Nine Breeders' Cup Races From Del Mar on Saturday, 2 November 2024

 The horses that participate in the Breeders' Cup races each year are at the top of their games; they have to be nominated, and they have to earn points to qualify to enter such high profile races.  The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) became law after being passed by Congress in 2020.  HISA was created to implement, for the first time, a national, uniform set of integrity and safety rules that are applied consistently to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility throughout the United States and it's territories. All horses, trainers and staff members that participate in the Breeders' Cup conform with HISA rules.

   Rigorous veterinary checks are carried out on each horse that runs in a Breeders' Cup race.  Nine races were run Saturday at Del Mar in California.  Prior to the races, one horse in the Fillies and Mares Sprint was scratched by the trainer; in the Distaff, 3 of the ladies were scratched by the veterinarians; in the Fillies and Mares Turf race, one entry was scratched by the veterinarian; in the Turf Mile race, 2 three-year-olds (a filly and a colt) were scratched by their trainers; and in the Dirt Mile, one horse was scratched by the veterinarian.  So... trainers who were not satisfied with their charges scratched 3 entries; and the veterinarians scratched 5 entries who could not pass the vet checks.

   There was a veterinarian scratch at the beginning of the Turf Sprint today, also.  The horses had loaded into the starting gate, when Believing, a 4-year-old Irish-bred filly, flipped over backwards in the gate and became wedged in the gate.  Her jockey, Ryan Moore, flipped backwards out of the gate, himself, to avoid being crushed by the filly.  The race was delayed; the other 11 horses in the race were unloaded from the gate, while several assistant starters and gatemen, overseen by the veterinarian at the starting gate, made sure she was able to rise and stand on her own.  The vet decided to scratch her, and had her returned to her barn for observation.  The jockey was checked for concussion, and cleared to ride in later races.  Once the eleven entries were re-loaded into the starting gate, the race was run.  The race announcers discussed the filly's misbehavior in the gate, and offered the thoughts that this was the first time she was in the starting gate wearing blinkers (she had a workout wearing them earlier in the week, but was not schooled in the starting gate with them on), and that in Europe, where she has always raced before, there was never a starter's assistant standing on the ledge inside the starting gate with her.  It was offered that with the blinkers-caused "blindness," and with the feeling of a human's presence hovering over her head, which she is not used to, caused her a momentary panic attack, which made her rear up and flip backward.

Believing, racing at The Curragh in Ireland.

   There was also a tragic death at the end of the Turf race Saturday.  An international star-studded field of 13 horses, ranging in age from 3 to 6 years contested for the championship over the 1 and 1/2 miles.  Jayarebe, a 3-year-old bay colt who was bred in France, finished in 7th place.  As he was "galloping out," slowing down gradually past the finish line, he suddenly collapsed.  According to one of the veterinarians, Dr. Al Ruggles, the colt was unconscious when the first veterinarian arrived at his side.  The equine ambulance was already pulling up beside the colt; using a slide, Jayarebe was placed inside the ambulance, and immediate transport to the medical stall began.  Unfortunately, the colt passed away after arrival in the barn area's medical stall, while receiving medical aid.  It is thought that the colt "suffered a cardiac event," which killed him.  (As he was insured, a necroscopy will be performed to ascertain the cause of death.)

Jayarebe winning a race at Newmarket.

  The first Championship race Saturday was the Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares Sprint, run at a distance of 7 furlongs (7/8 mile), with a $1 million purse.  There were 9 entries, and the three 3-year-old fillies carried 122 pounds, while the older ladies carried 124 pounds.  The 3-year-olds were:  Frost At Dawn, One Magic Philly, and Ways and Means.

   Soul of an Angel crossed the finish line in 1:21.59, a half-length ahead of Society.  Society was a nose in front of Pleasant, who was leading Scylla by a half-length.

