Zenyatta, Goldikova hunt BC history

Led by the sensational mares Zenyatta and Goldikova, both of whom will be seeking unprecedented third victories in the Breeders' Cup, a total of 184 horses were announced on Wednesday as the pre-entries for the 27th Breeders' Cup, a 14-race, $26 million extravaganza to be held Nov. 5-6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Goldikova wins 2008 Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita Park.

Horsephotos.comGoldikova will go after a record third-straight Breeders' Cup Mile victory.

Zenyatta, who won the Classic last year and the Ladies' Classic in 2008, and Goldikova, a two-time winner of the Mile on turf, are among six previous Breeders' Cup winners pre-entered in the 14 races. The others are 2009 winners Midday (Filly and Mare Turf), Informed Decision (Filly and Mare Sprint), and California Flag (Turf Sprint), and Forever Together, who won the Filly and Mare Turf in 2008.

Blind Luck, this year's winner of the Kentucky Oaks, has been pre-entered in the Ladies' Classic, and Mine That Bird, the upset winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby, is in the Dirt Mile.

In addition to Goldikova, the most prominent international entrant is Workforce, the winner of the Arc de Triomphe, who will race in the Turf.

Though officially announced on Wednesday, pre-entries had to be submitted by Monday, and the 184 pre-entries were announced on Tuesday as a record. On Monday, horses could be put into two races. Eighteen horses were so designated, bringing the total number of entries in the 14 races to 202. Most prominent among those cross-entered is Gio Ponti, who was placed in both the Classic and the Mile, with the Classic being listed as his first choice.

Gio Ponti, a double Eclipse Award winner last year following a second-place finish in the Classic and a turf victory in the Arlington Million, has never raced on natural dirt, so the Classic would mark his first start on that surface in a career that thus far has numbered 22 races. The Classic was run on the synthetic Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita the previous two years.

Final entries are due next Tuesday, and post positions will be drawn.

Of the 14 races, six received more pre-entries than can actually start. In those cases, the field is determined first by horses who have captured respective Win and You're In races during the year, then by points earned in graded stakes races, and finally by an international committee of racing officials, which fills out the remaining slots and puts the overflow horses on an also-eligible list, in order of preference.

In the Classic, for instance, 16 horses were pre-entered, but only 14 will be allowed to run. No more than 14 are expected to seek starting berths in the race at entry time next Tuesday, though, because both Crown of Thorns and Dakota Phone are expected to go in the race currently designated as their first choice, the Dirt Mile.

Other races that oversubscribed are the Filly and Mare Sprint (22 pre-entries), Juvenile Fillies Turf (18), Turf Sprint (18), Dirt Mile (15), and Juvenile Turf (19).

In races that are still oversubscribed at the final entry stage, two also-eligibles will be drawn and listed on the program in the case of late scratches.

The Classic will anchor the second day of competition. Preceding it that day will be, in order, the Juvenile Turf, Sprint, Turf Sprint, Juvenile, Mile, Dirt Mile, and Turf. On Nov. 5, the Ladies' Classic will be the last of six Breeders' Cup races, following, in order, the Marathon, Juvenile Fillies Turf, Filly and Mare Sprint, Juvenile Fillies, and Filly and Mare Turf.

The 1 1/4-mile Classic, at $5 million the richest Breeders' Cup race, has an outstanding field featuring the leading contenders for Horse of the Year, including Zenyatta, older stars Blame, Quality Road, and Haynesfield, and Lookin at Lucky, last year's male 2-year-old champion and this year's top 3-year-old male following victories in the Preakness and Haskell. International spice is provided by Japanese invader Espoir City. And while the connections of Gio Ponti mull over which race to go in, another grass standout, Paddy O'Prado, will go in the Classic, his chances boosted by a third-place finish over this surface in the Kentucky Derby six months ago.

Paddy O'Prado also was pre-entered in the Turf, and Morning Line also was pre-entered in the Dirt Mile, but the connections of both horses have said the Classic, their first choice at the pre-entry stage, is their intention.

If Gio Ponti goes in the Classic, he will need a new rider, because his regular rider, Ramon Dominguez, rides Haynesfield in that race.

The Classic field, including riders, is Blame (Garrett Gomez), Espoir City (Tetsuzo Sato), Etched (Alan Garcia), First Dude (Robby Albarado), Fly Down (Julien Leparoux), Haynesfield (Dominguez), Lookin at Lucky (Martin Garcia), Morning Line (Javier Castellano), Musket Man (Eibar Coa), Paddy O'Prado (Kent Desormeaux), Pleasant Prince (Joel Rosario), Quality Road (John Velazquez), and Zenyatta (Mike Smith). There is no rider yet for Gio Ponti. And both Crown of Thorns and Dakota Phone are expected to defect for the Dirt Mile.

