The least expected, Fort Larned, lands the richest race, Breeders’ Cup Classic
The $5 million, Grade 1, Breeders’ Cup Classic became the second Grade 1 success of the season for the Ian R. Wilkes trained, Fort Larned. The four-year-old colt was the least expected to claim the prize money of the richest race in the US. Not only did
he prove to be the fastest on the 1 ¼-mile distance at Santa Anita, he dominated the distance tape-to-tape, making it through the wire in two minutes and :00.11 seconds.
The fast dirt track saw Mucho Macho Man finishing just by the mark of half-length. He was the only horse who did put in a justified effort by following the undisputed leader into the stretch.
The most commendable entry for the race was the son of Awesome Feather, Game On Dude, who had the benefit of the track as his record there stood at five for five, but as the furlongs rolled down, it became pretty apparent that it was a two-horse race.
The Classic victory of E Dubai’s son out of, Arlucea, added $2.7 million to the earnings and took the grand total to $3,681,236.
The stars could not have shown brighter for the connections who had won the Ack Ack at Churchill Downs the day before, and then landed the Breeders’ Cup Classic just on Hernandez’s birthday.
"We had to be there near the front and he was ready today," Wilkes said. "He had galloped great over the track. I knew we were good when he broke sharp. That's where Brian (Hernandez) won the race. We broke sharp and Game On Dude broke bad. I trust Brian
because the horse trusts Brian."
"It's the greatest birthday ever," said Hernandez. "I always had a lot of confidence in him. Ian and I talked about the race and he told me don't take him out of his game and let him do whatever he wants to do. He has a good cruising speed and I just let
him go."
The Kentucky bred by, Janis R. Whitham, won the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap on 4th August, 2012 at Saratoga over 1 1/8-mile on dirt.
Kathy Ritvo, the trainer of the runner-up, Mucho Macho Man, was happy with the relentless performance of the under charge.
Trainer, Bob Baffert, however, was not really glad about what Game On Dude brought back for him.
Tags: