The Breeders’ Cup was a month ago. Those words pain me to type. How I long to be there again. You’d think I’d be done with the Breeders’ Cup blog posts by now, but that’s impossible. The event means too much for me to stop posting about it just a month after it culminated.
On my blog, many of the photos you see are taken by my mother, Terri Cage of Terri Cage Photography (http://terricagephotography.com/). If the caption does not give credit to the picture, I took it. Otherwise, I will denote that my mom took it. That's not the case in this blog, as all the photos belong to her.
My mom has an incredible eye for what makes a terrific photograph. At the Breeders’ Cup, our seats gave us a great opportunity to see the horses up close, which meant we got to take some amazing photographs. I took a few good photographs, but they were nothing compared to the ones my mom took.
This picture was taken on our first day at the Breeders’ Cup this year. When we pulled up to the track, I immediately spotted Creative Cause in the chute, being ponied. Before I knew it, a flood of Breeders’ Cup horses came along, including Stacelita, Goldikova, the late Irrefutable, Cambina, Trappe Shot, and several others. Finally, I was amidst the best of the best yet again. My second Breeders’ Cup journey had begun.
Big Drama
On the second day of our trip, we went to the morning works again. We stood along the rail of the clubhouse turn, with the Twin Spires looming nearby. As I gazed across the track, my breath was gone. Past me, champions jogged and galloped, preparing for the championship races that would be run on Friday and Saturday. Among the first horse to do so was Big Drama. I had witnessed the son of Montbrook win the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) the year before, but the only good glance of him I got then was when he began to pull away from the field at the top of the stretch. This time, though, the dark-colored champion was just a pony horse away from me.
Get Stormy
Get Stormy, also known as Clyde because of his markings that resemble those of a Clydesdale, was another horse I had seen the previous year at the Breeders’ Cup. Yet, from my seats in 2010, it was difficult to catch a glimpse of every single horse. I was lucky to have been able to see Goldikova cross the finish line in that race rather than have to watch on the jumbotron. Yet, now the flashy bay horse was just feet away from me. His radiant blaze was clear against his russet coat and his muscles were distinct as he jogged past prior to taking a leisurely gallop.
Rattlesnake Bridge
A dappled gray in a yellow saddle towel grew nearer and off the saddle towel I read the name Rattlesnake Bridge. My mind immediately flashed to the Timely Writer Stakes, which had been Uncle Mo’s 2011 debut. In the race, Rattlesnake Bridge had run an impressive second. To me, that’s what he's best-known for. For others, he was most well-known for finishing second to another Mike Repole-owned colt, Stay Thirsty, in the Travers Stakes (GI). His beautiful gray frame moved past me, his mane and tail flowing. Beside me, I could hear my mom’s camera going crazy. Grays are her favorite to photograph.
Drosselmeyer
I’ll come right out and say it. Picking Drosselmeyer to win the Classic was my proudest moment of this year’s Breeders’ Cup. I had Flat Out on paper, but the moment that is photographed above had me on Drosselmeyer’s side. I’d been a fan of the colt since the Risen Star Stakes (GII) in 2010. It was my first time to see him in person and as I saw him trotting towards me, my heart thudded in my chest. I knew in that moment that he was sitting on a big race. His eyes gazed right at my mother and me as he jogged by, moving like a show horse. I was riveted by him, my head following him until he was out of sight. My love for Drosselmeyer began to climb higher in that moment.
Midday
I wasn’t the only one that noticed that the Europeans came out in a string of horses, sauntering along the rail in what was normally a single file line. I’d noticed it the morning before, when Goldikova had gone for a stroll amongst other Europeans. This time, it was a different Breeders’ Cup champion mare that ambled past me. Except, this time, she stopped in front of me. She turned her head to look at something, her ears pointed forward and her eyes bright. There Midday was, close enough to touch.
Euroears
As I gazed at the horses trotting toward us, I spotted a beautiful chestnut with a face marking that I could not mistake. It was Euroears, who had been a favorite of mine for well over a year. I had seen him in person twice before and each time, I was blown away by his beauty. As he came closer, my heart beat with excitement and I couldn’t help but let out his name in a squeal. He pricked his ears, his exercise rider smiling. I watched with my eyes bright as the beautiful chestnut, with a build like a Quarter Horse, jogged past before going for an easy gallop. It was thrilling to see him again, as I hadn’t seen him in about a year and one-half and for a while was unsure if I’d ever see him again.
