The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is racing’s Super Bowl, with its $20 million in prize money over 8 races which have Eclipse Award implications. The Championships, celebrating its 23rd running, was hosted by Churchill Downs for a record sixth time, with the crowd of 75,132 setting a record on-track handle of $18,259,971 and a record total common pool of $136,726,378.
The marquee event of the Breeders’ Cup and the richest race in North America is the $5 million Classic Powered by Dodge (G1), a race that often settles the Horse of the Year title. Even-money favorite Bernardini took on 12 others including 6-1 Lava Man and 7-1 Invasor in this 1 1/4 mile test over the main track. Brother Derek was loose on the lead under jockey Alex Solis through a quick half in 46.60 and 3/4 in 1:11.11, while Bernardini settled in striking position out of traffic trouble 4 wide most of the way. Jockey Javier Castellano asked him for run on the turn, as the 3-year-old took the lead at the quarter pole. However, Invasor, who was back as far as 8th early, came on strong down the center of the track, drifted in slightly under the right-handed whip of jockey Fernando Jara, and took over the lead with 100 yards to go to win by a length in 2:02.18 over the fast track. Premium Tap finished third while Lava Man stalked the pace early but had nothing left for the stretch, finishing seventh.
Winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said, "It's an unbelievable feeling
to win for the right people. I'm just so happy with everyone
associated with the horse: the groom, the exercise riders, and the
whole organization." Jockey Fernando Jara added, "I took him back early to save
ground. It's very special because it all happened in a year, like
overnight. It was all a matter of working hard."
Results chart from DRF
