Agave Racing Stable, ERJ Racing and Madaket Stables’ Bowies Hero emerged from a crowded pack in the stretch to win the 34th running of the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) for 3-year-olds and up by three-quarters of a length before a chamber of commerce Saturday afternoon crowd of 26,567. (Click here for a replay of the race.)

Keeneland smashed its Fall Meet all-sources and Pick Five wagering records, both set on Fall Stars Saturday in 2018. All-sources handle totaled $18,392,756, eclipsing the previous record of $17,122,465. Wagering on the $300,000-guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Five totaled $794,689 to best the former record of $619,106.

The blockbuster day featured five graded stakes worth $2.35 million, including the Shadwell Turf Mile and three other Breeders’ Cup Challenge races in which winners earned automatic berths in the 36th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita on Nov. 1-2.

The Shadwell Turf Mile win earned Bowies Hero a fees-paid berth into the $2 million TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) to be run Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.

Also earning Breeders’ Cup berths Saturday were Godolphin’s Maxfield, who took the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1); Robert LaPenta, Michael Dubb, Head of Plains Partners and Bethlehem Stables’ Uni (GB), who set a course record in the $400,000 First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare (G1); and Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable and Peter Deutsch’s Spiced Perfection, winner of the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2).

Earlier on the 11-race program, McShane Racing’s Stubbins rallied from far off the pace to win the $200,000 Woodford (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select in course-record time.

In the Shadwell Turf Mile, jockey Flavien Prat had Bowies Hero racing in midpack early on, swung seven wide at the head of the stretch for clear running and collared Diamond Oops in deep stretch to claim his second Grade 1 victory in his career.

The victory is the first in a Keeneland stakes for Prat and trainer Phil D’Amato.

Bowies Hero, a Keeneland sales graduate, covered the mile on a firm turf course in 1:34.20 and added $600,000 to his bankroll that now totals $1,478,970 with a record of 21-8-1-3.

A winner of four graded stakes, Bowies Hero is a Kentucky-bred son of Artie Schiller out of the Sky Mesa mare Remembered.

Bowies Hero returned $18.40, $8.80 and $6.60. Diamond Oops, ridden by Julien Leparoux, returned $13 and $8.80 in finishing a nose in front of 2017 Shadwell winner Suedois (FR), who paid $11.80 to show under Jamie Spencer.

It was another nose back to First Premio in fourth followed by March to the Arch, 2018 winner Next Shares and Divisidero. Van Beethoven and Bandua in a dead-heat for eighth with favored Valid Point, Admission Office, Vintager (GB), Robin of Navan (FR) and Real Story completing the field.

SHADWELL MILE QUOTES

Josh Flores (assistant to Phil D’Amato, winning trainer of Bowies Hero)

On the decision to run here rather than at Santa Anita in today’s City of Hope Mile (G2)

“About a million dollars (purse of Shadwell Turf Mile), compared to $200,000. We’ve always had the confidence in this horse. He’s had some tough trips. Today, (jockey) Flavien (Prat) was able to put him in the right spot and he was able to fly home.”

On earning a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at D’Amato’s home track of Santa Anita.

“It will be nice to walk over – probably (as) one of the favorites – right out of your own barn. And to win one at Keeneland is always special.”

Flavien Prat (winning rider)

“I thought I had a good trip. My horse broke well – better than the other day (when fifth at Del Mar in the Del Mar Mile-G2 on Aug. 18). I was able to put myself in the race, was able to tip him out around the turn and get him ready to make his run. And then he got the job done. (The battle between several horses right at the wire) was great. When you win, it’s great. When you get beat, it’s frustrating. He always gives you everything he has.”

Julien Leparoux (rider of runner-up Diamond Oops)

“We were close to the pace, broke very sharp. Settled nice on the backside. He ran big today. It was a close finish for second and he ran a big race for sure.”

Jamie Spencer (rider of third-place finisher Suedois [FR])

“The draw (12 hole) was a big handicap to my horse, probably the difference between winning and losing. He’s run good. He’s an 8-year-old. The trainer (David O’Meara) has done well with him.”

Javier Castellano (rider of 10th-place finisher and beaten favorite Valid Point)

“I tried to find room and get a spot in the race. Turning for home, I tried looking for a seam. It was a tough race, a lot of traffic, a lot of horses – a lot of good horses. I tried to get a jump but it was a lot of traffic. It was a big step up today for a young horse. I think he ran huge in the Secretariat (G1). We tried to step up a little bit and maybe get lucky but it was a tough race. I’m not disappointed, I think he’s a good horse. Sometimes you have to test the waters a little bit.”