This will be the seventh Breeders' Cup held at Churchill Downs, which will also play host to the event in 2011.

Zenyatta: The Star Attraction of the 2010 Breeders' Cup

By Sports Network

The Sports Network

No American-bred horse has ever won 20 consecutive races, let alone retire undefeated. Zenyatta has a chance to accomplish both feats with a second straight victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

The queen of California has ventured outside her home state on two occasions - both times racing at Oaklawn Park in the Apple Blossom Handicap. Ironically, those two wins were her most impressive in terms of margin of victory, taking this year's version by 4 1/4 lengths and the '08 race by 4 1/2 lengths.

Zenyatta has raced against the boys once before, in the '09 Breeders' Cup Classic, and many observers argue it was her crowning achievement as she knocked off Gio Ponti with a powerful stretch drive while running her final quarter-mile in a brisk 23 1/5 seconds. It was her first and only race at 1 1/4-miles - until this Saturday when she has a much tougher task ahead of her against the likes of Quality Road, Blame, Lookin At Lucky and, once again, Gio Ponti.

Even though the field is 10 times better, each of those horses mentioned above have their question marks. The first three have never won at 10 furlongs, while Gio Ponti's three 1 1/4-mile wins all have come on the turf.

The pace should be a fast one with the likes of First Dude, Morning Line, Etched and Haynesfield keeping Quality Road honest on the front end. Lookin At Lucky should get a dream trip but the three-year-old might not be good enough to beat this type of field.

If any horse is to hold off the late charging Zenyatta, the odds are it will be either Gio Ponti or Blame.

Gio Ponti began the '10 season slowly losing his first three races, but the five-year-old has won two of his last three, with the lone defeat coming in the Arlington Million to Debussy. The only knock on the Christophe Clement- trained turfer is the lack of a race on traditional dirt. However, that will only drive up his odds.

Blame has lost just once since 2009 and that was a second-place finish in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, a race Haynesfield had all his own way on the lead. Jockey Garrett Gomez didn't abuse Blame through the stretch in his first try at 1 1/4-miles so an improved effort is expected. Don't forget, he has won three of four lifetime starts at Churchill Downs, including the Stephen Foster Handicap back in June.

The Morning Line: Zenyatta Has Already Won

By BENNETT LIEBMAN

Bennett Liebman is the executive director of the Government Law Center at Albany Law School and a member of the board of directors of the New York Racing Association.

Unlike her actual come-from-behind racing style, Zenyatta, in the media race for the Breeders’ Cup, looks like a wire-to-wire winner. The “Mare and the Myth” stories keep on a comin’. Certainly, that’s the way CBS’ “60 Minutes” sees it, as they believe that Zenyatta is the “greatest filly in horse racing history” and ask the question whether Zenyatta is the “best racehorse ever?” She is “the most splendid creature we’ve ever seen” according to the actual broadcast. Jay Hovdey for the Daily Racing Form provides a critique of the broadcast.

CBS is not alone in its praise of Zenyatta. “All systems are go,” according to USA Today, and the Louisville Courier-Journal answers all your Zenyatta questions. Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal finds that “fixing Zenyatta’s position in the racing firmament is no easy task.” He quotes trainer Shug McGaughey who says, “I don’t know if she’s the greatest of all times, but she has got the greatest record of all time.” The Daily Racing Form even reports on Zenyatta’s strolls around Hollywood Park on Sunday.

A more humorous look at the Cup is provided by Nic Doggett’s Breeders’ Cup likes and dislikes in Sky Sports. He is looking forward to Americans getting excited about Zenyatta’s dance moves “if by dance moves you mean a horse scratching at the floor like a combination of a goose-stepping Basil Fawlty and my dog trying to bury its outdoor dealings.” He also complains about the “the spoiling of Zenyatta. Extended, weepy, pointless over-sentimental media coverage coupled with months of anticipation will surely result in the mother of all boil-over’s and a huge anticlimax.”

There is a Breeders’ Cup beyond Zenyatta, and it is beginning to receive more coverage. Todd Pletcher’s Todd Squad is featured in the Thoroughbred Times, the New York Post, Los Angeles Daily news group, and the Blood-Horse. Trainer Pletcher seems particularly high on Quality Road stating in the Lexington Herald –Leader, “”I thought he worked as well as he’s ever worked this morning,” The New York Post says that Pletcher “believes he has the horse to beat.”

