Big Money Mike wins again at Breeders’ Cup

Horse-racing

Big Money Mike has struck again at the Breeders' Cup.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith rallied 17-1 shot Caledonia Road in the stretch to win the $2 million Juvenile Fillies by 3 1/4 lengths in the first of nine Cup races yesterday at Del Mar.

Smith already is the career money leader among jockeys at the world championships. His 26th victory extended his lead in that category.

Caledonia Road paid $36.80, $15.40 and $9.80. She was clearly the best, forced to race wide the entire way after breaking from post No. 12.

Alluring Star, part of the pace from the start, held on for second and returned $10.40 and $7.20. Blonde Bomber paid $15.20 to show.

Moonshine Memories, the 2-1 favorite, finished seventh in the field of 13.

The time was 1:45.05 for 1 1 /16 miles.

It was the first Cup win for trainer Ralph Nicks.

Crowds were streaming into Del Mar for the second day of the Breeders' Cup featuring nine races, capped by the $6 million Classic.

Ulysses, the 7-2 early favorite for the $4 million Turf, was scratched from Saturday's race because of inflammation in his left front hoof.

The on-call veterinarian, Dr. Scott Palmer, says the problem isn't major, but the owner wants to protect the 4-year-old colt, so he decided Friday night to scratch.

Ulysses is set to return to England on Sunday. The colt has won three of six starts this year, and most recently was third in the Prix de 'Arc de Triomphe.

His absence leaves defending champion Highland Reel as the likely favorite for the 1½-mile race at the seaside track north of San Diego.