Longines Breeders' Cup Turf

In winning two earlier Breeders' Cup races Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar, Charlie Appleby experienced varying emotions, watching as a pair of his horses (and nearly a third) were scratched due to unruly gate antics and two runners emerged as victors.

Saturday in the $3,680,000 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, he just watched all the race drama unfold, cheering on Godolphin's blossoming 3-year-old Yibir as he stormed late to catch Broome by a half-length.

"It was a bit more relaxing, anyway," Appleby said, smiling.

All three Breeders’ Cup wins came for Godolphin with sons of Dubawi ridden by William Buick.

Buick needed to call upon all his skill in the Turf, doing his best to coax a headstrong Yibir into settling early. But he was ultimately successful, settling him into 13th-place early in the 14-horse field behind a swift pace set by Tribhuvan.

Tribhuvan led the field through in splits of :48.38, 1:12.41, and 1:36.76. But soon after passing the mile marker, the pacesetter and his nearest challengers were in retreat.

One after another foe began to pick them off, though not defending champion Tarnawa, whose signature late kick was absent.

Instead, it was Broome that surged past the leaders, taking a midstretch lead under Irad Ortiz Jr., seemingly with victory in his sights. But Yibir was finishing even faster, and closing furiously down the center of the course he caught the Aidan O'Brien-trained Broome in the final strides. The winner was timed on firm turf in 2:25.90, a course record.

"Halfway around the home turn I could see Broome had gone, but I was always confident of picking him up," Buick said. Yibir has "an amazing turn of foot and I couldn't pull him up after the line. Amazing horse, and I think he did something today that not many horses can do, so all credit to him."

European-based horses swept the top four positions, with the Roger Varian-trained filly Teona running third and Japan, another O'Brien trainee, checking in fourth. Tarnawa ran 11^th as the 2.10-1 favorite.

Yibir provided the first victory in the Turf for both trainer and jockey. His win was the sixth overall in the Breeders' Cup for Appleby and fifth for Buick.

"I've been coming to Breeders' Cup for many years, and many times things have not gone my way," Buick said. "I understand how hard it is to have winners here so I appreciate every bit of success. The luck has gone my way this year."

Appleby was also delighted with his stable's success, his only poor finisher being Walton Street, who ran ninth in the Turf. Even his two horses scratched at the gate seemed to dodge serious injury.

"A fantastic weekend. I can take a couple of them home fresh," Appleby quipped