Hollywood Ending

Turning for home, it was looking to be the race that everyone expected. Loki Flame and Elusive Pegasus had left the field far behind. They were locked in the battle of the year that left onlookers gaping in wonder and awe. The Derby winner and the Belmont winner were noses apart and not showing any signs of slowing down.

Up in the stands, Jess Paquette was witnessing her colt's final race. Loki Flame, purchased for $30 million after his Kentucky Derby win by the breeder Emily Hufford, will stand at Trial By Summer Stud for $50,000. He was on the outside and giving the race everything that he had. Jess had already won two races on the card and was going for a three-peat.

Nearby, Ara Davies was watching with tears in her eyes. Her colt Elusive Pegasus was fulfilling all of her dreams as he thundered for the wire, looking Loki Flame in the eye. Just two days before, Davies lost her superfilly The Look in a fire and had been winless so far on the biggest day of the year.

15 lengths ahead of the nearest competitor, the two colts reached the 1/8th pole as one. Neither jockey was using the whip, as both colts were giving the race every ounce of strength, speed, and courage that they possessed. The announcer called it best.

"Loki Flame looks for more, but there is nothing left to give!"

Loki Flame had already used up every reserve he had, and Elusive Pegasus had just a little bit more. He won the Breeders' Cup Classic and the match over Loki Flame by a nose, and they finished 17 lengths ahead of third place finisher Graduation Year, with Remarkable fourth.

Davies said, "They both had a fantastic year. Loki did run against the older horses this year, so that may have contributed to his tiredness. I definitely do not think that this one race proved that one is better than the other. El Peg and I will both very much miss having him to run against next year. However, I am very excited about my Loki babies! I can't wait to see them on the track!"

It was easily the most thrilling race of the year and also one of the most touching, as well. Paquette said, "Ara, congrats. You deserved this so much. Loki is one of the greatest horses I've been around and feel so fortunate just to have been around him. He's a class act."

Race Call

"And they're off! Arrogance goes right to the lead, Remarkable is going to pressure him early as they run past the grandstand for the first time. Flight of the Hero moves up and joins the leaders, Sports Jersey sits behind them on the rail and it's a length to Loki Flame and Elusive Pegasus, already head and head. Into the first turn and it's Arrogance still in the lead, Remarkable is a nose back second, Flight of the Hero is right there in third and Sports Jersey looks for a little room on the rail, Ikaika Pegasus is moving along outside of him and Loki Flame and Elusive Pegasus are next, Graduation Year and Really A Star behind them, Dreams are Forever is five lengths back, then Lost At Sea, Berly Forever, Sir Outlaw, and Bid's Legend is last. Into the backstretch, the quarter in :23.3. Berly Forever is making an early move from the back of the pack and it's Flight of the Hero who suddenly has the lead! Arrogance is behind hard held in second and Remarkable is between them in third. Sports Jersey is still looking for room on the rail and Ikaika Pegasus looks like he wants to climb over the front runners, Loki Flame on the outside and Elusive Pegasus on the rail, still head and head, and Berly Forever is next, Graduation Year, Really A Star, Lost At Sea is moving now, and Bid's Legend is next, Sir Outlaw is totally outclassed here! Flight of the Hero has the lead at the 1/2 pole! Flight of the Hero into the far turn, Arrogance is next, Remarkable is dropping back, Berly Forever is done, Sports Jersey has a final chance to make his presence felt and he moves with it! Graduation Year is flying! He circles past the field and emerges 4-wide with the lead! Graduation Year, Flight of the Hero, Sports Jersey is backing up, Arrogance is fighting to the bitter end, and still no movement from the two champions, but now they have been let loose! Elusive Pegasus bursts into the stretch on the rail! Loki Flame squeezes between Flight of the Hero and Arrogance, Graduation Year is trying to keep up, but this is it! A quarter mile left in the Breeders' Cup Classic! Loki Flame on the outside puts his head in front! Elusive Pegasus is running his heart out on the rail, and he battles back! These two are stretched to the limit! They are both straining to their utmost speed! They have left the field behind in shambles! 10 lengths clear with an eighth of a mile to go! They have hearts as big as the racetrack...they have hearts of gold! Loki Flame looks for more, but there is nothing left to give! Elusive Pegasus is laboring on the rail! Neither champion is giving an inch! They have nothing left to prove...and they go under the wire as one, as they were always meant to be!

