Forever Young beat defending champion Sierra Leone by a half-length to win the US$7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Del Mar, giving Japan a victory in North America’s richest race.
Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, Forever Young ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.19. The colt was third in last year’s Classic behind Sierra Leone and Fierceness.
The race lost Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Sovereignty when the colt was scratched after spiking a fever earlier in the week.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi earned his third career Cup victory, while Sakai claimed his first.
“Forever Young is an amazing horse,” Yahagi said through a translator.
Fierceness was third and Preakness winner Journalism was fourth. Mindframe finished fifth, followed by Baeza, Nevada Beach, Antiquarian and Contrary Thinking.
Forever Young increased his career earnings to US$19,358,590, with 10 wins in 13 starts.
