The 2013 Breeders' Cup Classic

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The 2013 Breeders' Cup Classic

Winner: Mucho Macho Man

The 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic was hosted by Santa Anita Park and featured a competitive field that had no sure favorite.

 The top three horses from the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic returned. Fort Larned was there to defend his title after also winning the 2013 Stephen Foster Handicap. He was joined by 2012 runner-up Mucho Macho Man, a 5/1 second choice who had just come off a brilliant win in the 2013 Awesome Again Stakes, which was also hosted by Santa Anita. Flat Out, who finished third in the 2012 Classic, had also won the 2013 Suburban Handicap.

 If a trio of veterans wasn’t enough, the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic field was rounded out by 2013 Woodward Stakes winner Paynter, 2013 Travers Stakes and Penn Derby winner Will Take Charge and 2013 Belmont Stakes champion Palace Malice.

 Also muddying the waters was Declatation of War, a European champion who had won the Queen Anne Stakes and Juddmonte International as a prized turf runner. He would enter the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic to make his dirt debut as a shocking 10/1 outside shot.

 When the bell rung, Game On Dude led the fray as the 8/5 favorite as he fought for position down the initial stretch, while setting a quarter-mile pace of :23.39. He was challenged early by 15/1 longshot Moreno and 6/1 third choice Fort Larned. It was a tightly knit group to open the race with Declaration of War and Mucho Macho Man also keeping up with the slowing pace that reached the half-mile mark at :46.36.

 The opening top-three fought for much of the race against the gorgeous backdrop of the mountains that frame Santa Anita Park, exchanging the lead multiple times as Fort Larned moved in to the top position at the pole with a time of 1:10.23 and looked primed to repeat as champion.

 Holding the rail well, Fort Larned seemed to fend off Game On Dude, who went all out early but couldn’t keep pace. Mucho Macho Man and rider Gary Steven had stalked the race perfectly and exploded down the back stretch, eventually dusting Fort Larned who faded to finish fourth. Seemingly out of nowhere, Will Take Charge fought valiantly to steal second place in the final lengths from Declaration of War who finished third.

 It was a breathtaking finish that saw Mucho Macho Man finally realize his incredible potential after failing to score in the 2011 Triple Crown. The five-year-old horse was worth $10.00, $4.60 and $3.60 across the board. Will Take Charge paid out $7.20 and $4.80 while Declaration of War delivered $4.80 to show.

 Ultimately, Game On Dude for the second time in the richest American Thoroughbred horse race after delivering a 7^th place finish in the 2012  Breeders’ Cup Classic as well.

2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic Results – Santa Anita