Raven’s Pass wins

ARCADIA, Calif. – The crowd backed him with its money and its mouth, bellowing on tiptoes as Curlin took the lead at the top of the stretch. Too soon it was over as this Breeders’ Cup was about long shots, a new surface and European imports, not America’s best horse.

Curlin was upset in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Saturday, demoted to a fourth-place finish behind 13-1 long shot Raven’s Pass from Britain.

Neither reigning Horse of the Year Curlin nor Raven’s Pass had raced on a synthetic surface. But Raven’s Pass trains on something similar, and European horses used to running on turf often make an easier transition to synthetics.

“Maybe he’s not a synthetic surface specialist,” said Curlin’s jockey Robby Albarado. “He was paddling around. These horses (Raven’s Pass and second-place Henrythenavigator) are great turf horses, and it seemed like the synthetics played like a turf course.”

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 at Santa Anita 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.

The surface was a new experience for 4-5 favorite Curlin. More than $1 million was wagered on him to win, an amount so huge the tote board couldn’t display it.

He came in nearly a month early to test himself on the Pro-Ride surface, performing well enough to convince majority owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen to run in the Classic.

Curlin’s biggest challenger going in was thought to be Big Brown, but the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner was forced to retire earlier this month because of injury.

Instead, the rest of the world ganged up on Curlin.

Under 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.

When Curlin moved, Raven’s Pass was hot on his tail and went by North America’s all-time leading money earner, winning by 1 3/4 lengths.

The only remaining challenge came from Henrythenavigator, who found room on the inside to finish second. Tiago also went by Curlin to finish third.

“It was a turf race,” Asmussen said. “It absolutely was the Pro-Ride surface (that beat him). He ran his heart out and gave it all he had. He’s a great horse.”

Raven’s Pass ran 1 1/4 miles in a track-record 1:59.27 under Dettori, who twice delighted the crowd with his trademark flying dismount in the winner’s circle.

Raven’s Pass paid $29, $15.80 and $8.

Henrythenavigator, also based in Europe, returned $22 and $11.20, while Tiago, another three-quarters of a length back, paid $7 to show.

Saturday’s card featured three double winners – trainers Bob Baffert and Gosden, and jockey Dettori. Jockey Mike Smith got it started Friday with two wins.

Among owners, Darley Stable claimed three victories, with Princess Haya of Jordan sharing in two, including the Classic.

Baffert saddled Midshipman to a 1 1/4 -length win in the $2 million Juvenile, then watched Midnight Lute defend his title in the $2 million Sprint by 1 3/4 lengths.

Gomez rode both horses, along with Albertus Maximus in the $1 million Dirt Mile.

Ireland-bred Conduit won the $3 million Turf by 1 1/2 lengths in an upset. Favored Goldikova won the $2 million Mile by 1 1/4 lengths, making Frenchman Freddy Head became the first man to train and ride a Breeders’ Cup winner. He rode Miesque to victories in the Mile in 1987 and ’88.

Desert Code, a 36-1 shot, won the $1 million Turf Sprint; Muhannak captured the $500,000 Marathon at 12-1 odds; and Britain-bred gelding Donativum won the $1 million Juvenile Turf under Dettori.