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Breeders' Cup World Championships

Updated: June 14, 2011, 12:02 PM ET
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The Breeders' Cup World Championship is a series of thoroughbred horse races that serves as the sport's season-ending championship. The Cup is one of the richest sporting events in the world, with purses up to $5 million in the Breeders' Cup Classic. The total winnings in 2009 reached $25.5 million.

The Breeders' Cup ran its first race in 1984 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. It is held at a different racetrack each year and usually is one of the most well-attended events in sports. The races are spread over two days, with a total of 14 Championship races. The races are non-invitational, and the top 14 horses for each race are selected according to Challenge Race performance, a point system and expert opinion.

The 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships were run Nov. 4 and 5 at Churchill Downs in Lousiville, Kentucky.

The Breeders' Cup was established in 1982 by its founder John R. Gaines, also the founder of the National Thoroughbred Association (which later became the NTRA). The championships were created as a way to unite the industry in a season-ending event and promotion. Aside from serving as the final championship of the season, the races usually also figure heavily into Horse of the Year votings.

The first Breeders' Cup took place on Nov. 10, 1984, in Hollywood Park, in Inglewood, Calif. There were eight races in that running of the Breeders Cup, all graded stakes. That first year, Wild Again pulled a huge upset to take the win -- and, with the $1.35 million purse -- earned double his career winnings in one day.

In 2007, the Breeders' Cup traditional eight-race day schedule was expanded for the first time. Three races were added that year, and for the first time the races were spread over the course of two days. In 2008, the Cup expanded again to 14 races and, for the most part, separated its races so that fillies and mares run on its first day, with all other races on the second. A 15th race -- the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint -- was added to the schedule in 2011.

The Breeders' Cup has been televised since its first race in 1984. In 2006, ESPN signed an eight-year deal for the television rights. The two days of racing are split among ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC.

Breeders' Cup Classic

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 Blame Garrett Gomez 2:02.56 $5,000,000
2009 Zenyatta Mike E. Smith 2:00.6 $5,000,000
2008 Raven's Pass Frankie Dettori 1:59.3 $5,000,000
2007 Curlin Robby Albarado 2:00.6 $5,000,000
2006 Invasor Fernando Jara 2:02.2 $5,000,000
2005 Saint Liam Jerry Bailey 2:01.5 $5,000,000
2004 Ghostzapper Javier Castellano 1:59.0 $4,000,000
2003 Pleasantly Perfect Alex Solis 1:59.9 $4,000,000
2002 Volponi Jose Santos 2:01.4 $4,000,000
2001 Tiznow Chris McCarron 2:00.6 $4,000,000
2000 Tiznow Chris McCarron 2:00.8 $4,000,000
1999 Cat Thief Pat Day 1:59.5 $4,000,000
1998 Awesome Again Pat Day 2:02.2 $4,000,000
1997 Skip Away Mike E. Smith 1:59.2 $4,400,000
1996 Alphabet Soup Chris McCarron 2:01.0 $4,000,000
1995 Cigar Jerry Bailey 1:59.6 $3,000,000
1994 Concern Jerry Bailey 2:02.4 $3,000,000
1993 Arcangues Jerry Bailey 2:00.8 $3,000,000
1992 A.P. Indy Ed Delahoussaye 2:00.2 $3,000,000
1991 Black Tie Affair Jerry Bailey 2:03.0 $3,000,000
1990 Unbridled Pat Day 2:02.2 $3,000,000
1989 Sunday Silence Chris McCarron 2:00.2 $3,000,000
1988 Alysheba Chris McCarron 2:04.8 $3,000,000
1987 Ferdinand Bill Shoemaker 2:01.4 $3,000,000
1986 Skywalker Laffit Pincay, Jr. 2:00.4 $3,000,000
1985 Proud Truth Jorge Velasquez 2:00.8 $3,000,000
1984 Wild Again Pat Day 2:03.4 $3,000,000

