The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No Justify, but Baffert begins weekend with Juvenile win
LOUISVILLE, KY. — The Breeders’ Cup is back in familiar surroundings at Churchill Downs, with an additional stakes race bumping the twoday program to 14 and prize money up to a record $30 million.
As always, the marquee race is today’s $6 million Cup Classic that could help determine which thoroughbred ends up as Horse of the Year. Not to mention, establishing the top horse in several age divisions along with the top jockey and trainer.
One notable absence from the Classic is Triple Crown winner Justify, whom trainer Bob Baffert retired in July because of an ankle ailment. That leaves the Classic without horse racing’s biggest name, but also a bunch of horses poised to make their presence known — and bettors happy.
Accelerate aims to make it six wins in seven starts this year as the 5-2 favorite in the 1¼-mile headliner.
“He’s had a really beautiful year,” trainer John Sadler said this week. “He’s a really healthy, strong guy. As a 5-year-old, he’s come out of those Classic races in good shape physically and continued right on.”
Churchill Downs is hosting the season-ending world championships for a record-tying ninth time and first since 2011. Santa Anita has also hosted nine times, most recently in 2016.
Some other things to watch in the 35th Breeders’ Cup World Championships:
Well-rested: Baffert’s decision to not run Justify in the Classic is offset by two horses coming off six-month breaks. West Coast’s runner-up finish to Accelerate in the Awesome Again Stakes was among three seconds this year. McKinzie’s Pennsylvania Derby victory came after he was disqualified to second in the Grade 2 San Felipe in March. The 3-yearold also won the Grade 3 Sham at Santa Anita.
Star-studded Distaff: This race for fillies and mares features the two most recent Kentucky Oaks winners in Monomoy Girl and Abel Tasman. Trained by Louisville native Brad Cox, Monomoy Girl has won five of six as a 3-year-old and might have been unbeaten if not for a disqualification to second after winning the Grade 1 Cotillion in September. Second in last year’s Distaff at Del Mar, Abel Tasman has eight wins and four seconds in 15 career starts and was last year’s Eclipse Award winner as top 3-year-old filly.
Tough on Turf: British filly Enable will make her American debut in the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf as the even-money favorite behind Lanfranco Dettori. The 4-year-old has won both starts this year, including her second consecutive win in the Arc de Triomphe in France by a neck. She has nine wins and a third in 10 starts and more than $8.5 million in career earnings.
Friday’s Juvenile: Game Winner surged down the stretch and pulled away from Knicks Go after a bump to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by 2¼ lengths Friday at Churchill Downs, giving Baffert an early Kentucky Derby favorite just five months after winning his second Triple Crown with Justify.
The race favorite broke from the No. 9 post and lagged in the middle of the 14-horse field before pushing forward on the outside and into contention at the top of the stretch. Game Winner and Knicks Go brushed before the colt got away for the win to improve to 4-0 lifetime. Signalman was a length back in third.
The thrilling finish capped a first day devoted to 2-yearolds at the season-ending world championships, and established Game Winner as one of the year’s top Juveniles. Ridden by Joel Rosario, Game Winner covered 1¼ miles in 1:43.67 and paid $4, $3.20 and $2.80. Knicks Go returned $21.40 and $11.20, and Signalman paid $15.80.