Goldencents Shines in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

Goldencents was indeed golden, while making history in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. After a blistering early pace that saw he and Vicar’s in Trouble hook up in a knock down, drag out speed duel, Goldencents spurted away on the turn and held off a late challenge from Tapiture, to defend his Dirt Mile Crown.

 

Everyone had questions if Goldencents would duplicate his effort from last year’s Dirt Mile, over a track that was not so speed favoring, and he answered those questions with conviction. Last year his victory was brilliant, this year he displayed the heart of a champion.

 

First, after breaking second to Vicar’s in Trouble, Goldencents had to sprint hard, from his rail position to, to establish the early lead. Even then, his trouble was not over as Vicar’s in Trouble hounded him through a first quarter in 22 seconds flat and a half mile in 44.80 seconds.

 

Jockey, Rafael Bejarano had this to say “I knew I was going fast and I had to find a way to give him a little break from the three-eighths to the quarter poll.”

 

He was able to do just that as Vicar’s in Trouble started to fade out of contention, giving Goldencents just enough time to catch his breath before Tapiture and Rosie Napravnik came roaring around the turn.

 

Three quarters by in a trying 1.09.27 and Goldencents looked ready to throw in the towel, while Tapiture was just getting revved up, but as that one came to his flank the four year old by Into Mischief dug down deep, refusing to let Tapiture by.

 

Trainer Leandro Mora explained his excitement at this point in the race “When I saw Tapiture coming, I started to sweat. But, Goldencents kept trying and I started to relax…He wasn’t going to let anyone beat him today.”

 

That final statement was true, as Goldencents crossed the wire the winner, the first ever repeat winner of the Dirt Mile by just over one length.