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Emirates Airline Turf

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 Dangerous Midge Frankie Dettori 2:29.40 $3,000,000
2009 Conduit Ryan L. Moore 2:23.75 $3,000,000
2008 Conduit Ryan L. Moore 2:23.42 $3,000,000
2007 English Channel John R. Velazquez 2:36.96 $3,000,000
2006 Red Rocks Frankie Dettori 2:27.32 $2,000,000
2005 Shirocco Christophe Soumillon 2:29.20 $2,000,000
2004 Better Talk Now Ramon Dominguez 2:29.70 $2,000,000
2003 High Chaparral (DH) Michael Kinane 2:24.2 $2,000,000
2003 Johar (DH) Alex Solis 2:24.2 $2,000,000
2002 High Chaparral Michael Kinane 2:30.1 $2,000,000
2001 Fantastic Light Frankie Dettori 2:24.2 $2,000,000
2000 Kalanisi Johnny Murtagh 2:27.0 $2,000,000
1999 Daylami Frankie Dettori 2:24.7 $2,000,000
1998 Buck's Boy Shane Sellers 2:28.7 $2,000,000
1997 Chief Bearhart Jose Santos 2:23.9 $2,000,000
1996 Pilsudski Walter Swinburn 2:30.2 $2,000,000
1995 Northern Spur Chris McCarron 2:42.1 $2,000,000
1994 Tikkanen Mike E. Smith 2:26.5 $2,000,000
1993 Kotashaan Kent Desormeaux 2:25.2 $2,000,000
1992 Fraise Pat Valenzuela 2:24.1 $2,000,000
1991 Miss Alleged Eric Legrix 2:30.9 $2,000,000
1990 In the Wings Gary Stevens 2:29.6 $2,000,000
1989 Prized Ed Delahoussaye 2:28.0 $2,000,000
1988 Great Communicator Ray Sibille 2:35.2 $2,000,000
1987 Theatrical Pat Day 2:24.4 $2,000,000
1986 Manila Jose Santos 2:25.4 $2,000,000
1985 Pebbles Pat Eddery 2:27.0 $2,000,000
1984 Lashkari Yves Saint-Martin 2:25.2 $2,000,000

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Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2009 Dakota Phone Joel Rosario 1:35.29 $1,000,000
2009 Furthest Land Julien Leparoux 1:35.50 $1,000,000
2008 Albertus Maximus Garrett Gomez 1:33.41 $1,000,000
2007 Corinthian Kent Desormeaux 1:39.06 $1,000,000

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TVG Breeders' Cup Mile

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 Goldikova Olivier Peslier 1:35.16 $2,000,000
2009 Goldikova Olivier Peslier 1:32.3 $2,000,000
2008 Goldikova Olivier Peslier 1:33.4 $2,000,000
2007 Kip Deville Cornelio Velasquez 1:39.8 $2,000,000
2006 Miesque's Approval Eddie Castro 1:34.8 $2,000,000
2005 Artie Schiller Garrett Gomez 1:36.1 $1,500,000
2004 Singletary David R. Flores 1:36.9 $1,500,000
2003 Six Perfections Jerry Bailey 1:33.9 $1,500,000
2002 Domedriver Thierry Thulliez 1:36.9 $1,000,000
2001 Val Royal Jose Valdivia, Jr. 1:32.0 $1,000,000
2000 War Chant Gary Stevens 1:34.6 $1,000,000
1999 Silic Corey Nakatani 1:34.2 $1,000,000
1998 Da Hoss John Velazquez 1:35.2 $1,000,000
1997 Spinning World Cash Asmussen 1:32.6 $1,000,000
1996 Da Hoss Gary Stevens 1:35.8 $1,000,000
1995 Ridgewood Pearl Johnny Murtagh 1:43.6 $1,000,000
1994 Barathea Frankie Dettori 1:34.4 $1,000,000
1993 Lure Mike E. Smith 1:33.4 $1,000,000
1992 Lure Mike E. Smith 1:32.8 $1,000,000
1991 Opening Verse Pat Valenzuela 1:37.4 $1,000,000
1990 Royal Academy Lester Piggott 1:35.2 $1,000,000
1989 Steinlen José Santos 1:37.2 $1,000,000
1988 Miesque Freddy Head 1:38.6 $1,000,000
1987 Miesque Freddy Head 1:32.8 $1,000,000
1986 Last Tycoon Yves Saint-Martin 1:35.2 $1,000,000
1985 Cozzene Walter Guerra 1:35.0 $1,000,000
1984 Royal Heroine Fernando Toro 1:32.6 $1,000,000

