The Kentucky Derby - Breeders' Cup Classic Double, Part I

 

The Kentucky Derby – Breeders’ Cup Classic Double, Part I

Joseph Di Rienzi

In the 36 year history of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Kentucky Derby winners have several times participated in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the climatic race of the whole Breeders’ Cup series. Contested at the same 1¼ mile distance as the Kentucky Derby, it is a fitting venue for the Derby hero to prove his/her worth against the best dirt campaigners of the year. In total, there have been fifteen Kentucky Derby winners to try the Classic with five returning victorious. In this two part series, I will reprise the Classic victory of those who completed the Kentucky Derby – Breeders’ Cup Classic double and give passing reference to those Derby winners who were not successful in the Classic. 

Though the Breeders’ Cup began in 1984, it was not until 1987 that a Kentucky Derby winner was entered in the Classic. In fact, in that year there were two Derby heroes – Ferdinand, the 1986 winner, and Alysheba the current year’s victor (and Preakness Stakes winner) who were among the twelve entered at Hollywood Park on November 21. Ferdinand appeared to have the advantage in the Breeders’ Cup Classic as the older competitor racing at a track where he won the Hollywood Gold Cup (at the same distance as the Classic). There was some support for the defending Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Skywalker and Canadian bred three-year-old Afleet. Other contenders were Cryptoclearance, Nostalgia’s Star, Gulch, Candi’s Gold and Judge Angelucci. The last named, trained by Charlie Whittingham (as was Ferdinand) had developed into more than just a pace setter for his barn mate. Since finishing second to Ferdinand in the Hollywood Gold Cup, the son of Honest Pleasure had won three of four stakes races.

The Classic was, to employ an overused expression, a thriller. Candi’s Gold and Judge Angelucci went for the lead and set a steady pace. Ferdinand began in mid-pack but raced into contention along the backstretch. Alysheba was initially placed far back and made a bold move on the outside as the field headed around the far turn. At the top of the stretch, Ferdinand, under Bill Shoemaker, cruised up alongside the battling leaders, Judge Angelucci and Candi’s Gold. Knowing his mount’s habit of pulling himself up once he gains the lead, Shoemaker was waiting to the last moment to urge Ferdinand forward. However, when he saw Alysheba coming resolutely to his right, Shoemaker called on Ferdinand, who surged forward to gain a clear advantage. In the shadow of the finish line, Alysheba closed dramatically to just miss winning by a nose. (An unforgettable memory is race caller Tom Durkin’s pronouncement that “the two Derby winners hit the wire together”.) In third place, 1¼ lengths behind, was a very game Judge Angelucci with Candi’s Gold another 1½ lengths back in fourth place. (Skywalker in his attempt to win the Classic again finished twelfth and last.)

Ferdinand winning the 1987 Breeders' Cup Classic
(bloodhorse.com)

As a result of this victory, Ferdinand, owned by Mrs. Howard B. Keck, despite having lost his first six races of the year, was voted the Eclipse Award both for Champion Older Male Horse and Horse of the Year. Alysheba, due to his overall record and powerful performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, was voted Champion Three-Year-Old Male.

Alysheba was given a second opportunity to the win the Breeders’ Cup Classic as a four-year-old in 1988. The sturdy son of Alydar, owned by Pamela and Dorothy Scharbauer and trained by veteran Jack Van Berg, was having another championship year racing all across the country. He had defeated Ferdinand twice at Santa Anita Park in the early part of 1988 and ventured east in the second half to win major races in New York and New Jersey.

Run on a cold miserable damp day in November at Churchill Downs, the nine horse Classic field contained all the top horses in training.  Alysheba, Waquoit, Cryptoclearance, Personal Flag, Cutlass Reality and Slew City Slew represented the four years and older division, whereas Forty Niner, Seeking the Gold and Lively One comprised the sophomore set. Alysheba’s overall record, plus the fact he was racing where he won last year’s Kentucky Derby made him the most probable winner. The doubters pointed to his recent narrow victories suggesting there was not much difference between him and his competitors. With the muddy conditions, there were memories of his floundering in the mud at Saratoga Racetrack in the previous year’s Travers Stakes. Nevertheless, Alysheba was the solid post time favorite. Waquoit, off a dominating Jockey Club Gold Cup win, was the second choice with Forty Niner the third betting favorite. The Phipps stable entry of Seeking the Gold and Personal Flag was the fourth choice.