Jackson Bend
I absolutely love this little horse. I’d seen him at Churchill Downs a year before, when he’d finished fourth in the Ack Ack Handicap (GIII). It had been very exciting to see him then and it was exhilarating to see him on the track just a few days before he finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI). I’ve always loved him and was moved by his impressive performances at Saratoga this summer (The Little Colt That Could). My mom, a big fan of the little colt as well, eagerly snapped pictures of the dainty liver chestnut before he disappeared on the other side of the track.
Afleet Again
Just one day prior to Afleet Again's longshot victory in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon (GII), the son of one of my favorites of all time, Afleet Alex, jogged past me over the muddy surface at Churchill Downs. His tall frame floated along the rail and my mom snapped pictures of him as I gazed at him, noting how relaxed he looked. He didn’t look like a 41-1 shot.
Goldikova
Yes, she’s Queen Goldikova, the three-time Mile winner. But she’s also Goldikova the Head-Tossing Diva. I saw her win the Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI) in person last year and can clearly remember standing on the tips of my toes to see her cross the finish line in front. It was the only 2010 Breeders’ Cup race where I was able to see the winner cross the finish line without having to look at the jumbotron. I still have that moment in history engraved in my mind. This year, I saw Goldikova many times. I saw her on the track in the mornings and my breath was whisked away each time I saw her. She was clearly a diva, constantly tossing her head and even requiring being led back to the gap. Seeing her in the mornings was a true gift and I felt that I came to know Goldikova’s personality by her appearances in the mornings. It was almost like walking outside to my barn to face the boss mare of the pasture, Jesse. Yet it wasn’t a State 4-H champion halter horse that might charge you like a buffalo without warning I was watching. It was a three-time Breeders’ Cup champion that will go down as one of the greatest racehorses of all time.
Secret Circle
The 2011 Breeders’ Cup races could not have begun with a much better start. I was eagerly anticipating the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Sprint, as my favorite two-year-old colt, Secret Circle, was the favorite for the race. I had followed the colt since his maiden (Juvenile Spotlight: Secret Circle), which I watched live on TVG. He immediately had my heart and I followed him from then on. As soon as he dominantly won the Jack Goodman Stakes, I knew I would see him at the Breeders’ Cup. So as I stood along the rail near the winner’s circle as the horses for the first Breeders’ Cup race of 2011 made their way toward the paddock, I kept my eyes peeled for number six. Finally, my eyes caught sight of the bay son of Eddington. Bob Baffert’s trademark blue shadow roll sat atop his nose as he strolled toward me. Not long after my favorite two-year-old walked past me with just inches between us, I stood in the same spot to watch him cross the wire victoriously. To add to the excitement, I stood along the winner’s circle wall as he entered the winner’s enclosure with the purple and gold blanket of flowers draped over his withers. I couldn’t help but beam as I watched the triumphant colt stand alongside his happy connections.
Stephanie's Kitten
Stephanie’s Kitten unleashed a striking turn of foot to win the Breeders’ Juvenile Fillies Turf (GII) for her owners and breeders, the Ramseys. The filly, named after Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s granddaughter, returned to the jubilant family under Johnny Velazquez. As I watched from just outside the winner’s circle, I felt the family’s infectious joy and began to smile. I’ve always loved how happy the Ramseys get when their horses win. They are clearly a closely-knit family that loves its horses.
Musical Romance
I’m not sure why, but I have a soft spot for Calder-based horses. Perhaps it’s because I constantly watch HRTV and see many Calder races. I watch so many Calder races that the word ‘many’ is an understatement. Needless to say, I am very familiar with Musical Romance, through TV at least. I didn’t necessarily expect her to defeat Turbulent Descent, but I did expect a good performance. She exceeded both of those expectations, soaring to victory in the Filly & Mare Sprint. She’s one of many horses (Awesome Feather, Blind Luck, Jackson Bend, etc.) that has gone on to prove that Calder is underrated.
My Miss Aurelia
My Miss Aurelia was one of the horses that I most looked forward to seeing at the Breeders’ Cup. I’d followed her since before her maiden and am a huge fan of her. To have her stroll right past me prior to dominantly winning the Juvenile Fillies was an incredible experience. As if that experience wasn’t amazing enough, I had the opportunity to stand just a few feet away from the special filly as she entered the winner’s circle. My eyes were locked on My Miss Aurelia as she paraded before me with the blanket of flowers hanging over her withers. I knew I was within the presence of greatness. I could feel it.
