By Sam Turner
After a decade in exile following a well-documented 10-year suspension, Rick Dutrow is back in the big time.
While recent years have brought controversy and recrimination,
victory for the Dutrow-trained White Abarrio in the $6m dollar Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic could not have gone smoother as rider Irad Ortiz – partnering the middle leg of a sparkling treble – stalked a healthy early gallop set by Arabian Night and Saudi Crown.
Moving out three wide down the backstretch, Ortiz allowed his willing partner to sweep alongside the pacesetters turning for home before the son of Race Day took over at the top of the stretch.
The combination was never for catching from that point and, although Japanese outsider Derma Sotogake ran on well to take second in the hands of Cristophe Lemaire for trainer Hidetaka Otonashi, Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro could finish no closer than fifth.
The Godolphin-owned Proxy was one of few to make any headway from the rear, keeping on gamely into third with Joel Rosario aboard.
Ortiz had instigated his hat-trick earlier on the card in the PNC Bank Filly and Mare Sprint aboard the indomitable Goodnight Olive, trained by Chad Brown, who landed the 1400m one turn feature from Yuugiri for the second successive year and will be offered for sale on Tuesday at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale.
The final leg of his stunning treble came courtesy of the Juddmonte-owned Elite Power who lifted the Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint for the second successive year – becoming the third horse on the card to defend their title.
Trained by Bill Mott, himself recording a double following the emotional victory of Cody’s Wish in the Dirt Mile, Elite Power and Ortiz enjoyed the perfect trip before coming clear of Gunite in midstretch to record a repeat success in the 1200m feature.
The victory was a second on a frenetic afternoon’s action for the Juddmonte operation who had earlier seen their colours gamely carried to victory in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff by rider Florent Geroux aboard Idiomatic for trainer Brad Cox who has now won three of the last six renewals.
The four-year-old daughter of Curlin needed to be at her bravest in the straight to hold off a host of challengers who looked like they might overhaul at her at any stage.
However, Geroux possessed the most willing partner and the combination ground out a half-length triumph which was even more meritorious given they had sat close to ferocious early fractions.
Frankie Dettori is soon to make California his permanent residence and the legendary rider sealed a 15th Breeders’ Cup win with a vintage victory aboard Inspiral in the Maker’s Mark BC Filly & Mare Turf.
Trying the 2000m trip for the first time, The John & Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old was switched off in rear by Dettori early on before angled off the rail turning for home as the front runners, including Warm Heart, looked to have kicked away.
However, the Frankel filly engaged her trademark turn of foot to reel in the Ryan Moore-ridden Warm Heart and grabbed her Irish rival on the line for a neck verdict.
The win meant a lot to John Gosden, who started his training career at Santa Anita and saddled Royal Heroine to oblige at the first Breeders' Cup 39 years ago.
“An amazing performance from an outstanding filly,” Gosden said.
“Frankie (Dettori) said he was happy with her throughout the race having a good pitch on the inside rail. She traveled beautifully throughout and showed an electric turn of foot.
Inspiral is due to stay in training as a five-year-old and Gosden added: “I think, if she's in great order next year, there will be no question but to consider Del Mar very seriously. Particularly since the trainer and his wife love coming back to California.”
Narrowly denied by Inspiral, Ryan Moore gained rich compensation in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf with a majestic ride aboard Auguste Rodin to give trainer Aidan O’Brien a record seventh victory in the $4m feature.
Events didn’t pan out as planned early on for the dual Classic winner, but an ice-cool Moore remained patient and waited on the rail for the gaps to materialize in the straight.
Thankfully for connections, a seam arrived when the front-running Balladeer weakened, and Auguste Rodin capitalised to hit the front under a brilliant ground-saving ride.
Up To The Mark and Irad Ortiz whittled away the advantage in the stretch, but Moore merely needed to keep the son of Deep Impact up to his work to record a 14th BC win and conclude an incredible season for the English and Irish Derby winner.
Trainer Larry Rivelli paid tribute to rider Geraldo Corrales after witnessing Nobals snatch the 16th running of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
It was the first Breeders’ Cup victory for both parties and Rivelli felt Corrales made all the difference with his midstretch move on the rail which helped secure a diminishing neck verdict from Big Invasion partnered by Joel Rosario.
“Stuff happens in these types of races, and I think the jock made the difference today,” stated Rivelli.
“He rode the horse perfect and stayed inside and the gap came, and he was gone.”
