The wait for the photo finish took longer than race itself, but in the end, even-money favorite Further Ado prevailed by a nose over Owen Almighty in wild head-bobbing finish to win the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on Saturday at Keeneland.
Confidently ridden by Flavian Prat, Further Ado tucked in behind Owen Almighty (9-1) and 2024 Dirt Mile winner Full Serrano as they dueled through opening fractions of 22.67 and 46.14. The two continued to battle around the far turn even as Prat was tipping his horse to the outside in preparation for his run at the leaders.
Ranging up alongside Owen Almighty in deep stretch, Further Ado seemed poised to take command, but Owen Almighty refused to give in and held on grimly until the final stride, when Further Ado put his nose down right at the wire to secure the win.
“He ran a big race and Flavien gave him a great trip,” said winning trainer Brad Cox. “The horse on the inside ran a huge race too, neither deserved to lose.
“He got his nose down when it counted.”
The lone 3-year-old in the field of 10, Further Ado completed the mile in 1:34.50 as he boosted his bankroll to $2,181,958 for owner Spendthrift Farm. It was his third victory in seven starts this year for the son of Gun Runner, who won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland earlier this year.
Further Ado also was pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), but Cox elected to run him in the Dirt Mile.
“We felt like where he is for right now in his career, this would give him the best shot at [double] Grade 1 win at 3 and it worked out,” said Cox.
Finishing third was Full Serrano.
Bacio ($6.36), ridden by Juan Hermamdez, shot to the lead early, never looked back and won the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) by two lengths, completing an unbeaten 4-0 campaign and all but clinching an Eclipse Award as champion male sprinter.
Trained by Wesley Ward, the 3-year-old colt is now a global star, with consecutive victories at Royal Ascot in June, York in August, and now at Ward's home track.
"We've got the fastest horse in the world,'' Ward said.
Cy Fair, winner of last year's BC Juvenile Turf Sprint, got up for second, followed by Starlust, winner of the 2024 BC Turf Sprint, in the field of 14. Shisospicy, winner of last year's BC Turf Sprint, was in contention in the stretch but dropped back and finished last.
Winning time for the 5 ½ furlongs was 1:04.64.
Ways and Means ($4.14) put on a championship performance with a victory in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), all but clinching an Eclipse Award as the nation's top female sprinter.
The 5-year-old mare was ridden perfectly by Flavien Prat, who stayed patient running in third before moving off the rail and cruising to a 6 1/4-length victory. Ways and Means, winning for the first time outside New York (she was 0-for-5), finishes her career with eight victories in 14 starts and over $2 million in earnings.
It was the fourth Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint win for trainer Chad Brown. Winning time for 7 furlongs was 1:21.76. Foie Gras was second and Explora third in the field of 11.
Jenny Kellner is an award-winning journalist and teacher who has covered thoroughbred racing for years. As a reporter for both United Press International and The Associated Press, her work has appeared in publications and on websites around the world. Jenny has also written for The New York Times, the New York Post, Newsday and Sports Illustrated.
