2008 Breeders Cup Marathon

Race Comments: MUHANNAK (IRE) was unhurried while racing in the middle of the pack in the early stages, was rated in good position while well off the rail on the backstretch, launched a bid four wide to challenge leaving the turn, charged to the front opening a clear advantage in upper stretch, maintained a clear lead nearing the sixteenth pole, drifted out under strong left hand urging in deep stretch and prevailed after a long drive. CHURCH SERVICE was under a firm hold while trailing the pack through the opening mile, gradually moved out to launch his bid midway on the turn, swung six wide while circling the field at the top of the stretch and closed steadily in the middle of the track but could not get up. BIG BOOSTER was rated well back for six furlongs, gradually closed the gap while four wide leaving the far turn, made a move five wide to reach contention leaving the quarter pole, drifted out a bit in upper stretch then finished willingly to gain a share. DELIGHTFUL KISS raced in good position while saving ground for a good part of the way, worked his way forward along the inside on the turn, angled four wide while splitting horses at the top of the stretch, lodged a strong bid to threaten between horses in midstretch and flattened out in the final eighth. SIXTIES ICON (GB) was eased back soon after the start, raced within striking distance between horses along the backstretch, was blocked behind a wall of horses while gaining midway on the turn, raced in traffic while rallying mildly at the quarter pole then lacked a strong closing response. CEDAR MOUNTAIN (IRE) stalked the leaders three wide for a mile, lodged a brief bid between horses inside the winner nearing the quarter pole then steadily tired thereafter. ZAPPA chased the leader in the two path for six furlongs, drew along side that rival to challenge at the three-eighths pole, battled along the inside into upper stretch and tired from his early efforts. BOOYAH sprinted clear in hand, set the pace along the inside to the turn and steadily tired thereafter.