2010 Breeders' Cup Review

by Patricia Woo | Nov 8 2010

The 2010 Breeders' Cup World Championships comprised 14 races, including the Breeders' Cup Classic. Find out what happened at Churchill Downs below.

Breeders' Cup Marathon

A post-race jockey fistfight punctuated the $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon. At the five-sixteenths pole, Prince William I Am, guided by Javier Castellano, veered sharply from the rail towards the middle of the field, a move that nearly felled the duo of Romp and Martin Garcia as well as Calvin Borel aboard A.U. Miner. Post-race, Borel and Castellano shocked onlookers by exchanging blows before they were separated. Though Prince William I Am hit the wire second, behind winner Eldaafer and John Velazqauez, a steward's inquiry bumped the former to 10th place. Gabriel's Hill was elevated to second and A.U. Miner was awarded third.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Even-money favorite Winter Memories was defeated by More Than Real in the $1M Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Jockey Garrett Gomez, aboard More Than Real, was content to stalk the pace set by Dos Lunas until the turn for home; her quick turn of foot was the difference as neither Dos Lunas nor the late rallying Winter Memories could catch her.

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

The field for the $1M Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint opened up after the race favorite, Rightly So, was scratched the morning of the race. Gabby's Golden Gal led the way for most of the event but as the field exited the turn, Dubai Majesty – with Jamie Theriot aboard – charged to the lead on the outside and gradually drew away for the win. Switch and Evening Jewel, the show and place horses, launched their own late bids but ran out of track.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

In one of the few races where the favorite came out on top, the $2M Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies event saw Awesome Feather winning her sixth straight race. After claiming the lead from R Heat Lightning while turning for home, Awesome Feather, ridden by Jeffrey Sanchez, had to battle to maintain the lead through the stretch; she eventually prevailed by 2 ¼ lengths. R Heat Lightning came in second while Delightful Mary finished third.

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Midday seemed primed to repeat in the $2M Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, but she was no match for Shared Account, a 46-1 longshot ridden by Edgar Prado. Shared Account raced in third behind Plumania and Éclair de Lune for much of the race. As the leaders tired, Midday did gain some ground at the top of the stretch but Shared Account launched her own rally down the stretch and came out on front. Keertana also took advantage of her tiring rivals to finish third.

Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic

The $5M Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic was supposed to be a match race between rivals Blind Luck and Havre de Grace. But three-time runner-up Unrivaled Belle stole the show with a decisive victory. Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Unrivaled Belle made an explosive move from her position in fifth on the turn, a bid that was too much for even Blind Luck's patented late move to overcome. Havre de Grace finished third. Life At Ten, a top contender, was eased in the stretch by John Velazquez after a lackluster effort; her connections are still seeking an explanation for her uncharacteristically poor performance.

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

37-1 longshot Dakota Phone shocked the $1M Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile field with a bold come-from-behind victory. While Morning Line and Cool Coal Mine toiled at the front of the pack for most of the race, Dakota Phone, with Joel Rosario aboard, bided his time at the rear. Mid-stretch, he switched into a higher gear and flew into contention, catching Morning Line at the wire by a head. Godolphin's Gayego rallied impressively for third.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile

7-5 favorite Uncle Mo continued his domination of the 2-year-old division with a 4 ¼ length win in the $1M Breeders' Cup Juvenile. His nearest rival, Boys At Tosconova, offered up only a weak challenge leaving the turn but the race belonged to Uncle Mo, who was ridden by John Velazquez. Rogue Romance finished third.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Jockey Garrett Gomez earned his second win of this year's Breeders' Cup in the $1M Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf aboard Pluck. Pluck stumbled out of the gate and raced in last place at the start of the race while Madman Diaries led the field. But Pluck was quick to recover, reeling in the leaders on the outside and drawing away slightly for the win. Coming in second was a late-running Soldat, who was followed to the wire by Willcox Inn. Tragedy befell Rough Sailing as the field rounded the first turn; he threw his jockey in the fall and had to be euthanized.

Breeders' Cup Turf

Favorite Workforce was scratched from the $3M Breeders' Cup Turf by his connections the morning of the race due to unfavorable track conditions, but another European horse, Dangerous Midge, rose to the occasion. Champ Pegasus, with Joel Rosario aboard, led the way and looked to have the race under wraps. But late in the stretch, Dangerous Midge and Frankie Dettori began to make up ground. They drew even just past the sixteenth pole and wrested the lead from Champ Pegasus in the final strides. Bekhabad, who finished fourth in the Arc behind Workforce, rounded out the top three.

Breeders' Cup Sprint

Big Drama prevailed in the $2M Breeders' Cup Sprint in a brilliant gate-to-wire performance. Ridden by Eibar Coa, Big Drama led the field, which included favorite Girolamo, who finished a disappointing 11th; Hamazing Destiny and Smiling Tiger rounded out the top three.

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

In deep stretch, Chamberlain Bridge ran down pacesetter Central City in the $1M Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint to win by 1 ½ lengths. With Jamie Theriot aboard, Chamberlain Bridge was bottled up for much of the race. But on the turn for home, a lane opened up and the duo was able to maneuver through traffic into the clear. Following Central City to the wire was Unzip Me.

Breeders' Cup Mile

Goldikova became the first three-time consecutive winner of a Breeders' Cup race in the $2M Breeders' Cup Mile. The favorite had to overcome an outside post draw as well as pacesetter Sidney's Candy's early speed. Once the field turned for home, Goldikova, with Olivier Peslier in the irons, made her move. She was unstoppable, flying past all rivals on her way to a thrilling 1 ¾ length win. Gio Ponti was a neck back in second, while The Usual Q.T. finished third.

Breeders' Cup Classic

Zenyatta's devastating closing kick was, for once, not enough to claim victory as she sought to make history with a 20th straight victory and defend her title in the $5M Breeders' Cup Classic. It was Blame, under Garrett Gomez, who had the winning touch; he managed to withstand Zenyatta's late attack by a mere head. Fly Down ended up third, and was followed by Lookin at Lucky, Paddy O'Prado, Etched, Musket Man, First Dude, Pleasant Prince, Espoir City, Haynesfield and Quality Road.

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