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<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Jockey Frankie Dettori leaps off Raven's Pass as he celebrates their win of the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., on Saturday.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, October 25, 2008 Raven’s Pass is upset winner in Breeders’ Cup Classic Associated Press ARCADIA, Calif. -- Raven’s Pass spoiled Curlin’s bid for a second consecutive Breeders’ Cup Classic, winning the $5 million race by 1¾ lengths on Santa Anita’s new synthetic surface Saturday. The defending champion, who had never raced on such a surface, wound up fourth. Britain-based Raven’s Pass capped a day of long-shot upsets at the season-ending championships, with European-based horses winning five of nine races. Seven of the winners were long shots. Garrett Gomez had a big afternoon, too, becoming the first jockey to win three races in one day in the event’s history. He also won the Filly & Mare Turf on opening day Friday. On the track, the richest two days in thoroughbred racing went off without incident, surely relieving Breeders’ Cup officials who were mindful of Eight Belles’ fatal breakdown after this year’s Kentucky Derby and George Washington being euthanized on the track after last year’s Classic at New Jersey’s Monmouth Park. Raven’s Pass won by 1¾ lengths in his first race on a synthetic surface, something the Breeders’ Cup tried for the first time in its 25-year history. The event returns to Santa Anita next year. It was a new experience for 4-5 favorite Curlin, too. More than $1 million was wagered on the reigning Horse of the Year to win, an amount so huge the tote board couldn’t display it. Raven’s Pass ran 1¼ miles in a track record 1:59.27 under Frankie Dettori, who won two races Saturday. So did Princess Haya of Jordan, who co-owns Raven’s Pass, and John Gosden, who trains the winner. Sent off at 13-1 odds, Raven’s Pass paid $29, $15.80 and $8. Henrythenavigator, also based in Europe, returned $22 and $11.20, while Tiago was another three-quarters of a length back in third and paid $7 to show. Under Robby Albarado, Curlin left the starting gate near the back of the pack, while Casino Drive from Japan took the lead. Entering the final turn, Albarado asked Curlin to pick up the pace and he responded with an explosive move. The crowd of 51,331 roared as Curlin flashed into contention, taking a narrow lead at the top of the stretch. As soon as Curlin moved, though, Raven’s Pass was hot on his tail and went by North America’s all-time leading money earner. The only remaining challenge came from Henrythenavigator, who found room on the inside to finish second. Tiago also went by Curlin to finish third. Go Between was fifth, Colonel John sixth , Smooth Air seventh and Champs Elysees eighth, followed by Duke of Marmalade, Fairbanks, Student Council and Casino Drive. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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