Knicks Go takes home Breeders’ Cup Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. — Knicks Go burst into the lead out of the starting gate and kicked away to a 2

victory in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Del Mar.

No one seriously pressed the colt, who earned his fourth straight victory and in the process solidified a bid to win the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year.

“Speed is very dangerous,” winning trainer Brad Cox said.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, 5-year-old Knicks Go squared off against a trio of top 3-year-olds — controversial Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, Belmont Stakes winner Essential Quality and hometown hero Hot Rod Charlie, whose ownership has San Diego ties.

“He broke really sharp,” Rosario said. “He looked like he was really enjoying what he was doing. I could see his ears, he was so relaxed.”

Sent off at 3-1 odds, Knicks Go paid $8.40 to win. Cox also saddled 9-5 favorite Essential Quality, who finished third.

Medina Spirit was second for embattled trainer Bob Baffert. The colt failed a post-race drug test after the Derby and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has yet to make a final ruling based on its investigation.

Baffert was allowed to enter horses in the seasonending world championships, but the event’s money-leading trainer had to meet certain conditions, including stricter out-ofcompetition testing of his horses and greater security at his barn. He agreed to the extra scrutiny and was required to pay for it out of his own pocket. He won the $2 million Juvenile with Corniche on Friday.

Hot Rod Charlie, second to Essential Quality in the Belmont, was fourth. Fans chanted “Let’s go Chuck!” before the race.

The Classic field was reduced to eight when Express Train was scratched in the morning with swelling in his right hock, similar to an ankle.

In other races:

— Japan snapped an 0for-13 skid in the Breeders’ Cup, with a stunning 45-1 upset in the $2 million Distaff and a victory in the $2 million Filly and Mare Turf.

Marche Lorraine edged Dunbar Road by a nose after a photo finish in the Distaff. The 5-year-old mare ran 11 / 8miles in 1:47.67 and paid $101.80 to win under Irish jockey Oisin Murphy.

Letruska, the 8-5 favorite with ties to Mexico, finished 10th among 11 horses.

Yoshito Yahagi trained both of Japan’s champions. Loves Only You won the Filly & Mare Turf by a halflength under Yuga Kawada. She covered 13 / 8miles in 2:13.87 and paid $10.60 to win.

“I’d like to say thank you to my horse. She did a great job,” Yahagi said through a translator. “It’s a dream come true for the Japanese horse racing industry. I’d love to come back Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland next year and do the same thing.”

— Britain-bred Yibir won the $4 million Turf by a half-length, giving trainer Charlie Appleby, jockey William Buick and owner Godolphin Stables their third win of the weekend. Godolphin is the racing outfit for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. Yibir ran 11⁄2 miles in 2:25.90 and paid $19 to win at 8-1 odds. The 3-year-old gelding had one horse beat turning for home before charging on the outside and reeling in Broome, who finished second. Tarnawa, the 2-1 favorite, was 11th.

The trio earlier teamed to win the $2 million Mile with 2-1 favorite Space Blues and the $1 million Juvenile Turf on Friday with Modern Games.