Breeders’ Cup 2018: Enable sees off Magical to land Breeders’ Cup Turf on night to remember for British raiders in Kentucky
Frankie Dettori was at his peerless best to guide home the superstar four-year-old
ENABLE told the world that she really is the greatest with a stunning victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
The once-in-a-lifetime filly drew nine lengths clear of the field with runner-up Magical, the pair delivering a duel on the Downs that will be remembered for years to come.
Under ice-cool Italian maestro Frankie Dettori, the two-time Arc winner had a wide trip throughout the contest - with her ace pilot looking to keep her away from the soft ground.
As the field rounded the home turn, the after-burners kicked in and she streaked away with Aidan O'Brien's massive improver, who laid down a challenge that few would have expected.
In the end, though, she had too many gears for her worthy adversary and ran out a brilliant half-a-length winner.
Winning trainer John Gosden was thrilled: “She’s done it, it was a tough race, Frankie was determined to stay wide for better ground.
"Ryan Moore (on Magical) slipped up her inner and I thought she would have us.
"It was a wonderful stretch run between two great fillies and two great jockeys. She’s been very brave. She was led out for a week before the Arc and prior to that we had the injury issue.
"She’s getting better and she did it today through sheer guts and determination. It's wonderful for owner/breeder Khalid Abdullah who’s been a massive supporter of the Breeders’ Cup.”
Frankie was unflappable, both in victory and after the race: “She’s conquered America!" he said.
"I took a wide trip to get on fresh ground to get comfortable and she found another gear.
"The wheels were spinning on the soft ground. She’s very special. Ryan beat me on Golden Horn and now the record’s even.”
Third place went to Sadler's Joy, an 80-1 shot for the home team.
Italian legend Frankie Dettori was living la dolce vita once again in the Breeders’ Cup Mile as EXPERT EYE flew from the back to get the British on the board for the night.
Sir Michael Stoute’s supremely talented three-year-old was out the back early but blazed past his rivals to chalk up a famous victory.
Dettori gave his mount an inspired ride, timing his challenge to perfection, and said afterwards: “I thought I had a mountain to climb but the turbo kicked in and he won cosily in the end.”
Catapult slingshotted around the bend to snatch second, with fellow American raider Analyze It taking third.
James Doyle had to sit and squirm aboard One Master, who would have finished in the money had he found a clear run.
ACCELERATE showed tremendous guts to land the feature Breeders’ Cup Classic for first-time winner John Sadler.
The multiple Graded winner took up the running around the home turn and held on gamely from a fast-finishing Gunnevera, who produced a cracking effort under hot jock Irad Ortiz Jr.
Thunder Snow also ran a belter to finish third for the boys in blue and at one stage looked as though he might come home in front - but just couldn’t quite produce the gears when it mattered.
Early front-runner Mendelssohn was as game as a meat pie for Aidan O’Brien but possibly went too fast too early and faded to finish fifth.
The boys in blue were feeling pretty blue after Wild Illusion got touched off in the Filly And Mare Turf.
The Nassau Stakes winner looked to have the race in safe keeping with a half furlong to go, before US spoilsport SISTERCHARLIE kicked in the turbo to run her down.
Winning trainer Chad Brown obviously has a way with the ladies as his Newspaperofrecord blitzed her field in yesterday’s Juvenile Fillies Turf - though this would have undoubtedly been more special.
None of the other British and Irish hopes managed to land a blow and it was left to front-runner A Raving Beauty to pick up third spot.
ROY H was different gravy as he sauntered clear to land back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Sprints.
The victory gave polished pilot Paco Lopez his first win at the American showpiece and his joy was there to see.
The sprint sensation was never in any danger as soon as he took the lead up round the home bend and it would be no surprise to see him back again next year.
Whitmore finished strongly and just pipped 15-8 favourite Imperial Hint for second spot.
Red-hot favourite Catalina Cruiser proved a red-hot flop as CITY OF LIGHT drew clear for an impressive victory in the Dirt Mile.
The jolly was drawn widest of the ten and as hard as jockey Drayden Van Dyke tried, he was unable to get his mount in a favourable position.
The efforts took their toll and the bull-like racehorse faded out of contention, leaving Javier Castellano to stroll to victory on the second favourite.
Seeking The Soul came out of the pack and at one stage looked dangerous, but he couldn’t muster a strong enough challenge and faded to fill the runner-up spot.
Bravazo ran above his odds for third.
SHAMROCK ROSE produced a magical late run under hot jock Irad Ortiz Jr to capture the opening contest of the night, the Filly And Mare Sprint.
The race looked all over when Chalon burst clear with a furlong to go, but she was worn down late by the 20-1 shot who was winning her fifth race on the bounce.
Third spot in the Grade 1 seven furlong contest went to Anonymity.
The Turf Sprint went down to the wire, with STORMY LIBERAL ousting World Of Trouble in a crackerjack finish.
The pair drew well clear of the rest of the field, and despite Irad Ortiz doing his best to double up on the eventual second, the pair were just worried out of it.
Filling the places a long way behind in third was Disco Partner, while Aidan O’Brien’s Lost Treasure was slow out of the gates and never looked interested.
Favourite backers were in clover as MONOMOY GIRL made her mark in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
The Kentucky Oaks winner had been flip-flopping in the betting with Abel Tasman but she proved much the best in a frenetic contest.
Wow Cat purred down the home straight to finish second, with Midnight Bisou sticking on gamely to fill the places.