Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Goldencents successfully defended his title
Friday in the eighth running of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at
Santa Anita Park.
Trained by Leandro Mora, substituting for the suspended Doug O’Neill, and
ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Goldencents was pressed on the lead by 3-year-old
Vicar’s in Trouble in the nine-horse field. The defending champ put away the
3-year-old on the final turn and was able to withstand a challenge down the
stretch by Tapiture.
Owned by W. C. Racing, Goldencents registered a length win over Tapiture.
Pants On Fire was third and Bronzo finished fourth. Handsome Mike was
scratched.
Goldencents covered the mile in 1:35.16, .04 seconds off last year’s victory.
Goldencents picks up $570,000 with the win. The 4-year-old colt has earned
more than $3 million with seven wins and seven seconds in 18 starts.
Last year, Goldencents also set the pace and went on to get a 2 3/4-length win
over Travers co-winner Golden Ticket.
Goldencents paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.10. Tapiture returned $3.80 and $3.00,
and Pants On Fire paid $4.00 to show.
