Tiznow Wins Breeders' Cup Classic

L O U I S V I L L E, Ky., Nov 4 -- The Breeders’ Cup Classic was supposed tobe a farewell party for Kentucky Derby hero Fusaichi Pegasus, whowill now stand at stud. But in the end, it looked as if he hadn’t evenbeen invited.

Tiznow was the horse of the moment for jockey Chris McCarron inthe $4.77 million Classic today at Churchill Downs, while FusaichiPegasus was never in contention and finished sixth.

The Classic was the highlight of an eight-race Breeders’ Cup card featuring 106 of the world’s besthorses.

Tiznow led a four-horse parade of 3-year-olds home,finishing a neck ahead of England-based Giant’s Causeway, who was 31/4 lengths in front of Captain Steve. Albert the Great finishedfourth ahead of 4-year-old Lemon Drop Kid. Cat Thief, last year’supset Classic winner, was seventh in the 13-horse field.

“I thought he was as good as a horse could be,” said winningtrainer Jay Robbins.

Macho Uno was numero uno in the Juvenile and faces the jinx ofthis race’s winner—never winning the Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus runsfor the final time when he starts in the Classic, the highlight ofan eight-race Breeders’ Cup card featuring 106 of the world’s best horses.

Shocking Opener

The Breeders’ Cup program opened with a shock when trainer D.Wayne Lukas finished 1-2 with Spain and Surfside in the Distaff. Riboletta, the odds-on favorite who had won six straight stakes and was supplemented to the race for $400,000, finished seventh in nine-horse. Last year’s winner, Beautiful Pleasure, finished sixth.

There also was a big upset in the Juvenile Fillies whenCaressing won.

The next three winners were War Chant, who won a four-horseblanket finish in the Mile on the grass; Kona Gold, who wonthe six-furlong Sprint in a sizzling 1:07 3/5; and Perfect Sting.

Tiznow’s Triumph

Tiznow led for the first half mile of the Classic, but was second, a lengthbehind Albert the Great, with a half mile remaining. He was back infront at the quarterpole. Then Giant’s Causeway, making his dirttrack debut with Michael Kinane aboard, looked as if he was goingto pass Tiznow. In fact, he might have stuck his nose in frontnearing the finish, but Tiznow would not be denied.