October 13, 2024

Mile

Last updated: 10/26/04 4:04 PM


Race No. 4 — The Century Dream Mile (Turf)


By Paul Buckley


An international cast of 14 turf specialists heads postward,
with each fully prepared to deliver the performance of a lifetime.
Here they are in post position order:


















PP   HORSE
  YEAR
  AGE   WT   JOCKEY
  TRAINER
                         
1   PRETTY POLLY
(GB)
  1904   3   120   W. LANE   P. GILPIN
2   MIESQUE   1987   3   120   F. HEAD   F. BOUTIN
3   STEINLEN (GB)
  1989   6   126   J. SANTOS   D. W. LUKAS
4   RIDGEWOOD
PEARL (GB)
  1995   3   120   J. MURTAGH   J. OXX
5   LURE   1993   4   126   M. SMITH   C. McGAUGHEY
6   ROYAL
HEROINE (Ire)
  1984   4   123   F. TORO   J. GOSDEN
7   TUDOR
MINSTREL (GB)
  1947   3   123   G. RICHARDS   F. DARLING
8   PETITE
ETOILE (GB)
  1959   3   120   L. PIGGOTT   N. MURLESS
9   BAHRAM (GB)   1935   3   123   F. FOX   F. BUTTERS
10   DA HOSS   1996   4   126   G. STEVENS   M. DICKINSON
11   SPINNING
WORLD
  1997   4   126   C. ASMUSSEN   J. PEASE
12   PEBBLES (GB)
  1985   4   123   P. EDDERY   C. BRITTAIN
13   SADLER’S
WELLS
  1984   3   123   G. McGRATH   V. O’BRIEN
14   BRIGADIER
GERARD (GB)
  1972   4   126   J. MERCER   W. R. HERN


Following are race records (year chosen and lifetime) for each
horse, as well as notable accomplishments and other tidbits:



1 PRETTY
POLLY (GB)








Won
England’s classic One Thousand Guineas (3yo fillies at
one mile) by three lengths (1904)
Won
England’s classic Epsom Oaks (3yo fillies at one mile and
885 yards) by three lengths (1904)
Won
England’s classic St. Leger S. (3yo at one mile, 6
furlongs and 132 yards) easily by three lengths (1904)
Won
England’s 1904 Coronation S. (3yo fillies at one mile)
Finished
second in the 1904 Prix du Conseil Municipal (3&up at
1 1/2 miles) at Longchamp carrying 127 pounds
Won
England’s Coronation Cup (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in
1905 and 1906
Finished
second in England’s 1906 Ascot Gold Cup (3&up at 2 1/2
miles) carrying 127 pounds




1904
Race Record:
  8-7-1-0,
$Not Available
Lifetime
Record:
  24-22-2-0, $189,965
     


2 MIESQUE











Champion Two-Year-Old
in France (1986)
Champion
Turf Mare in the U.S. (1987)
Champion
Three-Year-Old Filly and Miler in France (1987)
Champion
Three-Year-Old Filly and Miler in England (1987)
Champion
Turf Mare in the U.S. (1988)
Champion
Older Mare and Co-Champion Miler in France (1988)
Won 1987
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Hollywood Park, setting a new
course record of 1:32 4/5
Won 1988
Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs
Won
England’s classic 1987 General Accident One Thousand
Guineas (G1)
Seven-time
Group 1 winner in France (lifetime)




1987
Race Record:
  8-6-2-0, $1,187,445
Lifetime
Record:
  16-12-3-1 $1,971,485
     


3 STEINLEN
(GB)






Champion
Turf Horse in 1989
Won
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Gulfstream Park in 1989
Won
Arlington Million (G1) in 1989
Set a new
course record of 1:52 for 1 3/16 miles on turf in the
Caesars International H. (G2) at Atlantic City Race
Course (1990)
Equalled the
course record of 1:34 1/5 for the mile at Santa Anita (1989)




1989
Race Record:
  11-7-3-1, $1,521,378
Lifetime
Record:
  45-20-10-7,
$3,300,340
     


4 RIDGEWOOD
PEARL (GB)







Highweight
Three-Year-Old in France (7-9.5 furlongs) (1995)
Highweight
Three-Year-Old in Ireland (7-9.5 furlongs) (1995)
Won
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Belmont Park in 1995
Won 1995
Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) (3yo fillies at one mile)
Won
England’s 1995 Coronation S. (G1)
Won Prix du
Moulin de Longchamp (G1) (3&up at about one mile) in
1995




1995
Race Record:
  6-5-1-0, $1,155,150
Lifetime
Record:
  8-6-1-1, $1,179,650
     


5 LURE





Won 1992
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Gulfstream Park, setting a new
course record of 1:32 4/5
Won 1993
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Santa Anita
Won 1993
Early Times Turf Classic S. (G3) at Churchill Downs,
setting a new course record of 1:46 1/5 for 1 1/8 miles
Set a new
track record of :56 1/5 for five furlongs at Belmont Park
in career debut as a two-year-old (1991)




