9-1 shot Zagora kept the streak of Breeders' Cup upsets alive on Friday afternoon when she out-kicked Marketing Mix in the final furlong of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (gr. I) to win by about three-quarters of a length.
Ridden to victory by Javier Castellano, Zagora secured a perfect position early on, down along the rail in the fourth position as Star Billing and Marketing Mix led the way through fractions of :24.70 and :48.72. In Lingerie was poised three-wide on the outside in third, while Stormy Lucy, The Fugue, Up, and Nahrain were in mid-pack. I'm A Dreamer, Ridasiyna, and Lady of Shamrock were the early trailers.
The positions remained relatively unchanged down the backstretch, but rounding the final turn, Marketing Mix moved up to take the lead from Star Billing and appeared to be on her way to victory. The Fugue was full of run, but lacked racing room and had no time to extract herself.
But then, Zagora dived to the outside and unleashed a powerful stretch kick. With swift acceleration, she surpassed Marketing Mix and drove clear for victory. The final time for ten furlongs was 1:59.70.
The Fugue finished third without ever getting a clear path, while Ridasiyna rallied well late to be fourth.
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