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Grey Goose Juvenile

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2009 Uncle Mo John Velazquez 1:42.60 $2,000,000
2009 Vale of York Ahmed Ajtebi 1:43.5 $2,000,000
2008 Midshipman Garrett Gomez 1:40.9 $2,000,000
2007 War Pass Cornelio Velasquez 1:42.8 $2,000,000
2006 Street Sense Calvin Borel 1:42.6 $2,000,000
2005 Stevie Wonderboy Garrett Gomez 1:41.6 $1,500,000
2004 Wilko Frankie Dettori 1:42.1 $1,500,000
2003 Action This Day David R. Flores 1:43.6 $1,500,000
2002 Vindication Mike E. Smith 1:49.6 $1,000,000
2001 Johannesburg Michael Kinane 1:42.3 $1,000,000
2000 Macho Uno Jerry Bailey 1:42.1 $1,000,000
1999 Anees Gary Stevens 1:42.3 $1,000,000
1998 Answer Lively Jerry Bailey 1:44.0 $1,000,000
1997 Favorite Trick Pat Day 1:41.5 $1,000,000
1996 Boston Harbor Jerry Bailey 1:43.4 $1,000,000
1995 Unbridled's Song Mike E. Smith 1:41.6 $1,000,000
1994 Timber Country Pat Day 1:44.6 $1,000,000
1993 Brocco Gary Stevens 1:43.0 $1,000,000
1992 Gilded Time Chris McCarron 1:43.4 $1,000,000
1991 Arazi Pat Valenzuela 1:44.8 $1,000,000
1990 Fly So Free Jose Santos 1:43.4 $1,000,000
1989 Rhythm Craig Perret 1:43.6 $1,000,000
1988 Is It True Laffit Pincay, Jr. 1:46.6 $1,000,000
1987 Success Express José Santos 1:35.20 $1,000,000
1986 Capote Laffit Pincay, Jr. 1:43.8 $1,000,000
1985 Tasso Laffit Pincay, Jr. 1:36.20 $1,000,000
1984 Chief's Crown Don MacBeth 1:36.20 $1,000,000

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Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 Chamberlain Bridge Jamie Theriot 0:56.53 $1,000,000
2009 California Flag Joe Talamo 1:11.28 $1,000,000
2008 Desert Code Richard Migliore 1:11.60 $1,000,000

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Sentient Jet Sprint

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 Big Drama Eibar Coa 1:09.05 $2,000,000
2009 Dancing in Silks Joel Rosario 1:08.1 $2,000,000
2008 Midnight Lute Garrett Gomez 1:07.1 $2,000,000
2007 Midnight Lute Garrett Gomez 1:09.2 $2,000,000
2006 Thor's Echo Corey Nakatani 1:08.8 $2,000,000
2005 Silver Train Edgar Prado 1:08.9 $2,000,000
2004 Speightstown John Velazquez 1:08.1 $1,000,000
2003 Cajun Beat Cornelio Velasquez 1:07.9 $1,000,000
2002 Orientate Jerry Bailey 1:08.9 $1,000,000
2001 Squirtle Squirt Jerry Bailey 1:08.4 $1,000,000
2000 Kona Gold Alex Solis 1:07.6 $1,000,000
1999 Artax Jorge F. Chavez 1:07.8 $1,000,000
1998 Reraise Corey Nakatani 1:09.0 $1,000,000
1997 Elmhurst Corey Nakatani 1:08.2 $1,000,000
1996 Lit de Justice Corey Nakatani 1:08.6 $1,000,000
1995 Desert Stormer Kent Desormeaux 1:09.0 $1,000,000
1994 Cherokee Run Mike E. Smith 1:09.4 $1,000,000
1993 Cardmania Ed Delahoussaye 1:08.6 $1,000,000
1992 Thirty Slews Ed Delahoussaye 1:08.2 $1,000,000
1991 Sheikh Albadou Pat Eddery 1:09.2 $1,000,000
1990 Safely Kept Craig Perret 1:09.6 $1,000,000
1989 Dancing Spree Angel Cordero, Jr. 1:09.0 $1,000,000
1988 Gulch Angel Cordero, Jr. 1:10.4 $1,000,000
1987 Very Subtle Pat Valenzuela 1:08.8 $1,000,000
1986 Smile Jacinto Vasquez 1:08.4 $1,000,000
1985 Precisionist Chris McCarron 1:08.4 $1,000,000
1984 Eillo Craig Perret 1:10.2 $1,000,000

