Accelerate Finds Top Gear to Win Breeders' Cup Classic
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Accelerate wins the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs
With a powerful, four-wide rally and a sustained drive to the wire through the Churchill Downs stretch, Accelerate scored a one-length victory in the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 3 and removed the proverbial monkey from trainer John Sadler's back.
The Southern California-based conditioner entered the weekend 0-for-41 in the Breeders' Cup dating to his first starter 30 years ago. The losing streak reached 44 after three World Championships losses Saturday, including an off-the-board finish from 4-5 favorite Catalina Cruiser in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
But Accelerate brought a streak of his own into the 1 1/4-mile Classic—three consecutive grade 1 wins—and he made it four in a row in impressive fashion.
"I'm thrilled. This is what I do every day of the year," Sadler said. "In order to get the big one, you couldn't ask for a better day."
The gate crew had to ask Accelerate a couple of times before he entered the outside post in a field of 14. Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner, Mendelssohn , led the field through swift early fractions of a quarter-mile in :22.68 and a half-mile in :46.46, while being tracked by Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner McKinzie with Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) winner Thunder Snow tucked inside.
Entering the far turn under Joel Rosario, Accelerate surged four wide to open a clear advantage into the stretch. Just off the turn, Christophe Soumillon was able to move Thunder Snow out for his run, and he challenged from the rail. Despite conceding ground to his rivals with his outside rally, Accelerate continued his strong run while Thunder Snow tired.
A closing kick from grade 1- placed Gunnevera came too late, as the Dialed In colt had to settle for second as Accelerate completed the 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.93.
Bred in Kentucky by Mike Abraham out of the Awesome Again mare Issues, Accelerate was a $380,000 purchase by bloodstock agent David Ingordo from Bluewater Sales' consignment to the 2014 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Sadler confessed he wasn't feeling too good about the day after Selcourt faded in the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) and Catalina Cruiser didn't run well. Then Catapult finished a close second in the Mile (G1T).
"But I think I feel that way all the time. We're prepared for the worst and hope for the best," said Sadler, who felt as though he was saving his best runner for last. "I felt good about him today. I think Kosta said the same thing. He's been the best horse in this division all year, so I thought if we had a good trip, he'd be tough."
Accelerate returned $7.40, $6, and $4.40 across the board. Gunnevera paid $21.80 and $11.80, and Thunder Snow returned $8 to show.
Rosario completed a monster Breeders' Cup weekend, as he won three of the four two-turn dirt races offered. On Friday he guided Jaywalk to victory in the Tito's Handmade Vodka Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Game Winner to a score in the Sentient Jet Juvenile (G1).
Victor Espinoza was Accelerate's rider until he was injured before the TVG Pacific Classic (G1). Sadler said he thought Rosario, one of North America's strongest riders, would be a good fit for Accelerate, who sometimes needs sustained encouragement.
"That was about as good as it gets," Rosario said of Accelerate's win. "That horse is simply unbelievable. I'm so happy for the owners and John. It was a great performance. He has so much heart."
Owner Kosta Hronis of Hronis Racing joined his trainer as a first-time Breeders' Cup winner. With Accelerate closing his season with grade 1 wins in the Classic, Awesome Again Stakes, Pacific Classic, and Gold Cup at Santa Anita, Hronis believes the 5-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky has built a solid case to challenge Triple Crown winner Justify for Horse of the Year honors.
Accelerate, who also won this year's Santa Anita Handicap Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino (G1), boasts five grade 1 wins this season as well as a grade 2 score. In a season that started in early February, Accelerate has won six of seven starts and earned more than $5 million in purses.
"This horse is special. He's showed up every time. He's danced every dance. He's been solid," Hronis said. "This is Horse of the Year. It's a body of work, and what he has done in the last 12 months, I think he's well deserved to be of that honor. There's no doubt."
Voters will have to compare that consistency with the spectacular burst of Justify, the 13th Triple Crown winner.
Sadler said some consideration will be given to running Accelerate in the 2019 Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park. Either way, he will begin his stallion career next season at Lane's End.
"The plan right now is he'll probably go up to Lane's End Farm in Lexington tomorrow, and they'll show him there as a stallion this week," Sadler said after the race. "We'll bring him back to California, and if all is good, we'll probably go in the Pegasus, kind of our all-out Gun Runner of last year, and then he'll go off to stud."
Trainer Antonio Sano was thrilled with the strong runner-up effort from Gunnevera.
"I'm so happy for this horse. He ran second and had lost a couple lengths at the start," Sano said. "They sandwiched my horse. Every time we are closer and closer to winning a grade 1. He's going to race in 2019 and will point to the Pegasus."
Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of Godolphin's Thunder Snow, said a defense of the Dubai World Cup could be in his future.
"He’s run a really big race. I’m very pleased with that," bin Suroor said. "The winner is a very good horse. This race is special, as it brings together the best horses in the world. We have better horses this year, and we’ve had a better season. He could go to the Dubai World Cup again."
Yoshida, who was switched to dirt in the summer and won the Woodward Stakes (G1), rallied to finish fourth.
A couple of horses trying something new didn't fare well, as top sprinter Mind Your Biscuits failed to come with his rally and finished 11th. Roaring Lion, a multiple group 1 winner this year in Europe, was eased to the wire after a rough start and walked off.
McKinzie and Catholic Boy, the second and third choices on the tote board, finished 12th and 13th, respectively. Catholic Boy had a slow start and was bumped around early.