Baffert ends Breeders' Cup drought

By Steve Keating

OCEANPORT, New Jersey (Reuters) - Trainer Bob Baffert waited five years to end his Breeders' Cup drought then celebrated two victories in as many hours on Saturday with favorites Indian Blessing and Midnight Lute roaring to commanding wins.

One of the United States top trainers, Baffert has saddled three Kentucky Derby champions during his illustrious career.

But the three-time Eclipse Award winner has not enjoyed the same success at the Breeders' Cup, celebrating just three wins in 44 tries, including his last in 2002.

His winless streak came to a quick end on Saturday when Indian Blessing opened the second day of Breeders' Cup action with an impressive wire-to-wire win in $2 million Juvenile Fillies to keep her unbeaten record intact.

Less than two hours later, Baffert and jockey Garrett Gomez teamed up again for the Sprint, Midnight Lute storming to a 4 3/4 length win over Idiot Proof.

"We've run races and we've got beat and we got beat because these are the best horses in the world," Baffert told reporters after Indian Blessing's win. "That's what it's all about, the best horses in the world and today the best filly won."

Nick Zito, another of North America's top trainers, broke his Breeders' Cup duck when War Pass romped to an equally impressive wire-to-wire win on a sloppy Monmouth Park track.

Unbeaten War Pass, ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, underlined his credentials as a Kentucky Derby threat, powering to a 4 1/2 length win over Pyro in the $2 million Juvenile to give Zito his first Breeders' Cup success in 10 tries.

Last year, Street Sense captured the Juvenile at Churchill Downs then returned in May to win the Kentucky Derby.

"He's as good as anything I've ever touched, he's as good as it gets," Zito told reporters. "He did what he has had to do in all four races. He's as good as any horse I've ever had."

Lahudood provided the first surprise of the meeting, the 11-1 shot trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Alan Garcia holding on to win the $3 million Filly and Mare Turf ahead of hard-charging Honey Ryder.

Kip Deville, another handsome 8-1 shot, broke clear at the top of the home stretch and held on to take the $2 million Mile and give jockey Velasquez another win on the day.

The Breeders' Cup began under slate grey skies, a steady light rain and empty stands.

Organizers had expected a crowd of over 40,000 for Saturday's all-star card that will culminate with the $5 million Breeders' Cup classic but large sections of the grandstands remained bare as fans took cover.