Little Mike beats Turf big guns

St Nic only third

Last updated: 3rd November 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Flat - Antepost. Click here to bet.

Little Mike Turf

Little Mike: Turf winner

Related links

Also see

Profiles

Little Mike hung on from Point Of Entry and St Nicholas Abbey to win the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita.

Ramon Dominguez kicked clear on the home bend with Trailblazer charting a wide course to chase him into the straight.

The Japanese raider couldn't go with the winner and he was overtaken late on by Point Of Entry and the fast-finishing St Nicholas Abbey who stormed home down the middle of the track.

Joseph O'Brien said of St Nicholas Abbey: "I was a little wide turning in, but he ran a great race."

French raider Shareta similarly made late gains, but finished fifth under Christophe Lemaire.

Ballydoyle's other contender, Treasure Beach, was never a factor and came home 10th under Jamie Spencer.

Little Mike's trainer, Dale Romans, said: "This is a perfect little horse - he runs so hard all the time."

Aidan O'Brien added of St Nicholas Abbey: "We were delighted with him - it was a solid run.

"He got into a nice rhythm and I didn't think anything went wrong.

"He did have a tough race in the Arc on heavy ground and he didn't pick up the way he can do in the straight.

"I hope he will be around and keep going next year."

O'Brien said of Treasure Beach: "The way he ran, I think maybe he wants a little break."