Taken just before the running of the Filly & Mare Turf, this picture is clearly of one of the iconic Twin Spires as the sun sank lower in the sky. Standing at Churchill Downs at sunset in the midst of the Breeders’ Cup is about as close to magic as you can come.
Perfect Shirl
When Perfect Shirl crossed the wire victoriously in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, she made it back-to-back years for a longshot to take the race. She provided jockey John Velazquez with his second win on the Breeders’ Cup card and Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield with his first-ever Breeders’ Cup victory. As the sun sank and the lights shining down on Churchill Downs grew brighter, the beautiful filly entered the winner’s circle, just feet away from me.
Miss Match
The sky was orange as the fillies and mares for the Ladies’ Classic headed toward the saddling paddock. Miss Match, an Argentinian-bred mare who has won two group or grade ones in her career, strutted alongside a groom as the sun left the sky in a stunning mix of warm colors. The scene was just asking for a picture.
Royal Delta
My excitement amplified as the Ladies’ Classic field rounded the clubhouse turn at a walk. My eyes took in the talented fillies and mares, locking on the likes of It’s Tricky, Plum Pretty, and Royal Delta. As I stood along the rail, the fillies and mares walked past so closely that I could reach out to touch them if I tried. Before long, they paraded before thousands of fans, the bright lights overhead brighter than ever as they loaded into the starting gate. As they thundered past the grandstand for the first time, I couldn’t catch my breath. There I was, standing at the edge of the track as some of the most talented female racehorses in the world galloped past in one of the most prestigious races. When the field approached the wire, a dark spot in green emerged on the outside. Royal Delta, I thought. A grin that stretched from ear to ear appeared on my face as I watched the brilliant filly effortlessly sweep past the others to take the Ladies’ Classic. In a surreal moment, the champion was awarded with the blanket of flowers before entering the winner’s circle right before me. If I’d attempted to, I could’ve stretched my arm out to stroke her dark coat as she glided into the winner’s enclosure.
I must say, the US Army Golden Knights performance to kick off Breeders' Cup Saturday was incredible. There is no way I would fly down onto the infield of Churchill Downs with a parachute strapped to me. It was a dazzling way to kick off Saturday’s races.
Afleet Again
Just one day after I saw Afleet Again for the first time, the gray colt drew away impressively to win the Marathon. Yet again, he didn’t look like a 41-1 shot. His longshot win kicked off a day full of longshots filing into the winner’s circle to my left.
Wrote
As the horses charged home in the Juvenile Turf, it was Wrote that rushed up on the outside to win going away, his beautiful stride allowing him to float over the lush turf course. It was the beginning of a big day for Aidan O’Brien. As I stood along the rail next to the entrance to the winner’s circle, the dark colt jogged up to the swarm of people around the winner’s circle. After the blanket of flowers had been draped over his withers and he turned to walk into the winner’s enclosure, my breath caught. The colt was absolutely striking.
Corey Nakatani aboard Regally Ready
Regally Ready ended up being the only favorite on the Breeders’ Cup Saturday card to wear the garland of flowers. The classy turf sprinter provided Corey Nakatani and Steve Asmussen with their second 2011 Breeders’ Cup victory. Just like when Corey Nakatani had won aboard My Miss Aurelia the previous afternoon, he celebrated joyfully, pulling some lilies from the blanket of flowers and kissing them before raising them in the air. His celebration just goes to show how emotional and incredible it is to win a Breeders’ Cup race.
Jersey Town
The 2010 Cigar Mile (GI) winner was a show-off as he was led toward the saddling paddock. The beautiful chestnut took my breath away with his magnificence. He may not have won the race that day, but he definitely captured my attention.
Shackleford
Of course, the Dirt Mile belonged to Caleb’s Posse. However, my heart belonged to Shackleford in that race. The Preakness winner put on a show the entire time, unleashing his antics in the post parade as his copper mane flowed, his muscles rippled, and his legs pranced. His dance moves are different than the ones we saw with Zenyatta; his might actually launch the jockey into the air.
Caleb's Posse
In one of the most dominant 2011 Breeders’ Cup victories, Caleb’s Posse powered home to take the Dirt Mile. The bay colt provided Rajiv Maragh with his first Breeeders’ Cup triumph. This was good enough for a thumbs-up by the jockey, but I’m sure it brought him much more joy than just a thumbs-up.
