Drosselmeyer wins BC Classic in day of horse racing upsets

Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

Talk about a battle of the sexes — and a couple of exes.

Drosselmeyer, a 14-1 long shot, roared down the middle of the track and caught Game On Dude in the closing strides to win the $5 million Classic by 11/2 lengths Saturday, capping a weekend of upsets at the Breeders’ Cup.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith beat his former fiance, Chantal Sutherland, who rode Game On Dude. A year ago, Smith walked off the track in tears after losing the race on superstar Zenyatta by a head.

“Chantal did a great job,” said Bob Baffert, who trains Game On Dude. “I can’t believe she got beat by Mike Smith.”

The former couple, together on and off for six years, broke up in 2010, but remain cordial, even taking part in a “Battle of the Exes” match race at Del Mar in August.

Then, and now, Smith was the winner.

“I turned the page a long time ago,” he said. “I wish everyone else would.”

Drosselmeyer ran 11/4 miles in 2:04.27 under the lights at Churchill Downs and paid $31.60 to win. Ruler On Ice was third.

Filly Havre de Grace, the 4-1 second choice, finished fourth against the boys. Flat Out, the 7-2 favorite, was fifth for 70-year-old trainer Scooter Dickey.

So You Think, the 5-1 co-third choice with Uncle Mo, was sixth. To Honor and Serve was seventh, followed by Ice Box, Rattlesnake Bridge, Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty and Headache.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott swept the weekend’s top two races, winning the $2 million Ladies’ Classic with Royal Delta on Friday. Smith tied Jerry Bailey with his 15th Breeders’ Cup victory after winning the Sprint earlier Saturday.

Sutherland appeared on her way to becoming the first female jockey to win North America’s richest race.

Instead, she was aced out by the guy whose ring she once wore.

“When I looked at the wire and I saw white I said, ’You’ve got to be kidding me. Mike Smith. Ugh,”’ she said. “But I’m very happy for Mike. That’s his 15th Breeders’ Cup so he’s a pretty good rider.”‚à´