JOHN JOHNY JAK GETS UP LATE TO TAKE LURE STAKES; CAL-BRED AMAZOMBIE IMPRESSES IN BREEDERS’ CUP

Arcadia, Calif. (November 5, 2011)—Although all eyes were on Churchill Downs for the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday, Santa Anita still had great racing on hand. In the Lure Stakes, John Johny Jak nips 43 to 1 Assessment at the wire.

It seemed as though jockey Victor Espinoza was surprised that Assessment was still leading down the stretch, “I thought it was going to be easy at the top of the stretch. I let him open up but the horse on the inside was game and kept coming back to stay right with me.” Espinoza was able to squeeze pass to take the victory.

Trainer Kristin Mulhall was happy with Jak’s performance, “He ran super. He ran a good race last time and came out of the race great. I’m just happy we’re here.” When asked about the battle down the stretch, “it definitely was.”

In the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs, it was California bred Amazombie who brought home the California pride winning the Sentient Jet Sprint with jockey Mike Smith aboard. In a stellar stretch run, he was able to roll pass Force Freeze for his second straight win.

Mike Smith and Drosselmeyer also beat Chantal Sutherland and Game On Dude to take the Breeders’ Cup.

Closing day means a mandatory payout tomorrow with a carryover of $55,422 going into Sunday’s card at Santa Anita. First post is at 12:00p.m.