1993
Race Record:
  8-6-2-0, $1,212,323
Lifetime
Record:
  25-14-8-0, $2,514,809
     


6 ROYAL
HEROINE (Ire)









Champion
Turf Mare in 1984
Won 1984
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Hollywood Park, setting a new
North American record of 1:32 3/5
Finished
second to John Henry in the 1984 Budweiser Million S. (G1)
at Arlington Park
Set a new
track record of 1:54 3/5 for 1 3/16 miles in the
Preakness S. at Pimlico (1955)
Set a new
track record of 3:20 2/5 for two miles at Belmont Park (1956)
Finished
second to Swaps in the 1955 Kentucky Derby
Arcaro
chooses Nashua over First Landing
Nashua
weighed over 1,200 pounds while racing




1984
Race Record:
  8-4-2-1, $1,023,500
Lifetime
Record:
  21-10-5-1, $1,219,222
     


7 TUDOR
MINSTREL (GB)









Champion Two-Year-Old
Colt in England (1946)
Won
England’s classic Two Thousand Guineas (3yo at one mile)
in 1947
Only two
lifetime losses came at distances beyond one mile
Set a new
track record of 1:54 3/5 for 1 3/16 miles in the
Preakness S. at Pimlico (1955)
Set a new
track record of 3:20 2/5 for two miles at Belmont Park (1956)
Finished
second to Swaps in the 1955 Kentucky Derby
Arcaro
chooses Nashua over First Landing
Nashua
weighed over 1,200 pounds while racing




1947
Race Record:
  6-4-1-0,
$Not Available
Lifetime
Record:
  10-8-1-0,
$Not Available
     


8 PETITE
ETOILE (GB)








Champion
Three-Year-Old Filly, Miler and Horse Of The Year in
England (1959)
Champion
Older Horse in England (1960)
Champion
Miler in England (1961)
Won
England’s classic One Thousand Guineas in 1959
Won
England’s classic Epsom Oaks in 1959
Won
England’s Sussex S. (3&up at one mile) in 1959
Won
England’s Coronation Cup in 1960 and 1961




1959
Race Record:
  6-6-0-0,
$Not Available
Lifetime
Record:
  19-14-5-0,
$Not Available
     


9 BAHRAM
(GB)




Champion Two-Year-Old
Colt in England (1934)
Champion
Three-Year-Old Colt in England (1935)
Only English
Triple Crown winner of the 20th century to retire
undefeated




1935
Race Record:
  4-4-0-0,
$Not Available
Lifetime
Record:
  9-9-0-0, $215,430
     


10 DA
HOSS




Won
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Woodbine in 1996
Won
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Churchill Downs in 1998
Set world
record of 1:07 1/5 for six furlongs in the A.T.B.A. Sales
S. at Turf Paradise as a two-year-old (1994)




1996
Race Record:
  5-3-1-1, $698,680
Lifetime
Record:
  20-12-5-2, $1,931,558
     


11 SPINNING
WORLD







Highweight
Three-Year-Old in Ireland (7-9.5 furlongs) (1996)
Highweight
Older Horse in France (7-9.5 furlongs) (1997)
Won 1997
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Hollywood Park, equalling the
course record of 1:32 3/5
Won 1996
Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) (3yo at one mile)
Won Emirates
Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) in 1997
Finished
second to Da Hoss in 1996 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at
Woodbine




1997
Race Record:
  5-4-0-0, $943,566
Lifetime
Record:
  14-8-3-1, $1,733,529
     


12 PEBBLES
(GB)









Champion
Turf Mare in the U.S. (1985)
Champion
Older Mare and Miler in England (1985)
Won 1985
Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Aqueduct, setting a new course
record of 2:27 for 1 1/2 miles
Won
England’s classic One Thousand Guineas (G1) in 1984
Won
England’s 1985 Coral Eclipse S. (G1) (3&up at 1 1/4
miles) carrying 130 pounds
Won
England’s 1985 Dubai Champion S. (G1) (3&up at 1 1/4
miles)
Jockey Pat
Eddery chooses Pebbles over Sadler’s Wells
Pebbles
drank a pint of Guinness each day




1985
Race Record:
  5-4-1-0, $1,198,303
Lifetime
Record:
  15-8-5-0, $1,429,243
     


13 SADLER’S
WELLS









Champion
Miler in France (1984)
Won
Ireland’s 1984 Airlie/Coolmore 2000 Guineas (G1) (3yo at
one mile)
Won
England’s 1984 Coral Eclipse S. (G1)
Jockey G.
McGrath subs for Pat Eddery (who opts for Pebbles)
Set a new
track record of 3:20 2/5 for two miles at Belmont Park (1956)
Finished
second to Swaps in the 1955 Kentucky Derby
Arcaro
chooses Nashua over First Landing
Nashua
weighed over 1,200 pounds while racing




