Breeders’ Cup 2016 Winners -- Despite Not Finishing First

The phrase ‘too good to lose’ is one that always interested me both in the head and in the heart. I guess, it is an oxymoron, but in sports, and in the emotion of fans, bettors, and connections, it means so much more. I cannot think of a better arena than thoroughbred horse racing for the sentiment. Every year at the Breeders’ Cup there are several great examples, and in 2016, there were more than most. There were many, but below are my favorite examples of horses running too good to lose over the championship weekend.

Songbird – She may have a running style, and an average margin of victory in polar opposition to the great Zenyatta, but their racing careers have become very similar. I once wrote that Zenyatta never gained my respect more than in her first and only career defeat. I feel exactly the same about the champion daughter of Magalia d’Oro. Much like the Hall of Fame mare from a few years ago, Songbird came to another Breeders’ Cup still undefeated. She gave everything she had, and ran huge, only to narrowly miss out in winning an epic battle against an older mare, who will soon be a four-time champion. Beholder deserves all the accolades she receives, but in defeat, Songbird showed me something special, and unlike Zenyatta, she will come back from her first defeat to race again. Can you imagine if she is better as an older filly than she was this year?

California Chrome – A very good two-year-old, and a champion three-year-old, the bargain bred horse from California was much better than that at the age of five. In six races from here to Dubai, he sparkled like a true American hero. Arrogate earned it on Saturday, though, and while it seems unfitting that California Chrome’s final race of a great year must be a loss, make no mistake, the son of Lucky Pulpit ran a big race. Even in defeat, I think it was enough for him to secure his second Horse of the Year title. Just look at the way the two of them left the rest of the Breeders’ Cup Classic field far, far behind.

Tepin – Another who did not confine her great success to inside U.S. borders, Tepin saw her long winning streak end last month at Keeneland. Was it a sign that the excellent turf mare was finally beginning to slip? The five-year-old daughter of Bernstein was able to answer that question with a resounding “No” in defense of her Breeders’ Cup Mile title. Tourist ran a career best, and saved all the ground, but I truly believe it was Tepin who was best. Farther back than she is accustomed, she went way wide and came flying down the stretch to miss by a half-length. My respect for her continues to grow.

Lady Eli – Respect for Lady Eli as a racehorse is one thing, but respect for her as a survivor is another thing altogether. You all know the story of her miraculous recovery from Laminitis, but what would see on the turf course? Well, we saw the old Lady Eli, that’s what. A triumphant winner of the Grade 1 Flower Bowl, the Divine Park filly was at her consistent best in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. She worked her way through the field and kicked it in down the stretch to run down the early leader. She may have lost the photo to the excellent rally of a top European, Queen’s Trust and Frankie Dettori, but Lady Eli remains the epitome of what it means to be a winner.

Not This Time – Classic Empire could not be more deserving of being named Champion Juvenile Male of 2016. Having said that, there is another special two-year-old colt stabled in Kentucky. Not This Time is a serious racehorse. A bit crowded at the start, Not This time remained in-between horses for much of the race. There was one point where Classic Empire spurted away and looked like an easy winner in the stretch, but this son of Giant’s Causeway kept coming, and was really gaining at the end to get within a neck, and better than seven lengths ahead of their nearest competition. How would you like to see these two colts battling it out in Louisiville, Baltimore, and New York?

American Gal – The only one on this list not to finish second, this one may seem like a strange inclusion, but color me impressed with what I saw from her in my first in-person glimpse of the young filly. Parked out on the far outside was tough enough for the speedy filly who was making only her third career start, and her first beyond six furlongs, but a tardy break and a very wide run into the first turn, ended any hope she had of actually winning. Still, she picked herself up, made up big ground on the first turn and in the backstretch, to get back into the race. Wide all the way around, I thought staying on well for a third-place finish, especially considering her lack of experience, is a wonderful harbinger of things to come.