Raven's Pass wins Breeders' Cup Classic
October 26th 2008 00:03
Only minutes since I have watched the Breeders’ Cup Classic - the time difference between the US and Australia allowing me to watch the latter part of the Breeders’ Cup program live as I have breakfast.
Raven’s Pass, ridden a masterful race by Frankie Dettori, defeated Henrythenavigator by 1 3/4 lengths. Tiago ran home for third, just edging out the defending champion and US Horse of the Year Curlin. They smashed the old track record and recorded 1.59.22 on the new synthetic surface.
(photo: Reuters/ Danny Moloshok)
It was truly a remarkable race. Casino Drive set a steady tempo, but was always being stalked by Duke Of Marmalade and a chasing group. There was a break in the field with Curlin on the outside, and Henrythenavigator on his inside, racing together and leading the back half of the field into the race.
Down the back it appeared that Henrythenavigator was struggling to maintain his tempo - he appeared uncomfortable and did not look certain to be able to run out the extra distance of this race. Or was it the unfamiliar riding style - as his usual jockey Johnny Murtagh was aboard Duke Of Marmalade?
As they swept into the final turn Albarado had stoked Curlin up and he had surged wide around the field - the crowd roared as it looked as though this mighty horse would once again prove the best. But as soon as he had arrived and gained a narrow advantage you could see (as his shadow) Frankie Dettori aboard Raven’s Pass in his slipstream and gaining momentum. And surging in between runners - with little room - was Henrythenavigator who was seeking clear passage and finishing bravely. The two English horses peeled either side of Curlin and swept past him.
In my pre-race summary I had believed that the European 3 year old milers would be well suited to the 2000m journey - and the Pro-Ride surface. The dirt track advantage that Curlin had was nullified. European horses will hold no fear for competing in the US on this synthetic surface. If the US truly wishes to internationalise their racing then there will be a shift to the new synthetic tracks. The furore over some of the aspects of dirt track racing make this appear a progressive move. It just needs to be taken up.
It had been Henrythenavigator who held sway over Raven’s Pass in their early encounters - but the last two occasions Raven’s Pass has proven superior. Marginally. It has been an arduous season for Henry and a betting drift and lack of confidence could have indicated that this race was to prove beyond him. But in the end it was momentum and a slightly better ride by Dettori that made the difference.
Aidan O’Brien could not muster a Group One victory at the Breeders’ Cup. He had entered Henrythenavigator for the Cox Plate in Melbourne. At one time the possible Cox Plate field appeared to be of the highest quality ever assembled. I wrote recently that the European trainers (O’Brien in particular) have made a serious error in judgement in not targeting the Cox Plate. This would have been a remarkable swansong for Henrythenavigator who I have no doubt would have won in Melbourne. Then in season 2009 he would have shuttled to Australia for stud duties as reigning Cox Plate champion.
In my preview I suggested the result:
1 Henrythenavigator
2 Curlin
3 Raven's Pass
Curlin started at 4/5 favourite.
On Supertab:
Raven’s Pass $14.10; $3.60
Henrythenavigator $3.80
Tiago $5.20
Exacta $106.00
post race comments:
"I followed Curlin. The further we raced the more relaxed he was and he came on the bridle.
When I pressed the button I was hoping he would go to the end and he did. What a good racehorse he is.
I was following every move of Curlin and it paid off. I wasn't sure if he would stay until I pressed the button." - Frankie Dettori.
"He's improved a lot through the year. He's got better and better in the fall of the year, got stronger and weighed more than he was before.He has trained beautifully and been more relaxed. I felt the trip wouldn't be a problem." -John Gosden, trainer.
"He ran awesome. I just feel I could have been closer if I'd made my move earlier but I was thinking of his first run over the trip. He stayed on and got it well and I had a great run throughout." - John Velazquez, rider of Henrythenavigator.
"Johnny (Murtagh) said he thought it was the end of a long hard season for The Duke and he will now be retired to stud.I was delighted with Henry, he got the trip well as I thought he would and he will now take up stud duties at Ashford Stud in Kentucky." - Aidan O'Brien.
"He put in a big run and tried his hardest. There is no excuse for him. I was always where I needed to be I thought. Down the backside I was content where I was, he was a little wider than I wanted but that's Curlin. It's hard to say if the synthetic surface affected his performance. He ran his heart out." - Robby Albarado, rider of Curlin.
