Ralph Siraco: Day of surprises during the Breeders’ Cup races

Monday, Oct. 28, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

BREEDERS' CUP XII is now history, and for seven it was a lucky 13. For others, it was a first, and, for some, it could be their last.

For the first time in its history the Breeders' Cup was hosted outside the United States and, in the weeks leading to thoroughbred racing's biggest day, there were worries of labor strikes, bad racing conditions and the thought of bitter cold weather. But, when it came to show time in Canada, the day was beautiful, the racing surfaces were fair and the spirits were high.

The usual cast of Cup candidates, who produced many memorable Breeders' Cup moments of the past, were on hand and ready to claim more Cup hardware. D. Wayne Lukas, the winningest Cup trainer, was there with 10 of his best that covered six of the seven races. The Europeans came loaded with runners for the two grass events, knowing that the Woodbine race course layout was as much like theirs than any preceding Breeders' Cup venue. And, the great Cigar was back to defend his Classic title in an attempt to become the first ever to repeat in the centerpiece event.

Many firsts

On Saturday, however, Toronto looked more like Southern California than just a sunny day in October, and this Breeders' Cup will be remembered for a gold rush of firsts, charged with emotions.

The day began with the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies event at 1-1/16 miles. Trainer Nick Zito sent out two, and Triple Crown rival Lukas had a trio among the dozen in the field. Zito's Love That Jazz would set the tempo, to keep Lukas' danger Sharp Cat honest, and, when they turned for home, it was favored Storm Cat who swept from mid-pack to run down stablemate Love That Jazz and win at $5.20. Longshot Critical Factor was third. Round one: Lukas off the board and Zito gets the first of the firsts of the day after 10 previous Cup attempts.

The Breeders' Cup Sprint at six furlongs was next with a full field of 14, so full that the starting gate crew mis-loaded Paying Dues in stall 12 instead of assigned stall 7. In this dash for cash, Lord Carson set a quick pace with several speedsters in hot pursuit. At the top of the stretch, it was Lukas' Honour And Glory taking over from the Lukas pace-setter, but America's most famous equine headcase, Lit De Justice, had his mind on running and, with the help of pilot Corey Nakatani, he rolled up the inside, then weaved between Honour And Glory and the oncoming Paying Dues to capture the race for Southern Californians Nakitani and trainer Jenine Sahadi, who became the first woman to win a Breeders' Cup race. It was Nakatani's first, as well. Lit De Justice returned $10, Paying Dues second, Honour And Glory third.

No. 2 for Nakatani

The Breeders' Cup Distaff at 1 1/8 miles followed with Team Lukas' Serena's Song headlining five others. The Argentinian supplementary entrant Different would be a slight favorite in the wide-open event. Long shot Top Secret set the pace with Serena tracking. Turning for home, Serena's Song took over with Different looming on her outside, but it was Jewel Princess who would charge up on the inside to provide a quick second Breeders' Cup victory for jockey Corey Nakatani and a first for father-in-law trainer Wallace Dollace. The emotional Nakatani dedicated his Cup rides to his recently slain sister. Serena's Song was second, and Different held third. Jewel Princess returned $6.80 for another Southern California score.

The Breeders' Cup Mile was next at the distance on truf and featured the best milers from Europe. Leading the foreign group was the highly touted Mark Of Esteem. As the 14-horse field sorted itself out down the long backstretch to the one sweeping turn, it was hometown hopeful Kiridashi leading the charge. Kiridashi was swallowed up through the stretch, as the field spread out for the run to the wire, and Da Hoss, with a masterful ride by Gary Stevens, would roll on the inside from the back of the pack to win. Mark Of Esteem proved to be another Euro-hype dud, while countryman Spinning World finished second and long shot Same Old Wish was up for third. Da Hoss returned $17.20 for Stevens' only win of seven Breeders' Cup rides.

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile at 1-1/16 miles saw next year's Triple Crown hopefuls take to the track next. Ordway, off an impressive Champagne victory, was favored in the field of 11. Team Lukas had two saddled up, with his million-dollar bonus baby Boston Harbor his best chance. Stablemate Gold Tribute would encounter disastrous trouble into the first turn, while Boston Harbor set the pace. Harbor was cruising, turning for home, when the Zito-trained Acceptable came roaring up to challenge. Boston Harbor fought and held on to win for Lukas' only win of the day, and subsequently jockey Jerry Bailey's as well, while Ordway finished a non-threatening third. Boston Harbor returned $6.80 to win.

The Breeders' Cup Turf at 1 1/2 miles was loaded with European bear. A four-horse entry of Sheikh Mohammed's best were favored, but it would be Arc de Triomphe runner-up Pilsudski who would prevail, with an overwhelmed rider Walter Swinburn aboard. Swinburn was near death from a serious racing injury recently and came back to capture his biggest moment on Saturday. The sheikh's entry would finish in the next three positions, with Singspiel second and Swain third. Pilsudski returned $29.40, but this edition may be remembered for the $3,500 claimer, Rick's Natural Star, who finished approximately 150 lengths last.

Cigar put out

Finally, the Breeders' Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles, that centered around the great Cigar and his quest for a second Classic title. A dozen of the best handicap horses in the world converged on Woodbine to compete and, in some ways, pay homage to the champ. In one of the most thrilling renewals of the focal event, it was the California Alphabet Soup under Chris McCarron that would outlast Louis Quatorze by a nose and the five-wide champ Cigar by a neck. Trainer David Hofmans would get his first Cup victory for the highly respected Ridder Stables, while the gray returned $41.70 to his faithful backers.

Cigar will be remembered, as he should be, as the champion who won 17 of his last 20 starts, rather than for losing three of his last four.

And Breeders' Cup XIII will be remembered for all the good things about the great Sport of Kings, as it should be, and a proud day for Canadian racing.