The BC Distaff over 1,800 metres produced a finish that had the fans on the edges of their seats. This was a $2 million event. Ginger Punch and Hystericalady were in a nip and tuck duel down the stretch. Octave was making up ground and with 100 metres to go, it was a race any of these three could have won. Rafael Bejarano, pinned on the inside, did a remarkable job in tight quarters to get the verdict. Unbridled Belle made a move from the rear and ran out of gas in the final 400 metres. Ginger Punch and Hystericalady were prominent the entire trip. With the field falling apart under the testing conditions, Ginger Punch and Hystericalady put some separation as the duel began. They were locked together but Bejarano was able to coax that extra out of Ginger Punch.
The margin was a neck. Another neck away in third was Octave. The time was 1 50.11. Ginger Punch was at 9-2. After an inquiry, the result stood.
Ginger Punch is by Awesome Again. Nappelon is the dam who is by Bold Revenue.
Trainer Bobby Frankel was not at the press meeting. I asked jockey Bejarano, “Would you have won easier if you had been on the outside? You kept your cool in a tough situation.” He answered, “The other jockey tried to intimidate me. It was tight but my filly gave it all. There is no doubt that I was the best and I would have won bigger if I was outside.”
Owner Frank Stronach runs the Magna Group that owns several racetracks in America. He was absolutely ecstatic. “She (Ginger Punch) has been well trained by Bobby Frankel. He makes all the calls. She was set up perfect for today’s race. I cannot be happier with (jockey) Rafael. It is gratifying that I am also part of the breeding side.”
The fans would not look beyond Dylan Thomas in the BC Turf over 2,400 metres. Evens and 4-5 and the board kept changing. English Channel stayed at 3-1 and 5-2. Red Rocks was held at 6-1. Better Talk Now was about 8-1. Fri Guy broke alertly to take the lead. English Channel and Shamdinan followed. Red Rocks and Dylan Thomas were side-by-side in fifth and sixth. As Red Rocks stayed inside, Dylan Thomas went outside. English Channel was on the move and Fri Guy was slowing down. Shamdinan could not keep up with English Channel. Dylan Thomas moved inside in a surprise Murtagh move. Red Rocks was running on without hope. English Channel had a clear lead with 200 m to go and the margin got bigger as he raced to the line. Shamdinan was a well-beaten second and beat back Red Rocks who took third. Dylan Thomas, not at home either because of the track configuration or the yielding turf or both, could not carry on in the last 400. He retreated.
English Channel was giving Todd Pletcher his first BC win. Pletcher and John Velasquez, the winning rider, were not at the press conference. They were busy getting ready for the BC Classic. Owner James T Scatuorchio was at the podium. The articulate Scatuorchio said, “English Channel finally showed us what he can do. The trip was perfect. I am delighted Todd (Pletcher) won the first BC. This will be English Channel’s last race. He has given me a great run.”
I asked Mr Scatuorchio this question, “Have you realized the magnitude of what you have done? You gained revenge on Red Rocks who beat you last year at Churchill. You beat Better Talk Now who won in 2004. Your victims included Dylan Thomas, the highest rated horse in the world. How does it feel to have the best horse in the world?”
“I am humbled. Dylan Thomas is a great horse. Obviously, he could not do his best today. I am thrilled that English Channel will leave racing in a blaze of glory. Today, it was a well-planned victory.”
English Channel’s sire is Smart Strike. His dam Belva is a Theatrical mare. The time for the 2,400-metre race was 2 36.96. The race carried a $ 3-million purse (about Rs 12 crore).
As wagering on the Classic began, Street Sense opened 9-5, went to 2-1 and drifted to 5-2 as post time approached. Curlin, Lawyer Ron and Any Given Saturday were around 4 to 1 and 5-1. The others were at longer odds. George Washington was not friendless at about 10-1.
Satish Sanan of Padua Stables had two runners. One was Curlin with Steve Asmussen. The other was Any Given Saturday with Todd Pletcher.
Hard Spun set the pace. Lawyer Ron and Any Given Saturday were up close. Curlin and Street Sense were, at least, ten lengths away. George Washington, not happy with what he was being asked to do, was struggling. As the frontrunners began to show the effects of their early efforts, Curlin and Street Sense had moved as a team to move into contention. Hard Spun led the field into the straight and Curlin was making his bid on the outside. Street Sense, in keeping with what he normally does, quickened on the fence and was third in the final turn. Lawyer Ron’s case was being dismissed by the judge. Any Given Saturday was finding that ‘this Saturday’ is not any given Saturday. Awesome Gem was making an effort to take a minor placing. With 300 to go, Curlin had, under mild urging, had sailed into the lead. Hard Spun was holding on for second. With Street Sense unable to sustain his move, Awesome Gem ran on to be third.
George Washington fractured his cannonbone--a fatal injury. The veterinarian called it a ‘hopeless injury.” George Washington was euthanized. I asked the vet if the transition from grass to dirt and the slop could have caused the injury. “I am not saying that. There could have been an existing problem. The worst happened today but the fact is the change in the track surface is a critical element,” he said. This was George Washington’s second attempt on the dirt track. ‘Gorgeous George’ was one of the most talented Aidan O’Brien pupils. He won the English 200 Guineas in 2006. He was beaten by Araafa in the Irish version. He won the QE II at Ascot in September 2006. I saw Mick Kinane walk back to the jockeys’ room. The sadness was evident in his face.
Satish Sanan, Mr Bolton, another owner, trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Robby Albarado were at the conference. I asked Asmussen, “Jockey Albarado was not riding a horse but a duck. From Tuesday, we all knew the track would be sloppy on Saturday. Is there anything different you did to get Curlin ready?”
“Good question, I knew the track would be sloppy. I was hoping Curlin would handle it. We take chances and hope for the best. Curlin is a classy individual. He can adapt. He has done so much in such a short time at the highest level. It’s a great story.”
My question to jockey Albarado was this: “As a jockey, tell me, on a day like this, when do you get the feel your horse will handle the track? First 100 yards, or may be the first eighth?”
Albarado gave an interesting reply. “Carlos, our stable guy, had been working on Curlin, He told me that Curlin gave him a tremendous feel when working on a sloppy track. Carlos gave me all the confidence. You see what happened. The slop had no effect at all. I had too much horse.”
When asked about the Belmont defeat at the hands of Rags To Riches, trainer Asmussen said, “It happens in racing. Races are settled on the track. Curlin ran a great race.”
The 2,000-metre Classic on dirt was run in 2.0059. Curlin won by four lengths. Five lengths separated Hard Spun and Awesome Gem. The purse was $5 million (nearly Rs 20 crore). Curlin returned $10.80. The track was ‘muddy’ for this race.
Rain was a major inconvenience but did not dampen the spirit of the fans. Form worked out well. Anytime there is rain, it makes an already uncertain game more uncertain. There is too much information, too many opinions and so many stories to tell, that the BC races are a challenge to any writer.
Ibn Khalduhn, in the hands of Kerrin McEvoy won the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday. The Godolphin stable owns Ibn Khalduhn.
It is back to Chicago late Saturday afternoon. The 2008 BC races are to be held at Santa Anita in California. The last time the BC was run in Santa Anita, the Europeans did exceedingly well. With the European representation thinning, Santa Anita may be the trend-changer.
Here is my handicapping record at the BC races. No winner in 11 races but I am eternal optimist.
