Breeders’ Cup Wrap: Drosselmeyer’s Classic Win Makes Horse of Year a Scramble

The 2011 Horse of the Year honors were up for grabs on Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs, but none of the major players fired their best shot, leaving the choice somewhat of a scrambled mess.

A victory by Havre de Grace, Game On Dude, or Flat Out in the Classic, or perhaps a fourth straight Mile victory by Goldikova could have wrapped up year-end honors.

Goldikova may have lost a step after all and a tough trip did not help her chances in a third place finish in the Mile.

Havre de Grace would have been a lock had she won the Classic, but she checked in fourth, while Flat Out was flat in his fifth place finish, checking in a head behind the filly.

Drosselmeyer, the 2010 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner came into the Classic with just one win in six starts, taking the One Count Stakes at Belmont Park.

His best effort leading into the Classic was his runner up finish in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) behind Flat Out.

Going two for seven with just one graded stakes win is not the type of resume for Horse of the Year honors.

It appears likely to come down to Havre de Grace and Classic runner up Game On Dude.

Havre de Grace won five of seven starts this year, taking the Azeri (G3), Apple Blossom (G1), Obeah (G3), Woodward (G1), and Beldame (G1).

Her lone loss going into the Classic was a nose loss to Blind Luck in the Delaware Handicap (G2) in July, and her win against the boys in the Woodward should earn her some bonus points.

Game On Dude won three of eight starts this year, victorious in a second level optional claimer, taking down the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), and winning the Goodwood (G1) in his final start before the Classic.

Among his losses, he was a good second in the Charles Town Classic (G3), checking in ahead of Tizway, and missed winning Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) by a tough nose to First Dude in July.

He was dead game in the Classic, heading for home with a clear lead only to be run down by Drosselmeyer and coming up 1 ½ lengths short while finishing ahead of both Havre de Grace and Flat Out.

Neither choice seems perfect, and I suppose we could make a case for two-year-old filly sensation My Miss Aurelia, who was perfect in four starts in 20011 capped off by her win in the Juvenile Fillies (G1).

However, this was not one of the strongest groups of two-year-old fillies we have seen in recent years, and she earned just an 86 Beyer Speed Figure in her victory on Friday.

By the slimmest of margins I would go with Havre de Grace, who’s connections never tried to duck her main rival Blind Luck when it could have been easy to do so, and for taking on the boys not once but twice this year.

Goldikova’s Career Goes Out With a Thud Goldikova was sent off as the 7/5 favorite to win an unprecedented fourth straight Mile in her last career start. However, jockey Oliver Pelsier found himself caught down along the inside in traffic much of the trip, was altered to the outside in the stretch causing a chain reaction of bumping with Courageous Cat getting the worst of it, and she did not show her usual punch late.

She checked in third behind longshots Court Vision (64/1) and Turallure (11/1), who combined for a $2 exacta payoff of $1,979.60.

On the head on shot it seemed blatantly obvious that the brilliant mare caused interference and it looked like a no brainer that she was going to be disqualified.

After a jockey objection was lodged, the stewards elected to leave the mare up, which at least to me and may others I have spoken to, was a terrible call.

Shortly after the race David Grenig of The Daily Racing Form tweeted this word from chief steward John Veitch: “Veitch: Byword and Goldikova both went for hole and Courageous Cat backing out of there because he's basically done. DIdn't affect outcome.”

There is no doubt in my mind that if that race would have been held on a Wednesday afternoon and it would have been a $50,000 claiming race, that type of interference would have led to a disqualification.

As in the Life At Ten debacle last year, the stewards failed to protect the betting public once again, and it is a mystery to me how chief steward John Vetch still has a job.

Had Goldikova won the race, then yes, it would have been an excruciating tough disqualification to make, but she finished third, and she deserved to come down.

Anyone that had fourth place finisher Gio Ponti in the third spot in their trifecta and superfecta tickets has a very good reason to be angry.

Michael Dempsey provides his full card report for Aqueduct each racing day. Mike’s full card report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations.