Hurricane becomes the 3rd triple crown winner to win Breeders Classic

The 2022 triple crown hero, Hurricane, made it a pillar to post victory in the Breeders Classic on Independence night in front of a sizable crowd, which was made up of locals and scores of tourists, as the Breeders Classic was run alongside the International Jockey Challenge races.

The Guy Smith-owned Hurricane, who she also bred at her Spring Head farm in St Thomas, became the third triple crown winner since Coo Bird in 1989, and Areutalkintome who swept the triple crown in 2009, to have won the Breeders Classic. Hurricane also became the sixth Derby winner to win this race after the two triple crown winners before.

Jockey Antonio Bishop broke Hurricane sharply to the lead at the 1800-metre start, followed by this year’s Derby runner-up Delicia’s Angel coming down the grandstand for the first time on a firm track. All eyes were on this year’s Derby winner Papillion, who was mid-pack.

Hurricane quickened, turning for home, as Delicia’s Angel had faded before a fast-finishing Filmores, which was going after a hattrick of wins now running in the silks of Mr. Arjay. It had appeared out of the pack but was too late to catch the winner, Hurricane.

Filmores hang on for second, Queen of the South third and Papillion fourth. The winner stopped the clock in 154.4.

It was the first time the winning connections of owner Gay Smith, trainer Edward Walcott and jockey Antonio Bishop had won the Breeders Classic.

Races will continue on Friday, December 6. (KL)