It was supposed to be a race showing off two special fillies who could beat colts. It was supposed to be the fall of Wild Island Twist, who would be facing new and improved girls in the Breeders' Cup Turf. Instead, he proved all doubters wrong and hung on the win the Turf by a nose in a thrilling stretch drive.

Surely Special, one of Jess Paquette's big filly stars, had beaten boys four times already on turf. War Song, one of last year's best fillies, trained by Ara Davies, had found a new home on turf and was ready to pounce on the males. Wild Island Twist, though, defeated only once this year, was ready for a huge race.

Coming into the stretch, it looked like all three of them were going to be upset. Paquette's longshot Baka Pegasus had led every step of the way, controlling the pace, and was spurting away. Surely Special had tracked him and she and Wild Island Twist finally found the lead. War Song was coming like a rocket.

Wild Island Twist dug in gamely, though, and won by a nose. Surely Special was just a nose in front of War Song.

Trained by Susie Raisher, Wild Island Twist will be returning to race next year. Raisher said, "Twist's such an amazing horse. He overcame so much to win this. He shipped across the ocean to face the best horses based is America. He was coming off a bit of a layoff and earlier this week he suffered a stone bruise. Twist has so much heart...it's just incredible what he does. He takes my breath away."

Race Call

And they're off! Commision, out with the early lead, Farewell Friend and Baka Pegasus broke fast as well and Baka Pegasus goes off to lead them early, Question Mark is going to go with them and Islander is in 5th, Super Hero in a beautiful spot on the rail, Surely Special is being conserved in 7th, then Wild Island Twist, Littlebit Excited is unusually off the pace, War Song, Magnificent Deed, Joust, Ready for Battle, and Phar and Free is last. They pass us for the first time and Baka Pegasus goes along at a lively pace, Question Mark is trying to catch him, Littlebit Excited has been moving up, Farewell Friend in 4th, Islander, Super Hero, Surely Special and Wild Island Twist, both jockeys appear to be okay with this change in running style, Magnificent Deed, Ready for Battle, Joust, War Song, and Phar and Free. Into the first turn, it's Baka Pegasus, got it all his own way out here and slows them down to a comfortable gallop, Littlebit Excited is content to let him run off and Question Mark is in 3rd. Super Hero is still in on the rail, Farewell Friend is tugging at the bit and wants to run, Islander waits patiently, and now Surely Special starts to move, she's coming with a good run on the outside, Wild Island Twist is still waiting and War Song's at his side. The tempo is quickening now for Baka Pegasus! He leads into the far turn and still controls a pace perfectly set up for him! Littlebit Excited has had enough but Farewell Friend is let lose to come and catch Baka Pegasus! Surely Special is right up in third and Wild Island Twist has started to make his run, War Song still waits and Magnificent Deed is being called upon and they're at the top of the lane in the Breeders' Cup Turf! Baka Pegasus with a huge upset chance here! He's controlled every second of the pace and he spurts away! Farewell Friend just can't respond and drops back! Surely Special is set down for a drive and Wild Island Twist is coming, and now War Song's been let loose! Baka Pegasus, still a length lead! Surely Special wears him down and Wild Island Twist squeezes through on the rail! Baka Pegasus just can't keep up and drops out! Surely Special on the outside! Wild Island Twist on the rail! War Song is flying, with giant strides, three of them in a line, woah! That was a close finish!"

Cray Porter wasn't surprised, unlike the other millions of people who had just watched the Breeders' Cup Distaff. 99 - 1 shocker Salutations had just won the Breeders' Cup Distaff by three-quarters of a length over three-year-old star Sim Goddess. The payment was near $150 for a $2 win ticket. People gaped in shock as the four-year-old filly galloped back to the winner's circle, looking excellent. Around her the best Distaff field, or perhaps any kind of field, ever assembled was breathing fire and gasping for air. Salutations cocked her head and laughed as if to say, "Was it really that bad?"

