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DEL MAR, Calif. — The standout horse Thorpedo Anna claimed victory in the $2 million Distaff on Saturday at Del Mar, triumphing by 2 1/2 lengths and breaking trainer Ken McPeek’s 0-for-37 streak in Breeders’ Cup events.
She completed the 1 1/8 miles distance in a time of 1:49.10, guided by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. As the 2-5 favorite, her win returned a payout of $2.80, marking it as the second-lowest winning payout in Breeders’ Cup history.
“Expectations for her have always been sky-high,” McPeek noted after the race. “I appreciate that Brian took charge and executed the plan effectively. It felt like a solid performance, which is essential.”
McPeek and Hernandez previously connected for success when they won the Kentucky Derby in May with Mystik Dan.
The win at the picturesque seaside venue, benefiting from sunny and cool weather, capped an impressive season for Thorpedo Anna, who also took home the Kentucky Oaks and came in a narrow second to Fierceness in the Travers, positioning her as a contender for Horse of the Year.
In the $5 million Turf, the front-running Rebel’s Romance, the 9-5 favorite, managed to stave off a late charge from Rousham Park, a 22-1 longshot, marking the ninth triumph for a European-trained horse in ten years.
Rebel’s Romance completed the 1 1/2 miles in a time of 2:26.07, piloted by jockey William Buick, and returned $5.80 for the win. The six-year-old gelding has showcased his abilities worldwide, securing victories in locations such as Qatar, Dubai, Hong Kong, Britain, Germany, and the U.S. under the guidance of trainer Charlie Appleby.
Tragically, Jayarebe, a three-year-old bred in France, fell on the track after finishing seventh in the Turf race and did not survive.
“It is believed to have been a cardiac event,” stated Dr. Al Ruggles, the veterinarian on-call.
In addition to the main events:
— Soul of an Angel had a slow start, trailing the pack by 12 lengths before making a surge from the outside to clinch victory in the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint by half a length. This 19-1 longshot paid out $41.60. The horse finished the seven-furlong race in 1:21.59, driven by jockey Drayden Van Dyke. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. celebrated his first Breeders’ Cup win.
— Starlust pulled off a significant upset in the $1 million Turf Sprint after a start delay and a formal foul claim. Roda Ryan rode the 30-1 dark horse, who clocked five furlongs in 55.92 seconds and returned $69.20. Starlust edged out Motorius by a neck. Notably, another horse, Believing, flipped in the gate and tossed jockey Ryan Moore, who fortunately walked away uninjured. Though scratched from the race, Believing appeared to be fine. Jockey Manny Franco, riding Isivunguvungu, lodged a foul claim against Starlust and Ryan; however, after a review by the stewards, the results remained unchanged.
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