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 Favourite Untapable, expertly piloted by Napravnik, took the
honours in the feature race, the $2 million Distaff, with a
commanding performance down the stretch but Close Hatches, a 3-1
choice, faded badly to finish last in a field of 11.
Untapable, undisputed queen of the three-year-old fillies, improved
her career record to an impressive eight wins in 11 starts while
Napravnik stunned the crowd at Santa Anita Park after the race by
announcing her retirement as a mother-to-be.
"My husband Joe (Sharp) and I are going to be starting a family,"
Napravnik, 26, later told reporters, saying her retirement would
start on Sunday after she had raced for a final time on Saturday,
the last day of the 2014 Breeders' Cup.
"His career (as a horse trainer) is brand new and thriving, so it's
kind of good timing. He's going to step into the limelight and I'm
going to step out.
"I've been planning the retirement since I found out that I was
pregnant. I'm about seven weeks pregnant. Couldn't think of a better
way to go out."
Untapable, winner of the Kentucky Oaks in May with Napravnik on
board, surged past Iotapa from the outside coming into the final
turn to win the Distaff by one and one-quarter lengths.
Iotapa, piloted by Joseph Talamo, had to settle for third after
finishing a nose behind Don't Tell Sophia in the day's feature race.
"What a tremendous feeling to be involved with this filly all year
long and the races that she's giving us and how good she is,"
Untapable's trainer Steven Asmussen said.
"Just very proud to be associated with her."
The two-day, 13-race Breeders' Cup extravaganza began in front of a
crammed grandstand on an overcast afternoon at Santa Anita with
Frankie Dettori piloting Hootenanny to victory in the $1 million
Juvenile Turf after a strong finish.
COASTING HOME
Fast-starting Luck of the Kitten, with veteran jockey Mike Smith on
board, had led for most of the race before Hootenanny stormed to the
front on the final bend and coasting home by three-quarters of a
length.
Luck of the Kitten, a two-year-old mare, finished second with Daddy
DT, ridden by Corey Nakatini, a head behind in third.
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"It was my first time on him but I had seen him run in England, so I
knew his style," said Dettori, who had beaten Hootenanny in his
previous race in Deauville on board The Wow Signal.
"He wasn't pulling. I got him settled. When I turned him on, I knew
I had the race."
Kentucky-bred Goldencents, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, successfully
defended his title in the $1 million Dirt Mile with a strong-hearted
display after holding off a powerful late surge by Tapiture.
An overwhelming 3-5 favourite when he entered the starting gate,
Goldencents took control early on and, though Tapiture was closing
in by the final turn, the four-year-old colt won by a length and
one-quarter.
Tapiture, ridden by Napravnik, was second with Pants on Fire,
piloted by Paco Lopez, a distant five lengths back in third.
"I knew I was going fast and I had to find a way to give him a
little break from the three-eighths to the quarter-pole," said
Bejarano.
"When the other horse started to come to me, I held on to him just a
little bit before I turned him loose. He fired big."
In the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf, Irad Ortiz rode Lady Eli to
victory by two and three-quarter lengths over morning-line favourite
Sunset Glow after a surging run from the inside rail.
Sunset Glow, with Victor Espinoza aboard, finished second, half a
length in front of Irish raider Osaila, ridden by Dettori.
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
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