Blame denies Zenyatta, glory for Goldikova

Blame held off a charging Zenyatta to win the five million-dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic, thwarting the superstar mare’s bid to stretch her perfect record to 20 victories.

The six-year-old Zenyatta, a crossover sensation in the United States, suffered her first defeat in what was likely her last race as the two-day, 14-race Breeders’ Cup extravaganza that bills itself as racing’s world championships concluded at Churchill Downs, Kentucky.

Blame, a four-year-old colt ridden by Garrett Gomez and trained by Al Stall, had taken control of the 1 1/4-mile Classic as Zenyatta lolled at the back of the field.

But under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Zenyatta got to grips with the unfamiliar dirt track and turned on her trademark finish only to fall short by a short head.

Fly Down was third, 3 1/2 lengths behind.

While the Zenyatta faithful were disappointed, the crowd of 77,000 were treated to a historic display from another magnificent mare, as French-based Goldikova used a late surge to win the two million-dollar Mile – becoming the first horse to win a Breeders’ Cup race three times.

“She’s a real fighter, she’s extraordinary,” said Goldikova’s trainer Freddy Head, who as a jockey rode Miesque to victory in back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Miles in the 1980s.

With Olivier Peslier in the irons, Goldikova was sixth going into the final turn. She exploded at the top of the straight to seize the victory ahead of Gio Ponti, with The Usual Q.T. third.

Goldikova was one of just two European winners of the week.

Workforce, the Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winner who was set to vie for the three million-dollar Turf was scratched by trainer Michael Stoute on Saturday morning over concerns about the firmness of the turf track.

With Workforce out of the picture, Frankie Dettori piloted Dangerous Midge to victory in the 1 1/2-mile race over Champ Pegasus.