Photography courtesy of the Breeders’ Cup
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S A CONTEST, the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) was effectively over after about 50 yards. When his eight opponents elected to allow the miler Knicks Go – a dedicated front-runner stretching out to 1m2f for the first time – an unchallenged lead to all intents and purposes they conceded the race. Left to dictate at his leisure, Knicks Go set swift, but for him, comfortable, fractions. The challengers closed to within a length with a quarter of a mile left to run, but, having had a breather, Knicks Go was able to pick up the pace, and draw away to score by over 2l in a time little more than a half-second off the track-record set by Candy Ride back in 2003. Knicks Go’s sire Paynter is a son of Awesome Again – winner of one of the deepest-ever renewals of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) – and out of a sister to two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Tiznow. Like Knicks Go, Paynter had his share of ups and downs in his racing career. Unraced at two, Paynter broke his maiden on his debut at three over an extended 5f, and then nearly three months later came within inches of capturing a Classic at more than twice that distance missing by a neck to Union Rags in the Belmont Stakes (G1). Paynter then took the Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) in impressive style, and seemed set to assume leadership of the division. Just days after the Haskell, however, he was struck by a life-threatening combination of colitis and subsequent laminitis. Remarkably, and with heroic efforts from his veterinary team, Paynter not only survived, but recovered so well he was able to return to training at four. He looked better than ever on his return to action, taking a 7f allowance in 1:21.86. That effort earned him a lifetime-best Beyer Speedfigure of 114, but, in four subsequent starts, Paynter proved unable to capture the brilliance of that effort, although he did finish second to that year’s Breeders’ Cup
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Knicks kicked
Given a soft lead, Knicks Go saw out the Breeders’ Cup Classic 1m2f trip in style and gave sire Paynter a first Breeders’ Cup success, writes Alan Porter
