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Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Torquator Tasso won Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in an upset as exciting as it was historic, while Knicks Go, Medina Spirit and Art Collector earned their way into the Breeders' Cup Classic in a weekend chock full of top-shelf racing around the globe. The lineups for many other Breeders' Cup races were firmed up in races at Belmont Park, Churchill Downs and Santa Anita, with added action at a few other tracks.
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Fuel was added to the fire of a rapidly developing issue: Breeders' Cup is conducting proceedings to determine whether trainer Bob Baffert, whose horses have returned several drug positives in the past year, should be allowed to participate in the World Championships at Del Mar on Nov. 5-6.
Baffert added to several likely Breeders' Cup favorites in his barn with "Win and You're In" scores during the weekend by Corniche, Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit and Private Mission.
After Corniche earned a guaranteed berth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Baffert said, "We're just going to let the process play itself out and not think about that now. The main thing is to keep them healthy and have them ready for the next dance. I just focus on these horses day in and day out."
On the international scene, upsets were the rule on the Arc undercard, in Australia and in the Sun Chariot Stakes in England. A new sprint hero emerged in Japan.
Hold on tight. Here we go:
The Arc
Torquator Tasso vanquished the best the rest of Europe and the British Isles could muster in Sunday's stirring 100th edition of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, trailing behind him questions about the rest of the season's international schedule.
His connections, celebrating the 70-1 upset win, weren't immediately discussing plans although the Arc winner gets an automatic "Win and You're In" reservation for the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf.
His Arc win makes the colt invaluable for the German breeding industry so retirement could claim the 4-year-old. But it also triggers a massive bonus should Torquator Tasso win the Japan Cup in November. The rich Longines Hong Kong Vase or Cup also beckon in December.
Tarnawa, who pipped St Leger winner Hurricane Lane for second in the Arc, might be available to defend her Longines Breeders' Cup Turf crown.
"The Breeders' Cup Turf again or the Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares (Turf) would be considered," Racing Post quoted Tarnawa's trainer, Dermot Weld, as saying.
Adayar, who finished fourth, Snowfall, who reported sixth, and Chrono Genesis, seventh, qualified for Breeders' Cup slots in earlier "Win and You're In" races.
Neither Adayar nor Chrono Genesis is a likely prospect for Del Mar, but Snowfall's trainer, Aiden O'Brien, said he will evaluate her before making a Breeders' Cup call.
The Arc was only one of five Breeders' Cup qualifiers on the Longchamp program. Read about the others in the "Around the world ..." section below.
Classic
Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit had things all his own way in Saturday's $300,000 Grade I Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita. The Protonico colt was right on the lead and extended the advantage as the race unfolded, winning by 5 lengths, well in hand by jockey John Velazquez.
A 55-1 shot, Stilleto Boy, was second, with Express Train third.
Medina Spirit ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.67 for his second straight win after a break following a third-place finish in the Preakness Stakes. The race was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
"That was impressive. He didn't even get tired," Baffert said. "This is the time of the year the 3-year-olds catch up to the older horses. ... The fans came out to see this horse, and they are rooting for him. I could tell by the crowd noise."
If Saturday's Grade III Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs had been any easier for him, Knicks Go could have won it running backwards.
With Joel Rosario along for the ride, the current Breeders' Cup favorite took the lead rounding the first turn, slowed things down to a crawl and never faced a serious challenge. Despite the dawdling early pace, he missed the track record for 1 1/8 miles by only a half-second while winning by 4 lengths.
The victory was his third straight since finishing fourth in the Met Mile in June and sets him up as a likely favorite, along with 3-year-old stablemate Essential Quality, as a potential favorite for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
"Well, sure," trainer Brad Cox said of the Del Mar race. "That's his trip. That's what we're going to do -- take it to 'em and see if it works."
At Belmont Park, Art Collector went right to the front and kept on going in the $500,000 Grade I Woodward Stakes and won by 1 1/2 lengths over Maxfield.
Dr Post was along for third as Art Collector, a Bruce Lunsford homebred 4-year-old son of Bernardini, finished the one-turn 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.22 with Luis Saez up.
