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WHAT FILLY IS THE ONLY HORSE TO WIN THE BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC?
10/24/2019

 

The Breeders’ Cup Classic is a defining race for selection as the Horse of the Year. This is especially true when there is not a dominate 2019 runner. Two reasons are the skill and luck it takes to win the race. Since its inception in 1984 only two horse who won two legs of the Triple Crown came back to win the Classic. They are: Sunday Silence (1989) and Alysheba (1987); the both won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, but were defeated in the Belmont Stakes by Easy Goer and Bet Twice, respectively. Of course, American Pharoah won the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic, while Justify retired before the Classic. Only one horse won the Classic more than once. That horse was Tiznow who won it in back-to-back years ---2000 and 2001. The only filly to have won the Classic was Zenyatta which she did in 2009. This year Elate is entered (early) the Classic, however she is, also, entered in the Distaff. If stays in the Classic she will have the opportunity to match Zenyatta’s feat.