Bill Mott-trained Unrivaled Belle took the $2 milllion Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (GI) over favored Blind Luck under the lights at Churchill Downs.
Mott credits jockey Kent Desormeaux's ride for the victory.
"I just have to give Kent the credit," Mott said. "He pulled the trigger and it worked out. We opened up on the field and left them in her dust."
Desormeaux, however, credited his mount.
He state, "She took me all the way to the three-sixteenths pole all by herself.She was on the bridle all the way. I hadn't moved on her until then. I asked her, and she went."
Jeremy Rose aboard Havre de Grace showed.
In a bit of controversery, Life At Ten seemingly walked out of the starting gate, dropped back, and lost contact with the field at the half.
"She didn't feel like running today," said jockey John Velazquez. "She never put in any effor whatsoever. I tried to warm her up and wake her up, and she just never felt like running.
Churchill Downs's veterintarian released a statement on Friday morning:
Life At Ten, along with all the other horses that started in the Ladies' Classic, was observed on the track prior to entering the starting gate by three veterinarians. The vet team did not observe any physical problems. She was examined again after the race and again no physical problems were observed. A more in-depth examination will be conducted this evening and tomorrow.
Kentucky State Steward John Veith stated that they will be reviewing the race.
"We will contact jockey John Velazquez and trainer Todd Pletcher to get as much information as we possibly can abou the performance of that filly in the race," he said.
Unrivaled Belled paid $17.00, $5.80, and $3.20. Favorite Blind Luck returned $3.20 and $2.40, and Havre de Gracepaid $4.00 to show.
