Blame (right) edges Zenyatta in the Classic

Blame ended Zenyatta's 19-race unbeaten run to clinch the prestigious Breeders' Cup Classic on the line in Kentucky.

Mike Smith's mount Zenyatta, going for a second Classic title, could not catch 11-2 shot Blame with a late surge in the $5m feature, with Fly Down third.

Frankie Dettori steered the Brian Meehan-trained Dangerous Midge to victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

And France's Goldikova, under Olivier Peslier, became the first three-time winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Much-loved mare Zenyatta broke slowly from the stalls, and Smith had conceded 15 lengths to the rest of the field after just one furlong.

Down the back straight, Zenyatta trailed the leaders by 20 lengths, but approaching the final turn the American champion thoroughbred was suddenly back in touch.

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action at Churchill Downs

Kentucky-bred Blame, under Garrett Gomez, went for home and just held off Zenyatta in a nail-biting triumph in front of 77,000 fans at Churchill Downs.

Afterwards, a teary Smith said: "It was a little struggle for me early as she surprised me in that she didn't get a hold of the ground.

"If we'd got a better position it would have been a different outcome because I was on the best horse in the race, trust me.

"I'm overwhelmed with emotion because I just feel that I have let her down and it is all too much to take. The crowd was roaring so hard that she pricked her ears."

Gomez paid tribute to Zenyatta, saying: "It's mixed emotions for me because Zenyatta has been a great ambassador for the game.

"People that didn't know anything about racing have gotten involved because of her."

In the absence of Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Workforce, who was withdrawn because of trainer Sir Michael Stoute's concerns that the course was too firm, Dettori picked up his fourth Breeders' Cup Turf win when four-year-old Dangerous Midge (17/2) chased down long-time leader Champ Pegasus. French colt Behkabad claimed third.

"We're happy," said Englishman Meehan. "We know he was quick enough on the straight and Frankie kept him balanced on the bends. He's talented and has been improving and improving."

Dettori reflected: "He didn't handle the corners very well, he's such a big horse. I kept him balanced and we had no pressure all the way. In the straight it took him a long time to motor, but we got there in the end."

Like Dettori's ride, French-based mare Goldikova, a 13-10 favourite, also unleashed a late burst to take the $2m Breeders' Cup Mile ahead of Gio Ponti and The Usual.

Patiently ridden by Peslier, the five-year-old showed a brilliant turn of foot after rounding the final bend in sixth place to flash past her rivals and repeat her victories in the same race in 2008 and 2009.

"She's amazing, she can do anything," said Goldikova's trainer Freddie Head.

"I was the first jockey to win this race twice with a mare [Miesque in 1987 and 1988] and now I'm the trainer of a mare winning three times. It's unreal."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version