The 1999 Breeders’ Cup

The 16th Breeders’ Cup was expanded to 8 races and total purses of $13 million. The newest addition was the Filly & Mare Turf, run at 1 3/8 miles for females, 3-years-old and older. The first edition drew a full field of 14 horses, and it was won by the favorite, the 4-year-old filly Soaring Softly, ridden by Jerry Bailey. The European star Daylami was a grey streak under the Florida sun, winning the 1 ½ mile Turf. His jockey, Frankie Dettori delighted the crowd by in the winner’s circle by adding a flying dismount off Daylami in celebration of the victory. D. Wayne Lukas, the most successful trainer in Breeders’ Cup history, got his first Classic win when nearly 20-1 Cat Thief, under Pat Day, took the lead coming into the stretch and won by 1 ¼ lengths.