Archives > Breeders' Cup

Ladbrokes Favorite: Here's one Euro possible for a synthetic Breeders' Cup: Henrythenavigator, at 4-11, just held off Raven's Pass in the Sussex Stakes, adding to his impressive record. "He won't be beaten this year," declared rider Johnny Murtagh after, to which Chris McGrath responds in the Telegraph: That acquired the look of a very bold assertion when John Magnier, his owner, included the Breeders' Cup Classic among the colt's potential targets. The Coolmore boss reasoned that the race's transfer to a new, synthetic surface this year made it even more tempting than when O'Brien had tried his luck with Giant's Causeway, second...; [Posted July 30, 2008 8:55 PM]; ---

You're Never Alone: ... after running for a tag? Digger was a lonely winner at Laurel last winter, photographed only with his jockey following back to back scores in the Northern Dancer and Jennings Handicap (not, I'm sure, that the horse cared, but this person found the empty scenes poignant). At Belmont on Wednesday, the same connections unable to get to Maryland for stakes races surrounded Digger in the winner's circle, patting his head and scratching his nose, following his facile victory as the 7-10 favorite in the third, an unremarkable claiming event in which the 4-year-old gelding was entered for the bargain...; [Posted July 10, 2008 1:00 AM]; ---

Let's Call it a Swap: If Curlin goes to France for the Arc, perhaps Epsom Derby winner New Approach can ship to California for the Classic: The Breeders' Cup Classic will this year be run on a new, synthetic surface at Santa Anita, one far more congenial to European raiders. And with Curlin possibly heading this way, and uncertainty over Big Brown, there is a very tempting vacuum among the home defence. Intriguing. Get undefeated Zenyatta in the mix too, and this year's Classic might not be the worst since 1984, a possibility Bob Mieszerski fears. Speaking of Curlin, it looks likely he'll make his...; [Posted July 5, 2008 10:30 PM]; ---

Associating with ESPN ...: Can be bad for ratings. I rarely come across anything in Sports Business Journal that I'd call fascinating, but this week's cover story qualifies -- it's a solid piece of reporting on the criticism ESPN faces from rival networks and sports leagues, a compelling read that opens with the tale of a PowerPoint presentation making the rounds that argues leagues rarely benefit from their association with ESPN as much as the network does. Midway through the article comes this familiar example: ESPN's biggest ratings drop -- and another oft-mentioned example from rivals -- comes in horse racing. The Breeders' Cup...; [Posted March 17, 2008 10:00 PM]; ---

Petition Update: More than 130 racing fans have signed the Take Back the Race petition, including Barry Irwin, who found time after celebrating Visionaire's Gotham Stakes victory to add his name. (Thanks, Mr. Irwin, and congratulations!) And over on Post Parade, Sue comes out in support. Well, partial support -- she couldn't bring herself to pledge no Friday wagering. But surely, you're stronger -- click here to sign....; [Posted March 14, 2008 9:00 AM]; ---

Take Back the Race!: Done with complaining about the Breeders' Cup changes announced last month, a few of us decided to "put our money where our mouth is," as Dana writes so well on Green But Game, and draft a petition requesting the BC rename the Ladies' Classic, create a fan committee to provide feedback, and consider alternate BC schedules. We're ready to not attend, watch, or wager unless we're heard. Join us: Sign the petition to take back the race....; [Posted March 7, 2008 2:00 PM]; ---

Saturday Afternoon Horses: "Princess Rooney, Lady's Secret, Personal Ensign, Bayakoa, Paseana, Hollywood Wildcat, Inside Information, Azeri, and Ashado" (DRF+). 3/3/08 Update: Breeders' Cup officials have responded to the reaction the changes have stirred up -- check out this Blood-Horse story for the company line, Left at the Gate for a more detailed explanation of the reasoning behind the moves from BC consultant Chip Tuttle and some very animated discussion in the comments section....; [Posted February 29, 2008 9:50 PM]; ---

Considered Reaction ...: Superfecta takes a step back from the Breeders' Cup brouhaha and comes up with some superb suggestions for improvements. I agree with her that a panel of fans, reflecting the racing audience's true diversity, could help avoid uproars like this one. Surely such a group would have told the BC that Ladies' Classic was a misguided, off-putting, unnecessary change. Over on Brooklyn Backstretch, Teresa points out that "there's a long tradition of poorly-named, sexist race names for female horses" and resolves to continue calling the big Breeders' Cup race for fillies and mares the Distaff....; [Posted February 28, 2008 6:30 PM]; ---

Instant Reaction ...: To the Breeders' Cup announcement that the event will feature an all-female day of racing on Friday, that the Breeders' Cup Distaff will be renamed the Ladies' Classic, and that the Breeders' Cup will be partnering with organizations to host "cause-related programs focused on women's health" the same day: - An all-female day of great racing is a great idea (as suggested by Superfecta months ago). [2/28 Addendum: Or maybe not so wonderful. Over on Left at the Gate, Alan worries the Friday move "threatens to make the Ladies second class citizens."] - Renaming the Distaff the Ladies' Classic is...; [Posted February 27, 2008 11:30 AM]; ---

Beyers, Pre and Post BC: Intrigued by Steven Crist's post comparing the Beyer figures Breeders' Cup runners earned over the rain-soaked Monmouth surfaces on Saturday to their previous efforts, which included a chart showing that only 20 of 77 (26%) equaled or surpassed their last figure, I took a look at the 2006 and 2005 Breeders' Cup numbers, and found that the 2007 percentage of non-progression, while it seems low and potentially indicative of horses not handling the slop or soft grass, might not be that far off. In 2006 (applying the same criteria as Crist), 22 of 86 (25.6%) runners matched or bettered their...; [Posted October 30, 2007 10:30 PM]; ---

