2018 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

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Race Info
History

City of Light, a 4-year-old son of Quality Road, took control early in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and won in commanding fashion by 2 3/4 lengths to give trainer Michael McCarthy his first win in the World Championships.

Bred in Kentucky by Ann Marie Farm, the colt was a $710,000 purchase at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale by Walnut Green, on behalf of William Warren Jr., his wife Suzanne, and their sons John-Kelly and Andrew. City of Light has now won three Grade 1 stakes and earned more than $1.66 million.

“I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting for this,” said McCarthy, a former assistant for Todd Pletcher. “I thought he would love this racetrack. Backing up to one turn, where his best races were, I thought he would run away and [he] did just that.”

City of Light seized the lead just before the first quarter-mile after a break from the inside post. He took the field through brisk fractions of :22.64, :45.16, and 1:09.03. He was stalked by Firenze Fire and favorite Catalina Cruiser, who tracked wide throughout. At the top the stretch, City of Light under Javier Castellano found another gear and drew away easily.—Eric Mitchell

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:33:41
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 6 1/2 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
11/03/2023	Cody's Wish Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Junior Alvarado Owner / Godolphin, LLC	William I. Mott	Junior Alvarado	Godolphin, LLC
11/04/2022	Cody's Wish Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Junior Alvarado Owner / Godolphin, LLC	William I. Mott	Junior Alvarado	Godolphin, LLC
11/05/2021	Life Is Good Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr. Owner / CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC	Todd A. Pletcher	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC
11/06/2020	Knicks Go Trainer / Brad H. Cox Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Korea Racing Authority	Brad H. Cox	Joel Rosario	Korea Racing Authority
11/01/2019	Spun to Run Trainer / Juan Carlos Guerrero Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr. Owner / Robert P. Donaldson	Juan Carlos Guerrero	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	Robert P. Donaldson
11/02/2018	City of Light Trainer / Michael W. McCarthy Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Warren, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William K.	Michael W. McCarthy	Javier Castellano	Warren, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William K.
11/02/2017	Battle of Midway Trainer / Jerry Hollendorfer Jockey / Flavien Prat Owner / Don Alberto Stable and WinStar Farm LLC	Jerry Hollendorfer	Flavien Prat	Don Alberto Stable and WinStar Farm LLC
11/03/2016	Tamarkuz Trainer / Kiaran P. McLaughlin Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Shadwell Stable	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Mike E. Smith	Shadwell Stable
10/29/2015	Liam's Map Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Teresa Viola Racing Stables and West Point Thoroughbreds	Todd A. Pletcher	Javier Castellano	Teresa Viola Racing Stables and West Point Thoroughbreds
10/30/2014	Goldencents Trainer / Leandro Mora Jockey / Rafael Bejarano Owner / W. C. Racing	Leandro Mora	Rafael Bejarano	W. C. Racing
10/31/2013	Goldencents Trainer / Doug F. O'Neill Jockey / Rafael Bejarano Owner / W. C. Racing Kenney Dave and RAP Racing	Doug F. O'Neill	Rafael Bejarano	W. C. Racing Kenney Dave and RAP Racing
11/02/2012	Tapizar Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen Jockey / Corey S. Nakatani Owner / Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC	Steven M. Asmussen	Corey S. Nakatani	Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
11/04/2011	Caleb's Posse Trainer / Donnie K. Von Hemel Jockey / Rajiv Maragh Owner / McNeill Stables and Cheyenne Stables, LLC	Donnie K. Von Hemel	Rajiv Maragh	McNeill Stables and Cheyenne Stables, LLC
11/05/2010	Dakota Phone Trainer / Jerry Hollendorfer Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Carver, John, Halo Farms, Todaro, George and Hollendorfer, Jerry	Jerry Hollendorfer	Joel Rosario	Carver, John, Halo Farms, Todaro, George and Hollendorfer, Jerry
11/06/2009	Furthest Land Trainer / Michael J. Maker Jockey / Julien R. Leparoux Owner / Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.	Michael J. Maker	Julien R. Leparoux	Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.
10/24/2008	Albertus Maximus Trainer / Vladimir Cerin Jockey / Garrett K. Gomez Owner / Chase, Brandon L. and Marianne	Vladimir Cerin	Garrett K. Gomez	Chase, Brandon L. and Marianne
10/25/2007	Corinthian Trainer / James A. Jerkens Jockey / Kent J. Desormeaux Owner / Centennial Farms	James A. Jerkens	Kent J. Desormeaux	Centennial Farms