Sarafina
Shackleford wasn’t the only feisty horse in the post parade on Breeders’ Cup Saturday. The multiple group one-winning filly Sarafina gave her handlers plenty of trouble in the post parade for the Turf.
St. Nicholas Abbey
His win brought along a story that will not soon be forgotten. St. Nicholas Abbey was ridden to victory by Joseph O’Brien, the five-foot, eleven inches tall eighteen-year-old jockey. In the winner’s circle, Joseph sat aboard the radiant bay with his father, trainer Aidan O’Brien, standing nearby. With his height, Joseph likely does not have much time left of riding in flat races, but he can always say he won a Breeders’ Cup race for his father.
Hansen
After a thrilling stretch run between Hansen and Union Rags, my ears were ringing as Hansen entered the winner’s circle. The joy of his connections was infectious, especially since they had been standing next to me during the race. If the Juvenile is any hint as to what we have in store for the 2012 Triple Crown trail and the Triple Crown, 2012 is going to be a great year for three-year-olds.
Courageous Cat
There were two blaze-faced bay beauties in the 2011 Mile: Get Stormy and Courageous Cat. The latter, trained by Bill Mott, had absolute gorgeous eyes that gleamed in the best lighting of the day. As the sun inched closer to the horizon, a golden glow was cast over Churchill Downs as the penultimate 2011 Breeders’ Cup race approached.
Goldikova
Goldikova picked the wrong person to have a staring contest with. As she walked along the rail, within touching distance of me, her eyes gazed into mine and she would not look away. It was like she was trying to have a staring contest with me. But since she’s one of the greatest racehorses of all time, there’s no doubt I’m going to stare. I’m not even going to breathe. Being in her presence was so special and to have her look right at me for a long moment was indescribable.
Robby Albarado aboard Court Vision
As Court Vision returned to the winner’s circle after his 64-1 win in the Mile, Robby Albarado must have felt the sting of losing his mount on eventual winner Animal Kingdom in the Kentucky Derby slip away. He celebrated joyfully aboard the veteran grade one winner, smiling nearly nonstop. It was sad that Goldikova had lost, but Court Vision is one of my favorite horses and it was clear how blissful his connections were. I couldn’t help but be happy for Court Vision and his connections.
Havre de Grace
Havre de Grace decided to stare at me almost like Goldikova did. Her expression reminded me of the expression a curious foal often makes. Yet she walked with extreme class alongside Larry Jones prior to her run against the males in the Classic.
Uncle Mo
Havre de Grace and Uncle Mo were definitely the fan favorites of this year’s Classic. The charming bay colt strolled past the grandstand, seeming focused. Fans didn’t see the Uncle Mo they wanted to see that day, but his appearance always seems to bring a smile to many fans and it definitely did that evening.
Drosselmeyer
As Drosselmeyer crossed the wire at the end of the race in a sudden rush to the lead, I punched my fist into the air joyfully. Mike Smith and Drosselmeyer had done it! The horse that had captured my attention in the mornings had run a race of redemption for himself and for his jockey, as well as provided Mott with a Ladies’ Classic and Classic double. As I stood along the rail, the stunning chestnut was bestowed the blanket of flowers as Mike Smith celebrated delightfully. I watched in awe as the Classic winner sauntered in circles with the Hall of Fame jockey aboard before they headed to the winner’s circle, so close to me that I could see the veins that were defined in Drosselmeyer’s neck, see the splotches of dirt on WinStar’s white silks, and see the detail of the flowers on the garland. It was such a special moment to be so close to the winner of America’s richest race and I can always look back and know that I was standing right there, so close to some of the greatest people in racing and the horse that gave me one of the biggest racing thrills I’ve ever experienced.
Thank you, Breeders’ Cup for the incredible experience and of course, Mom, for taking such great pictures. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup, when I got to witness some of the greatest Breeders’ Cup races of all-time and the great Zenyatta, was wonderful. Being so up close and personal with all the winners of the 2011 Breeders’ Cup was a completely different kind of experience. It was one I will forever hold dear to my heart.
This year’s edition of the Breeders’ Cup Turf is considered by many to have the best story of the entire 2011 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Many will look back and remember Joseph O’Brien’s incredible victory aboard St. Nicholas Abbey. Though I am riveted by that story, there is so much more than just that story to the 2011 Turf to me.
