HORSE RACING

• Ventura takes Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

  
  

  Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - The first day of the 25th annual Breeders' Cup got off to an exciting start when 5-2 second choice Ventura overtook the favorite Indian Blessing down the stretch to win the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Park. This is the first Breeders' Cup to be conducted on a synthetic track.

  Owned by Juddmonte Farms, Ventura was ridden by Garrett Gomez for trainer Bobby Frankel. The four-year-old filly took the lead from Indian Blessing, the 9-5 favorite, with about 200 yards to run.

  Ventura registered a four-length victory over last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Filly champ with Zaftig, the 5-1 third pick, finishing third in the 13 horse field.

  The time for the seven-furlongs was 1:19.90 on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride main track.

  Ventura earned $500,000 with the win to bring her lifetime earnings to more than $1.3 million. She has won seven of 15 career starts and four wins on artificial surfaces.

  Ventura returned $7.60, $3.40 and $3.00. Indian Blessing paid $3.40 and $2.40, and Zaftig paid $4.00 to show.

  10/24 15:59:10 ET