in fifth and was followed under the wire by 3-1 second choice Father Time (GB) (Dansili [GB]), Eldaafer (A.P. Indy), Nite Light (Thunder Gulch) and Black Astor. Sir Dave (Untuttable) was eased. Bred in the Bluegrass State by Shell Bloodstock, Man of Iron is out of Grade 2 heroine Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister), who finished second in the 1999 Acorn S. (G1) and third in the Mother Goose S. (G1), earning $250,920 from an 8-2-4-2 mark. She is out of 1982 Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine Blush With Pride (Blushing Groom [Fr]), making her a full sister to Group 3 victor Turnberry Isle (Ire) (Deputy Minister) and a half-sister to Group 2 heroine and Group 1 runner-up Smolensk (Danzig) as well as Group 1 runner-up Maryinsky (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Named Broodmare of the Year in 2007, the 13-year-old mare is also the dam of 2008 Peter Pan (G2) winner Casino Drive (Mineshaft) and the unraced two-year-old colt Arco Felice (Giant's Causeway).

This is the female family of multiple classic winner El Gran Senor (Northern Dancer), who was a champion in England and Ireland; English and Irish champion Try My Best (Northern Dancer); English, French and Irish highweight Xaar (Zafonic); and Spinning World (Nureyev), who captured the 1997 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) and was highweighted in both France and Ireland.

Man of Honor has now earned $326,481 from a 10-4-0-1 career line.

For Sunday

*all times Eastern

BREEDERS' CUP THEY SAID IT

NOVEMBER 6, 2009

Garrett Gomez and John Shirreffs congratulate each other following Life is Sweet's win (Paula Smith/Horsephotos.com) "This mare's been running hard, and she actually ran against the boys a couple of times. (Trainer) John (Shirreffs) did a tremendous job getting the filly's confidence back up underneath her and having her ready for today. And that's all it was. Really kind of getting her confidence back, and like I said, he did a tremendous job doing that." —jockey Garrett Gomez on Ladies' Classic (G1) heroine LIFE IS SWEET (Storm Cat) "Well, yeah, because I knew she probably would have ended up second. Zenyatta's a champion mare, and this mare is, too, but Zenyatta's beat her a couple of times pretty handily." —Gomez laughing when asked if the absence of Zenyatta changed anything in the Ladies' Classic "Oh, we'd sure like to have a good pace and a good trip, and have a little luck tomorrow. Because in a big field you usually have to have some luck somewhere to save a little ground or get an opening. So that's what we're hoping for." —Life is Sweet's trainer, John Shirreffs, on the scenario he'd prefer for ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) in the Classic (G1)

"We were running in this race regardless. But we were very happy that she was going in the Classic."

—co-owner Martin Wygod on if he would have run Life is Sweet in the Ladies' Classic against Zenyatta

"I was trying to scream, but I wasn't breathing, so I was really trying to get it out, but I couldn't get it out because I had stopped breathing. It's extremely exciting. Especially when you know she got the job done and was still close to an eighth of a mile left for her. It was, I don't know, exhilarating."

—Wygod describing his reaction to seeing Life is Sweet winning the Ladies' Classic

"If she's totally sound, we would seriously think about racing her another year, but she's going to have to go over a careful exam. If she's 100 percent, we would think about another year."

—Wygod about bringing Life is Sweet back for a five-year-old campaign

"She had a little bit of trouble in the stretch, but I don't think that cost her the race. The pace was fast, and I thought that she would get to it, but she just didn't have it."

—jockey Rajiv Maragh on his ride aboard third-placer MUSIC NOTE (A.P. Indy) in the Ladies' Classic

"She was just in-and-out out there. She went left, she went right on me, and I couldn't get her to settle. And then, it just wasn't there. Today just wasn't her day."

—rider John Velazquez explaining PROVISO (GB) (Dansili [GB]) antics in the Ladies' Classic, where she ran fourth

"She was a little too fresh and keen and she had herself traveling three-wide into the bend. She didn't relax enough down the backstretch. Look where the winners come from; tells you everything, doesn't it?"

—trainer John Gosden on the performance of Ladies' Classic fifth RAINBOW VIEW (Dynaformer)

"Naturally I am a little disappointed. She's a young filly and she's had a tough season. She got tired at the end. The important thing is that she came back OK, and that was our main concern. She's a nice filly. And she's only three and has her whole career ahead of her."