   The full order of finish and the amount of purse winnings were as follows:  First:  Soul of an Angel, $520,000;  second:  Society,  $170,000;  third:  Pleasant,  $90,000;  fourth:  Scylla,  $50,000;  fifth:  Ways and Means,  $30,000; sixth:  One Magic Philly, $20,000;  seventh:  Zeitlos,  $10,000;  eighth:  Vahva,  $10,000;  ninth:  Frost At Dawn,  $10,000.

   As always, I list betting payouts for a straight $2 bet...  A $2 win bet on Soul of an Angel paid $41.60; a place ticket on Society returned $5.80; and a show bet on Pleasant put $8.20 in your pocket.  The exacta paid out $212.80; the trifecta returned $2,887.20; and the superfecta was a $15,554.60 payout.

Soul of an Angel at bottom of photo; Society (2nd) is the chestnut with the white bridle;

Pleasant (3rd) is at the top of the photo; Scylla (4th) is second from the bottom; and Ways

and Means (5th) is second from the top.  This photo was taken before the finish line.

   After Believing flipped in the starting gate, and was scratched, the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint was contested by 11 entries.  The horses carried weights according to their sex and age; I'll list the weight carried in the full order of finish.  The race covered 5/8 mile (5 furlongs) and had a guaranteed purse of $1 million.  Two fillies (Ag Bullet abd Star of Mystery) and two geldings (Motorius and Isivunguvungu) were in the race.

   Starlust (GB) won the race in 55.92 seconds, and was a neck ahead of Motorius (GB).  Motorius (GB) was a nose in front of Ag Bullet, who was leading Star of Mystery (GB) by 3/4 length.  There was an inquiry, lodged by the jockey of Isivunguvungu (SAF), which was dismissed.  Cogburn, who had been leading the field, drifted out from the rail, and bumped into Starlust (GB), who was pushed into Isisvunguvungu (SAF).  As the South African-bred colt was already falling back from the leaders, the stewards decided the bump did not affect the finish of the race.

   The full order of finish, weight carried [in brackets] and the amount of purse winnings were as follows:  First:  Starlust (GB) [124],  $520,000;  second:  Motorius (GB) [126],  $170,000;  third:  Ag Bullet [123],  $90,000;  fourth:  Star of Mystery (GB) [121],  $50,000;  fifth:  Cogburn [126],  $30,000;  sixth:  Arzak [126],  $20,000;  seventh:  Isivunguvungu (SAF) [126],  $10,000;  eighth:  Big Evs (IRE) [124],  $10,000;  ninth:  Howard Wolowitz [124],  $10,000;  tenth:  Big Invasion [126],  $10,000;  eleventh:  Bradsell (GB) [126]. 

   A $2 win ticket on Starlust (GB) paid $69.20; a place bet on Motorius (GB) returned $11.00; and a correct show ticket on Ag Bullet gave you $6.80.  The exacta returned $696.60; the trifecta put $6,493.20 in your pocket; and the superfecta paid $34,425.80.

Starlust (GB) at the top of the photo; Motorius (GB) at the bottom;

and Ag Bullet in the middle.

   The Breeders' Cup Distaff race had 3 veterinarian scratches, leaving a field of 7 to race 1 1/8 miles (8.5 furlongs) for a purse of $2 million.  The ladies ranged in age from 3 to 6 years, with the 3-year-olds assigned 121 pounds and the older ladies had 124 pounds to carry.  The 3-year-olds were: Candied, Thorpedo Anna, and Sugar Fish.

   Thorpedo Anna was the betting favorite, and proved why, with a 2 1/2 length win in 1:49.10.  Raging Sea finished second, 3 1/2 lengths before Candied, who was a half-length in front of Alice Verite (JPN).

   The full order of finish and the amount of purse winnings were as follows:  First:  Thorpedo Anna,  $1,040,000;  second:  Raging Sea,  $340,000;  third:  Candied,  $180,000;  fourth:  Alice Verite (JPN),  $100,000;  fifth:  Sugar Fish,  $60,000; sixth:  Che Evasora (ARG),  $40,000;  seventh:  Honor D Lady,  $20,000.

