 Kona Gold with Alex Solis up after winning the Sprint. |
Dateline: 11/04/00
Juvenile Fillies
Mile
Sprint
F/M Turf
Juvenile
Turf
Classic
Misc. Photos
The Sprint had a clear favorite in 1.70-1 Kona Gold, and he did not
disappoint, extending his winning streak to 4 after wins in the Potrero
Grande, Bing Crosby, and Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Handicaps. He lost
last year's running by a half length, but this year he was not to be
denied. Caller One was also going into the race with a three-race winning
streak, and accordingly he was sent off as the 4-1 second choice.
 Kona Gold flying for the finish with Honest Lady and Bet on Sunshine in hot pursuit. |
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 10 Kona Gold Solis 5.40 3.80 3.20 13 Honest Lady Desormeaux 18.20 10.00 6 Bet On Sunshine Borel 13.80 Winning Time: 1:07.77 $2 Exacta 10-13 138.80 $2 Trifecta 10-13-6 2,076.60 $1 Superfecta 10-13-6-3 5,117.30Results Chart from Equibase
A jubilant Alex Solis celebrates his first Breeders' Cup win on Kona Gold.
Kona Gold gets a pat on the head from his groom in the winners' circle.
The happy connections at the trophy presentation in the winners' circle.
Kona Gold in the post parade. His jockey Alex Solis was zero for 31 in the Breeders' Cup before the win. "Thank God I got the monkey off my back. It's an overwhelming feeling. It has been aggravating and sad, but like my family always reminds me, you never quit and keep trying until you accomplish your goals. I am so proud of his horse. I've been on him since he was a 2 year old. He's like a son; I've seen him grow up like one of my kids."
Kona Gold coming over to the paddock. His trainer Bruce Headley said: "We have pointed him towards this race since last year. He was third 2 years ago and second last year. The difference is seasoning and Alex Solis rode him to perfection. He galloped this morning and came back bucking and kicking, so I knew then that he could break a track record. We're out west where speed is best!"
Second place finisher Honest Lady in the post parade. Her trainer Bobby Frankel said: "She ran a fantastic race. At the 1/16th pole I thought we were winners. It's too bad she lost, but it took a track record to beat her." Jockey Kent Desormeaux added, "This filly is a diamond. Girls aren't supposed to run against the boys, but she was just unlucky today."
Bet On Sunshine, who repeated his third place finish from 1997, on the way to the paddock. His trainer Paul McGee said: "We gave them hell. Calvin (Borel) rode a big race. He got through at the top of the stretch. We just couldn't run'em down." Borel added, "He ran a sensational race, had a good trip, I can't complain. I called on him at the 1/4 pole and he came running, we just
ran out of ground. Three or four more jumps and we would have had him."
Caller One, who set up the record breaking time with his early speed, in the post parade. His jockey Corey Nakatani said: "He broke so hard that he missed a step, then he just picked himself right up and he set those fractions effortlessly, just galloping. I said to myself 'either we're going to win by 10 or this track is just that fast'. Turning for home he bobbled a little bit. His feet were probably stinging him. No disgrace. The horse that beat us is a champion."
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All photos by Cindy Pierson and Terence Dulay. Logo courtesy of Breeders' Cup Limited.
