Mott emotionally drained after Breeders` Cup wins

Louisville, Kentucky: In the wake of Bill Mott`s improbable pair of big-money victories at the Breeders` Cup, the Hall of Famer trainer was subdued on Sunday at the Churchill Downs stables.

"Well, a lot of the energy has been drained out," he said with a laugh. Mott can be excused for being emotionally wiped out after leading Royal Delta to the winner`s circle in the USD 2 million (Euro1.25 million) Ladies` Classic on Friday, before his Drosselmeyer stunned the racing world the following day in the USD 5 million Classic. Drosselmeyer captured the Belmont Stakes in 2010 but then went into hibernation, the only victory in six starts this year prior to the Classic being a USD 60,000 race in New York. Mott praised the four-year-old son of Distorted Humor for running his best when it matters the most. "Drosselmeyer showed up again on a big day," the 58-year-old trainer said. "He`s given us a Belmont Stakes and a Breeders` Cup Classic." Drosselmeyer returned USD 31.60 for a USD 2 win ticket. Mike Smith, who had not ridden Drosselmeyer since the Belmont Stakes triumph, got the return mount Saturday and used a stirring stretch run to blow past Game On Dude and win America`s richest race by a length and a half. Mott said with Drosselmeyer`s regular rider, Jose Lezcano, already having a ride in the Classic, it was an easy decision to go with Smith. "Lezcano was riding him, and he had To Honour and Serve (in the Classic), so it was a no-brainer to go to Mike," said Mott. "He was open in the race, so he was more than willing to ride him. Obviously, the chemistry is good." Mott`s barn could lose Royal Delta, who won the Ladies` Classic as the favourite in the field of nine. The three-year-old daughter of Empire Maker is going through the sales ring Tuesday at Keeneland. Mott said he would like to remain with the filly, saying, "There`s no reason why she wouldn`t get better (as a four-year-old)." "I guess it depends on who buys her," he said. "If somebody that needs a trainer, or someone I`ve trained for buys her, I`d love to keep her. I hope that happens. "She`s the kind you look forward to. She`s the kind that`s hard to replace." Bureau Report