The 2014 Breeders' Cup kicked off Friday with four compelling races featuring familiar horses like 2013 Dirt Mile champion Goldencents, rising stars like Hootenanny and Triple Crown competitors like Vicar's In Trouble and Tapiture. They didn't disappoint.Onlookers were awarded with some nail-biting action and down-to-the-wire finishes in the prelude to Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic and it's $5 million purse. While Friday's races weren't equipped with that kind of prize, winners were still highly rewarded.With the first four races in the books, and the winners logged, let's take a look at all of the essential purse information for the event's early competitors.Juvenile TurfThe first race of the day featured 14 very promising two-year old colts looking to establish themselves as future contenders in high-stakes races. On Friday, Hootenanny earned those honors by taking the race with a fantastic late surge.Hootenanny remained in the middle of the pack during a fast-paced Juvenile Turf, saving energy for a late run to the front. Jockey Frankie Dettori steered his horsethree wide around the far turn and quickly gained speed, bursting out in front of Luck of the Kitten and making a strong push to the finish line to earn the victory.Here's a look at the race in its entirety:Betfair Racing tweeted the race's final time:Dettori navigated the track beautifully and notched his 11th Breeders' Cup win. The rider expressed his confidence atop the colt, according to his post-race interview, via Jim Peltz of theLos Angeles Times, "When I turned him on, I knew I had the race."This great showing from the two-year-old colt bodes well for his chances to become a dominant turf horse in the future.Dirt MileThe more experienced colts took center stage in the Dirt Mile. All eyes were on the race's 2013 champion Goldencents, as he was attempting to become a repeat winner at Santa Anita.Goldencents and Vicar's In Trouble got out to a blazing start, moving about seven lengths in front of the field down the backstretch. As the field swung into the far turn, Goldencents began to pull away from his opposition. With one furlong to go, a surging Tapature closed in but couldn't pass Goldencents, as the leader's stamina was absolutely impressive.Here's a look at the race in its entirety:The race marked the second consecutive Dirt Mile victory for this horse, and Blood Horse's Eric Mitchell noted the very similar times posted between the two wins:The next stop for this horse is retirement. As At The Races' Twitter account noted, it was a great way to go out:The upcoming extended period of rest for this horse is most certainly a deserving reward.Juvenile Fillies TurfThe young fillies took their turn after the colts, and Lady Eli entered as the odds-on favorite after a frenzy of late betting on the horse. As it turned out, those lucky bettors were absolutely right.Sunset Glow led the field around to the backstretch after running a very quick first quarter mile. She kept up the blazing pace at the race's midway point; however, Lady Eli surged down the final stretch, passing Sunset Glow on the inside and earning an impressive and decisive victory.Here's a look at the race in its entirety:At The Races noted the victory also upheld Lady Eli's undefeated record:The win was highlighted by some very savvy riding by jockeyIrad Ortiz, Jr. Ortiz remained very patient atop the horse, maintaining position in the pocket just behind the leaders. After the field took the far turn, space began to open up and Ortiz took advantage. The jockey rode the rail past the leaders and maintaining great speed through to the finish line.Owner Chad Brown had some flattering words about his horse, via At The Races:Her scintillating run produced a faster time than Juvenile Turf winner Hootenanny. Lady Eli sure looks like a superstar in the making.Longines DistaffThe Longines Distaff is comprised of the best female horses from around the world. This is an extremely prestigious race that has featured previous winners such as Zenyatta, who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Classic as well.Tiz Midnight got a great jump out of the gate and set the pace through the first quarter mile of the race. Favorite Untapable began to make a move around the far turn despite being forced out wide. The filly's speed was impressive, as she closed on the leaders despite her poor position on the track.Jockey Rosie Napravnik asked her horse to run down the final stretch, quickly bursting to the lead and maintaining her position out front for a one-length victory.Here's a look at the race in its entirety:Napravnik earned her second Breeders' Cup win, and Untapable continues to dominate her division, remaining unbeaten against fillies, according toDaily Racing Form:Another sparkling performance from this filly on Friday should give her a fair chance of earning Horse of the Year honors pending the outcome of the Breeders' Cup Classic.It was a great moment for Napravnik as well, announcing on national televisionthat her retirement will begin on Sunday and she's expecting a new addition to her family.Friday was filled with countless breathtaking moments and memories that are sure to withstand the test of time. Now, imagine what Saturday will bring. Hang on to your hats.All prize money payouts courtesy of BreedersCup.com.
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