Art Collector, who finished eighth in last year's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, entered the Woodward after victories in the Alydar Stakes at Saratoga and the Grade II Charles Town Classic.
Maxfield, a 4-year-old Godolphin homebred son of Street Sense, won six of his first seven starts, but now has finished second twice in a row. He was second to Knicks Go in the Whitney in his last start.
Winning trainer Bill Mott said going from three turns at Charles Town to one turn in the Woodward showed Art Collector is "a pretty smart horse. He has a great disposition because it didn't confuse him."
Mott said he will consult with owner Bruce Lunsford about the Breeders' Cup Classic, adding, "I'm not afraid. He makes the final decision, but I don't know what we have to lose. I'd run him a mile and a quarter. A mile and an eighth hasn't been a problem for him, so why would I cut him back?"
Distaff
Private Mission stalked the pace in Sunday's $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita, took charge when called on by jockey Flavien Prat and rolled home first by 2 1/4 lengths, earning a "Win and You're In" spot in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff.
As Time Goes By was second, another 2 1/4 lengths in front of Miss Bigly.
Private Mission notched her third win from four starts. Embattled trainer Bob Baffert handles the top two finishers.
On Friday at Churchill Downs, Crazy Beautiful tracked down pacesetting favorite Played Hard in the stretch run of the $160,000 Seneca Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, winning by a neck over that one.
Crazy Beautiful, a Liam's Map filly, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.25 with Brian Hernandez Jr. riding for trainer Kenny McPeek.
Sprint / Dirt Mile
Two races after the Lukas Classic, trainer Cox and jockey Rosario completed a stakes double as Plainsman rallied from off the pace in the $300,000 Grade III Ack Ack, found room on the inside to take the lead a furlong out and won by 1 length over the favorite, previously undefeated Beau Liam.
Plainsman, a 6-year-old son of Flatter, also could be headed to the Breeders' Cup after finishing the one-turn mile in 1:33.85.
"We'll talk it over and come up with a game plan," Cox said. "See who shows up in California and see if it makes sense."
Dr. Schivel surged quickly to the lead in Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Santa Anita Sprint Championship and kicked clear to a 3 1/4 lengths -- even though the right rein broke early in the race. Old rivals Flagstaff and C Z Rocket finished second and third, a head apart.
Dr. Schivel, a Violence colt, ran 6 furlongs in 1:09.44 with Flavien Prat at the damaged controls, capturing a "Win and You're In" spot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Ce Ce, the huge favorite, took control in the stretch drive of Sunday's $100,000 Grade III Chillingworth Stakes at Santa Anita, drawing off with ease under Victor Espinoza and winning by 5 lengths. On Deck was second, a neck in front of Scotish Star.
Ce Ce, a 5-year-old Elusive Quality mare, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:16.00. She finished fifth in last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff but in her last two races has been going 7 furlongs with better results.
North of the soon-to-reopen border at Woodbine, Amalfi Coast launched a bid with a furlong left in Sunday's $180,000 (Canadian) Ontario Fashion Stakes and rallied by the speed to win by 1 length. Summer Sunday was second, 1 1/4 lengths better than Golden Vision. Amalfi Coast is a 5-year-old Tapizar mare.
Turf
United rolled from the middle of a tightly bunched field in Saturday's $200,000 Grade II John Henry Turf Championship and caught pacesetting Acclimate in the final yards to win by a nose. Acclimate salvaged second by another nose over Friar's Road.
United, a 6-year-old Giant's Causeway gelding, ran 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 1:58.41 for jockey Flavien Prat, winning for the third time in five starts this year. He finished eighth last year at Keeneland.
Tide of the Sea tracked the early pace in Saturday's $100,000 Japan Cup Turf at Laurel Park, got to a daylight lead rounding the stretch turn and cruised home first by 1 3/4 lengths over Hierarchy.