Other contenders for the Classic are featured. Lookin at Lucky and Japan’s Espoir City worked at Hollywood Park, and jockey Garrett Gomez writes that he truly believes that Blame is “the horse with the best chance to beat Zenyatta.”

Both the Louisville Courier-Journal and the Lexington Herald-Leader have stories on Goldikova. Both Goldikova and Workforce – the likely favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Turf – arrived in Louisville on Saturday.

In an interesting development, the top BritishK rider Richard Hughes may not make it to the Breeders’ Cup. He trails Paul Hanagan by three wins in the UK rider standings, and the British flat racing season ends on Saturday. He may give up his two Cup mounts, including Paco Boy in the Mile, to try to win the rider’s title.

If you want to take an early look at handicapping information for the Cup races, please take a look at the Daily Racing Form site with its listing of Cup contenders.

The Melbourne Cup is run on Tuesday in Australia, which means that post time is actually this evening at midnight Eastern time. Past performances are here (Go to page 36). Internet radio coverage can be found through the Australian Broadcasting Company. Right now, So You Think is a huge favorite. Maluckyday has become the second choice, and he and So You Think are among the eight horses in the race that raced on Saturday.

US puts its faith in power of Zenyatta as superstar horse seeks Breeders' Cup victory at Churchill Downs

By Marcus Townend

Racing Correspondent

Last updated at 10:21 PM on 31st October 2010

There is no chance of the enormity of the responsibility resting on his slim but muscular shoulders escaping Mike Smith.

Even for one of the most successful jockeys in the world, with close to 5,000 career wins and virtually every major prize on his record, partnering Zenyatta in Saturday’s £5million Breeders’ Cup Classic is special.

Millions of Americans, poised to give President Barack Obama a bloody nose in the mid-term elections, are praying Zenyatta creates history at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.

Unbeaten in 19 races, twice a winner at the Breeders’ Cup meeting already and shooting for a second successive victory in the Classic, Zenyatta is a 21st-century

rarity — a racehorse with the fan club of a popstar.

Named in Oprah Winfrey’s top 20 Power List of ‘women’ for 2010, over 30 million tuned into a feature on her on CBS’s 60 Minutes last night , while banner-waving

Zen-Maniacs will dominate a 75,000 crowd at Churchill Downs.

Smith, 45, said: ‘This is more pressure than any of the Derbys, Belmonts and Preaknesses I have ever ridden in. This is by far the most exciting ride I’ve ever had.

‘Any rider would feel the same. Not only going for back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Classics but to try to go undefeated 20-for-20 is just incredible.

‘I’d be lying if I said all the interest did not add to the pressure. Every little girl and boy and woman and man in the United States right now is counting on her. It’s a lot but it is a good position to be in and I’m going to embrace it. If the good Lord is willing and it is meant to be, we’ll get there.’

It was at Santa Anita, California, 12 months ago that Zenyatta became the first mare to win the Classic, delivering a withering, field-splitting finish under Smith’s daring, exaggerated hold-up tactics. It was a surge which felt as dramatic as it looked.

Smith recalled: ‘It was like an out-of-body experience, to tell you the truth. I almost felt like I was in the grandstand, watching her run and cheering for her.

‘It was pretty amazing. It was something I’d never felt before. And I’ve never seen a grandstand rattle like that — when I came back it was shaking.’

The feeling may have been unreal but the truth of the matter for the jockey born close to Roswell, New Mexico — the site of one of the most famous UFO incidents in 1947 — is that the win confirmed Zenyatta was genuine quality, not merely a number-crunching track bully. There have been no regrets at the decision to postpone her retirement for a year, especially from Smith.

A further five Grade One wins may not have been so dramatic but Smith is confident the 7-2 favourite will take the switch from her synthetic-surface form in California to the Churchill Downs dirt in her devouring stride.

Smith, whose 1991 Irish 2000 Guineas win on Fourstars Allstar still makes him the only US-based jockey to win a European Classic, said: ‘She is definitely much stronger than last year. Her victories are not flamboyant becauseit is her style. She just gets the job done.

‘She has run twice on dirt and produced two of her greatest margins of victory. She also trained at Churchill last year but did not run because of the weather. She seemed to be training amazingly over there. I’m hoping that meant something.

‘There should be a greater pace in the race and Churchill has a longer stretch than we do here in California. Both should be to her advantage.

‘If she handles the dirt kick-back well, she should run dynamite. She is really training well right now.’

