St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE), trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by his 18-year-old son, Joseph O’Brien, settled behind the early pace early, found racing room in the middle of the stretch, and put away his rivals with a strong late run to win the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf by open lengths. In the process, Joseph O’Brien becomes the youngest jockey to win a Breeders’ Cup race.
Sea Moon (GB) ran on for second, while Brilliant Speed runs a huge race to finish third. Race favorite Sarafina (FR) could only muster a fourth place finish.
St Nicholas Abbey is a four-year-old son of Montjeu (IRE) out of a Sure Blade mare (Leaping Wager (GB)). He is a multiple Group winner in Europe, including a win in the Group 1 Coronation Cup and Group 1 Racing Post Trophy. St Nicholas Abbey owned by Irish racing giant Ballydoyle.
Payouts:
1-St Nicholas Abbey: $15.60, $7.20, $5.40
7-Sea Moon (GB): $5.00, $4.20
8-Brilliant Speed: $7.00
$2 Exacta: $76.20
$0.50 Trifecta: $305.45
$0.10 Superfecta: $226.94
$1 Daily Double: $54.60
$0.50 Pick 3: $132.15
Fractions:
1/4: 24.92
1/2: 50.09
3/4: 1:14.67
Mile: 1:39.93
Finish: 2:28.85