Breeders’ Cup review (October 24th): Stardom Bound, Zenyatta win

BC Filly & Mare Sprint

Ventura ($7.60) made a powerful wide move to sweep past Baffert fav Indian Blessing en route to a good looking tally to kick off the Friday Cup festivities. The Robert Frankel trainee won by four lengths and completed the seven panels in 1:19.90. Zaftig came off a layoff to finish a fine 3rd.

BC Juvenile Fillies Turf

Laragh set the pace throughout, but Maram and Heart Shaped flew down the lane and were tough to separate at the finish. Maram got the bob and paid $24.20 for Lezcano/Chad Brown. Fellow longshot Heart Shaped, an overseas invader trained by Aidan O’Brien, was the unlucky loser. The aforementioned Laragh was another length back in 3rd. Saucey Evening (4th) and Consequence (6th) experienced some stretch traffic. The winner ran a flat mile in 1:35.15.

BC Juvenile Fillies

Stardom Bound locked up the Juvenile Filly title with a strong off the pace victory over Kent D/McPeek Kentucky shipper Dream Empress. Congrats to trainer Chris Paasch and jockey Mike Smith. Stardom Bound won by 1-1/2 lengths and paid $5.20. She stopped the timer in 1:40.99. Below is a YouTube replay of the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

BC Filly & Mare Turf

Forever Together outsprinted longshot Sealy Hill and fav Wait A While to get up by 3/4 of a length for Leparoux/Sheppard. The winner packs an impressive stretch kick and paid $11.80 for her efforts. My 17-1 top choice Visit got a dream inside stretch run but was outfinished by the top three, and Robert Frankel will take over the training duties. Watch for her to make some noise in this division. The winner ran ten furlongs over firm turf in 2:01.58.

BC Ladies’ Classic

In a recurring theme on Friday, Zenyatta stormed from last to keep her perfect record intact for Mike Smike/John Shirreffs. She made her case for Horse of the Year, and now it is Curlin’s turn tomorrow. Godolphin’s Cocoa Beach ran a winning race but had to settle for the place behind the talented winner. Music Note, also owned by Godolphin, finished 3rd. The winner completed her nine Pro-Ride furlongs in 1:46.85 and paid $3.00.

Zenyatta Photo Credit: Newscom

Below is a YouTube replay of the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, featuring the undefeated Zenyatta.