Florence, KY (Sports Network) - Perfect Drift won the $350,000 Kentucky Cup Classic by a length Saturday, spoiling Congaree"s prep for the Breeders" Cup. With jockey Pat Day in the saddle, Perfect Drift caught the favorite Congaree at the top of the stretch and held on for the win. Perfect Drift, which has won four of six races this year, finished third in the 2002 Kentucky Derby. The $221,500 winner"s share in the Grade 2 Classic put Perfect Drift just over $1 million for the year. Congaree finished third in the 2001 Kentucky Derby and Preakness. After winning the Hollywood Gold Cup in July, Congaree was held out of the Pacific Classic last month at Del Mar. This was to be his prep for the Breeders" Cup Classic on October 25 at Santa Anita. Perfect Drift covered the 1 1/8 miles in a 1:50 2/5 on a track rated fast. That compares with Hansel"s track record of 1:46 3/5 in the 1991 Spiral Stakes. Perfect Drift, the second favorite, paid $4.80 and $2.10; Congaree returned $2.10 to place. There was no show wagering on the five-horse field.