As the horses thundered down the lush green grass of the Churchill Downs turf course in the final yards of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, a brilliant mahogany bay with a long-legged jockey drew away from the field to cross the wire victoriously.
“St. Nicholas Abbey, history in the making! St. Nicholas Abbey! Joey O’Brien for his father, Aidan O’Brien! History is made!” Trevor Denman cried as the magnificent bay galloped towards the wire with the five-foot-eleven, eighteen-year-old jockey that rode him to the wire to become the tallest and youngest jockey to ever win a Breeders’ Cup race.
Photo: Terri Cage
When Joseph O’Brien rode up to the winner’s circle after the Turf, it was clear how joyous he and his family were. The young jockey’s face was lit up by a gigantic grin and the faces of his loved ones were no different.
It was also obvious how beautiful St. Nicholas Abbey was. I was riveted by the gleaming bay colt. As he stood in the winner’s circle, his head turned in the opposite direction of the cameras inside the winner’s enclosure. The veins on his sweaty neck were defined, the whites of his eyes showing slightly as he strained to look behind him. For a moment, it was almost as if the magnificent horse was gazing right at me.
Photo: Terri Cage
It was as if St. Nicholas Abbey was saying, “Hey, don’t forget about me. I know my humans have a great story, but I’m the one that galloped across that finish line.”
I won’t forget about his humans’ story or him. Nor will I forget about a small token I received after the victory. As a blissful man skipped away with the garland of flowers draped over his shoulders, I watched as a white lily dropped from the blanket, landing in the moist dirt of the track. It was so close, yet so far away.
That’s when my mom kindly asked someone to grab it for me. Before I knew it, I was holding a white lily from St. Nicholas Abbey’s blanket of flowers in my cold hands. Just moments before, this flower had been on a garland aboard a magnificent horse, with Aidan O’Brien’s son – the youngest and tallest jockey to ever win a Breeders’ Cup race – sitting just behind the blanket. The flower was now mine. I was forever tied to St. Nicholas Abbey’s and the O’Briens’ victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Photo by Mary Cage
Not only did that one lily connect me to the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf, but it brought me even closer to the Breeders’ Cup, which I already held dear to my heart. As I stood there gazing at the flower, smiling ecstatically, I could almost picture myself on the other side of the winner’s circle wall, standing with my own Breeders’ Cup champion. It was a big dream – one I may only ever hope to achieve – but I could almost taste it. How could I not when I was holding a lily from a Breeders’ Cup winner’s garland of flowers with the winner’s circle just a few feet away?
The lily is long since dead. It is now crusty and brown, but I refuse to throw it away. It connects me to St. Nicholas Abbey’s triumph, to the Breeders’ Cup, and to my dream of someday standing inside the Breeders’ Cup winner’s circle. And if that dream ever does come true, I won’t keep every single flower on the garland. I will instead hand a few flowers to a few young fans to send their Breeders’ Cup dreams skyrocketing. Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.
Stout, copper, white-faced, and feisty are all words that can describe 2011 Preakness Stakes (GI) winner Shackleford. A colt that I have followed since his maiden win, Shackleford has captivated me throughout his racing career. I know I’m not the only one that has been fascinated by the beautiful chestnut, as I’ve met many people that have admitted that they love “Shack Attack.”
Perhaps fans’ love for the Dale Romans trainee stems from Shackleford’s liveliness. Often, the son of Forestry can be spotted rearing, bucking, or prancing. His antics, speed, and determination are what make him Shackleford.
After his gutsy maiden win at Churchill Downs in the November of his two-year-old year, Shackleford made his way to Gulfstream Park in Florida, where he impressively won an allowance race to kick off his three-year-old season. With that allowance win, he began appearing on lists of Kentucky Derby (GI) hopefuls.
However, a disappointing fifth place finish in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) nearly dashed his Derby dreams. Shackleford had one more shot: the Florida Derby (GI). He was dismissed at nearly 69-1.
It was as if everyone had lost faith in him. However, I had not. Needless to say, I was overjoyed when the beautiful blaze-faced front runner finished a head behind eventual Kentucky Derby favorite, Dialed In. Watching the gallop out, I was thrilled to see that he galloped out in front of the other horses.
