The 2008 Breeders’ Cup

Changes continued for the Breeders’ Cup as it celebrated its 25th year under the San Gabriel Mountains in California. For the first time, the main track races were conducted on a synthetic surface. The series, now worth $25.5 million in purses, was also expanded to 14 races with the addition of the Turf Sprint, the Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Marathon. The name of the Distaff was changed to the Ladies’ Classic. The new name was further christened with a new star, the 4-year-old filly Zenyatta, who came from last to first to win under jockey Mike Smith. The next day, another female force emerged when the 3-year-old Goldikova defeated male rivals in the Mile. Midnight Lute won the Sprint for the second straight year. Foreign horses dominated the day’s action as the Irish-bred Conduit won the Turf, and Raven’s Pass won the Classic. In all, overseas runners captured five races. Garrett Gomez rode a record four winners over the two days and earned the Bill Shoemaker Award as the Most Outstanding Jockey.