Afleet Again used a grinding late run to win a grueling version of the Breeders' Cup Marathon at Churchill Downs at monster odds of 41/1. The mile and three-quarters race saw extremely fast early fractions, causing the pacesetters to tire badly in the stretch. Birdrun finished 2nd, while Giant Oak held for 3rd.
Afleet Again is a four-year-old son of former Belmont Stakes and Preakness winner Afleet Alex. He is trained by Robert Reid and ridden by Cornelio Velasquez.
Two horses, AU Miner and Meeznah, were eased during the race. More on those two horses when information is available.
UPDATED: Here is the official statement from on of the on-call vets (via the Breeders' Cup) regarding the two horses eased during the Marathon:
DR. MCILWRAITH: The Number 3 horse Meeznah was eased due to fatigue, but everything else looks fine.
A.U. Miner has sustained a clinical diagnosis, sustained bilateral sesamoid fractures in the left front fetlock joint. It's currently back being assessed and will be radiographed. We'll have more followup later.
Payouts:
8-Afleet Again: $85.20, $35.80, #13.80
1-Birdrun: $7.20, $5.80
5-Giant Oak: $6.80
$2 Exacta: $668.40
$0.50 Trifecta: $1.036.85
$0.10 Superfecta: $1,976.66
$1 Daily Double: $149.80
$0.50 Pick 3: $265.20
Fractions:
1/4: 23.47
1/2: 48.05
3/4: 1:12.65
Mile: 1:38.97
Finish: 3:00.39