The 2017 Breeders’ Cup made quite the impression on the racing world and the 70,420 attendees to the World Championships. Not just because of its gorgeous setting, making its first stop at Del Mar, but once again the sport was wowed by top level performances.
Mendelssohn, the half-brother to multiple champion Beholder, made his presence felt in the Juvenile Turf as he dusted one of the most productive fields the Breeders’ Cup has ever assembled. The $3 million Keeneland Grad made easy work of G1 youngsters setting himself up for what has turned out to be a solid 3-year old season.
Bar of Gold sprung a massive upset in the Filly and Mare Sprint returning $135.40 to win based on a 2017 campaign that was less than consistent and made stops in turf route races. Good Magic finally realized his potential at 2 in the Juvenile as he broke his maiden and announced himself as a serious player within the ’18 sophomore division.
Battle of Midway wore down the stubborn speedster, Sharp Azteca, to claim the Dirt Mile. Roy H capped a huge weekend in the Sprint for local training star Peter Miller, which included a top 2 sweep in the Turf Sprint lead by Stormy Liberal. But as is expected, the brightest star surfaced in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, Gun Runner. After beginning the year with a heartbreaking defeat to Arrogate, in arguably the best Dubai World Cup effort in history, Gun Runner never missed a beat again. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Gun Runner rolled easily through three G1 events to establish himself as the horse to beat in the Classic. The son of Candy Ride wasted no time taking over the race out of the gates and pulled away in the end to a 2 1/14 length win, securing Horse of the Year honors.
The post 2017 BREEDERS’ CUP RECAP by Scott Hazelton appeared first on TVG BLOG.
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