The people who had risked their money on the other 10 grade 1 winners in the field thought so. Favored Cascade, 2nd choice Battle's Baby Girl, and 3rd choice Sim Goddess all ran huge races. One for the Ages, the Juvenile Fillies winner 2 years ago, and vetrans Really Excellent, What About Silence, and Flawless Forever were taking to the track. Three-year-old heroes Imagine the Thrill and Fusaichi Storm were tackling older horses. It was supposed to be the battle of a lifetime.

It started out that way. Cascade and Imagine the Thrill dueled on the lead with Flawless Forever. Really Excellent and Sim Goddess sat far back, ready to pounce. Coming into the stretch, Really Excellent, Battle's Baby Girl, and One for the Ages were head and head. It was reminiscent of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies two years ago, when the same three fillies battled to the wire. Four-year-old Salutations was on the rail, sneaking through. Sim Goddess finally got out and came with a rush, the same rush that carried her to a win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies the year before. It was just not enough, as Salutations darted under the wire first.

Porter said, "I'm amazed...thrilled...a hundred words can't describe it. Sally has always run her heart out no matter what, and today her courage really showed through. She's my pride and joy and I almost hate to retire her, but we're gonna end a great career on a good note. She beat a lot of excellent fillies and mares today - this is a memory I will cherish forever. What a wonderful little girl!"

Stretch Call

It's Really Excellent, One for the Ages! Battle's Baby Girl's between them and steals the lead! The three champions are battling it out! Salutations sneaks through on the rail and teases a huge upset here! And here...comes...Sim Goddess! She's flying and is going to overtake the three big champions! Salutations is relentless on the rail! This could be huge! Salutations is squeezing through! Sim Goddess is running out of ground! Salutations is going to dash under the wire as a huge upset winner!

Who knows what would have happened if star Give Applause had run in the Mile. Unfortunately, he was out of the race, and Tulloch was in. There was little doubt going into the race if Tulloch would win. It was simply a matter of how far.

The little, almost black colt drew away impressively from a field that included big horses like Supersize, Commitment, and up-and-coming Star Kingdom and Priceless Premier. Tulloch ran away from all of them. Right as he crossed the wire, though, he took a mistep and cracked his sesamoids. He was pulled up right away.

The announcement was not good, Tulloch would need several surgeries and may never return to racing. Major breeder Emily Hufford took advantage of Tulloch's injury and bought the colt for $20 million on the spot. He has since been whisked away to stud duty.

Robin Tan, who owned and raced the colt, said, "What can I say about this horse? He really proved himself in the Mile and I think if some old timers such as his dad, Commitisize and Future Hero were around he could definitely give them some competition. I don't think I've ever been so proud and sad at the same time. I was planning on him having a dynamite year next year, but instead he will be retired to Trial By Summer Stud, bought from me for an amazing price of $20 million. I'm still going to breed him to a few of my mares that haven't been booked yet, but I'm really looking forward to next year when I'll have my Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner, Affirmed Star, going to him!"

Race Call

And they're off! Supersize goes straight to the lead! Sizable goes with him and Communicate is there! Vanishing Star is right behind them and Exclamation Point too, Tulloch has settled beautifully off them and Priceless Premier is there! Sizable is next and then Star Kingdom and Apprehensive Star, the two fillies, and Think Hard is last. They head around the first turn and Supersize is moving on the lead! Sizable is giving game chase and Communicate presses hard. Apprehensive Star! The filly moves along the outside to join the fray! Tulloch sits behind them, Priceless Premier is waiting too, Vanishing Star in a good spot early, All Time Favorite plugs away, Commitment sitting back, and they run down the backstretch! Supersize is still the leader! Sizable is half a length behind, Communicate is already done and backs off, Apprehensive Star places herself right next to Supersize and Priceless Premier, Star Kingdom waits with them, Tulloch is still stuck far back and Commitment and Think Hard are last and they round the far turn! It's Supersize, there every step of the way! Priceless Premier wants to prove his worth and ranges up on the outside! Apprehensive Star just can't beat the boys and drops away, but Star Kingdom is still looking strong! Commitment is rolling from the back of the pack and the rail opens up for Tulloch! Down the stretch they come! Tulloch gets a dream run through! Supersize is tough and battles back! Priceless Premier and Commitment, they are 4 wide across the track, Supersize is done! Commitment hangs tough, but the effortless class of Tulloch is shining through and he eases clear! It will be Tulloch by 4 lengths, Commitment second, Priceless Premier third, and Supersize fourth.