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Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 Pluck Garrett Gomez 1:36.98 $1,000,000
2009 Pounced Frankie Dettori 1:35.47 $1,000,000
2008 Donativum Frankie Dettori 1:34.68 $1,000,000
2007 Nownownow Julien Leparoux 1:40.48 $1,000,000

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Ladies' Classic

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 Unrivaled Belle Kent Desormeaux 1:50.04 $2,000,000
2009 Life Is Sweet Garrett K. Gomez 1:48.6 $2,000,000
2008 Zenyatta Mike E. Smith 1:46.9 $2,000,000
2007 Ginger Punch Rafael Bejarano 1:50.1 $2,000,000
2006 Round Pond Edgar Prado 1:50.5 $2,000,000
2005 Pleasant Home Cornelio Velasquez 1:48.3 $2,000,000
2004 Ashado John Velazquez 1:48.3 $1,000,000
2003 Adoration Pat Valenzuela 1:49.2 $1,000,000
2002 Azeri Mike E. Smith 1:48.6 $1,000,000
2001 Unbridled Elaine Pat Day 1:49.2 $1,000,000
2000 Spain Victor Espinoza 1:47.7 $1,000,000
1999 Beautiful Pleasure Jorge F. Chavez 1:47.6 $1,000,000
1998 Escena Gary Stevens 1:49.9 $1,000,000
1997 Ajina Mike E. Smith 1:47.2 $1,000,000
1996 Jewel Princess Corey Nakatani 1:48.4 $1,000,000
1995 Inside Information Mike E. Smith 1:46.2 $1,000,000
1994 One Dreamer Gary Stevens 1:50.8 $1,000,000
1993 Hollywood Wildcat Ed Delahoussaye 1:48.4 $1,000,000
1992 Paseana Chris McCarron 1:48.2 $1,000,000
1991 Dance Smartly Pat Day 1:51.0 $1,000,000
1990 Bayakoa Laffit Pincay, Jr. 1:49.2 $1,000,000
1989 Bayakoa Laffit Pincay, Jr. 1:47.4 $1,000,000
1988 Personal Ensign Randy Romero 1:52.0 $1,000,000
1987 Sacahuista Randy Romero 2:02.80 $1,000,000
1986 Lady's Secret Pat Day 2:01.20 $1,000,000
1985 Life's Magic Angel Cordero, Jr. 2:02.00 $1,000,000
1984 Princess Rooney Ed Delahoussaye 2:02.40 $1,000,000

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Emirates Airline Filly & Mare Turf

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 Shared Account Edgar Prado 2:17.74 $2,000,000
2009 Midday Tom Queally 1:59.1 $2,000,000
2008 Forever Together Julien Leparoux 2:01.6 $2,000,000
2007 Lahudood Alan Garcia 2:22.8 $2,000,000
2006 Ouija Board Frankie Dettori 2:14.6 $2,000,000
2005 Intercontinental Rafael Bejarano 2:02.3 $2,000,000
2004 Ouija Board Kieren Fallon 2:18.3 $1,000,000
2003 Islington Kieren Fallon 1:59.1 $1,000,000
2002 Starine John Velazquez 2:03.6 $1,000,000
2001 Banks Hill Olivier Peslier 2:00.4 $1,000,000
2000 Perfect Sting Jerry Bailey 2:13.1 $1,000,000
1999 Soaring Softly Jerry Bailey 2:13.9 $1,000,000