2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic:
Raven’s Pass, ridden a masterful race by Frankie Dettori, defeated Henrythenavigator by 1 3/4 lengths. Tiago ran home for third, just edging out the defending champion and US Horse of the Year Curlin. They smashed the old track record and recorded 1.59.22 on the new synthetic surface.
Raven's Pass wins Breeders' Cup Classic
(photo: Reuters/ Danny Moloshok)
It was truly a remarkable race. Casino Drive set a steady tempo, but was always being stalked by Duke Of Marmalade and a chasing group. There was a break in the field with Curlin on the outside, and Henrythenavigator on his inside, racing together and leading the back half of the field into the race.
Down the back it appeared that Henrythenavigator was struggling to maintain his tempo - he appeared uncomfortable and did not look certain to be able to run out the extra distance of this race. Or was it the unfamiliar riding style - as his usual jockey Johnny Murtagh was aboard Duke Of Marmalade?
As they swept into the final turn Albarado had stoked Curlin up and he had surged wide around the field - the crowd roared as it looked as though this mighty horse would once again prove the best. But as soon as he had arrived and gained a narrow advantage you could see (as his shadow) Frankie Dettori aboard Raven’s Pass in his slipstream and gaining momentum. And surging in between runners - with little room - was Henrythenavigator who was seeking clear passage and finishing bravely. The two English horses peeled either side of Curlin and swept past him.
In my pre-race summary I had believed that the European 3 year old milers would be well suited to the 2000m journey - and the Pro-Ride surface. The dirt track advantage that Curlin had was nullified. European horses will hold no fear for competing in the US on this synthetic surface. If the US truly wishes to internationalise their racing then there will be a shift to the new synthetic tracks. The furore over some of the aspects of dirt track racing make this appear a progressive move. It just needs to be taken up.
It had been Henrythenavigator who held sway over Raven’s Pass in their early encounters - but the last two occasions Raven’s Pass has proven superior. Marginally. It has been an arduous season for Henry and a betting drift and lack of confidence could have indicated that this race was to prove beyond him. But in the end it was momentum and a slightly better ride by Dettori that made the difference.
Aidan O’Brien could not muster a Group One victory at the Breeders’ Cup. He had entered Henrythenavigator for the Cox Plate in Melbourne. At one time the possible Cox Plate field appeared to be of the highest quality ever assembled. I wrote recently that the European trainers (O’Brien in particular) have made a serious error in judgement in not targeting the Cox Plate. This would have been a remarkable swansong for Henrythenavigator who I have no doubt would have won in Melbourne. Then in season 2009 he would have shuttled to Australia for stud duties as reigning Cox Plate champion.
In my preview I suggested the result:
1 Henrythenavigator
2 Curlin
3 Raven's Pass
Curlin started at 4/5 favourite.
On Supertab:
Raven’s Pass $14.10; $3.60
Henrythenavigator $3.80
Tiago $5.20
Exacta $106.00
post race comments:
"I followed Curlin. The further we raced the more relaxed he was and he came on the bridle.
When I pressed the button I was hoping he would go to the end and he did. What a good racehorse he is.
I was following every move of Curlin and it paid off. I wasn't sure if he would stay until I pressed the button." - Frankie Dettori.
"He's improved a lot through the year. He's got better and better in the fall of the year, got stronger and weighed more than he was before.He has trained beautifully and been more relaxed. I felt the trip wouldn't be a problem." -John Gosden, trainer.
"He ran awesome. I just feel I could have been closer if I'd made my move earlier but I was thinking of his first run over the trip. He stayed on and got it well and I had a great run throughout." - John Velazquez, rider of Henrythenavigator.
"Johnny (Murtagh) said he thought it was the end of a long hard season for The Duke and he will now be retired to stud.I was delighted with Henry, he got the trip well as I thought he would and he will now take up stud duties at Ashford Stud in Kentucky." - Aidan O'Brien.
"He put in a big run and tried his hardest. There is no excuse for him. I was always where I needed to be I thought. Down the backside I was content where I was, he was a little wider than I wanted but that's Curlin. It's hard to say if the synthetic surface affected his performance. He ran his heart out." - Robby Albarado, rider of Curlin.
2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic:
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