—conditioner Josie Carroll on Ladies' Classic favorite CARELESS JEWEL (Tapit), who ran eighth and last after setting quick fractions on the front end

Henry Cecil (beside lady) gazes on as Midday graces the winner's circle (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "I think it's a lovely feeling, I tell you. The Prince (Khalid Abdullah) has always been a great sort of friend and supporter for me, and very loyal through my bad times. It's lovely to be able to repay him with a win here, because he loves the Breeders' Cup. He adores it, and he deserves winners." —Master trainer Henry Cecil on scoring his first Breeders' Cup victory with Juddmonte Farms' homebred MIDDAY (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) in the Filly & Mare Turf (G1) "I think the Breeders' Cup, I always sort of dreaded it, because I haven't been a great success at it over the years. To win it, certainly lived up to my expectations, the excitement and thrill. Once you've won a race here you feel you can probably do it again. We have one more to come." —Cecil on breaking his long Breeders' Cup drought, and looking forward to TWICE OVER (GB) (Observatory) in Saturday's Classic (G1) "Well, we went through a bad patch for four or five years when things were going wrong in every way. I didn't have the horses, and probably my health hasn't been terribly good. But I was determined to get back. Probably I'll never get back to what I was, because I don't want to train more than 100 to 120 horses now, where I used to train 200. When I'm competing against armies with a battalion, it's not easy. I love to be able to compete in some good races. I feel everything is on the up -- it has been for the last two years. And long may it continue. —Cecil on his recent renaissance

"(Midday's) a peculiar filly in that she's got loads of class -- a great turn of foot -- but she tends to hit a flat spot. Of course it's a worry when the horse comes off the bridle a little bit. But I knew when she hit top gear she'd respond and find plenty for me. And thankfully she had plenty in reserve when it mattered."

—jockey Tom Queally is well acquainted with Midday's character

"I dissected it to begin with, and found there wasn't a whole lot of pace, and I didn't want to give the leaders too much of a lead. I always had it in the back of my mind that she might hit a flat spot, which she did. But as the boss likes me to ride the horses, keep it simple, get a nice position, and get her on the stretch. Keep her balanced. And I knew she had the heart and the attitude, plus the ability to dig deep when it mattered."

—Queally's pre-race analysis set the stage for his winning ride

"I've got to sit down and talk to Henry and Prince Khalid. But the plan would be to take her back to Europe and campaign her next year in Europe. And possibly come defend her title, hopefully at Churchill next year."

—Juddmonte Racing Manager Teddy Grimthorpe on future plans for Midday

"Personally I'd love to run her another year, but I've experience with horses like (1979 champion older mare) Waya (Fr). They tend to leave so much on the racetrack that I'd just as soon turn her into a broodmare."

—owner George Strawbridge Jr. speaking of champion FOREVER TOGETHER (Belong to Me), who finished third in her Filly & Mare Turf title defense

She Be Wild gave Leparoux the first of his two Friday BC wins (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "When I was watching the rerun after the race (the Alcibiades), I knew what happened. I said, she had three races (going into it). She was pulled up (won easily) in all three races. She didn't get what she needed out of it to have a two-turn race. She had a two-turn race there at Keeneland." —trainer Wayne Catalano on SHE BE WILD's (Offlee Wild) only career loss in the Alcibiades S. (G1) prior to taking the Juvenile Fillies (G1) "I knew at the quarter pole (that she wouldn't go on). It's just her second start. I wouldn't throw rocks at her. She's very classy. She's maturing and has the brains to (be a two-turn horse)." —jockey Kent Desormeaux on Juvenile Fillies eighth-place runner CONNIE AND MICHAEL (Roman Ruler) "The Dubai World Cup is pretty special. But to win the Breeders' Cup here for Frank (Jones) is probably number one. It tops the list so far." —trainer Dale Romans on the victory of TAPITSFLY (Tapit) in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, which surpassed his win in the 2005 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) with Roses in May

"Well, I think it is the greatest moment by far. And many, many thanks to Dale. His father and I were very close. His daddy trained for me. And then, he passed on a little early in life, and Dale's my adopted son."

—Frank Jones, the owner/breeder of Tapitsfly, likewise savors the moment

"Well, I'm probably one of these folks that doesn't have a lot to do with the breeding or the racing of them. I just leave that in the hands of other people, and Beau Lane and Dale decided who we should breed this mare to. And obviously they've done a great job. And I just stand back and let them do their work, and I can go on about my other business."

—Jones gives the credit for Tapitsfly's success to others

"Yeah, I had trouble getting it drawn up because you couldn't figure out the formula. I told Robby (Albarado) we didn't have a lot of options. I thought we needed to break and give (Tapitsfly) the first sixteenth, eighth of the mile to try to clear the rest of the pack. And it worked out perfect, because it seemed she just liked to sit off of her (pacesetter Rose Catherine [Speightstown]) ."

