The Breeders’ Cup World Championships headed into its fourth yr of existence firmly established as a signature occasion to accompany the springtime Triple Crown, and in 1987 it returned to the monitor the place it was launched in 1984, Hollywood Park in Los Angeles.
The premier Breeders’ Cup race, the $3 million Basic, closed out the motion on Nov. 21 with a marquee matchup that introduced collectively the 2 most up-to-date Kentucky Derby winners, 1986 victor Ferdinand and Alysheba, who captured the Derby and Preakness earlier within the yr for homeowners Dorothy and Pam Scharbauer and coach Jack Van Berg.
Ferdinand, a homebred of Howard and Libby Keck, had upset the ’86 Derby at 17.70-1 odds for legendary coach Charlie Whittingham and jockey Invoice Shoemaker, who turned the oldest rider to win the Derby that yr at age 54. The son of Nijinsky II raced competitively by way of the remainder of the yr and into early 1987 however entered the summer season on a six-race dropping streak earlier than he turned it round with three straight wins in his residence base of Southern California.
Alysheba, in the meantime, couldn’t full the Triple Crown when fourth to rival Wager Twice within the Belmont Stakes, however was additionally on the upswing when he arrived at Hollywood Park coming off of a win within the Tremendous Derby in Louisiana.
The ’87 Basic drew 12 starters general however Ferdinand and Alysheba stood out, and that was mirrored of their post-time odds of even cash and three.60-1, respectively. Each colts raced close to the again of the sphere early as longshots Candi’s Gold and Decide Angelucci contested the tempo by way of the primary mile. By that time, Ferdinand had ranged as much as third, with Alysheba not far behind in fifth.
Ferdinand joined the leaders in early stretch however didn’t forge forward till simply previous the sixteenth pole, and by this time Alysheba was charging furiously to his exterior.
The pair dueled to the end, with Ferdinand prevailing by a nostril. It was the third shut name within the first 4 runnings of the Basic after Wild Once more and Proud Fact each received by a head in 1984 and ’85.
Including to his unbelievable legacy, with Ferdinand’s victory Shoemaker turned the oldest jockey to win a Breeders’ Cup race at 56, a file that also stands. Ferdinand’s Basic win helped him earn Horse of the Yr for 1987 and could be his remaining profession victory, though he raced six extra instances in 1988. Alysheba’s greatest was but to come back, nonetheless. He raced 9 instances in 1988, successful six Grade 1 stakes and one Grade 2. His remaining Grade 1 win got here in one other memorable Breeders’ Cup Basic, held for the primary time at Churchill Downs, the place he gamely outdueled In search of the Gold on a muddy monitor to prevail by a half-length. “America’s Horse” would cap his profession with 1988 Horse of the Yr honors.