Smith, partner with fellow jockey Alex Solis in a vineyard producing a wine called Jinetes (Spanish for jockeys), will crack open a few bottles if he secures the two Breeders’ Cup meeting wins to equal Jerry Bailey’s record of 15.

He rates his chance on juvenile colt Jaycito and partners the fourtime Grade One winner Proviso against Goldikova in the Mile. But the focus is on one mare and Smith knows it.

‘I’ve been blessed in my career to have been around some big situations,’ he said, ‘but not quite as big as this.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-1325371/US-puts-faith-power-Zenyatta-superstar-horse-seeks-Breeders-Cup-victory-Churchill-Downs.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz145DdfXk6

Forever Together Preps for Second F&M Turf

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 8:53 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 5:11 PM

Forever Together, winner of the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT), is back in the race in which she finished third last year.

The 6-year-old daughter of Belong to Me   --Constant Companion, by Relaunch, trained by Jonathan Sheppard for Augustin Stable drilled five furlongs on turf in 1:01 at Churchill Downs Nov. 1 in preparation for the Nov. 5 race sponsored by Emirates Airline.

"It looked like she went well," said the mare’s Hall of Fame trainer.

Forever Together, who has won or placed in 21 of 25 starts en route to earning $2.9 million, will be ridden by mid-Atlantic-based jockey Rosie Napravnik.

Forever Together is winless in her last eight starts since taking the Diana (gr. IT) at Saratoga in 2009.

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Haskin's BC Report: What's All the Fuss?

Updated: Sunday, October 31, 2010 4:59 PM
Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 3:06 PM

The way some people are talking, you would think the connections of Paddy O'Prado and Gio Ponti are suffering from dirt on the brain.

Paddy O’Prado is already committed to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I), while Gio Ponti was pre-entered with a first preference for the Classic, a race in which he finished second last year on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface. The connections of Gio Ponti are still debating in which direction to go, and while all indications were that the Classic was the race they were leaning toward, the word now is that the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) still is very much in the picture. Most feel this is a no-brainer and that Gio Ponti belongs in the Mile. Because of the indecision, we will direct this more toward Paddy O’Prado for the time being.

The records show both horses are grass horses, and the majority of people feel they should run in their respective grass races – the Emirates Airline Turf (gr. IT) for Paddy O’Prado and the TVG Mile (gr. IT) for Gio Ponti.

From a handicapping standpoint that may seem the logical course of action. But the owners of both horses apparently have their own agendas and are looking for a lot more than winning another grass race, even if it is a Breeders’ Cup event. Gio Ponti is who he is, a top-class grass and synthetic horse at a mile to 1 ¼ miles, and a victory in the BC Mile, while a great way to end his career, will not enhance his reputation and value as a potential stallion nearly as much as a Classic victory. And owner Castleton Lyons places a great deal of emphasis on stallion reputation, so their indecision is understandable.

Paddy O’Prado has developed into a brilliant turf horse, but has not won going farther than 1 ¼ miles, and has only beaten 3-year-olds. But he did finish third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), despite a horrendous trip.

It’s not as if running Gio Ponti and Paddy O’Prado in the grass races are gimmes and the owners are throwing away million-dollar purses. Gio Ponti still would have to beat one of the greatest milers in history, Goldikova, and several other top-class horses, including Paco Boy. Paddy O’ Prado still would have to defeat Workforce, winner of the English Derby (Eng-I) and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I), as well as a very talented horse in Behkabad at a distance at which he is unproven, having been caught in the stretch by Winchester in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (gr. IT) in his last start. Debussy, who is not considered quite in the class of those two, still managed to knock off Gio Ponti in the Arlington Million (gr. IT), an indicator of just how good the Europeans are.

So what better time to shoot for the moon and explore the unknown? Another factor is that a victory by Gio Ponti in the Classic could at the very least put him in consideration for Horse of the Year. He’s already been the turf champion, so that’s nothing new. A victory by Paddy O’Prado could very well earn him an Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old.

You may ask at this point, how are they going to beat all these top-class horses in the Classic. We don’t know that they can. But then again, with Gio Ponti’s dirt breeding and style of running, and with Paddy O’Prado’s breeding and his big effort in the Derby, we don’t know that they can’t.

Gio Ponti’s trainer, Christophe Clement, remained faithful to his grass training by giving the colt his final Breeders’ Cup prep on the grass. So there certainly is no urgency to see how he’ll handle the dirt in the morning.