New York Dominates: - One of the can't-miss stories of the Breeders' Cup was the dominance of New York-prepped and based horses in every race. As Mike Watchmaker points out: Nine of the 11 Breeders' Cup race winners -- Maryfield, Corinthian, Indian Blessing, War Pass, Lahudood, Midnight Lute, Ginger Punch, English Channel, and Curlin -- made their last starts at either Belmont Park or Saratoga. This made for an imposing success rate for New York preps of 81.8 percent. And it should be noted that one of the other two Breeders' Cup winners at Monmouth, Mile winner Kip Deville, is New York-trained. (DRF+)...; [Posted October 29, 2007 8:00 PM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Notes: - For American racing fans, the Breeders' Cup peaked with Curlin's dazzling display of speed and heart as he ran down Hard Spun in the Monmouth stretch, drawing past to win the Classic by 4 1/2 lengths. Final time for the race was 2:00.59, a Monmouth track record, with Curlin running the final quarter in :24.33. His Beyer came back a career-best 119. Thanks to a lot of sentimental money, Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense went off as the 3-2 post-time favorite, while Curlin -- who beat Street Sense in the Preakness and Lawyer Ron in the Jockey Club Gold...; [Posted October 28, 2007 8:30 PM]; ---

Handle Down, Crowd Small: Blame it on the rain, say Breeders' Cup officials: This year's handle declined 20% (16-17% after international pools are factored in this week) from last year's record wagering on the BC at Churchill Downs (Blood-Horse). The attendance of 41,781 was also the lowest since the 1995 Breeders' Cup at Belmont, which drew a mere 37,246....; [Posted October 28, 2007 8:25 PM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Blogging: - I'm leaving for Monmouth early Friday, joining Alan in the auxiliary press box to live blog the Breeders' Cup. - Odds and ends: Forefathers has been scratched from the Dirt Mile. He'll run in the Sprint on Saturday instead ... Aidan O'Brien plans to send All My Loving out in blinkers for the Filly and Mare Turf. The last time All My Loving wore blinkers, she finished ninth as the favorite ... Euro shipper Timarwa had a little colic when she arrived on Monday, but trainer John Oxx reports the filly has bounced back well. "She's improved day by...; [Posted October 25, 2007 11:30 PM]; ---

BC Contender Quick Notes: Courtesy of the Breeders' Cup Notes Team, a daily update on the activity of every BC contender. See who schooled in the paddock or the gate, jogged over dirt or cantered over turf, is still in quarantine or expected in the morning. Updated with October 26 notes. Quiet morning for all, except Z Humor, who is reported to have breezed three furlongs in :36 with blinkers on....; [Posted October 24, 2007 5:30 PM]; ---

Big Morning for BC Works: Breeders' Cup contenders worked out at tracks across the country this morning, putting in their final preps for next weekend's Championship races. According to Pletcher, Baffert, Violette, et al., there's not much to report, everyone's doing fine, every work went as expected. The exception was Discreet Cat, who breezed a bullet five furlongs in :57.46 at Belmont. "It was faster than I wanted, but good horses do that," said assistant trainer Rick Mettee. "I was looking for something around 1:00" (Blood-Horse). Too quick? Or a sign that the Cigar Mile-winning monster is back, ready to run his best in Friday's...; [Posted October 21, 2007 8:00 PM]; ---

The Tight Turns of Monmouth: Time this evening that I should have spent poring over the lifetime past performances of every Breeders' Cup pre-entry has instead gone to investigating the tight turns of Monmouth meme floating around right now, popping up in all sorts of articles and early analysis of the first World Championships to be held at New Jersey's jewel box of a racetrack. Turns out, Monmouth's sharp curves may well be as apocryphal as those of Pimlico. Below, comparisons of Monmouth to three other one-mile oval tracks and Belmont. Monmouth and Santa Anita Left: Santa Anita. Right: Monmouth overlaying Santa Anita. Click...; [Posted October 17, 2007 9:00 PM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Pre-Entries: [Updated 10/17, 10:05: The complete pre-entries for the Breeders' Cup are now posted below. Note: Pre-entries aren't sorted by order of preference. Visit DRF for that.] Breeders' Cup pre-entries were taken today, but won't be released until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning. The BC persists in the quaint practice of embargo, which makes no sense in this era of instant information and leads to the sort of awkward write-arounds posted tonight on the Daily Racing Form and Thoroughbred Times sites in which Todd Pletcher reports 15 entrants, Patrick Biancone six, and Bill Mott that Majestic Warrior will go in the Juvenile...; [Posted October 17, 2007 10:05 AM]; ---

Four-Way Favorites: Steven Crist has posted the early Breeders' Cup odds offered by British bookmaker William Hill over on his blog, and the Classic comes up a four-way at 5-1 apiece on Any Given Saturday, Curlin, Lawyer Ron, and Street Sense, which says much about the depth of the expected field. Lots of support in the comments for Street Sense as the post-time favorite, but my hunch is that it will be Curlin who goes postward at the shortest price, with the wiseguys granting a narrow edge to the colt who nailed the Derby winner at the wire in the Preakness and...; [Posted October 10, 2007 10:30 PM]; ---

