Enable makes Breeders’ Cup Turf history as Accelerate wins Classic
los angeles — Enable cemented her superstar status with an unprecedented Turf triumph and Accelerate gave trainer John Sadler a first Breeders’ Cup winner in the Classic as the $30 million racing extravaganza returned to Churchill Downs.
Enable, the four-year-old filly trained by John Gosden, became the first horse to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the 1 1/2mile Breeders’ Cup Turf in the same year, succeeding in completing the double where eight before her had failed.
Frankie Dettori was masterful in guiding Enable to victory in the $4 million race, finding good ground out wide on the rain-softened turf track and prevailing in a thrilling stretch duel with Magical.
Enable’s unprecedented double was all the more remarkable given her difficult season. Sidelined by injury until September, she raced just once before seizing a second straight Arc win.
But the $6 million Classic went to California-based Accelerate — giving Sadler a first Breeders’ Cup winner in his 45th attempt.
“Feels really good,” said Sadler, who admitted the constant questions about his Breeders’ Cup record had become “a point of irritation”. Having seen his Catapult narrowly denied by Expert Eye in the Mile, Sadler could finally celebrate.
With Joel Rosario in the irons, Accelerate took the lead entering the final straight, emerging from the middle of a 14-horse field that was led by O’Brien’s Mendelssohn through the first quarter and around the final turn.
Mendelssohn, finally, couldn’t hold off 5-2 favourite Accelerate, who surged home to win by a length from 28-1 shot Gunnevera.
Godolphin’s Thunder Snow, the Dubai World Cup winner, challenged late but finished third, 1 3/4 lengths back.—