Horse Racing News

Round Pond wins Breeders' Cup Distaff

Nov 4, 2006, 21:35 GMT

Louisville, KY - Round Pond, ridden by Edgar Prado, rallied along the rail to capture the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff for fillies and mares.

The race saw tragedy occur to post-time favorite Pine Island, who dislocated her left front ankle. She fell to the track on the backstretch, sending jockey Javier Castellano to the ground. Pine Island was later euthanized. Castellano is set to ride Bernardini in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Morning-line favorite Fleet Indian was pulled up during the race and did not finish.

Healthy Addiction set the pace with Sharp Lisa and Pool Land pressing the leader. Round Pond was never far from the lead and drew even coming out of the turn for home.

Down the stretch, Round Pond found room along the inside to avoid trouble. Asi Siempre, with jockey Julien Leparoux, could not find an opening near the rail and moved to the far outside. However, he interfered with eventual fourth- place finisher Balletto.

At the wire, Round Pond was first by 5 1/2 lengths over Asi Siempre. Happy Ticket was third and Balletto was fourth. Asi Siempre was then disqualified for interference and placed fourth.

The time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:50.50.

Round Pond is owned by Fox Hill Farms and trained by Michael Matz of Barbaro fame. The four-year-old filly won for the third time in four starts this year. She picked up $1 million to bring her career bankroll to more than $1.7 million.

Round Pond returned $29.80, $14.00 and $9.00. Happy Ticket paid $14.20 and $9.20, and Balletto paid $5.60 for show.

© 2006 The Sports Network