Little Mike springs upset in Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita
On the last weekend, the horseracing lovers witnessed a mega upset at Santa Anita. Little Mike, the Arlington Million winner, sprang a huge upset in the $3 million, Breeders' Cup Turf, holding off Point of Entry by half a length.
The Dale Romans-trained was carrying the low odds of 25 to 1. And, nobody was expecting him to trouble the big guns like St Nicholas Abbey and Point Of Entry. Raising many eyebrows, the 5-year-old tracked the leader in third on outer.
He further heaped misery on the rivals by travelling very nicely in the middle stages. With the help of a stunning effort, he challenged the leading runner a couple of furlongs before the wire, and was soon in command. In the hands of R. A. Dominguez, the
son of Spanish Steps went clear entering the final furlong.
His advantage slightly decreased close home, but Little Mike was always doing enough to stay ahead. Point Of Entry and St Nicholas Abbey tried their best, but remained unsuccessful all the way through.
It was an unlucky ride for Aidan O’Brien 5-2 favourite runner, who missed the runner-up spot only by three quarters of a length. Point Of Entry gave him no chance whatsoever throughout, and eventually captured the second rank easily.
Owned by Priscilla Vaccarezza, Little Mike not only scored in style, but also went close to break the 23-year-old record of the fastest time at Santa Anita. He covered one and a half miles in just 2:22.83, and the best time for the distance is 2:22.80, set
by Hawkster in 1989.
"It's a mile and a half; he's a phenomenal horse," Romans said. "He's an overachiever and he's proven us all wrong. I don't think anybody up here thought he could be more than a miler last year and now we don't know where his limit is."
"When no one believes in Little Mike, he does it," Priscilla Vaccarezza said. "When he's not the favorite and no one thinks he can do the extra distance and when I'm nervous and don't think he has a chance, he wins! Maybe they will give him some respect
after that, I don't know. Maybe because his name is Little Mike!"
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