THE Breeders' Cup was back with a bang – and we arguably saw the best performance from a racehorse in recent memory!
Our man Jack Keene guided you through all the Group 1 action from Keeneland – here is a reminder of the results.
Scroll down to relive the whole amazing night as it happened.
3.50 Filly & Mare Sprint – Goodnight Olive (15-8f)
4.29 Turf Sprint – Caravel (50-1)
5.10 Dirt Mile – Cody’s Wish (5-2f)
5.50 Filly & Mare Turf – Tuesday (7-2)
6.30 Sprint – Elite Power (6-1)
7.10 Mile – Modern Games (6-4f)
7.55 Distaff – Malathaat (3-1)
8.40 Turf – Rebel's Romance (11-2)
9.40 Classic – Flightline (2-5f)
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACING
- Jack Keene
THAT'S ALL, FOLKS
Thank you for following along tonight. It's been a cracker.
I hope you've backed a few winners. If not – there is always the jumping at Sandown and Ffos Las tomorrow!
Night all.
Flightline lived up to the hype in the Breeders' Cup Classic - Jack Keene
WHAT A NIGHT
The Breeders' Cup rarely disappoints, and it has been another sensational night in Keeneland.
Here's a full run down of the results at the Breeders' Cup – ending with that jaw-dropping win from the brilliant Flightline.
3.50 Filly & Mare Sprint – Goodnight Olive (15-8f)
4.29 Turf Sprint – Caravel (50-1)
5.10 Dirt Mile – Cody’s Wish (5-2f)
5.50 Filly & Mare Turf – Tuesday (7-2)
6.30 Sprint – Elite Power (6-1)
7.10 Mile – Modern Games (6-4f)
7.55 Distaff – Malathaat (3-1)
8.40 Turf – Rebel's Romance (11-2)
9.40 Classic – Flightline (2-5f)
- Jack Keene
SUPERSTAR
Great line from trainer John Sadler.
"This is one of the great horses of all time – I think history will show that."
- Jack Keene
9.40 BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC RESULT
1st Flightline 2-5
2nd Olympiad 40-1
3rd Taiba 10-1
- Jack Keene
ABSOLUTE CHAMPION
We tuned in hoping for a mega performance from Flightline – and he delivered in spades.
They went a breakneck pace early on, but he was barely out of second gear as he eased into the lead and shot clear in the straight.
An epic performance.
- Jack Keene
FLIGHTLINE – WOW!
- Jack Keene
THEY'RE OFF IN THE BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC
The odds-on favourite Flightline breaks well and is just in behind the leader.
- Jack Keene
FINAL COUNTDOWN
A little over five minutes until the Classic – here's hoping for something special from the great Flightline.
The runners are parading in front of the track – there is still time to have a punt if you haven't made your mind up yet!
- Jack Keene
TAKE FLIGHT
If you haven't seen it yet, here is a reminder of what Flightline did to a high-class field on his last start in the Pacific Classic.
Demolition job.
- Jack Keene
TEMPLEGATE'S TIP
FLIGHTLINE was truly breathtaking when winning the prestigious Pacific Classic at Del Mar by all of 19 lengths last time out.
That kept his unbeaten run going and he’s won his five races by a total of 61 lengths – and three of them were Grade 1s.
His gallops at Keeneland have been impressive and only trouble in running can stop him winning.
It’s a surprise he’s not an even shorter price given he’s proven at the trip and should have more to come.
Epicenter can be the one to follow him home after an impressive five-length success in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga.
He’s not run since that August victory but has gone well after a break before.
Bob Baffert has a strong record in this race and he wouldn’t be running Taiba if he didn’t rate his chances.
He won the Pennsylvania Derby easily last time and will have no problem with this slightly longer trip.
- Jack Keene
CLASSIC QUOTES
What are the trainers saying about the Breeders' Cup Classic big guns?
John Sadler, Flightline: “He never has hidden his talent. He has always shown great ability from day one. He is in great form and is an incredible athlete."
Steve Asmussen, Epicenter: "I have always been impressed with him and love the athlete that he is and the races that he's run. He is stronger and more mature than he was earlier in the year."
Todd Pletcher, Life Is Good: "Every time we've run him he's been an odds-on favorite and expected to win. There maybe isn't the pressure this time but I am confident he will run a big race."
Bob Baffert, Taiba: "His work has been good and he shipped over to Kentucky well. Flightline looks impressive but Taiba is a very talented horse."
- Jack Keene
MEMORY LANE
While we wait for the big race to start, I thought I'd share with you one of my favourite Breeders' Cup Classics.