Waquoit and Slew City Slew went head and head for the early lead; Cutlass Reality was third with Alysheba in fourth place. Forty Niner was just inside Alysheba down the backstretch. Alysheba launched his rally as the field approached the far turn. Forty Niner was moving with him when suddenly jockey Julie Krone lost control, and the Mr. Prospector colt dropped back to last place. (Krone reported post-race that she felt her mount had stumbled.) At the top of the stretch, several runners were in contention, but the strongest were Alysheba and Seeking the Gold who had rallied outside of everybody. For an instance, it looked that Seeking the Gold would gain the advantage, but Alysheba, resolute as always, held the younger rival’s surge at bay and finished a ½ length in front. Five lengths back in third was Waquoit with Forty Niner closing gamely from his setback along the turn, finished a neck back in fourth in a performance that should have had him closer. The impact of the race resulted in Eclipse Awards for Alysheba for both Older Male Horse and Horse of the Year.

Alysheba winning the 1988 Breeders' Cup Classic
(bloodhorse.com)

The following year Breeders’ Cup Day was held at Gulfstream Park, and the Classic featured the fourth meeting between those racing titans Easy Goer and Sunday Silence. The two three-year-olds had battled fiercely through the Triple Crown series with the latter gaining victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, while the former was triumphant in the Belmont Stakes. There were six others in the field, however, just about everybody picked the two sophomores to finish first and second. Easy Goer was the surprising strong favorite, considering that Sunday Silence had won two of the three previous meetings. The result of the Belmont Stakes was taken as definitive in which Easy Goer won by 8 dominant lengths. However, that was at 1½ miles and around Belmont Park’s gentle turns. The Breeders’ Cup Classic was run at a 1¼ mile around the tight oval of Gulfstream Park which Easy Goer had not negotiated well in the past. An added uncertainty was that Chris McCarron was now the rider of Sunday Silence in that his regular jockey Pat Valenzuela was serving a suspension due to repeated drug abuse.

As the race began, Slew City Slew showed his speed to take a 3 length lead setting a fast pace with Blushing John in second. Sunday Silence was parked in fourth and then advanced to third, with Easy Goer further back in sixth place. Down the backstretch, Sunday Silence ambled smoothly toward the leaders, and Easy Goer made a quick move to be just behind his rival. Around the turn, Blushing John forged to the front as Slew City Slew fell back. As feared, Easy Goer was not able to keep pace around the final turn with Sunday Silence and lost ground. At the top of the stretch, Sunday Silence readily moved to and then past Blushing John as Easy Goer mounted a desperate challenge once in the straight. In the last 1/16 of a mile, Easy Goer closed considerable ground but fell short by a neck at the finish. Blushing John in a strong effort was 1 length behind Easy Goer but almost 10 lengths in front of fourth finishing Present Value.

For the partnership of Dr. Ernest Gaillard, Arthur Hancock III and Charlie Whittingham that owned Sunday Silence, this victory was the year’s culmination. For Whittingham this was his second Kentucky Derby - Breeders’ Cup Classic double trained winner after Ferdinand in 1987.  Naturally, Three-Year-Old Male Champion and Horse of the Year honors were awarded to Sunday Silence although there are still some stubborn observers (myself included) who believe Easy Goer was the better horse.

                                 

(To be continued in part II.)

The Most Dramatic Breeders' Cup Classics, Part II

 

The Most Dramatic Breeders’ Cup Classics, Part II

Joseph Di Rienzi

This is the second of a two part series on what I consider are the five most dramatic Breeders’ Cup Classic races. In part I, I discussed my fifth (in 1998), fourth (1987) and third ranked (2016) editions of this annual contest. Here I will review the two most dramatic renewals.

 

Number 2: 1989

The pièce de résistance of the Breeders’ Cup Day held this year at Gulfstream Park was the Classic, and it featured the fourth meeting between those racing titans Easy Goer and Sunday Silence. The two three-year-olds had battled fiercely through the Triple Crown series with the latter gaining victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, while the former was triumphant in the Belmont Stakes. There were six others in the field, however, just about everybody picked the two sophomores to finish first and second. Easy Goer was the surprising strong favorite, considering that Sunday Silence had won two of the three previous meetings. The result of the Belmont Stakes was taken as definitive in which Easy Goer won by 8 dominant lengths. However, that was at 1½ miles and around Belmont Park’s gentle turns. The Breeders’ Cup Classic was run at a 1¼ mile around the tight turns at Gulfstream Park which Easy Goer had not negotiated well in the past. An added uncertainty was that Chris McCarron was now the rider of Sunday Silence in that his regular jockey Pat Valenzuela was serving a suspension due to repeated drug abuse.

