Invasor offers Classic ride

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Born in Argentina, a hero in Uruguay, and now a champion in America.

Invasor beat the mighty Bernardini in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday, delivering a performance worthy of Horse of the Year honors.

When the two went eyeball-to-eyeball in the stretch at Churchill Downs and the crowd of 75,132 cheering, it was Bernardini who blinked as Invasor blew past for a one-length victory on a day of upsets and, in one race, tragedy.

“For sure, he’s the older horse of the year. Maybe the Horse of the Year,” Invasor’s trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “He’s a great horse to have in your stable, that’s for sure.”

Earlier, there was tragedy when the filly Pine Island was euthanized after breaking down on the backstretch during the $2.2 million Distaff. Fleet Indian, the favorite, also was injured in the race won by Round Pond, but was expected to recover.

Invasor’s win in America’s richest race was the ninth in 10 career starts for the 4-year-old colt, whose only loss was in the UAE Derby in Dubai after he was purchased by Sheik Hamdan’s Shadwell Stable.

But when he arrived here under McLaughlin’s care, the colt ripped off wins in the Pimlico Special, the Suburban Handicap and the Whitney Handicap.

Invasor was supposed to meet Bernardini in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 7, but spiked a fever and missed the race. It was 91 days between races, but it didn’t bother Invasor, bred in Argentina and Uruguay’s Triple Crown winner.

“We were lucky to keep him on schedule,” McLaughlin said. “He missed one work and one race. He gets a lot out of his gallops and we felt very good. He has come on a lot in the last 90 days.”

With Brother Derek setting the pace, Bernardini made a bold move for the lead around the far turn, and seemed to take charge entering the stretch.

But Invasor, with 18-year-old Fernando Jara aboard, wouldn’t let Bernardini get away and roared past for the victory. Just like that, Bernardini’s six-racing winning streak wasn’t so impressive anymore.

There was an objection lodged against Bernardini by Brother Derek’s jockey, Alex Solis. He claimed Bernardini banged into his colt in the stretch, but the stewards let the order of finish stand.

In the winner’s circle, McLaughlin was smiling, hugging people and clapping his hands.

Javier Castellano, Bernardini’s regular rider, was aboard Pine Island but gave a thumb’s up sign after tumbling off the filly and getting to his feet. He said the fall didn’t affect his ride aboard Bernardini.

Invasor covered the 11/4 miles in 2:02.18 and returned $15.40 to win as the second betting choice. Lava Man, the best of the West Coast with a 7-for-7 record this year, was never a factor and finished seventh.

Premium Tap was third, followed by 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo and Brother Derek.

Invasor earned $2.7 million for the victory and boosted his career earnings to $3,904,070.

“Street Sense pulled a big upset in the Juvenile and has a big burden to carry into next year’s Kentucky Derby.

After a record-setting 10-length win in the Juvenile, Street Sense becomes the early Derby favorite saddled with trying to break a 23-year-old jinx: No Juvenile winner has gone on to win the run for the roses.

“Dreaming of Anna left her owner with tears in his eyes after an emotional victory in the Juvenile Fillies. Named after owner Frank Calabrese’s sister, who died of cancer 16 years ago, Dreaming of Anna took the lead early and beat Octave by 11/2 lengths to remain undefeated in four starts.

“Ouija Board was the queen of the turf.

The 5-year-old European sensation unleashed an explosive rally in the stretch and won the Filly & Mare Turf by 21/4 lengths over Film Maker in her final race in America.

“Thor’s Echo took the lead at the top of the stretch and pulled an upset in the Sprint, defeating another long shot, Friendly Island, by four lengths.

“Miesque’s Approval was headed for retirement late last year. Marty Wolfson talked owner Charlotte Weber out of it, and the 7-year-old horse won the biggest race of his career. Pulling away in the stretch, Miesque’s Approval beat Aragorn by 23/4 lengths in the Mile at odds of 24-1, returning $50.60 to win.

“Red Rocks rallied for an upset in the Turf as Frankie Dettori won his second Breeders’ Cup race of the day.