Zenyatta's Run for Perfection Headed By Blame in Breeders' Cup Classic

In arguably the biggest race in the history of horse racing, Zenyatta’s run for perfection came up half a head short as she was unable to pass Blame down the stretch in the $5 million Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic under the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs before a crowd of 72,739.

Blame’s jockey Garrett Gomez punctuated a weekend in which he won three Breeders’ Cup races by guiding the 5-to-1 third choice to the third Grade 1 victory of his career and his fourth win in five tries over his favorite track.

As always, Zenyatta was far back early as the 4-to-5 odds-on favorite, but even further back than normal.

Jockey Mike Smith guided her through traffic in similar fashion as he did in last year's edition of this race, but as they turned for home she found clear sailing a touch later than Smith would have liked and it cost her in the final jump.

The six-year-old daughter of Street Cry was looking to win for the 20th consecutive time in what was likely the final start of her career. Leading up to the race, she had drawn attention across all mainstream media outlets.

Fly Down at 27-to-1 edged out 9-to-2 second choice Lookin At Lucky for third.

In Saturday’s other Breeders’ Cup races:

$1 million Grade 2 Juvenile Turf

After stumbling hard in the first jump out of the gate while breaking from the outside post No. 13 and having to dodge a downed rival, Pluck came from the back of the pack to mow down the entire field at 6-to-1 under jockey Garret Gomez.

Going into the first turn, jockey Rosie Napravnik was unseated when her mount Rough Sailing went down. While Napravnik walked away unscathed, the two-year-old colt suffered a broken shoulder when hitting the turf and had to be euthanized.

Soldat held on for second at 4-to-1 after a rail-skimming ride, and 23-to-1 long shot Wilcox Inn ran on for third.

$2 million Grade 1 Sprint

Big Drama broke like a shot from the inside post and was able to lead wire to wire at 5-to-1, giving veteran jockey Eibar Coa his first Breeders’ Cup victory.

The four-year-old son of Montbrook faced a favorable early pace scenario after Pashito the Che broke poorly and has now won five of six career starts going six furlongs.

Long shot Hamazing Destiny closed to finish second at 24-to-1 and Smiling Tiger held on for third at 5-to-1.

$1 million Grade 2 Turf Sprint

Jockey Jaime Theriot and trainer Bret Calhoun scored with wins in successive days as Chamberlain Bridge stormed down the center of the turf course from far back to win at 6-to-1.

The six-year-old gelded son of War Chant has now won four of five on the Churchill Downs turf course and 14 of 25 starts at the five-furlong distance.

Pace setter Central City held on for second while the California-based filly Unzip Me finished third.

$2 million Grade 1 Juvenile

An overwhelming betting favorite finally made the wagering public look smart as Uncle Mo was able to sit off the pace under jockey John Velazquez before attacking at the top of the stretch and drawing off to win by daylight as the 7-to-5 favorite.

The two-year-old son of Indian Charlie has now won all three of his career starts by open lengths and is the top early contender for next year’s Kentucky Derby.

Boys At Toscanova finished second as the 7-to-2 second betting choice and Rogue Romance finished third at 8-to-1.

$2 million Grade 1 Mile

The five-year-old French mare Goldikova made it two favorites in a row on the day and three straight wins in this race for her, rolling down the center of the turf course under jockey Olivier Peslier to win at 6-to-5. She becomes the first horse to win three Breeders’ Cup races.

For the second consecutive year in a Breeders’ Cup race, Gio Ponti finished second to a champion female with Ramon Dominguez aboard.

The Usual Q.T. and Victor Espinoza finished third.

$1 million Grade 1 Dirt Mile

A massive long shot shook things up as 37-to-1 Dakota Phone got up in the last jump under Joel Rosario to nose out Morning Line on the wire. Morning Line had been installed as the 7-to-2 morning line favorite but was sent off at 7-to-1.

For the five-year-old son of Zavata it was the first Grade 1 victory of his career as well as the first Breeders’ Cup win for Rosario.

Gayego finished third.

$3 million Grade 1 Turf

Frankie Dettori won for a record fourth time in this race as he guided Dangerous Midge to nearly a two-length victory at 8-to-1 after tracking pace setter Champ Pegasus and Joel Rosario who finished second.

The European based, but Kentucky bred, four-year-old son of Lion Heart had won his previous start in the Arc Trial at Newbury in England by four lengths.

Even money favorite Behkabad finished third after looming at the top of the stretch and flattening out.

After nobody hit the pick 6 yesterday, today’s five winning tickets paid just over $800,000 each.

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