Tide of the Sea, a 5-year-old son of English Channel, ran 1 1/2 miles on firm going in 2:28.19 with Horacio Karamanos in the irons. Both the top two were last seek at Kentucky Downs with Tide of the Sea finishing 11th in the $1 million Grade II Calumet Turf Cup.
Filly & Mare Turf
Going to Vegas doubtless is going to Del Mar after her front-running, 1-length victory in Saturday's $300,000 Grade I Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita, a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
The 4-year-old Goldencents filly, with Umberto Rispoli up, set an even pace and gamely held off the late run of Luck, who finished second by a head. Dogtag was third. Going to Vegas, trained by Richard Baltas, got 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 1:58.84 for her third straight win.
My Sister Nat, the odds-on favorite, rallied wide into the lane in Sunday's $300,000 Grade III Fasig-Tipton Waya Stakes at Belmont Park, kicked by the early speed and ran on to win by 2 1/2 lengths.
Orglandes also ran well late to finish second, a neck in front of pacesetter Always Shopping.
My Sister Nat, a 6-year-old, French-bred mare by Acclamation, got 1 3/8 miles on firm turf in 2:15.37 for jockey Jose Ortiz. Chad Brown is the trainer. My Sister Nat had not won in seven tries since last year's Waya.
Tuned started last of six in Saturday's $100,000 All Along Stakes at Laurel Park, came four-wide to take the lead in the stretch and ran on to win by 3 3/4 lengths. Oyster Box and Sweet Sami D filled the trifecta.
Tuned, a 5-year-old, British-bred daughter of Toronado, ran 1 1/8 miles on firm going in 1:49.43 under Feargal Lynch. Graham Motion trains for Al Shaqab Racing.
Turf Mile
Mo Forza came running late to capture Saturday's $200,000 Grade II City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita by 1/2 length over Smooth Like Strait. Hit the Road was just a head farther back in third.
Mo Forza, a 5-year-old son of Uncle Mo, got the 1 mile on firm going in 1:32.45 for jockey Flavien Prat. The Peter Miller trainee won this race last year, then was idle for 10 months before returning Aug. 21 to win the Grade II Del Mar Mile, also narrowly over Smooth Like Strait and Hit the Road.
"I was very worried the first minute and 30 seconds," Miller said. "I felt a lot better the last two and a half seconds. Our next stop is the Breeders' Cup."
Turf Sprint
Lieutenant Dan looked like a sure winner after crossing the main track off the hillside turf course in Friday's $200,000 Grade II Eddie D. Stakes at Santa Anita.
But then, the 5-year-old Grazen gelding started to drift out and just held on to win by 1/2 length over a closing Snapper Sinclair. Chaos Theory was a long shot third as Lieutenant Dan finished the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:11.74.
The Steven Miyadi trainee was away from the races for more than a year, but now has won all three starts since returning in July.
Lieutenant Dan earned a "Win and You're In" berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, but Miyadi sounded dubious. "I don't feel he's a real miler against top horses, and I consider the 6 1/2 furlongs a mile. So, I was worried about that. Down in Del Mar, you need a good post inside and it's a different race," Miyadi said.
Arrest Me Red shook off an early challenge from Guildsman in Saturday's $200,000 Grade III Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational and led through the latter half of the race, winning by 1 length over Pulsate. Chewing Gum was third.
Arrest Me Red, a 3-year-old Pioneerof the Nile colt facing older rivals, ran 6 furlongs on the firm inner turf course in 1:07.86. Irad Ortiz Jr. had the mount for trainer Wesley Ward.
Xy Speed tracked the early speed in Saturday's $100,000 Laurel Dash, moved to the lead inside the early speed at the top of the lane, and then held off the late charge of Battle Station to win by a neck. Cannons Roar was another neck back in third.
Xy Speed, a 5-year-old First Samurai gelding, finished 5 1/2 furlongs on firm going in 1:02.45.
Sunday at Santa Anita, Zero Tolerance rallied five-wide to reach the front in the $100,000 Unzip Me Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and won by 1 length over Carpe Fortuna. The favorite, Burgoo Alley, was a close third.