It was a truly great finish back in 2013 – but the commentary from Larry Collmus is absolutely Hall of Fame stuff.
- Jack Keene
CLASSIC COUNTDOWN
Right everyone, 13 Breeders' Cup races down, just one to go. And it's the big one.
It's nearly time for the £4 million Classic and a moment of destiny for the unbeaten Flightline.
He is the top-rated horse in the world and has even been compared to the legendary Secretariat.
He is the red-hot favourite and the eyes of the racing world are on him.
- Jack Keene
'GO ON THE DOYLER!'
Top bombing from Appleby at Keeneland this week and a cracking reaction as Rebel's Romance shot clear in the Turf.
- Jack Keene
REBEL WITH A CAUSE
What a rise it has been through the ranks for Rebel's Romance.
He was beaten out of sight in Dubai in February, but he has won all five of his starts since.
And for Charlie Appleby, six of his last eight chances at the Breeders' Cup have ended with victory.
He truly is the best trainer in the world. And hats off to James 'Doyler' Doyle – he's popped his Breeders' Cup cherry.
- Jack Keene
8.40 BREEDERS' CUP TURF RESULT
1st Rebel's Romance 11-2
2nd Stone Age 10-1
3rd War Like Goddess 7-2
- Jack Keene
BREEDERS' CUP LOVE AFFAIR
Is there anything Charlie Appleby can't do?
He has won yet another race at the Breeders' Cup, this time with the impressive Rebel's Romance.
I don't think he needs to fly back home across the pond – the bloke can probably walk on water.
- Jack Keene
THEY'RE OFF IN THE TURF
Broome and Mishriff slowly away and towards the rear early.
Bye Bye Melvin leads the way.
- Jack Keene
APPLE OF HIS EYE
Nations Pride or Rebel's Romance for the unstoppable Charlie Appleby?
- Jack Keene
TEMPLEGATE'S TIP
I know, I know. You don't care what I think.
You want to hear from the main man. And I'm glad to report Templegate and I are singing from the same hymn sheet…
"WAR LIKE GODDESS was impressive when landing a Grade 1 at Aqueduct by three lengths last month.
She has won both starts at Keeneland and handles firm ground well. She has few miles on the clock and can go close.
Charlie Appleby won this last year and has two massive chances again.
It’s not easy to split his pair but Nations Pride has the benefit of racing in America on his past three outings.
He won the Saratoga Derby in August before dropping in class to hammer his rivals at Aqueduct last time out.
Those wins both came on fast ground and William Buick has chosen him over stablemate Rebel’s Romance who has been favourite with the American bookies.
He has yet to taste defeat in four runs on turf, with Group 1 success coming on his past two runs in Germany.
This is tougher opposition and he has to prove his liking for a quicker surface but he looks a big threat.
Mishriff isn’t the force he was and found the soft ground against him in the Arc last time.
Frankie gets on board today which could spark a revival."
- Jack Keene
DECLARATION OF WAR
The Euros definitely have an edge when it comes to the Breeders' Cup Turf – we've won seven of the last ten runnings.
But underestimate War Like Goddess at your peril.
Her trainer Bill Mott has already had two winners today and he came out with this eye-catching quote on the gallops this week.
“No doubt in my mind – she’s as good a turf horse as we’ve got in our country.”
She's a 3-1 shot and drawn beautifully in stall two. I reckon she is the one to beat.
- Jack Keene
SCORES ON THE DOORS
We've a little bit of time to kill before the next race at 8.40, so here is a reminder of the results so far at the Breeders' Cup.
3.50 Filly & Mare Sprint – Goodnight Olive (15-8f)
4.29 Turf Sprint – Caravel (50-1)
5.10 Dirt Mile – Cody's Wish (5-2f)
5.50 Filly & Mare Turf – Tuesday (7-2)
6.30 Sprint – Elite Power (6-1)
7.10 Mile – Modern Games (6-4f)
7.55 Distaff – Malathaat (3-1)
- Jack Keene
TURF TIME
The next race is the big one on the grass, the £2.75 million Breeders' Cup Turf.
Among the big guns is Mishriff, who is making his final career start under Frankie Dettori in first-time blinkers.
Check out what John Gosden had to say about the five-year-old's chances.
- Jack Keene
7.55 BREEDERS' CUP DISTAFF RESULT
1st Malathaat 3-1
2nd Blue Stripe 33-1
3rd Clairiere 7-1
- Jack Keene
WHAT A RACE
Malathaat has stuck her head down just in time to nail the outsider Blue Stripe on the line with Clairiere barely a nose further back in third.
A three-way ding-dong to the wire. What a great race.
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