Dennis' Moment, Eight Rings will 'live to fight another day'
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It was a tough day at the office for all involved with Dennis’ Moment and Eight Rings, the top two betting choices who missed the board in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Friday at Santa Anita Park.
For odds-on favorite Dennis’ Moment, the race was all but lost at the start. Breaking from the rail under Irad Ortiz Jr., the son of Tiznow stumbled badly leaving the gate and was dead last some nine lengths back after the first quarter mile. He never recovered, finishing last of eight, beaten some 23 lengths on the wire.
For Eight Rings, the 1.50-to-1 second choice for trainer Bob Baffert, things went only slightly better. The son of Empire Maker prompted the pace of eventual winner Storm the Court on the outside through the opening six furlongs. However, Eight Rings started to tire leaving the second turn and faded to sixth.
The performances of both Albaugh Family Stable’s Dennis’ Moment and Eight Rings were a stunning development in what most considered to be a two-horse race.
Dale Romans, trainer of Dennis’ Moment, provided comment via his Twitter account after the race.
“It was over. We had no chance from the start,” added Jason Loutsch, racing manager of Albaugh Family Stable. “Dale just about took off out of the when it started. We talk all the time about the highs and lows of the game. I can tell you this is about as low as I’ve ever been in a horse race. But, we have a lot of confidence in this horse and I have no doubt he’ll bounce back.
“I don’t even know Irad stayed on to be honest. He went straight down all the way. It was unfortunate circumstances, but hopefully he came back good and we’ll live to fight another day.”
As for Eight Rings, Baffert said he “didn’t show up” and had no explanation for the performance.
“He was in a good spot the whole way and Johnny (Velazquez) said when they came to the three-eighths pole he took a deep breath and then he just didn’t go when Johnny asked him,” Baffert said. “He didn’t show up. That’s not like him. I thought he was training really well but for some reason he just didn’t show up.today.
“I always blame myself,” Baffert continued. “Maybe I missed something but I thought he was ready.”
Later Friday evening, Eight Rings co-owner Tom Ryan of SF Racing said the colt had come back “safe and sound.”
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