MassCap News
2008 MASSCAP PART OF BREEDERS' CUP CHALLENGE
Race Winner Will Be Automatic Qualifier for Breeders' Cup Classic
The historic Massachusetts Handicap at Suffolk Downs will be one of five Classic Division races and one of 57 international stakes races in this year's Breeders' Cup Challenge, a series of automatic qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup World Championships, the Breeders' Cup and Suffolk Downs announced on Thursday, February 14.
The MassCap, which will carry a guaranteed purse of $500,000, joins four prestigious Grade I stakes - the Whitney Handicap (Saratoga), Pacific Classic (Del Mar), Jockey Club Gold Cup (Belmont Park) and Goodwood Stakes (Oak Tree at Santa Anita) - as qualifying races for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, the richest event of the two-day, 14-race, $25.5 million Breeders' Cup World Championships to be held October 24 and 25 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA.
In the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" format, the winners of the MassCap and the four other Classic Division races will automatically qualify for entry in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
"We are both honored and excited that the MassCap is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge and to be included with such a prestigious group of races in the Classic Division," said Richard Fields, the largest shareholder of Suffolk Downs. "The MassCap has an illustrious past and its association with the Breeders' Cup Classic can only add to its strong tradition."
Two of the last 10 MassCap winners, Cigar and Skip Away, have gone on to win the Breeders' Cup Classic. A total of 11 starters from the last 10 MassCaps have proceeded to compete in the Breeders' Cup Classic in the same year. In addition to Cigar and Skip Away, the list includes Funny Cide, Macho Uno, Evening Attire, Include, Vision and Verse, Gander and Behrens.
The 66th MassCap will be run on Saturday, September 20, 2008, five weeks prior to the Breeders' Cup Classic. First run in 1935, the MassCap made a triumphant return in 2007 when new ownership brought it back after a two-year absence. Last year's race was won by Grade I winner Brass Hat.
"The MassCap is a key component of ownership's commitment to providing a first-class racing experience to the passionate sports fans in the Boston market," said Suffolk Downs Chief Operating Officer Chip Tuttle. "Being part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge certainly supports this vision."
BRASS HAT POUNCES ON PACESETTERS TO WIN $500,000 MASSCAP
Brass Hat stormed from off the pace to nail the frontrunners inside the final furlong of the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap, winning the richest and most historic horse race of the Suffolk Downs season by 3/4 lengths.
Brass Hat returned $10.20, 3.80 and 3.00 to his winning backers in the crowd of 19,191, the largest attendance at the East Boston racecourse since the legendary Cigar won the MassCap in 1996.
Heavily favored Fairbanks was second, returning 2.20 and 2.20. Dr. Pleasure was third at 2.80. The final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:49.72.
"Our plan was not to let Fairbanks get an easy lead, keep [Brass Hat] happy and get a good position," said winning jockey Willie Martinez. "Since we had the outside post, I was able to track everybody and dictate the race. Once I got to the first turn, we knew how good he was going to finish the race, so I was very confident that there was only one horse to beat [Fairbanks] going down the backside."
Fairbanks, backed to odds-on favoritism, stumbled slightly at the start, but second-place rider Richard Migliore said that was not the reason for failing to run down the resilient Brass Hat.
"I don't really think it cost him," said Migliore. "He recovered, going forward... All in all, my horse ran well, he was second best today, but I think he gave his `B' effort today; I think he's capable of running better."
Fred Bradley, the winning owner, was especially pleased at Brass Hat's effort because he had raised the racehorse himself in partnership with his son, trainer William "Buff" Bradley.
"I can't describe it; he's just special, that's all," Fred Bradley said. "He's a family horse, that's the main thing. Buff and I bought his mare, and we bred it and we foaled it, trained it and everything. It's just been a family operation, and I really appreciate it."
The MassCap undercard consisted of four other stakes races, including the $100,000 James B. Moseley Sprint Handicap. Heavily favored Afrashad ($2.40 to win) scored a decisive victory over his stablemate, Council Member, in a blazing 1:09.05 for six furlongs.