Monday Afternoon Notes: - Steve Davidowitz recommends keeping distance notes for your Breeders' Cup handicapping (DRF+); he'd probably recommend trip notes as well. You'll want to refer to those when considering Greg's Gold's chances in the Sprint. Here's a horse whose credentials trumped those of the other four starters in yesterday's Ancient Title Handicap at Santa Anita, what with his multiple triple-digit Beyers and graded stakes wins, yet he finished second by 3/4 of a length to G3 Jersey Shore winner Idiot Proof. Give the credit to jockey David Flores for his shrewd riding from the start. As they raced down the backstretch,...; [Posted October 8, 2007 5:00 PM]; ---

Champagne for Zito: - Looking a little stunned in the winner's circle following the Champagne Stakes, trainer Nick Zito thanked his help for sticking around "through a long couple of years." The 1 1/2 length win by War Pass over longshot Pyro was the first graded stakes score for the Zito barn since Wanderin Boy took the G2 Brooklyn Handicap in 2006 and the first G1 win since In the Gold in the 2005 Gazelle Stakes. Zito is now headed to the Breeders' Cup with the 3-for-3 War Pass, who wired the Champagne in 1:36.12, setting quick early fractions of :22.87 and :45.72...; [Posted October 6, 2007 8:00 PM]; ---

Tuesday Evening Notes: - After losing the Adirondack and Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga by a combined 50 lengths, Phantom Income returned to winning form on Saturday in the NATC Futurity at Meadowlands (Blood-Horse). Sent off at 8-1, the two-year-old filly pressed the early pace, then squeezed through on the inside to win by 4 1/2 lengths over New York City Girl. Final time for the six furlong race was 1:09. An impressive debut winner at Belmont in July, Phantom Income was declared a non-starter in the Adirondack after a gate incident marred the break, leaving the second favorite trailing the field by several...; [Posted October 2, 2007 8:00 PM]; ---

They Won, They're In: - Did anyone else find Saturday's first Breeders' Cup Challenge day as much a yawn as I did? Three of the four horses who won at Saratoga were probably headed to the Breeders' Cup anyway, although Lawyer Ron was being considered for the Mile, a race perhaps more suited to his running style, and now has a berth in the Classic, a race he finished ninth in last year. Go For Wand winner Ginger Punch will have to be supplemented $180,000 to claim her guaranteed Distaff spot. It was great to see My Typhoon score a well-earned G1 victory following...; [Posted July 30, 2007 11:00 PM]; ---

Meet the Candidates: Thoroughbred Daily News has asked Breeders' Cup board candidates what they think is the biggest issue facing the Breeders' Cup and have kindly allowed Patrick of Pulling Hair & Betting Horses to reprint their answers. Interesting stuff -- promotion and growing the fan base are recurring themes, with Barry Weisbord making a good point about adding "elements of rational and meaningful structure, including schedule and standings, to differentiate our best and most marketable product," and Chris Young talking up the potential of using technology to connect with fans....; [Posted June 4, 2007 8:45 AM]; ---

BC Board Vote: Street Sense's defection from the Belmont shows (again, like we needed the reminder) how much the breeding side of the business affects racing. But it also illustrates how much two races -- the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup Classic -- have come to dominate the sport's calendar and determine a horse's stud value. To a horse that's won the Derby, but lost the Preakness, the Belmont adds almost nothing. (And if he loses the Belmont, it only diminishes.) The only race that means more -- to end of the year honors, to stud fees -- is the Classic. Given...; [Posted June 1, 2007 5:30 PM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Results: - Juvenile Fillies The favorite: Dreaming of Anna (5-2) The winner: Dreaming of Anna ($7.20) My picks: Bel Air Beauty (8th), Quick Little Miss (10th) The Breeders' Cup card got off to a scintillating start with a dominating performance by Dreaming of Anna in the Juvenile Fillies. Living up to her pre-race hype, the filly took an early lead, rebuffed challenges from Appealing Zophie and Octave in the stretch and pulled away to a 1 1/2 length victory. - Juveniles The favorite: Circular Quay (3-1) The winner: Street Sense ($32.40) My picks: Stormello (5th), Circular Quay (2nd) Street Sense was...; [Posted November 5, 2006 10:00 AM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Picks: - Juvenile Fillies: Bel Air Beauty, Quick Little Miss Bel Air Beauty is an unknown on the dirt, with her first two starts over Polytrack, but she showed tactical speed winning the Alcibiades and put away favored Untouched Talent with ease in the Keeneland stretch. Quick Little Miss has been beaten by likely second favorite Cash Included twice, by seven lengths in the Oak Leaf at Santa Anita and four in a maiden special at Del Mar, which is a lot of ground to make up in the BC, but Cash Included's morning line odds are 3-1 and Quick Little...; [Posted November 4, 2006 10:10 AM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Photos: My friend Bud, official photographer of Thoroughbred Racing Fans of New England, has put online a fantastic collection of photos from the Breeders' Cup, as well as pictures from the weekend's other stakes races and Gary Stevens' 5,000th win. I wonder if Stevens actually got to have a slice of that chocolate cake ......; [Posted November 2, 2005 9:00 PM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Wrap Up: The winners: Saint Liam and Richard Dutrow; Stevie Wonderboy and Merv Griffin; Pleasant Home, Intercontinental, and longshots all around. The losers: Lost in the Fog; those who bet Leroidesanimaux to win; and anyone who doesn't like Richard Dutrow....; [Posted October 31, 2005 6:00 PM]; ---

