A Churchill Downs turf course soaked by rain the morning before was supposed to help the Europeans dominate the $1 million Breeders` Cup Mile. But it was three American-based long shots, led by Opening Verse, who swept the event.
Opening Verse and jockey Pat Valenzuela lay in fifth, close to the hotly contested pace, through the first three-quarters of the race.
”Tight Spot woke up down the backside, and I knew he was gonna go (for the lead) a little early. So I was very pleased to sit behind him,” said winning jockey Pat Valenzuela. ”Entering the stretch I angled him out. He really responded well.”
A track-record victory over the Churchill turf course in the Early Times Classic on May 3 altered Opening Verse`s schedule, said trainer Dick Lundy.
”After he set that record, this (became) the key race all year. The races at Del Mar and at Keeneland were strictly to get him here,” Lundy said. Opening Verse paid $55.40, $22 and $10.60 in his 1 1/4-length victory. He ran the mile in 1:37 2/5.
Fellow long shots Val Des Bois (16-1 as part of the field) and Star of Cozzene (18-1) finished second and third, respectively. The closest European was French filly Danseuse Du Soir in fourth.
Horse-of-the-year candidate In Excess tired after the setting the pace for more than 6 furlongs and finished in a dead heat for ninth with Arlington Million winner Tight Spot.