Photo by Mary Cage
Approaching the Derby, people were either jumping on the Shackleford bandwagon or completely dismissing him. As for me, I was thrilled that he had made it to the Derby and made him my top pick off of pedigree, looks, and performances. After all, his dam Oatsee had already produced the stakes-placed Afleeting Lady (who is now graded stakes-placed), the multiple graded stakes-winning Baghdaria, and the grade one-winning Lady Joanne. In addition, Shackleford was the best-looking horse in the Derby field, exhibiting a long, thin neck, strong legs, balance, and incredible muscling.
Shackleford may not have won the Derby, but he put in a stellar performance, giving all he had to finish an impressive fourth. He was saving his best for the next leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness. Gamely holding off the Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, Shackleford came home victorious in the 136th Preakness.
In the post parade for the Preakness, Shackleford showed us the best of his antics. By the time he loaded in the starting gate, he was lathered in sweat. Many, including me, worried that he had taken too much out of himself in the post parade. Of course, that wasn’t the case. He was just being Shackleford.
Though “Shack Attack” hasn’t won since, he has made good showings in many graded stakes races this year, including a close second in the Haskell Invitational Stakes (GI), a second in the Indiana Derby (GII), and a second in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI).
Yet, Shackleford’s showings in prestigious races aren’t the only things intriguing about him. Fans are drawn to his playful behavior and how hard he tries. I must admit, I’m one of those fans.
Photo by Mary Cage
In the post parade, Shackleford may work up a sweat and nearly unseat his rider, Jesus Castanon, but he’s just being him. Even Jesus Castanon can’t help but smile when the colt lets out a buck or leaps in the air. At the Breeders’ Cup, I was riveted by the gleaming chestnut and noticed many other fans were as well. When his name was announced during the post parade, a cheer went up from the crowd. The people love this horse.
Another special characteristic of Shackleford is how hard he tries. As one focuses on that big white blaze of his, his chestnut legs work like pistons, reaching for more ground as he gallops toward the wire. His auburn ears pin back as he runs with focus, determined to hold off any horse that comes at him. He may not get it done every time, but he will give it his all. That’s the Shackleford fans have come to know and love.
This horse should be publicized to a greater scale, as he already has a large fan base there. Promoting this horse could really help the sport, as he is obviously already a fan favorite. We're not going to have another Zenyatta, but why not have a Shackleford? Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.
Day one of the Breeders’ Cup was over. It was Saturday and nine more championship races would be run. The Marathon kicked off Breeders’ Cup Saturday as 41-1 shot Afleet Again upset the mile and three-quarters race. I stood at the rim of the winner’s circle as the gray son of Afleet Alex entered the winner’s circle, snapping my pictures before the four-year-old gelding headed back to the barns.
After watching the Irish-bred Wrote cross the wire victoriously in the Juvenile Turf, I took a picture of the strikingly beautiful colt in the winner’s circle. Though the colt’s win was spectacular, my mind (and heart) was set on the next race.
Though I want to have a career in the racing business, I am a fan and horse lover first. I care more about the safety of and affection for the horse than anything. In the upcoming race, the Sprint, was one of my personal favorites, Euroears. However, it was not Euroears' day. Rather, the California-bred Amazombie came away with the win.
Euroears Photo by Mary Cage
The sting of Euroears finishing last was eased slightly by the fact that my favorite jockey, Mike Smith, had pulled off the victory. His win in the Sprint gave him his fourteenth Breeders’ Cup triumph, which put him in second behind Jerry Bailey for the number of Breeders’ Cup wins.
The Turf Sprint, run in a final time of 56.48 for a distance of five furlongs, was won by Regally Ready. He became the only favorite to win on Saturday and gave jockey Corey Nakatani his second Breeders’ Cup victory of the weekend. Again, I stood alongside the winner’s circle as Regally Ready entered the winner’s circle, draped in a purple and gold blanket of flowers.
Next up was one of the Breeders’ Cup races I anticipated the most: the Dirt Mile. Shackleford, a colt I had followed since his maiden, fascinated me as he moved energetically through the post parade. Yet it was the very talented Caleb’s Posse that came away with the win, crossing the finish line four lengths ahead. I recorded him entering the winner’s circle prior to snapping pictures of him inside the winner’s enclosure.