Mischief Maker led every step of the way. Ready for Apremont, who had stumbled at the start, was flying on the outside, and Tri Star was bouncing around in between them. Longshot Really Honest was dropping back after making a serious bid to upset them all. When Mischief Maker plunged under the wire with his nose in front, Tri Star took up and lost any chance at 2nd place.

Eternal glory awaits the rags-to-riches son of Chilito who wasn't supposed to go long and shouldn't have gone fast. Although a half brother to Battle's Baby Girl, out of the decent racemare Can't Tell Me No, Mischief Maker was forgotten at a yearling sale and left out in the cold as a two-year-old. Finally he was purchased by an unknown trainer looking for his first horse named Adam Cochran. The result was a team who won just about everything in their path. He won the Hollywood Futurity and Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at 2, and the San Vicente and Fountain of Youth Stakes at 3 before going into the Kentucky Derby as one of the favorites. He finished 4th that day, showing that he couldn't go 1 1/4 miles. He then ran one of the greatest races of all time by battling Forever Risk down the stretch in the Preakness Stakes, finishing 2nd. He chipped his knee coming out of the race and was off before a brilliant victory in the Malibu Stakes.

He won 5 times at 4, his only loss coming in the Pat O' Brein to rivals Tri Star and Ready for Apremont. He went to Dubai for the Golden Shaheen and romped there. His biggest win, though was the Breeders Cup Sprint. He survived a 10 minute steward's inquiry for the win and bested Ready for Apremont and Tri Star for the final time. He retires with earnings near $3 million and 11 wins in 15 starts. He will stand for $45,000 his first year at stud.

Adam Cochran said, "This horse introduced me to the sport in a big way. I don't know how I'll be able to go back to allowance horses after this. All I have to say is that it's been tons of fun."

Brianna McKenzie, Tri Star's trainer, said, "Congrats to Brandy and Adam. This rivalry has made the year a ton of fun. May it continue on for years and years with their babies. Good bye Tri, be good for Emily. I miss you already!"

Emily Hufford retains ownership of Mischief Maker and bought Tri Star earlier in the year.

Race Call

And they're off! Mischief Maker is off like a bullet! Nonchalant Speed isn't going to chase him today and relaxes behind the pacemaker, Awesome Storm, last year's winner, is next, Colin's Hair, Tri Star is right there and Savefacenrace, Badzt Maru is closing ground, Ready for Apremont stumbled at the start and is next to last, and Really Honest is last! Up the backstretch they go! Mischief Maker is moving out here! Nonchalant Speed tracks him and Awesome Storm is next, Badzt Maru has moved all the way up and Tri Star is still in perfect position, Colin's Hair is lagging back, Ready for Apremont has been blocked on the rail and Really Honest is on his outside. Around the far turn! Mischief Maker hangs tough to his lead! Nonchalant Speed drops off the pace and Badzt Maru goes with him! Awesome Storm keeps up the chase! Tri Star is on the move! He circles the field and Ready for Apremont gets out! He finds a hole and he is coming like a rocket! Really Honest runs with him and has dead aim on the lead, Savefacenrace putting in his late bid, and they turn for home and Mischief Maker is desperate now! Tri Star is ranging up behind him and Really Honest could spring a huge upset! Ready for Apremont is still closing ground and now there are 4 of them in a line! Mischief Maker on the rail is running his heart out, not today for Really Honest! Tri Star bounces around between them, Ready for Apremont has run a huge race today! A 1/16th of a mile to go! Tri Star tries to get his head in front! Ready for Apremont has every shot to win but Mischief Maker will not be denied this time! Tri Star takes up! The race is over though, and Mischief Maker has won. There will be an inquiry into the running of this race…