Zero Tolerance, a Mizzen Mast filly, ran 6 1/2 furlongs down the hillside course in 1:11.67. It was her second win from three starts for trainer Peter Miller.
Juvenile
Jack Christopher raced just back of the early leaders in Saturday's $500,000 Grade I Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park, surged to a big lead early in the stretch run and cruised home first by 2 3/4 lengths over Commandperformance. Wit came from last of six to finish third.
Jack Christopher, a Munnings colt, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:37.31 with Jose Ortiz up for trainer Chad Brown. It was his second start, following an 8 3/4-lengths thrashing of six other maidens at Saratoga Aug. 28.
The Champagne, in its 150th running, was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Corniche, the odds-on favorite, ran to his notices in Friday's $300,000 Grade I American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita, leading from the start to win by 3 1/4 lengths.
The Quality Road colt, trained by Bob Baffert, completed the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.75, backing up a 4 1/2-length score in his career debut at Del Mar on Sept. 4. The race was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and most likely will make Corniche the favorite for that.
Corniche was a $1.5 million purchase in April at the Ocala 2-year-olds sale, so much is expected.
"You never know until you send them two turns whether they'll be able handle it or not, and it looked like he handled it pretty well," Baffert said. "It was a really good race all around."
Juvenile Fillies
It kind of was easy for Ain't Easy in Friday's $200,000 Grade II Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita. The Into Mischief filly was on the lead halfway through the 1 1/16 miles and drew off from there to win by 4 3/4 lengths.
Electric Ride was second and the odds-on favorite, Grace Adler, finished fifth, lacking the late punch that helped her win her first two races.
Ain't Easy, with Joel Rosario up, got 1 1/16 miles on a fast strip in 1:45.20 and remains undefeated after two starts. She earned a "Win and You're In" spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
The East Coast favorite for the Juvenile fillies likely was locked up in Sunday's $400,000 Grade I Frizette at Belmont Park. Echo Zulu, a Gun Runner filly, the odds-on favorite, ran like she was shot from a gun, leading from the first strides and winning off by 7 1/4 lengths.
Ricardo Santana Jr. was gearing her down in the final sixteenth. Gerrymander and A Mo Reay filled out the trifecta.
Echo Zulu, trained by Steve Asmussen, also won the Grade I Spinaway at Saratoga, and now is 3-for-3. The Frizette was a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In."
Juvenile Turf
While Brad Cox was at Churchill Downs saddling Knicks Go, his team handled Ready to Purrform in a name-appropriate finish in Saturday's $150,000 Laurel Futurity.
The Kitten's Joy colt out of the More Than Ready mare Elementar came from last of nine to win by 3 1/4 lengths, running 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.03 with Jevian Toledo in the irons. He has won both his starts. Cute name.
Sunday at Belmont Park, Annapolis cruised in the wake of Portfolio Company through the first half of the $200,000 Grade II Pilgrim Stakes, took over from that one and went on to win by a head.
Limited Liability was another 5 lengths back in third and Doctor Jeff completed the order of finish.
Annapolis, a War Front colt, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.04 with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding for Todd Pletcher and owner/breeder Bass Racing LLC. He remains undefeated after two starts.
And Sunday at Santa Anita, Mackinnon clipped heels while in tight quarters in the first turn of the $200,000 Zuma Beach Stakes, raced off the lead and closed quickly late in the race to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Silver Surfer settled for second with Picota third.
Mackinnon, an American Pharoah colt trained by Doug O'Neill, now has three wins on the trot, including the Del Mar Juvenile Turf last time out.
Juvenile Fillies Turf
Consumer Spending, the odds-on favorite, asserted herself in the stretch run of Saturday's $150,000 Selima Stakes at Laurel Park, passing the early speed with authority en route to a 2 1/2-lengths victory. She's Like Thunder came thundering along from last to finish second.
Consumer Spending, a More Than Ready filly trained by Chad Brown, completed 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.21 with Victor Carrasco in the irons. Brown said Sunday, "She's certainly a horse with a bright future. ... We'll see what we do from here. The [Breeders' Cup] Juvenile Fillies Turf has to be considered at this point, given the way she won yesterday."