The Worst of Racing: That I lost all but one bet at the Breeders' Cup isn't what has me feeling so down today. Nor is it that Lost in the Fog didn't win. What has me so out of sorts was watching the Mile yesterday afternoon and then hearing the news last night that jockey Michel Lapensee died on Friday from injuries he suffered in an accident at Suffolk Downs last Monday. Accidents happen in racing. Horses break down; jockeys are paralyzed or killed. It's the ugly side of the sport, what we don't mention when we're talking about getting people out to the...; [Posted October 30, 2005 5:00 PM]; ---

Finally, the Breeders' Cup: Breeders' Cup post positions and a morning line are up. Although the Daily Racing Form's BC preview has accompanied me all about town this past week, I haven't handicapped the races as much I'd hoped. I'm consoling myself for the lack with the story of the CIA study that showed ">the more information handicappers had, the less accurate they were likely to be even as their confidence increased, and with the gloomy knowledge that I have a dismal Breeders' Cup record. Blink handicapping can only improve it. As an experiment, I'm posting my hunch/quick plays ... Juvenile Fillies: Along the...; [Posted October 27, 2005 10:00 PM]; ---

Looking for Mudders: Hurricane Wilma is working its way up the East Coast, drenching New York and New England this morning. Everything is supposed to clear up on Thursday, and Saturday should be partly sunny, with only a 40% chance of rain. Even if not another drop falls until after the Breeders' Cup, the Belmont turf is sure to be soft, which is another reason for me to leave the three grass races to others. As for the dirt, reader Victoria emailed to say she was "handicapping with an eye toward mud" and I think she's probably right in doing that. If the...; [Posted October 25, 2005 7:50 AM]; ---

Shrinking Fields: Lost in the Fog will face a little less competition next Saturday. The Breeders' Cup Sprint lost two starters this weekend: High Fly is out with a condylar fracture, as is Roman Ruler owing to a developing foot problem. "It's not a quarter crack, but something is brewing in his heel," said Baffert (Blood-Horse). Roman Ruler was plagued with quarter cracks last spring, which kept the colt out of the Triple Crown races. Other recent withdrawals from next week's races include Spinster Stakes winner Pampered Princess from the Distaff and Motivator from the Turf. The English Derby winner was retired...; [Posted October 23, 2005 8:55 PM]; ---

First Impressions: The numbers bode well: 117 pre-entries, 22 European invaders, four returning winners. A week before, the Breeders' Cup is shaping up as a day of full fields and tough races. The new line-up takes both juvenile races out of the Pick 6, which must be disappointing to those who'd hoped to single First Samurai in the Juvenile. The impressive Champagne winner is one of the day's logical favorites. You get the idea that if jockey Jerry Bailey bet, he'd put it all on his Juvenile mount: "He's the best 2-year-old I've ever been on," said Jerry Bailey, the Hall of...; [Posted October 20, 2005 11:00 PM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Preview: To be posted on Thursday night. I'm so behind on the news -- I need another day to wade through the pre-entries and workouts and so on. I see Patrick of Pulling Hair and Betting Horses is focusing on the Filly & Mare Turf, so that he doesn't have to worry about keeping up with the flood of information coming our way in the next week and a half. I like his strategy -- I'm going to concentrate on the juveniles this year. (Not that this will keep me from saying something about the Classic or the Distaff. On Thursday,...; [Posted October 19, 2005 10:05 PM]; ---

Baffert Considers Sprint: Trainer Bob Baffert is considering the Breeders' Cup Sprint for Roman Ruler (Daily Racing Form): "He worked good enough today where I would seriously consider the Sprint," said Baffert. "The problem I have with the Classic is that he's not mature enough to run with the older horses. He's got brilliant speed. He's not as quick away from the blocks, but he has speed." Roman Ruler last started in the Goodwood, where he finished second to likely Classic favorite Rock Hard Ten after setting the pace. Not a bad performance for a three-year-old -- if that race didn't take too...; [Posted October 13, 2005 3:55 PM]; ---

Looking Beyond the BC: The Breeders' Cup is still more than two weeks away, but Steve Haskin is already thinking about the 2006 Triple Crown season: This may sound like an outrageous question in October, but could it be that we finally are going to see a Triple Crown winner next year? One guess as to who Haskin thinks could be the Triple Crown winner. Not that I disagree -- I saw the colt every day for three weeks at Saratoga and he is an amazing specimen. Such presence! Such grace! And he has run a tremendous two-year-old campaign....; [Posted October 11, 2005 4:55 PM]; ---

Alex to Miss Classic: Disappointing, but not unexpected news: Afleet Alex is out of the Breeders' Cup Classic. Trainer Tim Ritchey and veterinarian Patricia Hogan released a joint statement on the Afleet Alex web site this afternoon saying the colt's injured ankle needs more time to heal: After the recent works, Alex was radiographed again and although it is very subtle, it is evident that the bone is still in the end stages of the healing process. We are 99% there but for this horse we require 100%. Ritchey said Afleet Alex will continue to jog and may still return to racing this year,...; [Posted October 10, 2005 5:25 PM]; ---

Never Mind the Slop: Rain and a sloppy track didn't deter either of the favorites in the juvenile stakes at Belmont on Saturday. Adieu proved she could handle an off-track and breaking from the inside post, winning the Frizette by two lengths over a stubborn Along the Sea (Blood-Horse). In the Champagne, First Samurai confirmed his status as top two-year-old colt, beating runner-up Henny Hughes by two and three-quarter lengths. Henny Hughes' margin of loss might have been less if the colt hadn't engaged in a speed duel with Too Much Bling at the start; the two flew through the first half in :43.6,...; [Posted October 9, 2005 10:00 PM]; ---

