Pacific Classic NEWS: Knightsbridge Blows Away Field by 6 ¼ Lengths

Alabama Stakes: My Guns Loaded upsets Counting Stars

After battling with Full Serrano for much of the race, Knightsbridge pulled clear in the stretch and went on to an emphatic 6 ¼-length victory over closing longshot Original Sin in the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Saturday.

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The win gives the Bill Mott-trained 5-year-old son of Nyquist owned by Godolphin a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Oct. 31 at Keeneland, where he will likely meet up with stablemate Sovereignty – also owned by Godolphin and trained by Mott.

Knightsbridge Rises in Stature fore Breeders’ Cup

Knightsbridge, the even money favorite, was superbly ridden by Junior Alvarado, who also rides Sovereignty and will have to make a tough Breeders’ Cup Classic decision.

Breaking from the outside posts, Full Serrano (post 10) and Knightsbridge (post 11) took charge from the outset and dueled through quick fractions of 22.68 seconds for the first quarter mile, 45.45 for a half, and 1:09.5 for three-quarters of a mile. But when the field turned for home, Knightsbridge easily shook clear and galloped home for a definitive win.

“He’s had starts and stops," Dan Pride of Godolphin said. “Today he showed what kind of horse he is. This was his first trip West, his first trip at a mile-and-quarter.”

Knightsbridge returned $4.20 on a $2 win bet. Coming into the race, there was no star in the field, but Knightsbridge rose to the occasion and moved into the upper echelon of top horses in the country. He gave a hint of what might happen in this race when he won the Monmouth Cup (G3) last out by 10 ¼ lengths on July 18. 

Winning time for 1 ¼-mile Pacific Classic was 2:01.79.

“He was very impressive today," Alvarado said. “He’s been working so hard and finally got the opportunity.” 

Full Serrano held on for third, and the filly Om N Joy finished fourth. Hit Show was fifth, followed by Malarchuk, Forged Steel, British Isles, Navajo Warrior, Subsanador and Finger, the Japan-bred 3-year-old.

Knightsbridge improved to eight wins in 12 career starts with a pair of seconds and a third for earnings of more than $1.5 million.

Green Flash Stakes Results: Sorrento Sky Rallies at 7-1 Odds

In an earlier Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In’’ race for the BC Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar, Sorrento Sky ($16) rallied from last to first for a one-length victory over No Nay Hudson in the 5-furlong Green Flash Handicap (G2).

Motorious, the 3-2 favorite, finished fourth in the field of eight. Monster and Saratoga Special were scratched.

Ireland-bred Sorrento, trained by Phil D’Amato, was ridden by Umberto Rispoli.

$600,000 ALABAMA STAKES

My Guns Loaded Pulls Trigger in Upset of Counting Stars

My Guns Loaded stepped up in a big way at Saratoga on Saturday, upsetting 1-4 favorite Counting Stars and edging Measure by a neck in winning the Alabama Stakes (G1), one of the most prestigious races for 3-year-old fillies.

The Gun Runner filly is now a perfect 3-for-3 at the Spa for Saratoga’s leading trainer Chad Brown, who also trains Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Always a Runner -- beaten twice since by Counting Stars, in the Acorn Stakes (G1) and the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).

Brown decided to send out a fresh My Guns Loaded, a maiden winner at second asking at the Spa in June and the victor in an allowance optional claimer on July 24.

“Counting Stars is a great horse," Brown said after his third Alabama win. “I had the benefit of a fresh horse today. I mean take nothing away from the way she [Counting Stars] fought, she’s danced every dance from the Oaks on through, and I needed a fresh horse to beat her, goes to show you how good she is.”

Ridden by Manny Franco, My Guns Loaded covered the 1 ¼ miles – the longest she’s ever run – in 2:04.87 over a fast track and returned $8.74 for a $2 win bet.

Measure, with Flavien Prat aboard, challenged late from the inside and came up a neck shy of My Guns Loaded. Counting Stars was game in the stretch but wound up third, 1 ½ lengths behind her stablemate, both trained by Mark Casse. A.P.’s Girl was fourth, followed by Ati Girl and Nycon.

Jose Ortiz was a late replacement aboard Counting Stars as regular rider, and Jose’s older brother, Irad, remains off his mounts after an ankle injury earlier this month. Franco, second in the Saratoga jockey standings behind Jose Ortiz, timed his outside run to victory well.

“My filly today was expertly ridden by Manny Franco,” Brown said. “My team did an unbelievable job developing this horse. I felt good in the paddock. She came in and she acted with a lot of confidence. She was calm and collected and I just thought she was the best looking horse today in the paddock, being fresh and ready.”

Added Franco: “I tracked Counting Stars the whole way around. I was following her, following her. I knew Johnny (Velazquez) was inside because Jose never went down to the rail, so (Jose) was outside. So, I just followed him the whole way around.”

Brown said the Beldame Stakes (G2) at the new Belmont Park on Sept. 28 or the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 4 are potential targets.

Casse, while disappointed Counting Star was unable to win, was OK with a 2-3 finish.

“Measure ran great, I guess she got away a little slow, but Measure ran great,” Casse said. “[Counting Stars] ran hard. She’s been dancing for a long time. I’m proud of her. When they run hard, I don’t get disappointed, would I like to have won? Of course, but no, it takes a lot to get me disappointed, so I’m proud of her, she ran hard, we were third best today.”

Richard Rosenblatt

Richard Rosenblatt is an award-winning journalist and former Associated Press Horse Racing Editor. Currently, he serves as the news editor at US Racing, overseeing exclusive content from contributors worldwide.