Jess Paquette won her first Breeders' Cup race with a filly named Escala Cromantica, who took the Filly and Mare Turf. Since then, she has been 2nd with Escena the Hunted and Whirl Charmant. Escena the Hunted was the favorite for last year's Filly and Mare Turf, but was severely injured in a mishap in a race just a few weeks before the Breeders' Cup. The race seemed so elusive to Paquette that she had a single goal for the year: win the Filly and Mare Turf.

This year, Whirl Charmant rushed to 5 straight victories, capping her year with a 2 length win in the Breeders' Cup over 3 year old Riddle Me This. On Broadway, a tough, talented filly who controlled the pace, finished third.

Paquette said, "Whirl did absolutely nothing wrong this year. Perfect 5 for 5. She is a classy, hard trying mare with a lot of heart. I've had a great time campaigning her, and she's never disappointed me. I hope her foals inherit her charisma, class and talent."

This one was for The Flame.

Loki Flame, who lost the Breeders' Cup Classic by a nose, didn't walk home totally discouraged. His younger brother won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile by a length, making himself the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Not only did the win help restore faith in the Sahara Gold family line, but it also gave redemption to Loki Flame after he was knocked over and pulled up in last year's Juvenile.

Loki Brilliance, a dark bay colt, turned in a brilliant performance, finding a hole on the rail after being blocked and rallying through for the win. Favored Here Comes Silver finished second and Tremendous, who stumbled hard at the start, run on fast to finish third.

Jess Paquette trains Loki Brilliance, and she said, "I'm so thrilled. Loki 'Brilly' is an incredible colt and I am so proud of him! He's so special, and I look for big things from him next year!"

The Juvenile Fillies field looked like a group of very talented and yet extremely nervous animals. Together they had notched up tons of victories, and it was definitely one of the best juvenile fields ever to come together.

However, once they got to the walking ring, things got rough. The fillies bounced and danced, squealed and kicked, working themselves and eachother into a panic. The favorites were Jess Paquette's Risk the Silence, Ali La Duke's Encore, and Ryen Hanna's talented star The Inevitable. Live longshots like Bestfriendsforever and Letmepleasefly filled the field.

The race started out in chaos as Pyschic Flame took off and ran hard through the first 6 furlongs. The nervous fillies all seemed to run together, with Risk the Silence the only one behaving and remaining sane. Around the far turn, The Inevitable suddenly sprang up upon the leaders and began to draw clear. Risk the Silence was coming like a freight train, but it was too late to catch "Evy."

The victory was especially sweet for Ryen Hanna. Last year, The Inevitable's dam Speedyjetsdaughter was disqualified in the Breeders' Cup Distaff after almost winning but banging around between the two favorites, Awesome Dancer and Soldier Girl. Hanna said, "Wow, I'm so thrilled! I knew she had a pretty good chance, but it is just so thrilling to see her in the winner's circle here! This one's for her momma, who barely lost the Distaff last year. Revenge is sweet!"

The Filly and Mare Sprint was one of the most exciting races of the day. Right from the start, Serena Saint, The Influence, Bad Bat Sis, Speed's Demon, and Exotic Pegasus dueled in a contest that would decide the fastest filly in the world. After a very quick quarter and half mile, most of the fillies began to back up. However, Serena Saint continued to duel, striding bravely into the stretch. Nervous Gulp was flying, and so was Raise Fury.

Brianna McKenzie didn't know she would suffer a heart breaking loss with Tri Star in the Sprint later, but at the time she did know that Raise Fury was coming fastest of all. Her filly darted under the wire, the narrow winner over Nervous Gulp and Serena Saint.

McKenzie said after the race, "I'm so incredibly proud of this filly. I love her so much! I wouldn't believe those fractions if I hadn't witnessed them with my own eyes, simply awesome!"

