LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Drossel-meyer’s upset victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic scrambled the picture for horse of the year, an award that went to Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta the last two years.
Filly Havre de Grace would have wrapped up the honor with a victory in the $5 million Classic at Churchill Downs on Saturday. She finished fourth.
“She sure didn’t do anything to tarnish her reputation,” trainer Larry Jones said.
Havre de Grace had beaten the boys this year in the Woodward at Saratoga. Owner Rick Porter knew his filly could have run in the Ladies’ Classic on Friday as the favorite and likely would have won. But he wanted to make an aggressive push for horse of the year.
It was the first time in 15 starts that Havre de Grace didn’t finish in the money.
Game On Dude, who led most of the way in the Classic before getting beat by 1 1/2 lengths, could have his supporters among the voters.
“He has been kind of under the radar,” jockey Chantal Sutherland said. “I think it would be fair and honorable and I think he’s deserving.”
Drosselmeyer added the Classic to his resume that includes winning the 2010 Belmont Stakes.
“Drosselmeyer showed up again on a big day,” Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said.