BC Preps, Round Two: The weekend is coming up fast and that means more Breeders' Cup prep races. This Saturday is a big one for juveniles, with the Champagne and Frizette at Belmont and the Futurity at Keeneland, which begins its fall meet Friday with seven graded stakes scheduled for opening weekend (Courier-Journal). First Samurai and Henny Hughes headline the Champagne. The two colts last met in the Hopeful, which First Samurai won by four and a half lengths over Henny Hughes despite a green tendency to lug in. Trainer Frank Brothers changed bits on the two-year-old for his last workout, and the different...; [Posted October 6, 2005 11:45 PM]; ---

Alex "50-50" for Classic: Trainer Tim Ritchey told reporters on Tuesday that Afleet Alex is "50-50" for the Breeders' Cup Classic, depending on how well he does in a workout scheduled for Friday morning and whether he can get a suitable prep race in the following week (Blood-Horse). Ritchey is considering four or five options, including the seven-furlong Perryville Stakes at Keeneland on October 14. I'm trying to contain my excitement, but it would be amazing to have Afleet Alex meeting the likes of Rock Hard Ten and Saint Liam in the biggest race of the year. How would the three-year-old dual classic winner...; [Posted October 5, 2005 2:30 PM]; ---

Saturday's Results: I thought Bishop Court Hill was entered as a rabbit for Flower Alley in Saturday's Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont, charged with luring Lava Man into a speed duel and setting up a pace agreeable to his stalker stablemate. Instead, Flower Alley went head to head with his rabbit down the backstretch, followed by Lava Man. The first fraction was :46.3. A fast pace like that set up the race nicely for a closer -- like Borrego. The California-based colt trailed the field in eighth place until reaching the stretch turn, when he smoothly swept past his competition on...; [Posted October 2, 2005 9:00 PM]; ---

Racing's Busiest Weekend: The fall season gets into full swing this weekend with nearly 20 graded stakes races (Fox) scheduled coast to coast, with most of the action taking place at Belmont and Santa Anita. ESPN will air five races, including the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Goodwood, starting at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Gold Cup and Goodwood are the two races with the biggest implications for the Breeders' Cup Classic. In the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont, a competitive field of eight will start, including Travers winner Flower Alley and Hollywood Gold Cup winner Lava Man. Trainer Todd Pletcher...; [Posted September 30, 2005 11:00 AM]; ---

Kitten's Joy Retired: Turf champion Kitten's Joy has been retired to stud (New York Post). "The cartilage has worn through in his left knee where he had surgery [last November to remove bone chips]," said owner Ken Ramsey. "Dr. [Larry] Bramlage said the knee might have been bothering him when ran he ran second in the Arlington Million [his last start]. But I'm not complaining. We had a great ride, a great run." I give Ramsey credit for being so philosophical. Early in July, after Kitten's Joy won his 2005 debut, the Firecracker, Ramsey outlined a big year for his star. He'd run...; [Posted September 26, 2005 1:00 PM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Notes: This Saturday offers a preview of Breeders' Cup day with five grade one stakes races scheduled at Belmont (New York Daily News). In addition to the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Beldame, Vosburgh, Flower Bowl, and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic are on the card. Flower Alley, Ashado, and Sand Springs were among the expected starters in next weekend's races putting in workouts on Sunday (NYRA). Saturday is more than a preview -- it's a day to get big questions answered: Is Wonder Again ready for tougher competition? Are Flower Alley and Roman Ruler ready to take on their elders? And...; [Posted September 26, 2005 12:55 PM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Report Card: Election numbers may not be final, but Breeders' Cup numbers are: Ghostzapper earned a Beyer of 124 ("The biggest figure ever run in the Classic"), Roses in May pulled off a 119, and Azeri matched her best with a 109. (Daily Racing Form)...; [Posted November 3, 2004 6:22 AM]; ---

The Day After: "Demonstrating the kind of decisive superiority seldom seen at the highest level of thoroughbred racing, Ghostzapper thrashed the $4 million Breeders Cup Classic yesterday to stamp himself not only the best horse in America but maybe the whole universe. He was, in a word, stupendous!" (New York Post) More: Ghostzapper's performance leaves "no doubt as to Horse of the Year" (Daily Racing Form); trainer Bobby Frankel "gets bonus points for his ability to strategize" (Times Union); and Ghostzapper was the best horse in the Classic but, "Is he better than Smarty Jones?" (Boston Globe) Related: It wouldn't be a Breeders'...; [Posted October 31, 2004 11:42 AM]; ---

Today's the Day: Finally, the Breeders' Cup arrives and everyone's talking about ... Horse of the Year: Turf could produce Horse of the Year ... Classic field really chasing Smarty Jones ... HOTY more than a spring fling ... It's a race for no. 1 ... Contenders abound. The Euros: A Lone Star state of mind ... Powerscourt best chance for Europeans at BC ... Whipper can crack it in the Mile ... O'Brien braced for Texan trail. The curse: There is no curse ... Sure, there is....; [Posted October 30, 2004 12:27 PM]; ---

