Huge Day for Lambholm South Grads as Fort Larned Wins Thrilling BC Classic
Nov 3rd, 2012
by Ron Mitchell
Janis R. Whitham's Fort Larned led from gate to wire and held off a sustained stretch bid by Mucho Macho Man to win the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) before a crowd of 55,123 at Santa Anita Park Nov. 3 (VIDEO).
In one of the most thrilling races in Classic history, the Ian Wilkes-trained Whitney Invitational Handicap (gr. I) winner raced the 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.11 on a fast track and gave jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. a treasured birthday present.
The winner, a 4-year-old son of E Dubai produced from the Broad Brush mare Arlucea, paid $20.80, $9.80, and $6.80. Mucho Macho Man, in a game effort under Mike Smith, finished a half-length behind the winner and returned $6.60 and $4.60. Flat Out, who finished 6 1/2 lengths back in third under Joel Rosario, paid $5.20. The $1 exacta was worth $62.70.
In winning the Classic, Fort Larned earned $2,7 million to increase his bankroll to $3,681,236, and improved his record to 8-2-1 from 19 career starts.
