Accelerate Grants Sadler First Breeders’ Cup Win

[Wandering Eyes]

Heading into this year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, a lot (maybe too much) had been made about John Sadler’s winless record at the Breeders’ Cup. However, with the help of his star 5-year-old Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky–Issues, Awesome Again), Sadler got the monkey off his back in style when the chestnut overcame his seemingly impossible post to score by 3/4 of a length over longshot Gunnevera (Dialed In). Breaking from the 14 hole, Accelerate was reserved off the early pace as Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy), who assumed his preferred spot at the head of affairs while prompted by McKinzie (Street Sense) and West Coast (Flatter), carved out fast opening fractions of :22.68, :46.46 and 1:10.61. Accelerate started to mount his challenge approaching the turn, and quickly spurted to the front as Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) loomed a threat, while the Baffert tandem retreated. Down the stretch, it appeared Accelerate was home free, but the early pace started to show its effect as closers Gunnevera and Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) launched their bids, but it was Accelerate who proved gamest of all and gutted it out late to score by 3/4 of a length. Gunnevera held the edge over Thunder Snow, with Yoshida back in fourth. Final time for the Classic was 2:02.93. Lifetime Record: 22-10-5-5, $6,092,480. O-Hronis Racing; B-Mike Abraham; T-John Sadler.

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