Where History Is Made: "From the outset, when the inaugural running was billed as the best day of racing staged anywhere and surpassed even that expectation, the Breeders' Cup has provided a stage on which the key elements of the thoroughbred -- speed, stamina and courage -- are put to the acid test, as are the skills of the world's most accomplished riders and trainers; a level field upon which the most powerful stables and those of more modest means compete eye to eye, the outcome is always left to the animals...." (Newsday)...; [Posted October 30, 2004 12:15 PM]; ---

More Breeders' Cup Notes: Last year's Pick 6 winner picks Artie Schiller in the Mile, Speightstown in the Sprint, and Ouija Board in Filly & Mare Turf ... Big day for "affable buttinsky" Ken Ramsey ... Baffert saddling Juvenile favorite ... Dettori back to winning ways....; [Posted October 30, 2004 12:05 PM]; ---

Setting the Standard: When it comes to drug testing and monitoring, the Breeders' Cup has the resources and the will to enforce a standard that few tracks can. "Ironically, the integrity of the event produces even more cynicism among America's already cynical racing fans." (Washington Post)...; [Posted October 29, 2004 9:06 AM]; ---

Funny Cide, Birdstone: The two New Yorkers are coupled in a head-to-head proposition bet, one of the many offered by Lone Star Park on this Saturday's races. "The pair of them going mano-a-mano is likely to start arguments on the streets of Manhattan or fistfights in a Long Island saloon, but there's some question as to what controversy it is apt to produce in Grand Prairie, Texas. It's sort of like waiting 40 years to see the Yankees hook up with the Mets, only to play the Subway Series in El Paso." (Boston Herald) Related: "Head2Head wager offers new twist this year" (Blood-Horse)...; [Posted October 28, 2004 3:23 PM]; ---

One for the Ages: "Take a generous helping of Annika Sorenstam testing her mettle against the men of the PGA, season with Ali vs. Frazier in the 'Thrilla in Manila' and you have the makings of Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic: a cross-gender slugfest pitting the great mare Azeri against a dozen of the toughest, orneriest male horses in the land." (MSNBC) Related: "Add Bobby Frankel to the list of skeptics who doubt Azeri belongs in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic. The only way she could beat the boys, Frankel said, is if 'the gates don't open for the rest of the horses.'" (San...; [Posted October 28, 2004 3:19 PM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Fields: Post positions for the Breeders' Cup and a morning line are up at the Daily Racing Form. Related: "Kitten's Joy is even-money favorite in Breeders' Cup Turf" (San Francisco Chronicle)...; [Posted October 27, 2004 8:25 PM]; ---

All Anyone's Talking About: Is Azeri trainer D. Wayne Lukas' and owner Michael Paulson's decision to run the six-year-old mare in the Classic. For giving casual fans a reason to tune in, "The Breeders' Cup needs to name a race in honor of Wayne Lukas. Or throw him a parade. Or at the very least, beg a free car from its automotive sponsor to reward him." (New York Daily News) "We're going to swing for the fences," Lukas explained to reporters. "She's already won the Distaff. We're going to see if we can do something that hasn't been done before." (San Francisco Chronicle) Gary...; [Posted October 27, 2004 9:23 AM]; ---

The Quotable Zito: Trainer Nick Zito feels a little grumpy about traveling to Lone Star: "We'd prefer to be at Belmont or one of the major tracks, of course," he tells Eddie Sefko (Dallas Morning News), but Zito says he's optimistic about Birdstone's chances in the Classic, even though, "If he wins, it would be a small miracle" (Thoroughbred Times)....; [Posted October 27, 2004 9:13 AM]; ---

It's Decided: Azeri will run in the Breeders' Cup Classic. (Daily Racing Form)...; [Posted October 26, 2004 5:10 PM]; ---

An International Cup: Bill Finley would like to make the Breeders' Cup a truly international affair, and he has a few ideas for increasing European participation: "Stop holding the Breeders' Cup in warm weather sites ... Hold the turf races at a European track." (ESPN)...; [Posted October 26, 2004 8:40 AM]; ---

One Confident Horse: "Afleet Alex strutted back to his barn after a solid workout Monday morning looking relaxed and confident. His demeanor spoke for his entire team." (Dallas Morning News) Related: "Here we go again" (New York Post)...; [Posted October 26, 2004 8:33 AM]; ---

The Giant Killer: "Someone once said trainer Allen Jerkens must be part horse. This certainly would explain why he understands horses as few other people do. He's a genius who has pulled off some of the biggest upsets ever." Just never in the Breeders' Cup. Don't count Jerkens out this Saturday though. "The Giant Killer, as he's fondly called, will try to put his magic to work Saturday at Lone Star Park with horses in two races on the $14 million program. Ignore him at your peril, even if his Bowman's Band is a scary 50-1 in the $4 million Classic." (Lexington Herald-Leader)...; [Posted October 26, 2004 8:30 AM]; ---

All Have Place at Lone Star: The champions, the journeymen, and the upstarts -- there's room for all at Lone Star Park this year. "Horse racing, after all, is among the most democratic of endeavors." (Dallas Morning News)...; [Posted October 26, 2004 8:26 AM]; ---

Joy to Behold: "One of the shortest price betting favorites in the Breeders' Cup Saturday will be an American horse going a mile and a half on the grass and shooting for Horse of the Year honors. Now there's a real switch!" (New York Post)...; [Posted October 26, 2004 8:22 AM]; ---

