Aidan O'Brien, after a lengthy visit to his Cup runners in the quarantine barn at Santa Anita on Tuesday morning, said: "This horse has had no clean run this year and he hasn't had one this time." The problem is again a foot problem but this time a different foot is affected.
Asked if the problem was serious enough to endanger Rip Van Winkle's appearance in the Classic on Saturday, for which he is 6-4 favourite with William Hill, O'Brien replied: "I hope not. He goes to the track on Wednesday and we will see. With Rip Van Winkle it's always been day by day. What he's done up to now I've been amazed that he's been able to do."
Confirming that Mastercraftsman will run in the Dirt Mile, O'Brien explained: "His best form ever was in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last year over six furlongs on fast ground when they went all the way. There was a very impressive Coventry Stakes winner in the field (Art Connoisseur) and he totally blew him out. The reason Mastercraftsman was so impressive, we believe, is that he has so much speed and the pace was so strong. Which Breeders' Cup race is he going to get the most pace? The Dirt Mile."
O'Brien added: "There is always a risk with three-year-olds at this time of year, and both horses have had a hard season, but we are happy with them."
OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA, Saturday November 07, 2009 - Race 9
Breeders' Cup Classic - Grade: 1
Purse: $5,000,000 |
Distance/Restrictions:
1 1/4M, Dirt, 3 Year Olds and Up, STAKES
|
Winning Time: 2:00.62
Pgm
Horse
Jockey
Win
Place
Show
4
Zenyatta
Mike E. Smith
7.60
5.60
3.80
7
Gio Ponti
Ramon A. Dominguez
9.20
6.60
5
Twice Over
Thomas P. Queally
7.00
Times in 100ths::24.16
:47.88
1:11.88
1:36.16
2:00.62
Unplaced horses listed in order of finish. Also ran:Summer Bird, Colonel John, Richard's Kid, Awesome Gem, Regal Ransom, Mine That Bird, Rip Van Winkle, Einstein and Girolamo
Scratched: Quality Road
Winning Breeder:Maverick Production, Limited Winning Trainer:John A. Shirreffs Winning Owner:Moss, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S.
Wager Type
Winning Numbers
Payoff
$2 Daily Double
L. CLASSIC/CLASSIC 2-4
$92.60
$1 Exacta
4-7
$43.70
$1 Superfecta
4-7-5-3
$3,417.00
$1 Super High Five
4-7-5-3-2
$50,038.30
$1 Trifecta
4-7-5
$596.20
$2 Consolation Double
L. CLASSIC/CLASSIC 2-12
$18.40
$2 Head2Head
14-FIELD
$5.60
$1 Pick 3
2-2-4
$360.30
$1 Consolation Pick 3
2-2-12
$50.20
$1 Pick 4
11-2-2/4-4/12
$752.20
$2 Pick 6
6-7-11-2-2/4-4/12
$1,838,305.20
Race Comments: ZENYATTA was taken in hand after breaking slowly, raced well back under wraps for a half, launched a rally in the two path leaving the backstretch, rapidly passed horses along the inside to reach contention on the turn, swung out for clear sailing entering the stretch, angled to the outside of TWICE OVER in upper stretch, closed the gap in midstretch, then gained steadily under strong right hand urging to wear down GIO PONTI in the final seventy yards. GIO PONTI was unhurried early, tucked in on the first turn, raced well back while saving ground for seven furlongs, launched a rally along the inside midway on the turn, split rivals while gaining in upper stretch, charged to the front a furlong out, opened a clear advantage nearing the sixteenth pole, but couldn't withstand the winners late charge while clearly best of the others. TWICE OVER (GB) was rated in the three path between horses along the backstretch, move out on the turn, angled four wide entering the stretch and finished willingly to gain a share. SUMMER BIRD was well placed along the inside on the backstretch, closed the gap on the turn, angled three wide while gaining at the quarter pole, lodged a bid between horses to threaten in upper stretch and finished evenly in the final eighth. COLONEL JOHN raced in good position while saving ground just behind the pacesetter to the turn, angled out entering the stretch, gained a slim advantage in upper stretch and weakened under pressure in the final eighth. RICHARD'S KID was outrun for a half, worked his way forward four wide to reach contention leaving the turn and flattened out in upper stretch. AWESOME GEM ducked out at the start, was reserved for six furlongs, gained three wide to briefly reach contention on the turn and lacked a late response. REGAL RANSOM set the pace along the inside to the top of the stretch and tired from his early efforts. MINE THAT BIRD was outrun after breaking slowly, saved ground inside the winner to the turn and failed to mount a serious rally. RIP VAN WINKLE (IRE) pressed the pace between horses for seven furlongs and stopped badly on the turn. EINSTEIN (BRZ) raced up close between horses then was shuffled back after steadying sharply behind RIP VAN WINKLE midway on the turn and was never close thereafter. GIROLAMO chased three wide early, raced within striking distance to the turn and gave way. QUALITY ROAD was fractious behind the gate delaying the start five minutes and was scratched by the track veterinarian after sustaining a minor injury. All monies wagered on QUALITY ROAD were refunded and consolations in all the pools were paid.
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