Curlin can only watch as long shots run wild
ARCADIA, Calif. - The crowd backed him with its money and its mouth, bellowing on tiptoes as Curlin took the lead at the top of the stretch. Too soon it was over as this Breeders' Cup was about long shots, a new surface, and European imports, not America's best horse.
Curlin, the reigning horse of the year, was upset in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita yesterday, demoted to a fourth-place finish behind 13-1 long shot Raven's Pass from Britain.
Neither Curlin nor Raven's Pass had raced before on a synthetic surface, used for the first time at the Breeders' Cup. But Raven's Pass trains on something similar.
"Maybe he's not a synthetic surface specialist," said Curlin's jockey Robby Albarado. "He was paddling around. These horses [Raven's Pass and second-place Henrythenavigator] are great turf horses, and it seemed like the synthetics played like a turf course."
Raven's Pass capped a day of the long shots at the season-ending championships, as seven of the nine winners were lightly regarded by the betting public.
Garrett Gomez had a big afternoon, too, becoming the first jockey to win three races in one day in the event's history. He also won the Filly & Mare Turf Friday.
The surface was a new experience for 4-5 favorite Curlin. More than $1 million was wagered on him to win, an amount so huge the tote board couldn't display it.
He came in nearly a month early to test himself on the Pro-Ride surface, performing well enough to convince majority owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen to run in the Classic. Curlin's biggest challenger going in was thought to be Big Brown, but the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner was forced to retire this month because of injury. Instead, the rest of the world ganged up on Curlin.
Under Albarado, Curlin left the starting gate near the back of the pack, while Casino Drive from Japan took the lead.
Entering the final turn, Albarado asked Curlin to pick up the pace, and he responded with an explosive move. The crowd of 51,331 roared as Curlin flashed into contention, taking a narrow lead at the top of the stretch.
"I'm disappointed he lost, but obviously, he's done enough for us and our careers," Albarado said. "He's the all-time American horse, so we can never knock him."
When Curlin moved, Raven's Pass was hot on his tail and went by North America's all-time leading money earner, winning by 1 3/4 lengths.
"Once I got behind Curlin, I said, 'That's half the job done. He's going to take me there,' and sure he did," jockey Frankie Dettori said. "Then it was a worry moment for a split second when I asked him, would he pick up or would he falter on the distance, but he did pick up."
The only remaining challenge came from Henrythenavigator, who found room on the inside to finish second. Tiago also went by Curlin to finish third.
Raven's Pass ran the 1 1/4 miles in a track-record time of 1 minute 59.27 seconds under Dettori, who twice delighted the crowd with his flying dismount in the winner's circle.
Dettori also won the $1 million Juvenile Turf with Britain-bred Donativum, one of five European-based winners on the day.
Raven's Pass paid $29, $15.80, and $8, while Henrythenavigator, also based in Europe, returned $22 and $11.20, and Tiago, another three-quarters of a length back, paid $7 to show.
The nine-race card featured three double-winners - trainers Bob Baffert and John Gosden (Raven's Pass), and Dettori.
Baffert saddled Midshipman to a win in the $2 million Juvenile, then watched Midnight Lute defend his title in the $2 million Sprint.
Gomez rode both those horses, along with Albertus
Midshipman put Baffert into next year's Kentucky Derby picture with a 1 1/4-length victory in the Juvenile.
Baffert returned to the winner's circle later, when 5-year-old Midnight Lute, named for recently retired University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson, defended his title in the Sprint by 1 3/4 lengths after rallying from last.
"I've always been bragging on him, but today he showed what a great horse he is," Baffert said. "I've never seen a horse like this. He's the best horse I've ever trained."
Ireland-bred Conduit won the $3 million Turf in an upset, defeating Eagle Mountain by 1 1/2 lengths. Form held in the $2 million Mile, with 9-5 wagering favorite Goldikova scoring a 1 1/4-length victory over defending champion Kip Deville.
David Hofmans saddled 36-1 shot Desert Code to victory by a half-length in the $1 million Turf Sprint and a $75 win payoff. Muhannak was the day's first long-shot winner, capturing the $500,000 Marathon by a head at 12-1 that generated a $26.80 win payout. 