Horse by Horse: A look at the Breeders' Cup horse by horse: "Roman Ruler: Regressed a bit in 2-turn debut yet still won by 4½; major threat." "Azeri: 2002 Horse of Year won Distaff then; should be favored, but worth trying to upset at very short price." "Speightstown: Freaky fast, big chance; ignore tough-trip loss at 4-5 in Vosburgh." (ESPN)...; [Posted October 25, 2004 3:25 PM]; ---

Birdstone Out to Defy Odds: "Of all the 101 horses pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Saturday, one horse -- and one horse alone -- has the potential to light up the skies like a new star in the firmament. "That horse is Birdstone, Marylou Whitney's three-year-old giant killer, who stripped Smarty Jones of the Triple Crown in an unforgettable drama, then ran one of the great races of all time to win the Travers off an 84-day layoff. "Now he's taking dead aim at the $4 million Classic against older horses off an unimaginable 63-day layoff, a reach breathtaking in its scope. If he can...; [Posted October 25, 2004 7:50 AM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Countdown: - First impression will be lasting (DMN) - Workout action hot and heavy (BH) - Singletary namesake tackles BC mile (USAT) - BC could be a fillies' affair (MSNBC) - Lack of Euros owing to lack of quality? (TT)...; [Posted October 25, 2004 7:45 AM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Fails: To excite one Brit: "Getting myself into a state about the outcome of the Breeders' Cup races has become a habit over the past few years but I have to admit that the lack of any kind of Texas scramble of challengers heading from this side of the pond to Lone Star Park on Saturday has dimmed the enthusiasm." (Sunday Herald)...; [Posted October 24, 2004 12:52 PM]; ---

Breeders' Cup News: - Juvenile lacks quantity, quality (LAT) - Juvenile jinx just a myth (TR) - Balto Star out of BC with injury (TT) - Bad turn for one good for another (DMN) - Birdstone breezes in workout (BH) - Joy favored to end Euro streak (SFC) - Nakatani named on eight mounts (TT)...; [Posted October 23, 2004 9:15 AM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Roundup: - BC fields are stocked (Globe) - Eyes of Texas upon them (DRF) - Now comes the plotting (LHL) - Leaders head to BC (DMN) - Ouija in shape for US glory (Guar.) - Mandella, Whitney unconcerned (BH) - No place to be favored (LAT) - Azeri vs. males: Why the fuss? (NYDN)...; [Posted October 21, 2004 8:05 AM]; ---

Once Upon a Time: A million dollars was a lot of money. But inflation has whittled away at the value of the Breeders' Cup, and competition from races with fat purses in Hong Kong, Japan, and Dubai have lured away possible entrants, writes Gary West. "If the Breeders' Cup is going to continue call itself the World Thoroughbred Championships, it clearly must meet the international challenge by increasing purses and trying to decrease costs." (Dallas Morning News)...; [Posted October 20, 2004 8:38 AM]; ---

Super Fan: Vic Zast has been to all 20 Breeders' Cups, and he's had some luck: "I've been lucky more than once. My luckiest bets were on Lashkari ($108.80) in the inaugural Turf at Hollywood and Last Tycoon ($73.80) in the 1989 Mile at Santa Anita. Then there were Alphabet Soup ($41.70) in the 1996 Classic at Woodbine, Cat Thief ($41.20) in the 1999 Classic at Gulfstream, and Unbridled Elaine ($26.60) in the Juvenile Fillies at Belmont in 2001." (MSNBC)...; [Posted October 19, 2004 7:25 PM]; ---

Big Day Draws Close: And the excitement grows in Texas. "'To see those horses walk off the van really drives home the reality of it,' Lone Star assistant general manager Eugene Joyce said. 'To know that in 12 days those horses are going to be competing in the Breeders' Cup races puts Lone Star beyond being a part of Texas racing history, it puts us as a part of all of thoroughbred racing history now.'" (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) More: "Biancone's horses arrive at Lone Star" (Dallas Morning News)...; [Posted October 19, 2004 12:00 PM]; ---

Hitching a Ride: The Happy Handicapper does his homework and comes up with five Road Warriors to win at the Breeders' Cup. (Buffalo News)...; [Posted October 16, 2004 9:30 AM]; ---

The Frankel Factor: "Over the past three years, nowhere have expectations been higher Breeders' Cup week than at the Frankel barn. Since 2001, 24 Breeders' Cup championship races have been conducted. Frankel has had the betting favorite in eight of those races, or one-third of the time." And yet trainer Bobby Frankel has a 2-for-57 record for the Breeders' Cup. Why that should be so is a true mystery, says Tim Price. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)...; [Posted October 15, 2004 8:35 AM]; ---

Azeri "Adds Salsa": If her connections decide to run her in the Breeders' Cup Classic, says Bob Neumeier. (MSNBC) More: "Azeri has a couple of options" (Dallas Morning News)...; [Posted October 14, 2004 11:00 PM]; ---

It's Like Baseball: Or, rather, like the World Series. "Can there be such a thing as a World Championship in horse racing? And is it something of a pretense on the part of the Breeders' Cup to describe itself as the World Thoroughbred Championships?" (Dallas Morning News)...; [Posted October 13, 2004 7:37 AM]; ---

Breeders' Cup Countdown: - Roman Ruler works toward Juvenile (BH) - Juvenile a road to nowhere? (ESPN) - Californians primed for Texas (DRF) - No Breeders' Cup for Bago (SL)...; [Posted October 12, 2004 7:23 AM]; ---