1984
Race Record:
  9-4-4-0, $626,324
Lifetime
Record:
  11-6-4-0, $663,423
     


14 BRIGADIER
GERARD (GB)







Champion
Miler in England (1971)
Champion
Older Horse, Miler and Horse Of The Year in England (1972)
Won
England’s classic Two Thousand Guineas (G1) in 1971,
defeating Mill Reef
Six-time
Group 1 winner in England (lifetime)
Only career
defeat came when second behind Riverman in the 1972
Benson and Hedges Gold Cup (G1)
Defeated
Riverman in the 1972 Champion S. (G1) at Newmarket to
avenge his only career loss




1972
Race Record:
  8-7-1-0,
$Not Available
Lifetime
Record:
  18-17-1-0,
$Not Available
     


Now, for the race:


TUDOR MINSTREL charges to the lead from the outset with LURE
in close pursuit as those two angle toward the rail. MIESQUE
takes up a stalking position on the inside, and RIDGEWOOD PEARL
matches strides a neck back in fourth. PRETTY POLLY breaks
alertly, then settles into stride along the rail behind the
leaders, with ROYAL HEROINE to her outside and PETITE ETOILE a
half-length back in seventh. STEINLEN, BAHRAM, DA HOSS and
SPINNING WORLD race heads apart, while PEBBLES, SADLER’S WELLS
and BRIGADIER GERARD bring up the rear as the field enters the
clubhouse turn.


TUDOR MINSTREL accomplishes the first quarter-mile in a swift
:22 3/5, with LURE skimming the rail a half-length back in second.
There are few position changes through the turn, although
SPINNING WORLD gets caught four wide toward the back of the pack
while MIESQUE, PRETTY POLLY, STEINLEN and PEBBLES manage to save
ground.


In the run down the backstretch, TUDOR MINSTREL extends his
lead over LURE to 1 1/2 lengths and passes the half-mile mark in
a quick :45 3/5. Mike Smith takes LURE off the hedge, allowing
MIESQUE to move up along the inside as they approach the far turn.
RIDGEWOOD PEARL races in fourth, with PRETTY POLLY to her inside
in fifth. The rest of the field remains bunched, with the
trailers no more than eight lengths off the pace.


Midway on the far turn, TUDOR MINSTREL maintains his 1 1/2-length
advantage, but it is MIESQUE who has surged into second, with
LURE a neck back in third. PRETTY POLLY follows MIESQUE along the
rail into fourth, leaving RIDGEWOOD PEARL in fifth to her outside.
ROYAL HEROINE looks for running room in sixth, as does BAHRAM to
her inside in seventh. PETITE ETOILE launches her four-wide bid
in eighth, and BRIGADIER GERARD picks up steam after Joe Mercer
asks him for his run.


At the top of the stretch, TUDOR MINSTREL presses on with a
one-length lead over MIESQUE after zipping six furlongs in 1:09
and seven panels in 1:20 4/5. PRETTY POLLY remains boxed in on
the rail in third, with ROYAL HEROINE, who split horses, a neck
back in fourth. LURE holds down the fifth position after drifting
out slightly, and RIDGEWOOD PEARL continues on gamely to his
outside in sixth. PETITE ETOILE is beginning to flatten out
behind RIDGEWOOD PEARL while BAHRAM and DA HOSS remain bottled up
behind a wall of horses. BRIGADIER GERARD is moving fastest of
all on the far outside with four lengths to make up on the leader.


With a sixteenth of a mile to go, MIESQUE weakens slightly,
leaving room for the great PRETTY POLLY to charge after TUDOR
MINSTREL, whose lead is down to a precarious half-length. ROYAL
HEROINE, LURE and RIDGEWOOD PEARL are unable to gain ground on
the leaders, but BRIGADIER GERARD is closing with every stride
and now trails by 1 1/2 lengths. As they approach the wire,
PRETTY POLLY edges past a desperate TUDOR MINSTREL, but BRIGADIER
GERARD is flying and puts a head in front on the line. Time for
the race is 1:32 4/5, eclipsing the old Churchill mark by four-fifths
of a second.


Following is the complete order of finish:

















FINISH
  HORSE
  MARGINS
  COMMENT
1   BRIGADIER
GERARD
  hd   Prevailed in
a sustained drive
2   PRETTY POLLY   1/2   Saved
ground, found room late
3   TUDOR
MINSTREL
  1 1/4   Made the
pace, continued gamely
4   MIESQUE   1/2   Pressed
leader, finished evenly
5   ROYAL
HEROINE
  hd   Loomed
boldly, hung
6   LURE   nk   Vied for
early lead, weakened
7   RIDGEWOOD
PEARL
  nk   Wide into
stretch, lacked bid
8   PETITE
ETOILE
  hd   Four wide
turn, flattened out
9   DA HOSS   no   Lacked room
stretch
10   PEBBLES   nk   Saved
ground, failed to threaten
11   BAHRAM   3/4   Steadied
repeatedly
12   SPINNING
WORLD
  1   Wide first
turn, no factor
13   STEINLEN   1   Blocked
backstretch, faded
14   SADLER’S
WELLS
  —–   Dull effort