Raven’s Pass Wins Breeders’ Cup Classic In Upset Over Curlin

The favourites, especially Horse of the Year Curlin, didn’t have a shot at the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday.

Raven’s Pass spoiled Curlin’s bid for a second consecutive Breeders’ Cup Classic, winning the US$5 million race by 1 3/4 lengths on Santa Anita’s new synthetic surface.

The defending champion, who had never raced on such a surface, wound up fourth.

Britain-based Raven’s Pass capped a day of long-shot upsets at the season-ending championships, with European-based horses winning five of nine races. Seven of the winners were long shots.

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 on opening day Friday.

On the track, the richest two days in thoroughbred racing went off without incident, surely relieving Breeders’ Cup officials who were mindful of Eight Belles’ fatal breakdown after this year’s Kentucky Derby and George Washington being euthanized on the track after last year’s Classic at New Jersey’s Monmouth Park.

Trainers Bob Baffert and John Gosden were double-winners Saturday, while jockey Frankie Dettori rode two winners Saturday and jockey Mike Smith won two Friday.

Among owners, Darley Stable claimed three victories, while Princess Haya of Jordan shared in two, including the Classic.

Raven’s Pass won by 1 3/4 lengths in his first race on a synthetic surface, something the Breeders’ Cup tried for the first time in its 25-year history. The event returns to Santa Anita next year.

It was a new experience for 4-5 favourite Curlin, too. More than $1 million was wagered on the reigning Horse of the Year to win, an amount so huge the tote board couldn’t display it.

Curlin is sired by Canadian-bred Smart Strike.

The switch from dirt to a mix of rubber, fibres and sand helped attract a record number of European entries, because many of those horses train on such surfaces.

Curlin’s biggest challenger was thought to be Big Brown, but the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner was forced to retire earlier this month because of injury.

Instead, the rest of the world ganged up on Curlin.

Raven’s Pass ran 1 1/4 miles in a track record 1:59.27 under Dettori, who twice delighted the crowd with his trademark flying dismount in the winner’s circle.

Sent off at 13-1 odds, Raven’s Pass paid $29, $15.80 and $8.

Henrythenavigator, also based in Europe, returned $22 and $11.20, while Tiago was another three-quarters of a length back in third and paid $7 to show.

Under Robby 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.

As soon as Curlin moved, though, Raven’s Pass was hot on his tail and went by North America’s all-time leading money earner.

“Once I got behind Curlin, I said, ‘That’s half the job done. He’s going to take me there, and sure he did,”‘ 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.

Go Between was fifth, Colonel John sixth, Smooth Air seventh and Champs Elysees eighth, followed by Duke of Marmalade, Fairbanks, Student Council and Casino Drive.

Baffert saddled Midshipman to a 1 1/4-length win in the $2 million Juvenile, then watched Midnight Lute defend his title in the $2 million Sprint by 1 3/4 lengths.

Named for recently retired Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson, the five-year-old ran six furlongs in 1:07.08 and paid $7.40 to win.

“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.”

Gomez rode both horses, along with Albertus Maximus in the $1 million Dirt Mile.

Midshipman became the winter book favourite for the Kentucky Derby, a race Baffert has won three times but not since 2002 with War Emblem.

Bred by Houston Texans owner Bob McNair and owned by Darley Stable, Midshipman has won three of four career starts. He paid $9.20 after running 1 1-16 miles in 1:40.94, a stakes record on the synthetic surface on which Baffert’s stable has struggled.

“Well, I’ve learned to cope with it,” Baffert said. “But I’m still conventional dirt.”

Ireland-bred Conduit won the $3 million Turf by 1 1/2 lengths in an upset. Favoured Goldikova won the $2 million Mile by 1 1/4 lengths, making Frenchman Freddy Head became the first man to train and ride a Breeders’ Cup winner. He rode Miesque to victories in the Mile in 1987 and ’88.

Desert Code, a 36-1 shot, won the $1 million Turf Sprint; Muhannak captured the $500,000 Marathon at 12-1 odds; and Britain-bred gelding Donativum won the $1 million Juvenile Turf under Dettori.

Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images