The bottom line is that it’s called gambling, and that’s what the owners of Paddy O’Prado are willing to do for the chance at history and for their horse to be remembered far longer than if he had won the Turf. If Paddy is a bust in the Classic, he has all of next year to establish himself as the best grass horse in the country. And the BC Turf isn’t going anywhere. Simply put, there is a lot of upside and little downside. The same can be said for Gio Ponti if his connections decide to go that route. The decision is more difficult for them, because everyone wants their horse to go out a winner, and a victory over Goldikova would be quite a swan song.

If they do opt for the Classic, there is no need for criticism. It’s their horse and their decision, and the Classic is an enticing lure. Did anyone criticize Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore when they chose to run Giant's Causeway   in the Classic instead of the Mile, where he would have been an overwhelming favorite (the favorite that year was War Chant   at 7-2)? His gutsy effort against Tiznow   no doubt had to help establish his reputation as a stallion, and he wound up becoming one of the leading sires in the world, topping the North American sire’s list in 2009.

Jerry Crawford, head of Donegal racing, is a sharp guy, and is well aware of Paddy’s grass prowess and certainly can understand why many people feel his horse should be in the Turf.  But for now, he and his partners are in the sport to have fun and enjoy their horse, as they did when Paddy gave them the thrill of finishing third in the Kentucky Derby. The horse’s stud value is something they can think about next year. Win or lose, the decision to step out of the box and strive for greatness is to be commended.

They felt even better about their decision after Paddy O’Prado breezed a sharp five furlongs in 1:01 Oct. 30, coming home his final quarter in :24 2/5 before galloping out an other eighth in a strong :13 flat. He then pulled up seven panels in 1:28 2/5.

Briefly catching up on a few works over the past two days: Smiling Tiger turned in an eye-catching work, drilling five furlongs in :58 4/5 after an eventful trip, having to dodge and circle several other workers. But the work that left the biggest impression was the five-furlong drill in :59 3/5 by Japanese filly Red Desire, who is coming up to the Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) in excellent shape. She looks to be sitting on a monster effort. She worked in hand and was gliding over the surface, running straight and true.

On Oct. 31, Quality Road had an excellent sharpener, working a half-mile in :48 3/5 in company with Aikenite, and he did it all on his own under no urging. Haynesfield also looked good, breezing a half in :50 1/5 and appeared to handle the track beautifully.

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Godolphin Horses Work for BC at Belmont

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 1:33 PM
Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 3:26 PM

Godolphin Racing will have a strong hand in the Breeders’ Cup Nov. 5-6 as the operation’s Girolamo, Sara Louise, Gayego, and Vineyard Haven are bound for Louisville after breezing at Belmont Park this weekend.
Godolphin’s contenders for the BC Dirt Mile (gr. I), Vineyard Haven and Gayego, turned in separate breezes Oct. 31.
Gayego, who in his most recent start defeated the Oct. 30 Greenbrier Fayette (gr. II) winner Successful Dan in the Presque Isle Mile Sept. 10, breezed four furlongs in :48.88.
“He finished up great and galloped out good, and he’s another one we’re real happy with,” said Godolphin assistant trainer Rick Mettee. “That Presque Isle race looks pretty good now that Successful Dan has come back and won two starts. The one-turn mile should be perfect for him.”
Vineyard Haven, most recently third in the Forego (gr. I) at Saratoga Sept. 24, breezed five furlongs in 1:01 2/5
“He went in 1:01 2/5 and went out in 1:13 4/5,” said Mettee. “Hopefully he can get an outside draw. Like Gayego, he seems to like being outside horses a little more. You just have to hope that with a big field and a one-turn mile they both get good draws and aren’t tucked down along the inside because that field is loaded with horses like Tizway, Crown of Thorns, and Here Comes Ben.”
Sentient Jet BC Sprint (gr. I) entrant Girolamo earned a bullet work Oct. 30 for his 1:00.06 five-furlong breeze, his third official workout since winning the Vosburgh (gr. I) at Belmont Park Oct. 2.
“Girolamo went really well – he went especially well yesterday,” said Mettee. “After a big race like the Vosburgh, you never know how they’ll handle it, but he seems to have thrived since then.”
Sara Louise, who will be making her second start of 2010 when she competes in the Emirates Airline BC Filly & Mare Sprint, turned in a :47.67 four-furlong breeze in the second quickest of 23 moves at the distance Oct. 30.
“She went back to the track today and trotted, and we’re real happy with the way she’s coming up to the race,” said Mettee. “We’d like to have another race in her, but we didn’t have that luxury. At least we got a race into her, and she’s healthy, sound, and fresh. She’s run at Churchill before, and seven furlongs should be a good distance for her.”
Mettee said all four horses will depart Belmont by van Nov. 1, arrive at Churchill Downs Nov. 2, and will take to the track Nov. 3.
“All of them have shipped before and Belmont is such a good place to prepare a horse,” said Mettee of the decision to have Godolphin’s Breeders’ Cup contenders make their final breezes at in New York. “We’re away from all the hustle and bustle of things and we’re not huge believers in needing a race or a work over the track. Sometimes shipping is good for horses; it gets them up on their toes.”

