Conduit again captures Breeders' Cup Turf

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Odds-on favorite Conduit successfully defended his crown Saturday in the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita. The four-year-old colt covered the 1 1/2 miles in 2:23.75 on a firm course.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, Conduit was making his second career start in North America and became the second horse to win the Turf in consecutive runnings. High Chaparral won in 2002 and dead-heated in 2003 with Johar.

As expected, Presious Passion set the pace and led the field all the way around the final turn and into the stretch. Conduit drew even with 100-yards to go and went on win by a half-length over the pacesetter.

Finishing third in the seven-horse field was Dar Re Mi, with Spanish Moon in fourth followed by Red Rocks, Monzante and Telling.

Four-year-old Allegre was scratched from the Turf on Friday when trainer Brian Koriner found an abscess in the colt's right front foot.

Conduit is owned by Ballymacoll Stud Farm and trained by Sir Michael Stoute. For the second straight year the colt picks up $1.5 million for the victory. He has won seven of 14 career starts for better than $5.2 million.

Conduit returned $3.80, $3.00 and $2.20. Presious Passion paid $5.00 and $3.80, and Dar Re Mi paid $3.00 to show.