Filly Mizdirection beat the boys by a half-length in the $1 million Turf Sprint off a six-month layoff, giving sports talk radio host and co-owner Jim Rome his first Breeders' Cup victory.
Hall of Famer Mike Smith rode his 17th Breeders' Cup winner and second of the two-day world championships, extending his record for most wins among jockeys.
Mizdirection ran 6-1/2 furlongs in 1 minute, 11.39 seconds and paid $15.80 for a $2 win bet 6-1 odds, the third long-shot winner Saturday at Santa Anita. Unbridled's Song, the 9-2 favorite, was second. Reneesgotzip finished third.
Rome said he was numb after the win and said he had concerns whether Mizdirection was good enough to win, especially since the horse hadn't raced in six months.
Mizdirection was 20-1 morning line odds but was bet down to single-digits by race time. Rome didn't think his listeners he affectionately calls ''clones'' was responsible for the shift.
''I love my clones, but they don't roll like that,'' he said. ''I don't think they can get 20-1 down to 5-1. I love 'em and they have my back, but they don't roll like this.''
Mizdirection became the 15th filly to beat males in Breeders' Cup history. The 4-year-old filly hadn't raced since May 27, given time off for freshening by trainer Mike Puype, but improved to 3 for 3 on Santa Anita's downhill turf course.
Actress Elizabeth Banks presented the trophy to Rome, whose Jungle Racing LLC co-owns the filly.
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