Breeders’ Cup 2017 results: Forever Unbridled wins Distaff at Del Mar

Forever Unbridled captured the Longines Distaff on Friday, capping off the first day of the 2017 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar Racetrack in San Diego, Calif.

John Velasquez rode Forever Unbridled, who had 4-1 odds, to win the 1 1/8-mile race of females three years and older, and held off a late charge by Abel Tasman down the stretch in the fourth and final race of Friday at Del Mar.

The third time was not the charm for pre-race favorite Stellar Wind, the 5-year-old who finished last on Friday. Stellar Wind finished second in the Distaff in 2015, and fourth last year.

Jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O’Brien teamed up for their fourth Juvenile Turf win in the last seven years, guiding Medelssohn to the win this year in the battle of 2-year-olds. Moore has riden winners in this race with Wrote (2011), George Vancouver (2012) and Hit It A Bomb (2015).

The $1 million race for 3-year-olds and older was won by 13-1 underdog Battle of Midway, who beat out Sharp Azteca down the stretch. Pre-race favorite Mor Spirit — he had 2-1 odds — finished well back in the pack.

Javier Castellano, who rode Cloud Computing to a win in the Preakness Stakes in May, won the Juvenile Fillies Turf for the second year in a row. He rode 3-1 favorite Rushing Fall to a victory in the one-mile race, beating out Best Performance and September.