2008 Breeders' Cup World Championships Friday

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

The first Breeders' Cup race of 2008 was $1 million Sentient Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, a 7 furlong trip over the Pro-Ride main track for older fillies and mares. Indian Blessing, last year's Juvenile Fillies champion and winner of three straight going in, was the 8-5 favorite in the 13 horse field over Ventura at 3-1, exiting runner-up finish against males in the Woodbine Mile. Acorn Stakes winner Zaftig was the 5-1 third choice.

Indian Blessing and Dearest Trickski fought for the lead down the backstretch and around the turn through fractions of 22.26 and 44.02. Dearest Trickski tired in the final furlong to finish 11th, but Ventura, 10th early on, was hitting her best stride late, closing with a rush on the outside, easily passing Indian Blessing inside the 1/8 pole to win going away by 4 lengths in 1:19.90. It was another 2 lengths back to Zaftig third.
Results chart