   A win bet on Thorpedo Anna paid $2.80; a place ticket on Raging Sea returned $3; and a show bet on Candied got you $2.80.  The exacta paid $7.80; the trifecta got you $18.60; and the superfecta returned $132.80.

Thorpedo Anna winning the Distaff.

   Next up was the Breeders' Cup Turf, with a purse of $5 million, run over the distance of 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs).  There were 13 entries: 4 from the US, 4 from Ireland, 2 from Japan, and 1 each from Argentina, France, and Great Britain.  Weights were assigned depending on sex and age: there were 2 ladies (Emily Upjohn and Wingspan) and 3 geldings (Cabo Spirit, Rebel's Romance, and Gold Phoenix) in the running, with ages ranging from 3 to 6 years.  Rebel's Romance (IRE) won this race in 2022.

   Rebel's Romance (IRE) returned to the race with a bang, winning in a time of 2:26.07 for the 1 1/2 miles.   The 6-year-old gelded son of Dubawi (IRE) finished the race a neck in front of Rousham Park (JPN), who was 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Shahryar (JPN).  Gold Phoenix (IRE) was in fourth place, 1 3/4 lengths behind Shahryar (JPN).  The two Japanese-bred horses are grandsons of Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence.

   The full order of finish, weight carried [in brackets] and the amount of purse winnings were as follows:  First: Rebel's Romance (IRE) [126],  $2,600,000;  second:  Rousham Park (JPN) [126],  $850,000;  third:  Shahryar (JPN) [126],  $450,000;  fourth:  Gold Phoenix (IRE) [126],  $250,000;  fifth:  Wingspan (IRE) [119],  $150,000;  sixth:  Luxembourg (IRE) [126],  $100,000;  seventh:  Jayarebe (FR) [122],  $50,000;  eighth:  Emily Upjohn (GB) [123],  $50,000;  ninth:  Far Bridge [126],  $50,000;  tenth:  There Goes Harvard [126],  $50,000;  eleventh:  Grand Sonata [126];  twelfth:  Cabo Spirit [126];  thirteenth:  El Encinal (ARG) [126].

   A win bet on Rebel's Romance (IRE) paid $5.80; a place ticket on Rousham Park (JPN) returned $15.60; and a show bet on Shahryar (JPN) got you $4.80.  The exacta paid $107.80; the trifecta allowed you to pocket $653; and the superfecta returned $10,396.

Rebel's Romance (IRE), at right, wins the BC Turf a second time.

   A full field of 14 entries vied in the Breeders' Cup Classic, a 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) race on the main track, with a guaranteed purse of $7 million.  Eleven of the horses were bred in the US, while 3 entries bred in Japan are all descended from Sunday Silence, the 1989 Derby, Preakness and BC Classic winner.  The horses ranged in age from 3 to 7 years; all entries this year were male.  The 3-year-olds received a 4 pound weight allowance, carrying 122 pounds to the older horses' 126 pounds.  The 3-year-olds were:  Forever Young (JPN), City of Troy, Fierceness, and Sierra Leone.

   Sierra Leone hung back in the pack while Derma Sotogake (wearing blinkers in a race for the first time) blasted through the first 3/4 mile, then he started moving up.  The dark bay/brown son of Gun Runner won the race in 2:00.78 by 1 1/2 lengths.  Fierceness was in second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Forever Young (JPN), who was a half-length in front of Newgate in fourth.

   The full order of finish and the amount of purse winnings were as follows:  First:  Sierra Leone,  $3,640,000;  second:  Fierceness,  $1,190,000;  third:  Forever Young (JPN),  $630,000;  fourth:  Newgate,  $350,000;  fifth:  Senor Buscador,  $210,000;  sixth:  Tapit Trice,  $140,000;  seventh:  Pyrenees,  $70,000;  eighth:  City of Troy,  $70,000;  ninth:  Highland Falls,  $70,000;  tenth:  Ushba Tesoro (JPN),  $70,000;  eleventh:  Mixto;  twelfth:  Arthur's Ride;  thirteenth:  Derma Sotogake (JPN); fourteenth:  Next.