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Grey Goose Juvenile Fillies

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 Awesome Feather Jeffrey Sanchez 1:45.17 $2,000,000
2009 She Be Wild Julien Leparoux 1:43.8 $2,000,000
2008 Stardom Bound Mike E. Smith 1:41.0 $2,000,000
2007 Indian Blessing Garrett Gomez 1:44.7 $2,000,000
2006 Dreaming of Anna Rene Douglas 1:43.8 $2,000,000
2005 Folklore Edgar Prado 1:43.9 $2,000,000
2004 Sweet Catomine Corey Nakatani 1:41.7 $1,000,000
2003 Halfbridled Julie Krone 1:42.8 $1,000,000
2002 Storm Flag Flying John Velazquez 1:49.6 $1,000,000
2001 Tempera David Flores 1:41.5 $1,000,000
2000 Caressing John Velazquez 1:42.6 $1,000,000
1999 Cash Run Jerry Bailey 1:43.2 $1,000,000
1998 Silverbulletday Gary Stevens 1:43.6 $1,000,000
1997 Countess Diana Shane Sellers 1:42.2 $1,000,000
1996 Storm Song Craig Perret 1:43.6 $1,000,000
1995 My Flag Jerry Bailey 1:42.4 $1,000,000
1994 Flanders Pat Day 1:45.2 $1,000,000
1993 Phone Chatter Laffit Pincay, Jr. 1:43.0 $1,000,000
1992 Eliza Pat Valenzuela 1:42.8 $1,000,000
1991 Pleasant Stage Ed Delahoussaye 1:46.4 $1,000,000
1990 Meadow Star Jose Santos 1:44.0 $1,000,000
1989 Go For Wand Randy Romero 1:44.2 $1,000,000
1988 Open Mind Angel Cordero, Jr. 1:46.6 $1,000,000
1987 Epitome Pat Day 1:36.40 $1,000,000
1986 Brave Raj Pat Valenzuela 1:43.2 $1,000,000
1985 Twilight Ridge Jorge Velasquez 1:35.80 $1,000,000
1984 Outstandingly Walter Guerra 1:37.80 $1,000,000

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Sentient Jet Filly & Mare Sprint

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 Dubai Majesty Jamie Theriot 1:22.33 $1,000,000
2009 Informed Decision Julien Leparoux 1:21.66 $1,000,000
2008 Ventura Garrett Gomez 1:19.90 $1,000,000
2007 Maryfield Elvis Trujillo 1:09.85 $1,000,000

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Juvenile Fillies Turf

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 More Than Real Garrett Gomez 1:36.61 $1,000,000
2009 Tapitsfly Robby Albarado 1:34.25 $1,000,000
2008 Maram Jose Lezcano 1:35.15 $1,000,000

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Breeders' Cup Marathon

Year Winner Jockey Time Purse
2010 Eldaafer John Velazquez 2:59.62 $500,000
2009 Man of Iron Johnny Murtagh 2:54.11 $500,000
2008 Muhannak Pat Smullen 2:28.24 $500,000

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Churchill Downs is a racetrack in Louisville, Ken., that hosts the Kentucky Derby each year. It is one of the most famous tracks in the world, and was ranked the No. 5 course in North America in 2009. Churchill Downs also is the host for the 2010 and 2011 Breeders' Cups, which it has hosted six times before.

The course features a one-mile racetrack out of dirt. The facility usually hosts about 50,000 viewers on its signature grandstands, though that number can triple on Derby days. One of the track's signature images is that of the twin spires that sit on top of the course's grandstand, and they now serve as the course's official logo  and that of its owner, Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Churchill Downs opened in Louisville in 1875 with the inaugural Kentucky Derby. The race was created by horse breeder Col. M. Lewis Clark, who was inspired by the derbies in England in the 1870s. Clark created three stakes races to be held at Churchill Downs: the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Clark Handicap. The first Derby was held on May 17, 1875, the first day the track formally opened.

