Gezora charges past She Feels Pretty for the win. (Jenny Doyle/Beyond the Wire)
Classic Saturday: Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1)
Release of the Breeders Cup
DEL MAR, California – by Peter Brant Gezora (FR) ($20.20) surged past She Feels Pretty at deep stretch to post a half-length victory in the 27th running of the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Del Mar to conclude the 42nd World Championships.
Gezora, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, completed the mile and three-eighths over a firm grass course in 2:12.54. It is the first World Cup victory for Graffard and the second for Barzalona.
Longshot Be Your Best (IRE) led the field of 13 by fractions of :24.36, :47.43 and 1:11.17 while she was followed by five-time Grade 1 winner She Feels Pretty. Entering the far turn, She Feels Pretty took command as Gezora closed in from midpack. She Feels Pretty dug in while running to the wire, but was passed inside the sixteenth post by Gezora.
The win was worth $1,040,000 and increased her earnings to $2,037,412 with a record of 10-5-2-1, including two Class or Group 1 wins. Gezora is a 3-year-old daughter of Almanzor (FR) out of the Silver Hawk mare Germance.
Quotes:
Winning trainer Francis-Henri Graffard (Gezora (FR)) – “It’s a meeting I’ve always loved and I’ve tried to win one but it’s very difficult. Today I saw again how difficult it is and you really need a horse like Gezora, who has a big heart, travels very strong and can accelerate. She’s a champion mare and it’s fantastic to win such a race, especially for Mr (Peter) Brant in his famous colours.
“The Arc consisted of 17 runners, a very strong field, soft ground and a mile and a half. It’s a different journey, but she was way too far back in the race and made a move. I hoped she came out really well, and she did. She is a very sweet filly and she tries very hard. She is not complicated, so she helps us do the work. Today she proved that she is a real champion. She is a classic winner, winner of the Prix de Diane (French). Oaks) and a breeder. Cup winner – which is great – and I don’t think many fillies have that on their CV.”
On horses that won the Arc, Champion Stakes, French Oaks and a Breeders’ Cup in one season: “This season has been incredible. We’ve had some really nice horses, but it’s a lot of work, but everything went really well for us all season. We’ve been able to win these great races and it’s created a lot of emotion and we’ve really enjoyed that.”
Winning jockey Mickael Barzalona (Gezora (FR)) – “I had a good draw so I was able to get into a good position early in the race without too much trouble. The pace was good at the gallop and I thought I just had to keep and concentrate on my filly to stay in the race. I got into the corner quite early on a flat spot but she was very tough. The leader came towards me and I knew I would get to the front. She is very straight and straightforward and I think that is what we need here.”
Trainer Cherie DeVaux (She Feels Pretty) in second place – “She ran great. Johnny did a great job of keeping her upright from a difficult situation. Just to be beaten on the last jump is disheartening, but I am very proud of her. She continues to give her best every race.”
Second Place Jockey John Velazquez (She Feels Pretty) – “Tough shot. Bad post position with no cover. She has to hide, and by the time I reached the three-eighths post I had no cover. I got a good hold on her and didn’t want to let her into the lead too quickly, but the lead horse stopped and I could do nothing but ‘time to go.’
About riding as her regular rider: “It’s just great to be a part of it and to have the opportunity to ride this horse for so long. It’s a blessing.”
Trainer Charlie Appleby in third and eighth place (Diamond Rain (GB) and beaten favorite Cinderella’s Dream (GB)) – “Cinderella’s Dream, I’d say she probably ran her last race there. She’s going to the breeding barns now and that’s well deserved considering what she’s achieved in her career. Diamond Rain, she’s delighted us. She’s a big filly to get around those corners and she’s behaved well. Hopefully we’ll have some fun with her next year, hopefully here in America.”
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