Caleb's Posse caught Shackleford in the final furlong to take the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile by four lengths. Tres Borrachos was 1 1/3 lengths back in third.
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You could see coming down the stretch that he had dead aim on the leader. The last sixteenth of a mile, we just got to celebrate," said trainer Donnie Von Hemel. "I think we got enough pace in the race, and he was just rolling down the lane. I was hoping for 45 and change, so I think that was key. It’s the biggest (victory of my career), no doubt; a million dollar race on Breeders’ Cup day."
Jockey Rajiv Maragh won his first Breeders' Cup race aboard Caleb's Posse.
"The trip was perfect; just what we hoped for," said Maragh. "And when it came time for him, he fired really big. We’ve had luck taking this horse back and making one late run with him, so you stick with what’s successful. To win a race of this magnitude is special, really special."
It was another heartbreaking finish for Dale Romans' Shackleford, who looked to be the winner turning for home.
“It was just like the Derby; I thought we had it won," said Romans. "It was tough for speed horses today. I’m not going to make any excuses. Caleb’s Posse ran big, and we ran big. There was a lot of pace up front and quality horses running fast. I was proud of him. I thought he ran super. He’s had a great year. He’s going to get a break now. He couldn’t have done anything more for us all year."
Caleb's Posse returned $15.60, $7.00, and $4.80. Shackleford paid $6.40 and $4.80 for second place. Tres Borrachos returned $10.80. The $2 exacta paid $112.80. The $0.50 triple returned $555.20.
Photo: Courtesy Breeders' Cup