Churchill Downs was named a National Historic Landmark in October 1986.

VIDEO RESULTS FOR BREEDERS' CUP

More Video Results »

NEWS RESULTS FOR BREEDERS' CUP

  1. Maryland Sprint:

    Brisnet.com

    Best known for his 23-1 runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs in 2010, Hamazing Destiny was still winless in stakes company heading into the Grade 3, $100,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap at Pimlico on Saturday.

    Story | Conversation | May 19, 2012

  2. Juvenile champ Hansen won't run in Preakness

    Associated Press

    Juvenile champion Hansen will not run in the Preakness on Saturday.

    Story | Conversation | May 14, 2012

  3. Claire Novak: Trakus brings the action to fans

    Claire Novak, Special to ESPN.com

    It's the 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Hansen skims the rail with an undisputed lead while even-money favorite Union Rags travels wide throughout.

    Story | Conversation | May 04, 2012

  4. 40 greatest female athletes: Julie Krone

    ESPNHS, High School Girl

    ESPN is marking the 40th anniversary of Title IX by unveiling the top 40 female athletes of the past 40 years. At No. 39, jockey Julie Krone has to...

    Story | May 01, 2012

  5. Jay Cronley: 22,000 pounds of trouble

    Jay Cronley, Special to ESPN.com

    It's never too early to complain about the size of the Kentucky Derby field ...

    Story | Conversation | April 09, 2012

More News Results »

AUDIO RESULTS FOR BREEDERS' CUP

More Audio Results »

PHOTO RESULTS FOR BREEDERS' CUP

More Photo Results »

TOP STORY

Drosselmeyer
Drosselmeyer wins Breeders' Cup Classic

Riding Drosselmeyer, jockey Mike Smith earned his record-tying 15th Breeders' Cup win, eding ex-girlfriend Chantal Sutherland and Game On Dude. Story » Chat Wrap »

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2011 BREEDERS' CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

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ESPN.com has all the latest news, expert commentary, schedule, video clips and more on the 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Horse Racing »

2011 BREEDERS' CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Friday, November 4
RACE NETWORK POST (ET)
Juvenile Sprint ESPN2 4:10 p.m.
Winner: Secret Circle (1:10.52)Story »
Juvenile Fillies Turf ESPN2 4:50 p.m.
Winner: Stephanie's Kitten (1:38.80)Story »
Filly & Mare Sprint ESPN2 5:30 p.m.
Winner: Musical Romance (1:23.47)Story »
Juvenile Fillies ESPN2 6:10 p.m.
Winner: My Miss Aurelia (1:46.00)Story »
Filly & Mare Turf ESPN2 6:50 p.m.
Winner: Perfect Shirl (2:18.62)Story »
Ladies' Classic ESPN2 7:30 p.m.
Winner: Royal Delta (1:50.78) Story »
Saturday, November 5
RACE NETWORK POST
Marathon TBD 1:20 p.m.
Winner: Afleet Again (3:00.39) Story »
Juvenile Turf ABC 2:02 p.m.
Winner: Wrote (1:37.41) Story »
Sprint ABC 2:37 p.m.
Winner: Amazombie (1:09.17) Story »
Turf Sprint ABC 3:21 p.m.
Winner: Regally Ready (56.48) Story »
Dirt Mile ESPN 4:01 p.m.
Winner: Caleb's Posse (1:34.59) Story »
Turf ESPN 4:45 p.m.
Winner: St Nicolas Abbey (2:28.85) Story »
Juvenile ESPN 5:25 p.m.
Winner: Hansen (1:44.44) Story »
Mile ESPN 6:07 p.m.
Winner: Court Vision (1:37.05) Story »
Classic ESPN 7:00 p.m.
Winner:Drosselmeyer (2:04.37) Story »