As the race began, Slew City Slew showed his speed to take a 3 length lead setting a fast pace with Blushing John in second. Sunday Silence was parked in fourth and then third, with Easy Goer further back in sixth place. Down the backstretch, Sunday Silence ambled smoothly toward the leaders, and Easy Goer made a quick move to be just behind his rival. Around the turn, Blushing John forged to the front as Slew City Slew fell back. As feared, Easy Goer was not able to keep pace around the final turn with Sunday Silence and lost ground. At the top of the stretch, Sunday Silence readily moved to and then past Blushing John as Easy Goer mounted a desperate challenge once in the straight. In the last 1/16 of a mile, Easy Goer closed considerable ground but fell short by a neck at the finish. Blushing John in a strong effort was 1 length behind Easy Goer but almost 10 lengths in front of fourth finishing Present Value.                         

For the partnership of Dr. Ernest Gaillard, Arthur Hancock III and Charlie Whittingham that owned Sunday Silence, this victory was the year’s culmination. For Whittingham this was his second Breeders’ Cup Classic trained winner after Ferdinand in 1987.  Naturally, Three-Year-Old Male Champion and Horse of the Year honors were awarded to Sunday Silence although there are still some stubborn observers (myself included) who believe Easy Goer was the better horse.

 

Number 2: 2010

The 27^th edition of the Breeders’ Cup Classic held this year at Churchill Downs was all about Zenyatta. The remarkable six-year-old mare was undefeated in 19 starts stretching over four racing years. The Ann and Jerry Moss owned and John Sheriffs trained daughter of Street Cry had scored an incredible victory in the previous year’s Classic at Santa Anita (on a synthetic dirt surface) and was trying to be only the second two time winner. (Tiznow accomplished the feat in 2000 and 2001.)

As darkness rolled in on November 6, the stage was set for an epic Breeders’ Cup Classic. Despite being the defending champion, there were many who doubted Zenyatta would be able to repeat. They cited that this Classic was on conventional dirt (ignoring the fact she had won the Apple Blossom Handicap twice over Oaklawn Park’s dirt surface). They also questioned the quality of the females she had been defeating all year, while in the Classic she would be facing top male horses such as Blame, Quality Road,  Lookin At Lucky and Haynesfield. (The critics seemed to forget that Zenyatta defeated a top class international group of horses in last year’s Classic.) Finally, they noted that her speed figures were not as high as her Classic rivals’ numbers, again not realizing that a come from behind horse such as Zenyatta was only racing fast enough to catch the front runners.

The betting public, ignoring these negatives, installed Zenyatta the even money favorite with sophomore Lookin At Lucky the narrow second choice over Blame, considered the top older male entry. In a race that will be remembered forever in Breeders’ Cup history, Zenyatta broke slowly in the twelve horse field and found herself last, several lengths behind the eleventh place horse. Down the backstretch, First Dude set the pace with Quality Road, Japanese raced Espoir City and Haynesfield tracking. In the next group some 4 lengths behind was Looking At Lucky with Blame alongside saving ground under Garrett Gomez, while Zenyatta was still, seemingly languishing, in last place. Around the far turn the field started bunching up as Quality Road dropped back suddenly and Lookin At Lucky and Blame launched their bid side by side between horses. Meanwhile, Mike Smith took Zenyatta first to the inside around the far turn and then swung her wide for clear running room. In mid-stretch, Blame was pulling clear from Lookin At Lucky with Zenyatta looming on the outside some lengths away. At first, it looked impossible she would be able to run Blame down, then it seemed likely, but in the end, Blame was able to hold off Zenyatta’s charge by a desperate head. Fly Down closed ground to be third, 3½ lengths back with Lookin At Lucky a neck back in fourth, while Quality Road retreated to last place.