Sail By sailed by the breakaway longshot pacesetter with a furlong to run in Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Miss Grillo at Belmont Park and held off the closers to win by 1 length. Kinchen was second, a head in front of the odds-on favorite, McKulick.
Sail By ran 1 1/16 miles on the firm inner turf course in 1:43.21 with Junior Alvarado getting the leg up from trainer Leah Gyarmati. The daughter of Australian-bred Astern won for the second time in four starts.
Juvenile Turf Sprint
Larry Rivelli, nine-time training champion at Arlington Park, didn't take much time to mourn the loss of that showplace. Instead, he sent One Timer out to Santa Anita, where the Trappe Shot gelding won for the third time without a loss, taking Friday's $100,000 Speakeasy Stakes by 3/4 length over Time to Party. One Timer ran 5 furlongs on firm turf in 55.45 with E.T. Baird up.
Around the world, around the clock:
France
There were six Group 1 events on Sunday's Longchamp program, and exactly one favorite managed to win. The upsets ranged up to Torquator Tasso's 70-1 in the Arc.
Angel Bleu, a Dark Angel colt closely related through his dam to former international superstar Highland Reel, earned a "Win and You're In" spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with a determined victory in Saturday's Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.
Angel Bleu, with Frankie Dettori up, skimmed the rail in mid-pack as Godolphin runner Noble Truth showed the way. Angel Bleu picked things up at the 200 meters and used the last 100 meters to run to victory.
Coolmore's hope and race favorite Ancient Rome, was off slowly but made quick progress late to finish third. Ralph Beckett trains the winner for Marc Chan and said he could wheel back in the Darley Dewhurst next weekend.
Zellie was at the back of the field turning for home in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac for 2-year-old fillies, got moving 300 meters out, dropped to the rail and ran on to outfinish Times Square by 1 1/4 lengths.
The favorite, Fleur D'Iris, faded from the lead and defeated only one rival.
Zellie, a Wootton Basset filly trained by Andre Fabre, earned her first Group 1 score and now boasts four wins and two seconds from six starts. She qualified for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, but trainer Andre Fabre said her season is over.
Rougir, after making up lots of ground through the stretch, put her nose in front of Grand Glory in the final strides to win the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera Longines. Eudaimonia was third and Audarya, the favorite and reigning Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf champion, finished fourth.
Rougir, a 3-year-old filly by Territories trained by Cedric Rossi, went to the post at odds north of 30-1 and got her first win of the year and first in a Group 1 event, earning a "Win and You're In" spot in the Maker's Mark Breeder's Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
A Case of You was along in the final strides to capture the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l'Abbaye Longchamp over Air Devalse. The favorite in the 5-furlongs dash, Suesa, raced in mid-pack and finished fifth.
A Case of You, an Irish-bred and Irish-raced 3-year-old colt by Hot Streak, had been improving steadily since finishing up the track in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and was last seen finishing second in the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Sept. 12.
The race was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, and trainer Adrian McGuiness said there is a "very, very big possibility" he might accept that engagement.
A shred of the normal returned to Longchamp in the final race as old reliable Space Blues, the favorite, rallied from off the pace to win the Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Foret as the solid favorite.
The 5-year-old son of Dubawi came like a rocket ship through the final 100 meters of the 1,400-meters test to score by 2 lengths over Pearls Galore. It was his third win of the year and 10th overall.
The going at Longchamp was very soft on Friday, and the Group 1 Prix du Cadron was run in a time a full 10 seconds off standard -- perfect conditions for Trueshan to once again defeat Stradivarius. And so he did.
The two were both in contention 200 meters out in the 1 1/2-miles test but Trueshan kept going while Stradivarius paid the price of the soggy turf, fading to finish second, 4 1/2 lengths back. The result was similar to last year's British Champion Long Distance Cup, run over similar testing conditions at Ascot.