Race Call

And they're off! Serena Saint guns right to the lead! She is on right from the start and she is flying! The Influence hooks her early and they are going to duel! Bad Bat Sis wants to play and moves up along the inside, and Exotic Pegasus is tugging her way up outside of them and Speed's Demon is flashing her speed too! Five of them are across the track and the first quarter rips off in :20.4! Raise Fury is cruising along behind them and Stars and Stripes is settled off her, Are You Blushing, Nervous Gulp far back and Won'tlaughifyoutry is last! They whip into the far turn! Serena Saint is just rocketing out here! Bad Bat Sis is pulling hard and The Influence is pushing them along! Exotic Pegasus is 4-wide and Speed's Demon even wider and they are pressing! The first half mile is smoked in :43.4! Are You Blushing is just outclassed and Stars and Stripes is long gone! Raise Fury and Nervous Gulp are side by side, Won'tlaughifyoutry is closing ground and they streak into the stretch! Exotic Pegasus is done! Bad Bat Sis agrees and backs up fast! Raise Fury is barrelling her way through between horses! Nervous Gulp switches to the outside! The Influence breathes fire and is straining...she's stopping! Serena Saint hurtles down the stretch! Raise Fury is catching! Nervous Gulp is gaining! The wire looms ahead! Raise Fury is going to take the lead and turn back the challenge of Nervous Gulp! Serena Saint hangs on courageously and battles hard! Raise Fury is going to win and stop the clock in 1:20.3 for 7 furlongs.

The Demoiselle Stakes and the Remsen Stakes proved to be the continuing escapade of Jon Xett and Jess Paquette, the two best trainers in the country. It was hard to tell who got the last laugh when Lucifer, Paquette's talented and yet rambunctious two-year-old attacked Xett's Ichi Forever, one of the most highly anticipated horses of all time, during the running of the Remsen. Ichi Forever bounced right back, the only horse to ever try and get back at Lucifer, and then drew off to win by a half length.

Xett said, "They are such bad boys. Good thing they could race or they'd quickly become gelded trail horses. Ichi Forever is a handful. He was almost taunting Lucifer in the saddling enclosure. The groom kept yelling, "Ichi, stop it!" During the race we could all see it coming. What a fighting finish. The will to win in this horse is strong. His chestnut coat was shining after the race. His big ol' chest heaving. I look forward to the 3 year old season. For now, I'll stop holding my breath and breathe deeply. The first Lucifer/Ichi match went well."

The Demoiselle was definitely one of the most highly anticipated races of the year. Fading Star and Courageous Effort from the Xett barn were up against Bisoujo Senshi and The Princess from Paquette's barn. The four fillies were the first foals of Awesome Dancer and Soldier Girl, two of racing's hottest rivals. Courageous Effort and The Princess dueled on the lead, tired, and Bisoujo Senshi came to pick up the pieces. Fading Star swooped around the field and swept by all three fillies, winning by a length.

Xett said, "Fading Star is a rock. She is so strong. To look at her after the race, she does not look like a 2 year old filly. She seemed to smile through her thin white blaze on her dark face covered with the track loam. She loved this race. The competition was fantastic. My hat is off to Jess and the wonderful training job she did. These four fillies will make some noise in the next couple of years."

Ex Post Facto earned a hollow victory over Em Luvs Being Busy in the Sprint Championships, going undefeated this year. The race was supposed to showcase The Look, who died last week in a fire. He is trained by Robin Tan, who said, "Wow! That's all I can say! This colt has been undefeated and I wouldn't be surpised if he stayed that way for his career. I was really looking forward to a match up with The Look, but I guess destiny, unfortunately, had something different in mind. I'm so proud of "Ex" for this win; he truly deserved it."

Em's Always Busy, last year's Championship runner up, won the Malibu Stakes by three lengths, setting himself up for next year. Pi Kappa Dancer won the J.C. Gonzalez Memorial Allowance, leaving Jon Xett with a stranglehold on the race as the only trainer to ever win it.

Solstice won her 10th straight race to leave her undefeated in her career.