A lily from St. Nicholas Abbey's blanket of flowers Photo by Mary Cage
Then it was time for the Turf, which ended up being one of the most entertaining Breeders’ Cup races. Aidan O’Brien’s son, Joseph O’Brien, became the youngest jockey to ever be victorious in a Breeders’ Cup race when he won by over two lengths aboard St. Nicholas Abbey. At 5’11”, Joseph likely does not have much time left to ride flat races, but no matter how abbreviated his career, he will always have a Breeders’ Cup win under his belt. The race, which was already special, became even more special when I received a white lily that had fallen off of St. Nicholas Abbey’s blanket of flowers. Someday I hope to win an entire Breeders’ Cup blanket of flowers, but I can always look back and remember that I received a flower from one of those blankets.
Hansen Photo by Mary Cage
When I look back on the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, I smile and chuckle. At the same time, I get an earache. As the horses loaded into the starting gate, a large group of people appeared between our seats and the winner’s circle, standing just behind me. They screamed at the top of their lungs the entire race and by obtaining bits and pieces of their conversation, I realized they were cheering for Hansen. In a thrilling stretch duel, Hansen held off a drifting-out Union Rags. I was slightly upset that the Michael Matz trainee had not gotten up in time, in part because I had met Matz and received his autograph earlier that day, but the joy of the people around me wore off on me. Come to find out, they were part of Hansen’s connections.
As the next race approached, tension rose. Goldikova was going for her fourth straight Mile win. However, it was not meant to be. Court Vision narrowly pulled off a huge upset at 64-1, defeating Turallure by a slim nose. Goldikova crossed the wire in third, but an objection by Patrick Valenzuela aboard Courageous Cat was lodged against Olivier Peslier aboard the great mare. The stewards decided to make no change. The decision must have angered many bettors and connections, but when it was announced that no change would be made, a cheer went up from the crowd. Goldikova had already lost; her fans did not want to see her taken down.
As the sun sank lower and lower, the Classic horses made their way to the saddling paddock. Classy horse after classy horse passed me. My eyes locked on Havre de Grace, Uncle Mo, Flat Out, and Drosselmeyer. I began feeling extremely excited. I was seeking redemption from the year before, when I had witnessed with devastation Zenyatta fall short in the Classic.
Drosselmeyer Photo: Terri Cage
It worked out beautifully. Drosselmeyer, who I had picked off of looks and class, swept by everyone in late stretch to win. As soon as the striking chestnut finished ahead of every horse, I pumped my fist in the air. I was trembling with bliss. Drosselmeyer had won! Redemption had come for not just me, but for Mike Smith as well. One year after Zenyatta’s heartbreaking loss, Drosselmeyer captured the $5 million race to give Mike Smith and many Zenyatta fans, including me, some consolation. Not only did the copper-colored Thoroughbred gallop into the history books, he galloped into my heart and ran a race that I will never forget and will always hold dear to my heart.
Drosselmeyer and Mike Smith after winning the Classic Video by Mary Cage
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Last year, I watched in devastation as Zenyatta fell half a head short in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. As distraught as I was, it was nowhere near what Mike Smith must have felt. However, the 2011 Classic brought redemption for the Hall of Fame jockey.
Drosselmeyer on the track Thursday morning Photo by Mary Cage
I saw him again on Friday morning and he still looked fit and composed. He was the most impressive of all the Classic horses I saw. I had Flat Out as number one on paper, but Drosselmeyer impressed me most with looks and class. I voted for him on Twitter to win, as he was definitely the most imposing Classic horse I saw on the track in the mornings. Throughout Breeders’ Cup weekend, I had the best feeling about Drosselmeyer and so it was no surprise to me that he crossed the wire first.
Photo: Terri Cage
Having to go extremely wide, Drosselmeyer flew on the outside, nearing the front runners just before the sixteenth pole. In a turn of events that even the makers of a movie couldn’t come up with, Mike Smith on Drosselmeyer passed his ex-fiance Chantal Sutherland on Game On Dude in the final strides. In a great call by Trevor Denman, he described Drosselmeyer as “a ghost on the outside.”
Of course, Drosselmeyer was best known before the Classic as the 2010 Belmont Stakes (GI) winner. Mike Smith also rode the striking chestnut in that race, recording his own Triple Crown. This win in the Classic obviously meant much to him after the heartbreak with Zenyatta last year. I’m overjoyed that Drosselmeyer and Mike Smith won and not just because I picked Drosselmeyer, but because it was just one day after I had met Mike Smith in person and had given him a big hug. It was wonderful to see my favorite jockey pull off the upset on one of my favorite horses in a race of redemption.
Drosselmeyer and Mike Smith after winning the Classic
Video by Mary Cage
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