   Payouts were as follows:  a win bet on Sierra Leone paid $15.80; a place bet on Fierceness returned $4.40; and a show ticket on Forever Young (JPN) gave you $3.60.  The exacta paid $59.60; the trifecta gave you $262.40; and the superfecta returned $4,051.60.

Sierra Leone was first in the BC Classic, with Fierceness in second.

   There were 12 entries in the Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares Turf race; the purse was $1.84 million, and the distance was 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs).  The ladies ranged in age from 3 to 7 years, with the four 3-year-olds having a weight assignment of 120 pounds, while the older ladies carried 124 pounds.  The 3-year-old fillies were: Beautiful Love (IRE), Cinderella's Dream (GB), Content (IRE), and Soprano (IRE).  Four of the ladies were bred in the US; 4 were bred in Ireland; 2 were bred in Great Britain; and there was one entry each from Argentina and South Africa.

   Moira, the 2022 Canadian Horse of the Year, was back for her third try in this race.  She ran fifth in the 2022 edition, and third in the 2023 race.  She won by a half-length yesterday in 2:14.95.  The 5-year-old bay mare is the daughter of Ghostzapper, out of Devine Aida.  Following Moira was Cinderella's Dream (GB), a nose in front of Didia (ARG), who was a half-length before Beautiful Love (IRE).

    The full order of finish and the amount of purse winnings were as follows:  First:  Moira,  $1,040,000;  second:  Cinderella's Dream (GB),  $340,000;  third:  Didia (ARG),  $180,000;  fourth:  Beautiful Love (IRE),  $100,000;  fifth:  War Like Goddess,  $60,000;  sixth:  Content (IRE),  $40,000;  seventh:  Full Count Felicia,  $20,000;  eighth:  Beach Bomb (SAF),  $20,000;  ninth:  Anisette (GB),  $20,000;  tenth:  Soprano (IRE),  $20,000;  eleventh:  Sunset Glory (IRE); twelfth:  Hang the Moon.

   Payout for a win bet on Moira was $13.60; a place ticket on Cinderella's Dream (GB) paid $4.60; and a show bet on Didia (ARG) got you $7.  The exacta paid $49.60; the trifecta returned $429.60; and the superfecta put $5,763.60 in your pocket.

Near the finish line, Moira is in the lead, Cinderella's Dream (2nd) is 

at the rail at top, and Didia (3rd) is saddlecloth 5.

   The $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint appeared next on the racing card, run at 6 furlongs (3/4 mile).  All entries this year were male, ranging in age from 3 to 5 years.  The two 3-year-olds, Raging Torrent and Bentornato, carried 124 pounds, while the other 9 horses carried 126 pounds.  Nine of the entries were bred in the US, and two were bred in Japan.

    The winner of the race was Straight No Chaser, a 5-year-old bay horse, by Speightster, out of Margarita Friday.  The horse is owned by more than 1,000 micro-investors through MyRacehorse; more than 300 of the owners were on hand to cheer on their stallion.  Straight No Chaser won in the time of 1:08.62, and was a half-length in front of Bentornato.  Bentornato was 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Mulliken, who was 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Gun Pilot.

    The full order of finish and the amount of purse winnings were as follows:  First:  Straight No Chaser,  $1,040,000;  second:  Bentornato,  $340,000;  third:  Mulliken,  $180,000;  fourth:  Gun Pilot,  $100,000;  fifth:  Federal Judge,  $60,000;  sixth:  Nakatomi,  $40,000;  seventh:  Raging Torrent, $20,000;  eighth:  Meta Max,  $20,000;  ninth:  Don Frankie (JPN),  $20,000;  tenth:  Skelly,  $20,000; eleventh:  Remake (JPN).

   A win bet on Straight No Chaser paid $14.20; a place ticket on Bentornato returned $23.80; and a place bet on Mulliken gave you $3.60.  The exacta paid $331.20; the trifecta returned $1,733.80; and the superfecta put $13,615 in your pocket.

