Stayers' Watch: Breeders' Cup Turf · 10.11.09
Conduit successfully defended his 2008 Breeders’ Cup Turf title by catching pacesetter Presious Passion inside the 16th-pole to win the 2009 renewal of the BC Turf on Saturday.
Conduit trailed the seven-horse field early, as Presious Passion flew out of the gate, establishing a three-length lead within a few strides and eventually stretching to a 12-length lead by the time he came out of the hillside “El Camino Real” course onto Santa Anita’s main turf track. Spanish Moon and Dar Re Mi stalked the leader from far back, and by the time the field was passing the stands the first time Conduit had up to fifth place.
Presious Passion maintained his huge advantage along the backstretch, but appeared to shorten stride as he approached the far turn. Conduit had taken third spot, and he along with Spanish Moon and Dar Re Mi began to press the leader entering the stretch. But Presious Passion re-broke, and he and Conduit soon left the others behind. The two dueled all the way down the stretch, with Conduit only gaining his final advantage in the shadow of the wire. Dar Re Mi was 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Time for 1 1/2 miles on fast turf: 2:23.75.
Champion Stayer Award standings — update:
- Champs Elysees — 14 points
- Cloudy’s Knight — 14 points
- Brass Hat — 14 points
- Midships — 12 points
- Summer Bird — 10 points
- Man of Iron — 10 points
- Conduit — 10 points
- Interpatation — 10 points
- Just As Well — 10 points
- Telling — 10 points
- Spring House — 10 points
- Spice Route — 10 points
- Perfect Shower — 10 points
With the Valedictory, Gallant Fox, and W.L. McKnight Handicaps the only stayers’ stakes races remaining to be run, it’s looking very likely that there will be no decisive champion stayer to be recognized this year. If that happens, either three co-champions will be announced, or none at all — I haven’t decided yet.
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