Juddmonte Homebred Expert Eye Grabs Breeders' Cup Mile

Juddmonte Farms' British homebred Expert Eye came flying in the final strides of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs, grabbing his first grade/group 1 victory by a half-length.

"He's run a great race," said trainer Sir Michael Stoute. "Last time at Longchamp, he did not get the rub of the green. I'd like to thank James Savage, who rides him out every day. He's done a great job with him. I thought down the back straight that Frankie (Dettori) may have just had him two slots behind but was in control. It's always great coming here." 

Dettori said he didn't want to be that far back, but that the horse did travel well around the turns. At the top of the stretch, however, Expert Eye didn't immediately respond as the rider had hoped.

"As we go into the straight, I asked him to pick up, and the response wasn't there for about 100 meters. I felt we were going to be a good fifth, and then he just managed to find his rhythm, and I could see the leaders stopping and asked him for a next step," Dettori said. "Yeah, in the last 100 yards he really got down and sprinted home. I mean, I went from despair to joy in the span of 100 yards."

The son of Acclamation sailed past a fast-closing Catapult, who had stalked in fifth through much of the race and eked out a brief advantage inside the sixteenth pole over pacesetter Analyze It. Catapult finished a neck in front of Analyze It, who was a nose in front of late closer Divisidero. The final time was 1:39.80 on turf rated good.

The complexion of the race changed significantly with the scratch of the Wertheimers' group 1 winner and morning-line favorite Polydream, whom state veterinarians scratched Nov. 2 after determining she was lame following morning training. Trainer Freddy Head disputed the assessment and told Daily Racing Form she traveled the same way she always has and nothing was amiss.

When asked how the exit of Polydream affected the race, Grimthorpe said he was confident Expert Eye still would have won. He did acknowledge it had been a difficult decision for everyone.

"Obviously, there are several important factors in all of this, not least the Wertheimers and Freddy Head, who invested a lot in trying to get the filly over," Grimthorpe said. "Equally so, the vets also have their jobs, and I think it's very—it's very tough for connections to accept some of those things. And I know where everyone has the sort of welfare of horses paramount in their mind, and that has still got to be the No. 1 consideration, but equally so, experienced horsemen will think that the horse is fine."

Expert Eye paid $13.80, $7, and $4.60. Catapult paid $7.20 and $4.60, and Analyze It paid $4.60. The $1 exacta paid $67.20, and the $1 trifecta paid $450.50.

Favorite Oscar Performance  missed the break, according to jockey Jose Ortiz.

"Today, he almost stood there after the gate opened. Game over after that," Ortiz said.

Video: Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T)