Debra Roma Photography
WinStar’s Drosselmeyer – whose next appointment is at Keane Stud in Amenia to stand stallion duty for WinStar/Keane Stud – completed one stupendous piece of unfinished business while making his final career start in the twilight at Churchill Downs on Saturday as he passed the bulk of the field in late stretch to win the $5 million Breeder’s Cup Classic.
As anticipated, four-year-old Drosselmeyer (14-1) raced near the back of the 12-horse field under jockey Mike Smith for the first mile of the 1 1/4-mile test. The pair saved ground on the turns and then swung out five wide for the stretch drive.
Debra Roma Photography
With a furlong to go and three-quarters of the field still ahead of him – and while pacesetter Game On Dude was turning back the challenges of Uncle Mo, To Honor and Serve, and So You Think – Drosselmeyer began to unleash a powerful burst of speed. Rocketing down the middle of the track, the chestnut son of Distorted Humor picked off the rest and then passed Game On Dude before going on to a 1 1/2-length victory.
Debra Roma Photography
An elated Mike Smith, feeling some sense of redemption after his heartbreaking defeat to Blame aboard Zenyatta in the Classic last year, said, “He ran an awesome race right from the first jump,” Smith said. “Right out of the gate, he got into a great rhythm. The key to this horse is to keep him moving. If you put on the brakes it messes him up. I knew I was going to wheel out, so I just kept him going. And I was able to save ground on both turns.”
“He ran a super race,” said winning trainer Bill Mott. “He was mowing them down the last eighth of a mile. I guess his biggest attribute is his stamina, and he showed it today. When they were wearing down, he was coming. It’s great.”
Drosselmeyer had the appearance of a horse who was peaking, after showing early speed in the Sword Dancer, finishing a strong runner-up in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on October 1, and making an impressive appearance in the morning at Churchill Downs. Mott said, “After we ran him in the Sword Dancer, it was kind of like somebody had flipped a switch, and he just turned around. He was moving great – he was into his training.”
Drosselmeyer, winner of last year’s Belmont stakes, used his final start to improve his career record to 16-5-5-2. His $2.7 million winner’s share of the Breeders’ Cup Classic purse brought his career earnings to $3,728,170.