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Dancinginherdreams Struts Stuff in Pocahontas

Dancinginherdreams wins the Pocahontas S. Photo: Reed Palmer Photography/Churchill Downs Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 1:40 PM
Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 5:51 PM

Even-money choice Dancinginherdreams charged through an opening at the rail approaching mid-stretch and romped to victory under a patient Julien Leparoux in the $165,450 Pocahontas Stakes (gr. II) on the opening day of the Churchill Downs fall meet Oct. 31 (VIDEO).

Dancinginherdreams, who won geared down by 5 1/4 lengths, certainly lived up to her billing on Churchill's "Stars of Tomorrow" card for 2-year-olds. Connections for those pre-entered in the Grey Goose Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), to be held Nov. 5 at Churchill, can be thankful they won't be facing the inexperienced daughter of Tapit  --Mayan Milagra, by Menifee.

Owned by John Oxley and trained by John Ward Jr., the $330,000 Keeneland yearling purchase has won her two starts by a combined 10 1/4 lengths. The lighty-framed filly completed the one-turn mile over a fast track in 1:38.59, nearly matching the winning time posted by 2-year-old colt Astrology (1:38.43) in winning the Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) two races earlier at Churchill.

“That’s the way she trains in the morning, so to see it come back and do it in the afternoon is pretty good," Ward said. "I thought the racetrack was very difficult today, but she obviously overcomes what’s in front of her. I wouldn’t call it easy but she handled everything well.

"We will see her again in Florida and she needs to put some meat on her bones. But that’s what you’re looking for and I think she will run as far you want her to go.”

Dancinginherdreams was reserved off the early pace as second choice Honey Chile led the field of seven through quarter-mile fractions of :22.75 and :46.59 while pushed along by Days Like This and Gran Lioness. The latter, advancing three wide, took over as the field reached six furlongs in 1:12.58 and led into the stretch. Dancinginherdreams was fifth rounding the bend but moving easily between horses behind the leaders and looking for room under the guidance of Leparoux.

The opening appeared in upper stretch and Dancinginherdreams charged for it when asked, taking the lead past the three-sixteenths pole. Past the eighth pole, Leparoux looked over his right shoulder for any threats and seeing none, hand rode the gray/roan filly to an impressive triumph.

"I was in tight and she had a great pull; she does everything good," Leparoux said. "Today she broke a little bit better.”

Eden Star, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, edged Missyoulikecrazy and Corey Lanerie by a half-length for second. Grand Lioness held on for fourth, followed by Days Like This, Switching Gears, and Honey Chile.

Bred in Kentucky by Nancy Shuford, Dancinginherdreams tallied by five lengths as the 3-2 favorite in her debut Oct. 10 at Keeneland going six furlongs over Polytrack.

Dancinginherdreams earned $100,529 for the Pocahontas victory and has now banked $124,529 in her brief career.

She carried 117 pounds and paid $4, $2.80, and $2.40, topping a $51 exacta. Maiden Eden Star, a daughter of Eddington   who has placed in both of her starts to date for trainer Eric Reed, returned $9.20 and $5.40. Missyoulikecrazy, coming off a maiden win at Belmont Park in her second start for Eddie Kenneally, was $5.20 to show.

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Blame in 'Maintenance' Work for Classic

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 2:34 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 7:28 AM

Adele B. Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm’s Blame kicked off Breeders’ Cup week at Churchill Downs with a half-mile breeze in :49 4/5 the morning of Nov. 1.

With the main track bathed in lights, the son of Arch  --Liable, by Seeking the Gold, was out on the track with some of the first horses to train shortly after the track opened as he went through his final paces for the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I). With jockey Garrett Gomez aboard, Blame had fractional splits of :13 1/5, :25 1/5 and :37 1/5. Following the half-mile work, the 4-year-old colt galloped out five furlongs in 1:03 1/5.

"It was just a little maintenance work," trainer Al Stall Jr. said. "Garrett said he started off very comfortable, and he came home really nice. He said when he pulled him up he let out a big squeal and a big buck, and he turned around and came home. That’s what he does."

