BC Classic

Invasor made his case for Horse of the Year in the Classic (Debra Kral/Horsephotos.com) INVASOR (Arg) (Candy Stripes), racing in the colors of Shadwell Farm, outran Darley Stable star and even-money favorite Bernardini (A.P. Indy) to take Saturday’s $4,580,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in an epic renewal of the 1 1/4-mile event. With 18-year-old Panamanian native Fernando Jara in the saddle, Invasor was a length in front of his rival at the wire, stopping the clock in 2:02 and keeping his U.S. record perfect in four Grade 1 events. Brother Derek (Benchmark) was quickest from his rail post when the gates opened, leading the way through opening splits of :23 and :46 3/5. Bernardini was settled in fifth while Invasor took up an early spot in eighth after bobbling at the start. After Brother Derek sped through six furlongs in 1:11, he couldn’t hold off Bernardini, who launched a sweeping bid on the turn to grab the lead through a mile in 1:36 2/5. Meanwhile, Invasor had already started picking off horses and wasn’t far back at that point. Quickly overtaking the sophomore sensation in deep stretch, Invasor swept past en route to recording his ninth win from 10 career starts. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to win for the right people,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “Someday I’m going to look back and try to figure how I got him beat in Dubai. I’m just so happy with everyone associated with the horse — the groom, the exercise riders, and the whole organization.” Sent off at 6-1, Invasor paid $15.40, $5.80 and $4.60 while starting the $39.60 exacta and $695.20 trifecta. Bernardini gave back $3.40 and $3 for his first loss since his career debut in January. Premium Tap (Pleasant Tap) rallied to take third by a length over 2005 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Giacomo (Holy Bull), returning $8.80 at 27-1. Giacomo himself was sent off at 21-1 and ended the $8,786.20 superfecta (11-3-2-9).

Brother Derek finished another half-length back in fifth. His jockey, Alex
Solis, lodged an objection against Bernardini, alleging interference in the
stretch, but it was disallowed by the stewards. Next under
the line were George Washington (Ire) (Danehill), Lava Man (Slew City Slew),
Perfect Drift (Dynaformer), Lawyer Ron (Langfuhr), Sun King (Charismatic),
Flower Alley (Distorted Humor), Suave (A.P. Indy) and David Junior (Pleasant
Tap), who was eased in the stretch.

The Classic was a personal triumph for the Maktoum family, as Invasor is
owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum, while Bernardini resides in the
stable of Sheikh Hamdan’s brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.

“He ran good but we were second best today,” jockey Javier Castellano said
regarding his ride on Bernardini. “He ran a big race. I’m not disappointed at
all — you can’t win all the races. I had to ask him for the first time today.
He passed the other horses easily. He gave me everything. He’s a fighter and
didn’t want to get beat. He has a good heart. He’s just a three-year-old and
he’ll just get better and better.”

“We had a great year,” added Bernardini’s trainer, Tom Albertrani. “It would
have been nice to see him win, but he came with his race and he ran very well.
The winner was just a little better than we were. Invasor deserved the win
today.”

Named
Uruguayan champion three-year-old colt and Horse of the Year in 2005, Invasor
was a private purchase by Sheikh Hamdan, and first traveled to Florida before
being sent to Dubai. Running in the U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) at Nad al Sheba in his
four-year-old bow, the multiple Group 1 winner suffered his first defeat,
finishing fourth to Discreet Cat (Forestry), who sports the silks of Sheikh
Mohammed’s flagship Godolphin operation.

Making his U.S. debut in the Pimlico Special H. (G1), Invasor tracked in
second that day before taking that 1 3/16-mile test by 1 1/4 lengths. A 4
1/4-length win followed in the Suburban H. (G1), and the bay colt earned his
shortest margin of victory to date when a nose hero of the Whitney H. (G1) prior
to the Classic. With the winner’s share here, his earnings skyrocketed to
$3,904,070.

Bred in Argentina by Haras Clausan, Invasor is out of the Interprete mare
Quendom, who has since produced a juvenile named Queen Halo (Southern Halo) and
a yearling called Queen Dahlia (Orpen). Quendom is a full sister to Group 1
heroine Reina Victoriosa (Arg) and Group 2 king Qualified. Reina Victoriosa is
herself the dam of this year’s Iowa Derby winner and West Virginia Derby (G3)
third More Than Regal (More Than Ready).