by Frank Angst

Corinthian closed out his career by rallying from just off the pace to win the $916,000 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Monmouth Park, winding up the first-ever Breeders’ Cup World Championships Friday card.

After dropping a pair of Grade 1 stakes since winning the Metropolitan Mile Handicap (G1) on May 28 at Belmont Park, Corinthian returned to top form to register a 6 1/2-length victory over locally based Gottcha Gold. The powerful finish brought the crowd of 27,803—who braved near constant rain—to its feet.

“This colt is a fireball,” said winning jockey Kent Desormeaux. “He just dragged me down the stretch.”

Corinthian and Desormeaux saved ground early and moved into third as frontrunner Gotcha Gold moved into the far turn. Discreet Cat raced outside of Corinthian, who improved position while racing along the rail. Approaching the stretch, Desormeaux smoothly moved Corinthian off the rail to soar past Gotcha Gold.

Corinthian completed the one-mile and 70-yard race in 1:39 on a sloppy track. Gottcha Gold finished 8 1/4 lengths ahead of 1.50-to-1 favorite Discreet Cat, who edged Wanderin Boy for third.

“Fifty yards out of the gate, I was nine abreast. I said, ‘This is ridiculous.’ And I just pulled him up and ended up inside of the whole field down the fence,” Desormeaux said. “It turned out to be the perfect position to keep his face clean.”

Trainer James Jerkens, who saddled Artie Schiller to victory in the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), picked up his second Breeders’ Cup victory and first main-track score.

“This ranks right up there with Artie Schiller,” Jerkens said. “He’s been training great but his last two races were sub par, so it was hard to get overly confident.”

Corinthian will be retired to stand at Gainesway Farm.

Gottcha Gold, who defeated Lawyer Ron in a front-running score in the Salvator Mile Handicap (G3) on June 23 at Monmouth, nearly repeated that performance before Corinthian’s winning finish.

“I thought he ran a good race and we’re very proud of him,” said trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.

Grade 1 winner Discreet Cat, who has undergone some throat surgeries this year, never appeared to deliver his best.

“I don’t want to make excuses,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor. “There’s nothing to tell right now. Maybe it was the ground, maybe his throat.”

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Frank Angst is senior writer of Thoroughbred Times