Curlin outruns his toughest opponents in Breeders’ Cup Classic

OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) — Curlin has now beaten the Kentucky Derby winner twice, the leading older horse twice and avenged his most recent defeat.

With one emphatic victory against his toughest rivals in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, Curlin likely ran away with Horse of the Year honors in a sensational championship season.

“He showed he’s a true champion,” Curlin jockey Robby Albarado said. “He’s an amazing horse.”

Derby winner Street Sense tried to catch Curlin with one of jockey Calvin Borel’s patented rail-skimming rides, but was unable to make up ground Saturday in the stretch over a sloppy track at Monmouth Park. Curlin defeated Derby runner-up Hard Spun by 41⁄2 lengths.

“Curlin is the genuine article,” Borel said after Street Sense finished fourth in the final race of his career. “I just couldn’t go with him.”

Curlin, who edged Street Sense in the Preakness, moved into contention around the final turn and swept past Hard Spun and Lawyer Ron before a cheering crowd of 41,781 that had endured a rain deluge most of the day.

The race — the final one in the first two-day, 11-race, $23 million Breeders’ Cup — was marred in the final yards when European star George Washington broke down and was euthanized on the track. While Curlin and Albarado were crossing the finish line, George Washington was in distress after shattering his right front leg.

Jockey Mick Kinane was uninjured and held the reins as help moved in. A screen was brought out on the track to prevent fans from watching, and the 4-year-old colt was put down at the request of trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Awesome Gem, a 28-1 long shot, was third, followed by Street Sense, Tiago, Any Given Saturday, Lawyer Ron and Diamond Stripes.

Curlin, a son of Smart Strike, covered the 11⁄4 miles in a fast 2:00.59 over a sloppy track and returned $10.80, $5.20 and $4.20. The track record is 2:002⁄5 set in 1962 by Carry Back.

$2 million Juvenile Fillies

Indian Blessing ($5.40) wasn’t bothered by a sloppy track and went wire-to-wire for a 31⁄2-length win over Proud Spell. Indian Blessing, a daughter of Indian Charlie, became the sixth straight betting favorite to win the Juvenile Fillies. Winning time for the 11⁄16 miles was 1:44.73.

$2 million Juvenile

Undefeated War Pass ($6.40) led all the way and beat Pyro by 41⁄2 lengths for Zito’s first victory in racing’s richest event since 1996, when he won the Juvenile Fillies with Storm Song.

War Pass improved to 4-0 and is a cinch to be voted 2-year-old champion. It wasn’t until this year that a Juvenile winner captured the Derby, with Street Sense breaking the jinx. He covered 11⁄16 miles in 1:42.76.

$2 million Distaff

Ginger Punch ($11) gave trainer Bobby Frankel a lift with her stirring neck victory over Hystericalady. Frankel was back in California caring for his ill 8-year-old dog, Happy, and his Breeders’ Cup horses were saddled by assistant Chad Brown. The 4-year-old Ginger Punch has won four of her last five races and likely moved ahead of Nashoba’s Key as the leading older female horse.