Karakontie shoots to victory in Breeders' Cup Mile

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Longshot Karakontie, breaking from the far outside post, shot through an opening down the stretch to win Saturday's $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita Park.

Sent off as a 30-1 longshot, Karakontie settled off the pace being set in the Mile by 4-1 second pick Obviously. Running second was 2-1 favorite Toronado.

Obviously, ridden by Joe Talamo, had the lead at the top of the stretch after Toronado lugged to the outside. Karakontie, ridden by Stephane Pasquier, found a hole that he shot through to take the lead.

Trained by Jonathan Pease, Karakontie posted a length win over the late running Anodin. Finishing third in the 14-horse field was Trade Storm with Summer Front fourth.

The time for the Mile was 1:32.88.

The victory was the second of the day for Karakontie's owner Flaxman Holdings. The group won the Turf with Main Sequence. Karakontie adds $1.1 million to his earnings. The Japanese bred 3-year-old, making his first start in America, has won five of nine starts for $1.9 million.

Karakontie paid $62.00, $33.00 and $19.40. Anodin returned $12.60 and $7.20, and Trade Storm paid $12.80 to show.

This is the first Breeders' Cup Mile not won by two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan since 2011. The 7-year-old gelding is recuperating from a broken bone.