Straight No Chaser (on left) beats Bentornato in the BC Sprint.

   The penultimate race was the Breeders' Cup Turf Mile, with a $2 million purse.  The horses carried varying weights, depending on their sex and age.  Two horses were scratched earlier in the week by their trainers, leaving 10 entries on race day.  Four of the horses were bred in the US; two were bred in Ireland; two were bred in Japan (both descendants of Sunday Silence); one in France and one in Great Britain.  Three entries were female (Chili Flag, Porta Fortuna, and Ten Happy Rose), and there were two geldings (Goliad and Win for the Money).

   More Than Looks, a 4-year-old dark bay son of More Than Ready, won the Turf Mile in 1:32.65, defeating Johannes by 3/4 length.  Johannes was a head in front of Notable Speech (GB), who was a half-length in front of Ten Happy Rose (JPN).

   The full order of finish, weight carried [in brackets] and the amount of purse winnings were as follows:  First:  More Than Looks [126],  $1,040,000;  second:  Johannes [126],  $340,000;  third:  Notable Speech (GB) [123],  $180,000;  fourth:  Ten Happy Rose (JPN) [123],  $100,000;  fifth:  Geoglyph (JPN) [126],  $60,000;  sixth:  Carl Spackler (IRE) [126],  $40,000;  seventh:  Chili Flag (FR) [123],  $20,000;  eighth:  Porta Fortuna (IRE) [120],  $20,000;  ninth:  Goliad [126],  $20,000;  tenth:  Win For the Money [126],  $20,000.

   Betting on More than looks to win paid $15.80; a place ticket on Johannes got you $5.20; and a show bet on Notable Speech (GB) gave you $2.80.  The exacta returned $96.40; the trifecta paid $494; and the superfecta put $13,040 in your pocket.

More Than Looks (bottom) wins the Turf Mile. Johannes (jockey wearing pink 

cap) was second; Notable Speech (#6) was third; Ten Happy Rose (top) was

fourth.

   The final BC race for 2024 was the Breeders' Cup Mile, with a $1 million guaranteed purse.  After a veterinarian check, Pipeline was scratched, leaving a field of 13.  All entries were male this year.  The horses ranged in age from 3 to 7 years.  The three 3-year-olds had a weight assignment of 123 pounds, while all others carried 126 pounds.  Two geldings, Katonah and Tumbarumba, were in the field.  Ten of the entries were bred in the US; with one each bred in Argentina, Chile, and Japan.

   Full Serrano (ARG), a dark bay son of Full Mast, won the dirt Mile by 1 1/2 lengths, in a time of 1:35.48.  Post Time was in second place, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Domestic Product, who was 1 1/4 lengths in front of Tumbarumba.

   The full order of finish, weight carried [in brackets] and the amount of purse winnings were as follows:  First:  Full Serrano (ARG) [126], $520,000;  second:  Post Time [126],  $170,000;  third:  Domestic Product [123],  $90,000;  fourth:  Tumbarumba [126],  $50,000;  fifth:  Katonah [126],  $30,000;  sixth:  Skippylongstocking [126],  $20,000;  seventh:  Muth [123],  $10,000;  eighth:  Sieze the Grey [123],  $10,000;  ninth:  T O Saint Denis (JPN) [126],  $10,000;  tenth:  Cagliostro [126],  $10,000;  eleventh:  Mufasa (CHI) [126]; twelfth:  Three Technique [126];  thirteenth:  Saudi Crown [126].

   A $2 win bet on Full Serrano (ARG) paid $28.80; a place ticket on Post Time returned $7.60; and a show bet on Domestic Product gave you $3.20.  The exacta paid $200.60; the trifect paid $1,044; and the superfecta gave you $18,318.

Full Serrano (ARG) wins the BC Mile.

That's the end for this year, folks.  Wishing you a great end to 2024 - and good equine luck!!