Blame defeats Zenyatta (no. 8) in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic
(nytimes.com)

Those in attendance were numb from the dramatic finish, thrilled and sad at the same time. Claiborne Farm’s President Seth Hancock, co-owner of Blame, was quoted as saying, “I’m proud to win the race, but I take no pride in beating Zenyatta. She is awesome, and she’s been great for racing.” Blame deserved the win, but Zenyatta was magnificent in defeat. The day after the Classic, hundreds of fans came to the fence as Zenyatta grazed outside her Churchill Downs barn to pay tribute and present gifts to this magnificent animal even more revered in defeat than in victory. For Blame’s connections (Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider), this was a triumph to celebrate, and his victory marked a return to glory for the historic farm. Trainer Al Stall Jr. was rewarded for his patience with bringing Blame up to this peak performance, and for Garrett Gomez, whose personal life would take a downward spiral, this win was a racing pinnacle.

For the Eclipse Awards, Blame was the Champion Older Male Horse and Zenyatta the corresponding Female. In a contentious voting, Zenyatta outpolled Blame for Horse of the Year. She was retired with a record of 19 wins and 1 second in 20 starts in addition to a legacy as one of the greatest horses this country has ever seen. 

This year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic will be held at Keeneland Racecourse on November 7^th. As I have tried to show in this series, the Classic has produced some of the thoroughbred sports’ most indelible memories. I can only hope the 2020 edition will continue that tradition.

The Most Dramatic Breeders' Cup Classics

 

 

The Most Dramatic Breeders’ Cup Classics, Part I

Joseph Di Rienzi

The pinnacle of the annual Breeders’ Cup Championship series is usually the 1¼ mile Breeders’ Cup Classic – the final race of the now two day meet. Over its 36 year history, the Classic has been won by some of the thoroughbred sports’ equine stars. Names such as Cigar, Skip Away, Curlin, Zenyatta and American Pharoah [sic] have etched their names in the honor’s list of Classic victors. In this two part piece, I will discuss what I consider the five most exciting editions (in reverse order) taking into consideration the quality of the field and the closeness of the finish.

Number 5: 1998

This could very well have been the deepest field in quality in the Breeders’ Cup Classic history. Held this year at Churchill Downs, the headliners among the 10 horses entered in the Classic were two grays - Skip Away (double champion and 1997 Classic winner) and Silver Charm (1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes hero and this year’s Dubai World Cup victor) both vying for Older Male and Horse of the Year honors. The rest of the field included the Frank Stronach owned pair - Awesome Again and Touch Gold as well as Victory Gallop (the Belmont Stakes hero), Coronado’s Quest (Travers Stakes winner), Gentlemen, Arch, Running Stag and Swain. The last named was mainly European raced but could not be dismissed based on his close finish to Silver Charm in the Dubai World Cup. Skip Away was the favorite, but there was some concern over his soundness, his relatively recent poor performance in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (a badly beaten third place finish), and the fact he had run the worst race of his career at Churchill Downs in the 1996 Kentucky Derby. Good chances were given to Silver Charm, the Stronach entry and Swain.

As the field broke from the gate, Coronado’s Quest forged to the front over Arch with Skip Away and Silver Charm side by side in third and fourth position. Swain and Gentlemen were not far back in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Down the backstretch, Coronado’s Quest continued to lead with the others close behind. Skip Away made a move along the inside but was repelled as Silver Charm came up the outside. At the top of the stretch, Coronado’s Quest was still in front but strongly challenged by Silver Charm. Swain made his move along the outside but, in doing so, drifted far right under jockey Frankie Dettori’s urging. It looked like a three horse finish among Coronado’s Quest, Silver Charm and Swain who were spread out across the racetrack when suddenly Awesome Again and then Victory Gallop charged between a large gap. At the finish, Awesome Again was ¾ of a length in front of Silver Charm who had a neck advantage over Swain. The European, in a massive effort, held third by a nose over Victory Gallop who was 1 length in front of Coronado’s Quest. Skip Away, who was not the same racehorse as had been seen the past three years, finished sixth in his final start, beaten a total of four lengths.

Awesome Again (in center) 
winning the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic
(bloodhorse.com)

This was a great victory for the owner-trainer team of Frank Stronach and Pat Byrne, respectively. Although, Awesome Again was undefeated in six 1998 starts, his Breeders’ Cup Classic victory was not sufficient to persuade enough voters to award him championship honors. The Eclipse Award for Older Male went to Skip Away despite defeats in his last two races. Skip Away was also voted Horse of the Year, for his overall 1998 record, and the fact he probably should have won that Eclipse Award in 1997.  