—Jones on his strategy session with jockey Robby Albarado

Johnny Murtagh proudly sported the Irish flag following Man of Iron's Marathon score (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) "He didn't break very well, but it takes him maybe a half-mile to warm up into it. But I think going down the back straight for the second time at the half-mile pole when I gave him a little squeeze, he seemed to come alive. I was following the eventual second, and, you know, I decided to stay on the inside. Got a beautiful run through on the inside. It opened up, and he was very brave until the end." —jockey Johnny Murtagh on the trip of MAN OF IRON (Giant's Causeway), who got the Breeders' Cup program off to a rousing start with a nose decision over Cloudy's Knight (Lord Avie) in the Marathon "The last few days, watching the people and the excitement build. The recognition he's gotten as the (Kentucky) Derby (G1) winner has been great. I'm starting to realize that it's more of an honor than a privilege to win the Kentucky Derby." —trainer Chip Woolley when asked what his favorite part of Breeders' Cup week has been; the conditioner will saddle MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone) in the Classic "I think it's a beautiful surface. For everybody, it's definitely the way forward. If you don't want to race on grass, it's the best alternative. It's safe. It's even. It's level. It's smooth. And it's still forgiving. I think for everybody going forward, all over the world, there is no doubt that it's a safe, beautiful surface." —conditioner Aidan O'Brien praising Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface in advance of sending RIP VAN WINKLE (Ire) (Galileo [Ire[) in the Classic

"I don't know. It could have been a couple of things. It could have been the Pro-Ride. He had a long campaign all year long. Running against the best horses throughout the year. So it is the end of the year, so, you know, fresh horses came at him. I'm not going to blame it on the Pro-Ride, I'm not going to blame it on anything. It's unfortunate he went out in his last race not winning. First thing I thought about when I came to the gates today though."

—Albarado reminisces about his experience with two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, who wound up fourth in his synthetic debut in the 2008 Classic

HANDICAPPER'S EDGE is compiled by Bloodstock Research Information Services Inc. This newsletter may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Copyright 2007, Bloodstock Research Information Services Inc. Information as to the races, race results and earnings was obtained from results charts published in the Daily Racing Form and is utilized herein with the permission of the copyright owner, Daily Racing Form Inc.

Take the Wizard to the
Breeders' Cup with you!

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Breeders' Cup Marathon: Stronger than last year
by Geir Stabell
Published: 2009-10-20

Brisnet.com will be the source for Globeform reports, for the very first time, during the upcoming Breeders' Cup at Oak Tree on November 6-7. The following is a sample analysis of the Breeders' Cup Marathon from Globeform.

Santa Anita: Muhannak landed this event 12 months ago and he will be shooting for back-to-back wins as he goes in the Breeders' Cup Marathon on 'Ladies' Day.'

His task is going to be an altogether different one, however, as the field for the 1 3/4-mile test is shaping up to be a lot stronger this time.

Septimus, well established as one of the best stayers in Europe over the past three years, is expected to get his name printed in the program, as is the English St. Leger (Eng-G1) winner Mastery alongside impressive Royal Ascot winner Father Time. Even more quality will be added if the high-class turf veteran Grand Couturier ends up going in this event also.

GLOBEFORM RATINGS
BREEDERS' CUP MARATHON
Santa Anita 6 November 2009 – 1 3/4 miles Pro-Ride
Purse: $500,000

Contenders presented with best Globeform ratings, sires, trainers

121 – SEPTIMUS (Sadler's Wells)/A O'Brien
119 – GRAND COUTURIER (Grand Lodge)/T Wilson
116 – MASTERY (Sulamani)/S bin Suroor
115 – FATHER TIME (Dansili)/H Cecil
115 – DRY MARTINI (Slew Gin Fizz)/B Tagg
115 – SPRING HOUSE (Chester House)/J Canani
115 – NIGHT LITE (Thunder Gulch)/T Pletcher
114 – MUHANNAK (Chester House)/R Beckett
114 – RISING MOON (Runaway Groom)/R Dutrow
114 – CHURCH SERVICE (Pulpit)/M Mitchell
113 – ELDAAFER (A.P. Indy)/D Alvarado
112 – BIG BOOSTER (Accelerator)/M Mitchell
111 – BLACK ASTOR (Black Minnaloushe)/L Lewis
111 – STREAM CAT (Black Minnaloushe)/P Biancone
110 – UNUSUAL SUSPECT (Unusual Heat)/B Abrams

2008 BREEDERS' CUP MARATHON
1 – MUHANNAK (Chester House) R Beckett/P Smullen - Globeform 113
2 – Church Service - GF 110
3 – Big Booster - GF 108

Won by head, 3/4 length

The Kentucky Handicapper gives out six winners at Keeneland!

The Kentucky Handicapper Sheet enjoyed a banner day at Keeneland on October 16, tabbing six of 10 winners and selecting a cold Pick 3 that returned $229.60!

The Kentucky Handicapper began the day by tabbing runner-up It's a Miracle (Three Wonders) in the 1ST race, who was just headed by a 30-1 shot on the wire. The next three picks all resulted in wins, with Came East (Came Home) returning $17.60 for his dominating 10-length score in the 2ND, Upperline (Maria's Mon) paying $5.80 for his head decision in the 3RD and My New Lady (Your Eminence) giving back $6.60 for her 1 1/4-length victory in the 4TH. Those three also resulted in a Pick 3 that totaled $229.60.

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