The 26th renewal of the Breeders' Cup World Championships kicked off with 6 races on Friday at Santa Anita Park, before a crowd of 37,651. Fans and participants enjoyed a beautiful fall day, with clear skies, no wind, and temperatures in the mid 70's. Attendance increased by 20% over Championship Friday last year.
A field of 8 older fillies and mares went 1 1/8 miles on the main track in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (formerly known as the Distaff). Careless Jewel was sent off as the 9-5 favorite off her wins in the Cotillion, Alabama, and Delaware Oaks. In to challenge her included 5-2 second choice Music Note, winner of the Beldame, and 7-1 third choice Proviso, winner of the Spinster.
Careless Jewel was loose on the lead early, getting quick fractions of 23.50, 45.78, and 1:09.74 while as many as 9 lengths in front of Lethal Heat in second. Careless Jewel tired badly include the 3/8 pole, fading to finish last, allowing Proviso take over the lead briefly in midstretch. Life Is Sweet, who was last early, came out 5 wide for the drive and circled the field, finishing 2 1/2 lengths in front of Mushka in 1:48.58. It was another length back to Music Note third.
Results chart
On to Saturday Results Part 1 with the Classic, Turf, Sprint, and Juvenile
On to Saturday Results Part 2 with the Mile, Dirt Mile, Juvenile Turf, and Turf Sprint
