By Jill Williams
One of the biggest stories going into the 2018 Breeders' Cup was trainer John Sadler's 0-41 record on racing's championship day. Accelerate, whose five for six already on the year included four Grade Is in California, succinctly put all that babble to rest with his win in the biggest race on the card.
“What stands out to me with Accelerate was the year he had that culminated in the Breeders' Cup Classic,” said Sadler. “He won, what, four or five Grade Is that year. So, he had just a fabulous year and he went to Churchill Downs as the favorite and he ran his race. It was just the thrill of one of the biggest days of my career. My first Breeders' Cup win. They hashed me over the coals because I hadn't, until then, hit the big one. It was a great day.”
Accelerate (2013 chestnut horse, Lookin At Lucky–Issues, by Awesome Again)
Lifetime record: Ch. older male, MGISW, 23-10-5-6, $6,692,480
Breeders' Cup connections: B-Mike Abraham (KY); O-Hronis Racing LLC; T-John Sadler; J-Joel Rosario.
Current location: Lane's End Farm, Versailles, Ky.
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