Stayers' Watch: Breeders' Cup Turf and Marathon · 6.11.11

Breeders’ Cup Marathon

At 41-1, Afleet Again shocked the rest of the field and the Churchill Downs Breeders’ Cup audience by winning the Breeders’ Cup Marathon (gr. II). The four-year-old gray son of Afleet Alex made his move coming around the far turn the final time in the 1 3/4-mile race, and went on to score by 2 1/4 lengths.

Birdrun, who stalked a surprisingly quick early pace set by Pleasant Prince (23.47 for the quarter, 48.05 for the half, and 1:12.65 for the 3/4-mile), held on for second place. It was likely that quick early pace which took the European horses, who had been expected to do well at a distance they are used to, out of contention. Giant Oak rallied for third, a head back. Final time: 3:00.39.

The race was marred by two DNFs. Meeznah, one of the European horses, was eased due to fatigue, although her overall condition was later listed as “good”. More seriously, pre-race favourite A. U. Miner, who raced far back early but was making a move on the turn for home, broke down at that point in the race. He was later diagnosed with fractured sesamoids in his right foreleg, and transported to Rood & Riddle Veterinary Hospital for evaluation prior to surgery on Monday — his prognosis is said to be favourable.

Breeders’ Cup Turf

St Nicholas Abbey burst from the middle of the pack to take the lead and win the Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT). Await the Dawn and Dean’s Kitten set an easy early pace, and the field remained bunched together for the first mile. At the top of the stretch, Brilliant Speed and Sea Moon both made their move, and Sea Moon took over in mid-stretch. St Nicholas Abbey, however, ran them both down, flying through his final quarter-mile in less than 23 seconds to score by 2 1/4 lengths. It was Sea Moon for second by a length over Brilliant Speed. Final time for 1 1/2 miles on a good-to-firm turf course: 2:28.85.

Elsewhere…

Court Vision? Drosselmeyer? WTF?

Champion Stayer Award standings — update:

  1. Birdrun — 12
  2. Juniper Pass — 12
  3. Winchester — 12
  4. Musketier — 12
  5. St Nicholas Abbey — 10
  6. Ruler On Ice — 10
  7. Sarah Lynx — 10
  8. Cape Blanco — 10
  9. Wigmore Hall — 10
  10. Imponente Purse — 10
  11. Rahy’s Attorney — 10
  12. Bourbon Bay — 8
  13. Sanagas — 8
  14. Keertana — 8
  15. Brilliant Speed — 8

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What do you think?

  1. another breakdown on the turf with Dynaslew vanned off…walked off which is good

    — humphrey · Nov 6, 05:16 AM · #

  2. Court Vision, in going into the Woodbine Mile, posted the fastest final fraction I have EVER charted. The ability was always there, but the form had declined…Amazing late mover much like Rock of Gibraltar in Chicago’s Breeder’s Cup. Also the mare should have come down for that interference down the lane.

    — monarchos · Nov 8, 06:26 AM · #

  3. We have now learned that many of the winners received new meds only allowable in Kentucky, called Adjunct lasix, and few bettors were actually told. Exposed today by a fellow named Blyk..No wonder people don’t trust the game as it now is.

    — monarchos · Nov 10, 12:19 PM · #

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