The 2006 Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup > Classic > 2006
The 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic
Winner: Invasor
The 2006 Breeders’ Cup World Championships took place at Churchill Downs in Lexington, Kentucky. It was the 23rd edition of the premier North American horse racing event and featured a number of exciting races and finishes. One of the highlights of the card was the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1).
The $5 million Classic was the main event card of the Breeders’ Cup and featured a field of 13 horses, led by pre-race favorite Bernardini at odds of 11-10. It was longshot Brother Derek who set the early pace with fractions of 46.60 and 1:11.11, though. Bernardini, however, did take control during the top of the stretch, but quickly grew tired. That left an opening for Invasor, who was the race’s third choice at 7-1 odds, to take the lead inside the 1 1/16 pole on his way to a one-length win. He was clocked in at a winning time of 2:02.18. Bernardini finished second, and 28-1 longshot Premium Tap came in third.
“We have had a great year, but today was an exceptional ride from the 11 post, to get over,” said Invasor’s trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “To be in the two-path around the first-turn was unbelievable. [Jockey Fernando Jara] rode a great race. He has no fear, he's never nervous, and he rides very well with those colors on. Bernardini is a great horse, but there was one better today. Invasor had only been beaten once and he's obviously a great horse, too, and hopefully we'll look back and wonder how I got him beat in Dubai.”
It was Invasor’s first career Breeders’ Cup race and win. He entered the Classic with a three-race winning streak—all grade one stakes races (Pimlico Special Handicap, Suburban Handicap, Whitney Handicap).
Invasor paid $15.40 to win, $5.60 to place, and $4.60 to show. Bernardini returned $3.40 to place and $3.00 to show. Premium Tap paid $8.80 for his third-place showing.