Asked if the race might have been the last for 8-year-old Stradivarius, owner Bjorn Nielsen said, according to Racing Post, "I don't know. He has been going a long time. He was so dominant across '18, '19 and '20, but age will ultimately get to you, and he obviously isn't as dominant as he once was. ... Again, I'm not saying that's today, but that day comes for every horse, even him."
Japan
Put a circle around the name Pixie Knight, whether you watch the races in Japan, Hong Kong or elsewhere. The 3-year-old comprehensively whipped older rivals, including international star Danon Smash, in Sunday's Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse, and his connections are looking at the whole world for targets.
The son of Maurice, himself a superstar at home and in Hong Kong in 2015 and 2016, burst through between rivals turning for home in the Sprinters Stakes and accelerated up the sharp incline to the finish, winning by 2 lengths over Resistencia, herself an established sprint star in Japan. Danon Smash faded through the stretch to finish sixth.
Jockey Yuichi Fukunaga said Pixie Knight exceeded his high expectations and likely has more to give.
"From the beginning of his career, I've always believed in the strength and potential this colt obtains and have voiced it too," the jockey said. "But, to be honest, I never thought he would give such a strong performance and land a Grade 1 win this fast. He's still not physically balanced yet, but he will improve, mature and definitely become a target to beat in numerous future sprint races in or outside the country."
England
Saffron Beach made all in Saturday's Group 1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket and the favorite, Mother Earth, wasn't able to cut into the lead in the late going, finishing second by 3 lengths. Dreamloper was third, just a head back of the Breeders' Cup designee.
Saffron Beach, a 3-year-old New Bay filly, won for the second time in a row after a going through a mid-season rocky stretch.
Winning trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam, who scored her first Group 1 victory, said Saffron Beach "won't be going to the Breeders' Cup as there's nothing for her. I believe there is the QEII Challenge Cup at Keeneland on Oct. 16, which has been discussed, but we'll have to see how she is on Monday."
Australia
A rash of weekend upsets helps shape the prospects for the upcoming springtime classics down under.
Incentivize was all out to win Saturday's Group 1 TAB Turnbull Stakes at Flemington by 1/2 length over 25-1 long shot Young Werther and another 1 1/4 lengths from 100-1 chance Chapada. The favorite, Verry Elleegant, finished fourth.
To be fair, the upset was a minor one and the result likely will anoint Incentivize as favorite, or thereabouts, for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.
Private Eye, at odds of 10-1, was up in the final strides to win by a nose over 11-1 chance Aramayo in Saturday's TAB Epsom Handicap at Randwick. The favorite, Riodini, finished 11th.
Also at Randwick, Never Been Kissed, at 40-1, outfinished Hinged by a neck in the Group 1 Darley Flight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies with the favorite, Startantes, third.
And, completing the hat trick plus one of upsets, Montefilia edged the favorite, Entente, by a short head in the Group 1 Heineken Metropolitan at Randwick.
Meanwhile, back in North America:
Woodbine
The Canadian Triple Crown shifted back to Woodbine Sunday, but on the turf for the $400,000 Breeders' Stakes. British Royalty stole the show, emerging from between rivals in the stretch to win by 4 lengths at odds of nearly 25-1. Riptide Rock, second in the series-starting Queen's Plate, was second again.
Plate winner Safe Conduct set the early pace, then tired over the yielding turf to finish eighth. British Royalty, an English Channel gelding more accustomed to the claiming ranks, won for the second time in nine starts.
Belmont Park
Myhartblongstodady dueled for the lead in Friday's $125,000 John Hettinger Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares, then inched away to win by 3/4 length over late-running Ice Princess.
Myhartblongstodady, a 6-year-old Scat Daddy mare, ran 1 1/8 miles on the firm inner turf course in 1:48.20. Jose Lezcano rode.
Woodbine
Munnyfor Ro started well near the aft of the pack in Saturday's $250,000 (Canadian) Wonder Where Stakes for Canadian-foaled 3-year-old fillies, made up all the ground in the stretch and scored by 1 1/2 length from Miss Marie.
Munnyfor Ro, a Munnings filly, ran 1 1/4 miles on good turf in 2:05.36 with Justin Stein up.