 

Number 4: 1987

At Hollywood Park, a field of 12 entered the starting gate for the fourth Breeders’ Cup Classic headed by two Kentucky Derby winners - Ferdinand (the 1986 victor) and Alysheba (this year’s Derby hero). Ferdinand appeared to have the upper hand as the older competitor racing at a track where he won the Hollywood Gold Cup (at the same 1¼ mile distance as the Classic) and bringing a series of sparkling workouts leading up to the race. There was some support for the defending Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Skywalker and Canadian bred three-year-old Afleet. Other contenders were Cryptoclearance, Nostalgia’s Star, Gulch, Candi’s Gold and Judge Angelucci. The last named trained by Charlie Whittingham (as was Ferdinand) had developed into more than just a pace setter for his barn mate. Since his second to Ferdinand in the Hollywood Gold Cup, the son of Honest Pleasure had won three of four stakes races.

The Classic was, to employ an overused expression, a thriller. Candi’s Gold and Judge Angelucci went for the lead and set a steady pace. Ferdinand began in mid-pack but raced into contention along the backstretch. Alysheba was initially placed far back and made a bold move on the outside as the field headed around the far turn. At the top of the stretch, Ferdinand, under Bill Shoemaker, cruised up alongside the battling leaders, Judge Angelucci and Candi’s Gold. Knowing his mount’s habit of pulling himself up once he gains the lead, Shoemaker was waiting to the last moment to urge Ferdinand forward. However, when he saw Alysheba coming resolutely to his right, Shoemaker called on Ferdinand who surged forward to gain a clear advantage. In the shadow of the finish line, Alysheba closed dramatically to just miss winning by a nose. (An unforgettable memory is race caller Tom Durkin’s pronouncement that “the two Derby winners hit the wire together”.) In third place, 1¼ lengths behind, was a very game Judge Angelucci with Candi’s Gold another 1½ lengths back in fourth place. (Skywalker in his attempt to win the Classic again finished twelfth and last.)

Ferdinand winning the 1987 Breeders’ Cup Classic
(bloodhorse.com)

As a result of this victory, Ferdinand, owned by Mrs. Howard B. Keck, despite having lost his first six races of the year, was voted the Eclipse Award both for Champion Older Male Horse and Horse of the Year. Alysheba, due to his overall record and powerful performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, was awarded Champion Three-Year-Old Male.

 

Number 3: 2016

The Breeders’ Cup Classic, the climatic race of the two day Breeders’ Cup series, held this year at Santa Anita Park on November 5, had a nine horse field. Now a five-year-old, California Chrome, at the time North America’s  leading money earner, was attempting to complete a perfect season that the 2013 double classic winner and former Horse of the Year began in January at Santa Anita. His main adversary appeared to be Juddmonte Farms’ sophomore Arrogate who burst onto the national racing scene with a sensational Travers Stakes victory. Other entries included Frosted, Melatonin, Hoppertunity, Effinex and Keen Ice. At post time, California Chrome was the 9-10 favorite, but Arrogate at 8-5, was installed the strong second choice.

After the break, Victor Espinoza sent “Chrome” to the front followed by Melatonin. Arrogate, breaking from the no. 9 post, was not sent forward by Mike Smith as he did in the Travers but took a rating position in third place a couple of lengths behind the leader. The first three positions were unchanged down the backstretch as California Chrome was running comfortably on the lead. Around the far turn, Smith angled Arrogate inside of Melatonin as he took aim at California Chrome. Down the stretch, California Chrome continued to stride out purposefully, and, although Arrogate was under a drive on the outside, it appeared he was not gaining. That changed just before the finish when the big son of Unbridled’s Song leveled out as only the really good horses do and thrusted himself forward to pass Chrome for an astonishing ½ length victory. The magnitude of the performance of the top two finishers was exemplified in that third finishing Keen Ice checked in 10¾ lengths further back. Hoppertunity was fourth; Melatonin finished fifth; Frosted was sixth, and Effinex checked in at seventh place.

Arrogate wins the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic
(nytimes.com)

Arrogate became the third consecutive Classic winner conditioned by Bob Baffert. For Juddmonte Farms, who has had so many top class runners in Europe and turf champions in the U. S., this victory ranks up with their Empire Maker’s 2003 Belmont Stakes victory. This was Mike Smith’s fourth Classic winning mount with Skip Away (in 1997), Drosselmeyer (in 2009) and Zenyatta (2011) the other three. At year’s end, Arrogate was voted the Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Old Male, California Chrome the Older Dirt Male Champion and Horse of the Year (despite losing the Classic), easily outpolling Arrogate.

 

(To be continued in part II.)