Stall said one reason he waited until Monday of Breeders’ Cup week to work Blame was because of the maintenance on the main track during the opening day card of the Churchill meet the previous day.

"I thought the track would be in pristine shape after a full day of harrowing and watering," he said. "I thought the track looked really good."

Stall said he believes it's appropriate so much of the attention for the Classic is focused on Zenyatta, last year’s Classic winner who is seeking to end her career undefeated in 20 starts.

"They’ve got to hang their hat on somebody, and Zenyatta is the obvious one to do that with, with her record and her style and personality," Stall said. "I think it’s the right way to go. I am glad we are considered one of the horses that make (the Classic) a tough race. I'm happy to just be a player in the race with a 5-1 horse instead of a 50-1 shot.

"She’s in the race; we’ll be in the race. I just want him to go in there in top condition and run his ‘A’ race. If he does that and wins, that’s great. If he does that and loses, that’s fine, too.

"I don’t even think about Zenyatta that much. But if you really thought about it, what would help her in the race would help us, too. She needs pace and for horses in front to come back, so I guess I am kind of rooting for Zenyatta."

With the major work over, Stall said he just wants his horse to stay sound and be ready for the Classic. "Like Charlie Whittingham told me one time, 'They are like strawberries and can spoil overnight.' "

Stall said Blame tried to bite the lead pony that accompanied him to the track, which is "one of the indicators that he is good and sharp."

Bred in Kentucky by Dilschneider and Claiborne, Blame has won or placed in all 12 starts, with eight wins to his credit and earnings of $1,666,214. After winning the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill earlier this year, the colt won the Whitney (gr. I) at Saratoga and finished second to Classic contender Haynesfield in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) in his last start.

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Astrology Takes Star Turn in Iroquois

Astrology wins the Iroquois S. Photo: Reed Palmer Photography/Churchill Downs Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 1:36 PM
Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 4:59 PM

Heavily favored Astrology was an appropriate winner on Churchill Downs' “Stars of Tomorrow” card on opening day of the Louisville track's fall meet, convincingly taking the $122,300 Iroquois Stakes (gr. II) Oct. 31 (VIDEO) .

Aggressively handled by Garrett Gomez, Astrology turned back Ribo Bobo for a 2 3/4-length win after he put away pacesetter Maybesomaybenot in upper stretch of the one-turn mile event for 2-year-olds. The winning time on a fast main track was 1:38.43.

Bred by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables and owned in partnership with George Bolton, the winning 2-year-old son of A.P. Indy  --Quiet Eclipse, by Quiet American scored his second win in four starts for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Second choice Maybesomaybenight, ridden by Robby Albarado, broke on top with Astrology on his outside before Conservative Value squeezed his way between those two leaving the chute to force Astrology wide down the backstretch. Maybesomaybenot carved fractions of :23.09 and :46.78 and inched away briefly before Astrology moved up on the outside to challenge on the turn and Conservative Value fell back.

Astrology took over as the field reached six furlongs in 1:11.98. But Maybesomaybenot clung to the leader in upper stretch along the inside as Gomez shook up the the favorite with left-handed urging. Ribo Bobo, with Eduardo Nunez aboard, loomed as the main contender on the outside of Astrology but could not match strides with the winner, who held sway after opening a two-length advantage at the eighth pole. 

“(Astrology) slowed down just before I got into him," Gomez said. "I could see he was starting to slow so I had to go; he wants to wait.”

Ribo Bobo was second by 4 1/4 lengths over Maybesomaybenot, who nosed the late-running Halo's Thunder for third.

Astrology was coming off a third-place finish as the favorite in the one-mile Garden State Stakes at Monmouth Park Sept. 25, a race in which he weakened late after pressing the pace on the outside. The bay colt began his career at Saratoga, finishing third in a six-furlong maiden debut July 31 before breaking his maiden impressively at seven furlongs by two lengths Sept. 4. He has been favored in all four of his races.

“He is a beautiful horse; tons of pedigree," Asmussen said. "This is a very important 2-year-old win but he does childish things. It’s his first day here with a new paddock and he was wound up; a lot more excitable than you would like.

"When Robby’s horse (Maybesomaybenot) dropped the bridle (Astrology) found himself in front. He just needs to get to the next step. This will help. I think he’s a little too childish, but he’s got a ton of ability. He is very impressive to train, he’s got a beautiful big stride, but I think he can do better.”

The $73,533 winning purse for the Iroquois pushed Astrology's earnings to $120,533.

