Godolphin's Fantastic Light continued Europe's memorable night by claiming the Turf to give Frankie Dettori his third Breeders' Cup victory in New York this evening. The five-year-old, controversially switched from the Classic earlier this week, cruised to the front well over a furlong out in the mile-and-a-half contest and held off Aidan O'Brien's fast-finishing Milan by three-quarters of a length in a new course-record time of 2m 24.36 secs.
Dettori, whose previous wins at the meeting had come on Barathea in 1994 and Daylami two years ago, admitted afterwards: "That's a relief. I was always in control and he has got a good turn of foot. He's the best, that's all I can say. He was always travelling super. He did lose a bit of concentration in front and he was looking at everything but I was never in danger of getting caught."
Fantastic Light, the 7-5 favourite, had finished only fifth in this race last year but Dettori added: "Like good wines, he gets better with age!" Kinane on Milan said: "He was a little bit unlucky because I got a little bit tangled up on the turn as Mutamam tightened up on us.
Mick Kinane rode the Aidan O'Brien trained Johannesburg to victory in the Juvenile, while French filly Banks Hill earlier claimed the first European win with a highly impressive win in the Filly & Mare Turf. Europe's three victories equalled the continent's best ever return at the meeting, matching the triumphs of Arazi, Miss Alleged and Sheikh Albadou at Churchill Downs in 1991.
Filed by Shane Murray
