Got Lightsabers?- 1986 Breeders' Cup Classic

A filly against the boys, Horse of the Year in the balance. Sounds like this year right? Actually I'm talking about the 1986 Breeders' Cup Classic. Held at Santa Anita that year, Turkoman, Precisionist and Lady's Secret where gutting it out for Horse of the Year Honors. With Lady's Secret deciding to take on her own sex in the Distaff, it set up a winner take all between defending BC Sprint winner Precisionist a horse who could harness his speed going a mile and a quarer, and Marlboro Handicap winner Turkoman who came off the pace to win his races. Also in the race, was Europe's Triptych who had finished third in the Arc de Triomphe and had won the Irish 2,000 Guineas the first to do so. However, somebody forgot to tell Skywalker that the party was ment for three and not four.

By Relaunch out of the Boldnesian mare Bold Captive, Skywalker had won the Longacres Mile, San Diego Handicap and Mervyn Leroy Handicap in 1986. Add in his Santa Anita Derby the year before, you would think that it would be enough to be one of the favorites. Nope, his morning line was 12-1 compared to Precisionist's 2-1 and Turkoman's 8-5. Triptych was 15-1, but more then likely would have gone off lower if she hadn't to switch surfaces. If Precisionist or Turkoman had won, the surely would have grabbed Horse of the Year honors from Lady's Secret even though the Iron Lady had won the Whitney against the boys earlier that season. Only time would tell weather or not that would come true.

As the gates opened Herat took the early lead into the first turn with Percisionist and Skywalker stalking him. Turkoman was in his typical off the pace postion, waiting for the right time to strike. This was when the real began, as they made their way to the far turn, Skywalker took the lead. The question was could he hold off Percisionist and Turkoman. As they hit the top of the stretch it looked like he would do that, however Turkoman was flying and flying fast. It was too little too late for the son of Alydar though as Skywalker was able to hold on to win the 1986 Breeders' Cup Classic. It was the second win on the day for his jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. Percisionist who was by Crozier would finish third.

In the end Turkoman would be named Champion Older Male, and Lady's Secret not only Champion Older Female, but Horse of the Year. When it came to the shed, Skywalker sired 1993 Champion Older Male Bertrando, Percisionist would be able to sire only 4 fours, and even though she was Secretariat's best offspring, Lady's Secret would be a failure as a broodmare. Turkoman would end up being the broodmare sire to 2001 Horse of the Year Point Given, 2008 Travers winner Colonel John and 2007 KY Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic runner up Hard Spun.

1986 Breeders' Cup winners also included Smile,Manila, Last Tycoon and Capote along with Lady's Secret and (Luke) Skywalker.

Why am I comparing 1986 to this year's BC. The winner will more then likely be Horse of the Year (those who have a chance: Blame, Quality Road, Richard's Kid, Lookin at Lucky, and Zenyatta). Here is a video of the 1986 Classic (there is a bit about a full to Terlingua (dam of Storm Cat) who passed away that year in the first 3:30, so if you want to skip over that you can).

The Weekend Preview this week will be all about the two year olds and will be posted tomorrow.