English Channel wins, Dylan Thomas well beaten

By Steve Keating

OCEANPORT, New Jersey (Reuters) - English Channel romped to a crushing win in $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf at Monmouth Park on Saturday as favorite Dylan Thomas fell to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe jinx.

With John Velazquez in the irons, English Channel stalked the leaders through most of the 1 1/2 mile race then made a powerful move on the final turn, charging home seven lengths clear of long-shot Shamdinan.

Irish-trained Dylan Thomas, the heavy favorite at even money, also marked the leaders but the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe champion did not respond to jockey Johnny Murtagh's urging down the stretch and came home a well-beaten fifth in the eight horse field.

It marked the 10th time a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner has run in the Breeders' Cup and failed to reach the finish line first.