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2008 Breeders Cup Classic Won by Ravens Pass - 10-26-08
October 26 - The 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic looked wide open to us as most of the top betting contenders came into the race with question marks. Curlin looked vulnerable on the pro-ride synthetic surface (although we must note that no horses died in the running of the Classic this year, which seems a little more important than running on old-fashioned bone breaking dirt) and also because he was coming off a long and tough season. The European contenders looked better at a mile (Henrythenavigator and Raven's Pass) or overdone on prior hard races (Duke of Marmalade in The Arc). The rest of the field seemed outclassed.
As it turned out Raven's Pass was ridden brilliantly by Frankie Dettori, memorably referred to by the trainer as a "cheeky little Italian" after the race, and speaking of the trainer, John Gosden pulled off a remarkable coup by preparing this horse for the unknown of 10 furlongs.
The extra 400m posed no problems for Europe's best miler, helped no doubt by a pedestrian early pace set by Casino Drive, who was undone by that decision, but wasn't in the same class as these horses anyway.
Henrythenavigator held on for second ahead of Tiago while Curlin, who made a huge move six or seven wide around the bend could not respond to Robby Albarado's urgings.
He retires a true champion and arguably the best American racehorse of the past decade.
The Europeans dominated day 2 of the Breeders Cup meeting by winning a startling 5 races, including the coveted Breeders Cup Turf (Conduit) and the Breeders Cup Mile (Goldikova, with the best performance of the entire meet).
Other Articles:
Santa Delivers Victory in Java Handicap - 10-28-08Conduit Wins 2008 Breeders Cup Turf - 10-27-08Freddie Head Wins Breeders Cup Mile With Goldikova - 10-27-08Horseracing Icon Harry Mangurian Jr Dies - 10-26-08De Kock to Run Eagle Mountain in Breeders Cup Turf - 10-25-08Breeders Cup Betting Preview And Free Tips - 10-24-08The Tiger Claws Way to Geelong Classic Win - 10-23-08Bolger Celebrates Dewhurst Stakes Hat-Trick - 10-23-08
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