Mucho Macho Man capped off another successful Breeders’ Cup championships with a determined victory in the $5 million BC Classic on Saturday.
Ridden by comeback jockey Gary Stevens, Mucho Macho Man refused the surrender a hard-fought lead in the final furlong to win narrowly from Will Take Charge (Unbridled’s Song) and Coolmore Stud raider Declaration of War (War Front).
Mucho Macho Man ( 5h Macho Uno – Ponche De Leona by Ponche) had been runner-up to Fort Larned in the 2012 BC Classic. Last year’s winner finished fourth in his Santa Anita finale before retiring to Adena Springs.
Trainer Kathy Ritvo, who received a heart-transplant five years ago, became the first female to win the richest race in North America when Mucho Macho Man delivered as the $5 second favourite. He was a last-start winner of the G1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita in September.
“I’m happier for my horse, he deserves it,” Ritvo remarked. “When Gary waved the stick, I figured he won. If I didn’t have the support of my family, I wouldn’t be here.”
Bred in Florida, Mucho Macho Man has won 8 of his 23 starts and banked over $5.34 million for Reeves Thoroughbreds. He is by leading Adena Springs sire Macho Man (Holy Bull) who defeated Point Given and Street Cry in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Earlier Breeders’ Cup winners on Saturday were;
G1 BC Juvenile Fillies (1700m)
RIA ANTONIA (2f Rockport Harbor – Beer Baroness by Mr Greeley)
G1 BC Filly & Mare Turf (2000m)
DANK (4f Dansili – Masskana by Darshaan)
G1 BC Filly & Mare Sprint (1400m)
GROUPIE DOLL (5m Bowman’s Band – Deputy Doll by Silver Deputy)
G1 BC Turf Sprint (1300m)
MIZDIRECTION (5m Mizzen Mast – Deceptive by Clever Trick)
G1 BC Juvenile C&G (1700m)
NEW YEAR´S DAY (2c Street Cry – Justwhistledixie by Dixie Union)
G1 BC Turf (2400m)
MAGICIAN (3c Galileo – Absolutelyfabulous by Mozart)
G1 BC Sprint(1200m)
SECRET CIRCLE (4c Eddington – Ragtime Hope by Dixieland Band)
G1 BC Mile (1600m)
WISE DAN (6g Wiseman’s Ferry – Lisa Danielle by Wolf Power)
MUCHO MACHO MAN
Trainer Kathy Rivko stands in front of her Breeders’ Cup Classic winner at Santa Anita