Extraordinary: "They have to travel halfway around the world, and then they face circumstances that are unfamiliar. The cost of traveling and racing can be extravagant. And yet European participation in the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships has been nothing less than extraordinary." (Dallas Morning News)...; [Posted October 8, 2004 8:26 AM]; ---

Handicapping Lone Star: Paul Daley offers advice on handicapping the Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park. Things to note: The stretch run is a mere 930 feet, the turf course can be thought of a "mini Santa Anita," and "don't ever lose sight of the fact that most times, excepting horrendous racing luck or a poor ride, the best horse usually does win." (Lowell Sun)...; [Posted October 8, 2004 8:21 AM]; ---

Juvenile Cup: No Derby Impact: Paul Moran, reliably cranky: "The leading 2-year-olds usually held up at age 3, and being the winter-book favorite to win the Derby meant something. That unofficial title has now become a stigma. Two decades have demonstrated that this was the one original expectation the Breeders' Cup has failed to fulfill. The first 20 winners of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile have failed to win the Kentucky Derby or any race in the Triple Crown series." (Newsday)...; [Posted October 8, 2004 8:05 AM]; ---

Remembering a Perfect Day: "It was nearly a year ago that Richard Mandella had perhaps the greatest training day in Breeders' Cup history, winning four races at Santa Anita. He was favored to win the Juvenile Fillies with Halfbridled.... And she won despite starting from post position 14. But handicappers didn't give Action This Day (Juvenile), Johar (Turf) and, of course, Pleasantly Perfect (Classic) much of a chance. But they all won. The most impressive was Pleasantly Perfect, who defeated highly acclaimed Congaree, Medaglia d'Oro and Funny Cide." (Dallas Morning News)...; [Posted October 8, 2004 8:03 AM]; ---

Star Power: Ghostzapper, Pleasantly Perfect, Birdstone -- and now Funny Cide. Breeders' Cup and Lone Star officials are thrilled the "gutsy gelding" will be part of the Classic: "He'll add even more excitement to an exciting day." (Dallas Morning News)...; [Posted October 7, 2004 7:20 AM]; ---

Another Cup Contestant: Bago, winner of the Arc on Sunday, may put in an appearance at the Breeders' Cup. "'We always thought he was an exceptional horse,' Cooper said, adding that the horse might put his credentials on the line at the Breeders' Cup in Texas on Oct. 30." (International Herald Tribune)...; [Posted October 4, 2004 6:50 AM]; ---

The New Thing: Some of the country's best trainers are trying to prep their horses for the Breeders' Cup with long layoffs. "That's the trend. Give them a nice long rest before Breeders' Cup Day, which will supposedly have them fresh fit and at their most dangerous come time of the big event. There's just one problem with that strategy: it rarely works." (ESPN)...; [Posted October 1, 2004 8:00 AM]; ---

If It's Right There ...: "And if the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships land in your back yard ... well, you go racing, of course. You never know what you might win." Local horses aim for Breeders' Cup races. (Dallas Morning News)...; [Posted October 1, 2004 7:45 AM]; ---

Going the Distance: For European horses traveling to Texas for the Breeders' Cup, transport is complicated. (Star-Telegram)...; [Posted September 27, 2004 12:26 PM]; ---

Early Speed Predicted: "Roses in May, Saint Liam and Ghostzapper must be rated as early favorites for the 1¼-mile Lone Star shootout, but their similar pace-pressing running styles might hurt them in the long run. It seems a virtual certainty that the Classic will be run with an unbelievably fast, early pace if this trio goes postward." (MSNBC)...; [Posted September 23, 2004 7:55 AM]; ---

If You Don't Have Tickets: To the Breeders' Cup already, you're out of luck: "The Oct. 30 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, is officially sold out, officials announced Sept. 22. All 51,034 reserved seats at the racetrack have been allocated, which makes for an advance-sales record for the event." And it's really sold out -- all the seats are reserved and there are no general admission tickets. (Blood-Horse)...; [Posted September 22, 2004 4:55 PM]; ---

Approved: Trainer Patrick Biancone visits Lone Star Park, declares the track "A lovely place." (Dallas Morning News)...; [Posted September 22, 2004 7:50 AM]; ---

Who Thought This Up?: This sounds like a terrible idea -- a terrible, weird idea: "Also a part of the program is the 'Ultimate Breeders' Cup Classic,' a hypothetical race between the 19 winners of the Breeders' Cup Classic (there are only 19 different winners because Tiznow won both the 2000 and 2001 renewals). This segment will include a morning line set by Mike Battaglia, a full video post parade, a race call by Tom Durkin and carefully edited film and video footage that will realistically simulate an actual mile-and-one-quarter race. The winner was selected via secret ballot by a panel of veteran horseracing...; [Posted September 18, 2004 9:20 AM]; ---

Wise-Guy Bettors Say: Here's a little advice on handicapping the Breeders' Cup races at Lone Star Park: "Wise-guy bettors indicated to me that the turf course (a Santa Anita look-alike) has a profound bias toward closing, stretch runners and is murder on pacesetters. The main track plays fair, unless the weather is unusually hot and humid, when speed is king and the times are very fast." (MSNBC)...; [Posted September 15, 2004 7:35 PM]; ---

Only Eight Weeks to Go: The countdown begins to the next major event on Thoroughbred racing's calendar, the Breeders' Cup. (Blood-Horse)...; [Posted September 3, 2004 8:30 PM]; ---

Start Planning: "Race order, post times, and wagering menu announced for Breeders' Cup " (Blood-Horse)...; [Posted August 19, 2004 12:15 PM]; ---

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