3 geldings win Breeders’ Cup races

ARCADIA, Calif. — Three geldings, including two bred in California, scored victories in the Breeders’ Cup while European horses won three other races Saturday.

Irish import Goldikova successfully defended her title in the $2 million Mile against 10 male rivals, setting the stage for Zenyatta to go against 13 boys in the $5 million Classic later at Santa Anita.

Zenyatta’s 13-0 career mark was on the line in North America’s richest race, with such stars as Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird and Ireland-based Rip Van Winkle looking to send her into expected retirement with a blemish on her record.

Goldikova helped Freddy Head make history as the first to win the Mile in consecutive years as both a trainer and a jockey. He rode Miesque to victories in 1987 and ‘88.

“I get more nervous watching than riding,” Head said. “The amazing thing is a horse like her, she’s very easy to train. She does everything herself. She always gives her best. She’s a freak, I think, really.”

Goldikova won the Mile by a half-length over long shot Courageous Cat. Ridden by Olivier Peslier, she ran the distance on the turf in 1:32.26 and paid $4.80 to win as the 7-5 favorite.

California Flag and Dancing in Silks both won on their home track, a couple of geldings stealing the spotlight at an event created to focus on the breeding aspect of thoroughbred racing.

California Flag lived up to his favorite’s status, taking the $1 million Turf Sprint by 1¾ lengths. He ran 6½ furlongs in 1:11.28. Jockey Joe Talamo and trainer Brian Koriner, who like the 5-year-old gelding are locally based, earned their first Breeders’ Cup win.

“It’s awesome,” Talamo said. “Just being on a horse like that is tremendous. It definitely builds your confidence up.”

California Flag paid $8.80 to win as the 3-1 favorite, a year after finishing 10th in the same race.

Dancing in Silks was a big shocker, surviving a four-horse photo finish to win the $2 million Sprint by a nose at 25-1 odds. He paid $52.60 to win.

The 4-year-old gelding made Carla Gaines the third woman to train a Breeders’ Cup winner. It was the first Breeders’ Cup win for jockey Joel Rosario, who guided Dancing in Silks over 6 furlongs in 1:08.14.

Another gelding, Furthest Land, won the $1 million Dirt Mile a year after being claimed for $35,000 at Belmont Park. Under Julien Leparoux, who earned his third win in two days, the 21-1 shot ran the distance in 1:35.50 and won by three-quarters of a length. He paid $44.60 to win.

Europe-based Pounced won the $1 million Juvenile Turf by three-quarters of a length under Frankie Dettori.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert had his two-year winning streak in the Sprint snapped when 9-5 favorite Zensational finished fifth. He failed to repeat for the second straight year in the $2 million Juvenile, when 2-1 favorite Lookin at Lucky was beaten a head at the wire by 30-1 shot Vale of York.

Lookin at Lucky drew the unlucky No. 13 post on the far outside, and jockey Garrett Gomez said the colt got banged around going into the first turn.

“It’s just frustrating to know you have much the best horse and to come up short like that,” Baffert said. “At least you know that you can look forward to the Derby.”

With the win, Vale of York stamped himself as an early favorite for next year’s Kentucky Derby. Only Street Sense has pulled off the Juvenile-Derby double since the Breeders’ Cup began in 1984.

Britain-based Vale of York paid $63.20 to win at 30-1 odds. His jockey, Ahmed Ajtebi, and owner Goldophin Racing are based in the Middle East. The colt covered 1 1-16 miles in 1:43.48.

“Every time he’s come for a race he’s handled everything really well,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor said. “He’s a tough horse, and next year we’ll bring him for the Kentucky Derby.”