Astrology carried 117 pounds and paid $4.60, $3.40, and $2.20 as the 13-10 choice. Florida shipper Ribo Bobo, winner of the Foolish Pleasure Stakes at Calder Race Course and Casino in his last start for trainer Manuel Azpurua, returned $5.80 and $3.40 and completed a $26.40 exacta. Sanford Stakes (gr. II) winner Maybesomaybenot, making his debut in blinkers for trainer Mike Maker, was $2.60 to show.

Halo's Thunder was followed by Ronin Dax, War Whoop, Conservative Value, and Storm in the Lake.

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Indian Apple Is Polishes Off Ontario Fashion

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 2:10 PM
Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 6:25 PM

Indian Apple Is, rallying seven wide into the stretch, got up in the final yards to take $181,355 Ontario Fashion Stakes Oct. 31 at Woodbine.

Scoring for the third time in six starts this season, the Robert Tiller trainee finished a half-length in front of pacesetting Waccamaw with Chantal Sutherland aboard. Shukriya was third. There were 10 Ontario-bred fillies in the race.

Frank Di Giulio Jr.'s 4-year-old homebred Indian Apple Is covered six furlongs over Polytrack in 1:09.76.

"I thought it might not be far enough for her," said Tiller, commending Sutherland for the effort. "If she can get to the outside, she can get a horse rolling down the lane. Everything worked out perfect."

Indian Apple Is was seventh after a half-mile as Waccamaw, ridden by Patrick Husbands, showed the way through brisk fractions of :21.62 and :44.36. Closing on the grandstand side, Indian Apple Is would not be denied, inching away at the wire. Shukriyam, also closing on the outside, finished a neck back in third at odds of 29-1.

A three-time stakes winner, Indian Apple Is was coming off a second in the Seaway Stakes (Can-III) Sept. 4. By Indian Charlie  --Domasca Bella, by Domasaca, she has strong broodmare potential. Tiller said no decisions had been made on her future other than the date of her next race.

"She's worth some serious money," Tiller said. "We're going on to the (Bessarabian) stakes in two weeks at seven-eighths. That'll be perfect for her."

Indian Apple Is boosted her record to 6-for-14 and increased her earnings to $509,191 with the $117,636 payday.

The third choice, she carried co-top weight of 119 pounds and returned $10.90, $5, and $3.70, combining with Waccamaw ($6.70, $5) for a $94.90 exacta. Shukriya ($11) rounded out a trifecta worth $1,473.90. A $1 superfecta with Mullins Beach fourth returned $2,240.80.

Favored Qeyaada finished last.

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Gio Ponti to Run in Mile, Not the Classic

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 8:12 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 5:49 PM

Gio Ponti, the gutsy horse who finished second to Zenyatta in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I), will not be taking another shot at the super mare in this year’s race Nov. 6.

Shane Ryan, whose Castleton Lyons races the 5-year-old son of Tale of the Cat  , said in a release Nov. 1 that Gio Ponti instead will be entered in the TVG Mile (gr. IT). Goldikova will be seeking the first horse to win three consecutive Breeders’ Cup races in the Mile.

"Having thought long and hard about our choices, we have decided to enter our dual champion in the Breeders’ Cup Mile," Ryan’s statement said. "As tempting as the Classic is, we were awed with his last trip over the mile course at Keeneland when winning the Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT). It is due to this professional performance we feel we must take on the best milers in the world, including a showdown with Goldikova.

"I’m not sure which filly is more feared--Goldikova or Zenyatta. Either way neither race is a picnic. We are very much looking forward to the challenge. At this point we would like to wish all the connections in both races the very best of luck."

Trained by Christophe Clement, Gio Ponti has won 11 of 22 starts, all on either grass or synthetic surfaces. The Classic would have been his first start on a conventional dirt surface. In addition to the Shadwell Turf Mile, Gio Ponti won the Man o’War (gr. IT) this year.

Last year, he reeled off four consecutive grade I turf wins and was voted champion older male and champion male turf horse.

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Eskendereya to Stand for $30,000

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 2:32 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 11:39 AM

Grade I winner Eskendereya   will stand for $30,000 live foal in 2011 at the Taylor family’s Taylor Made Stallions near Nicholasville, Ky. He is owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.

A leading 3-year-old prior to his retirement in May, Eskendereya won all three starts this year, including the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) by 9 3/4 lengths and the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) by 8 1/2 lengths. As a 2-year-old, he captured the Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont Park by 7 1/4 lengths. He retired with earnings of $725,700.

“There are  few horses that showed the type of quality that Eskendereya did on the racetrack,” said Ben Taylor, vice president of Taylor Made Stallions. “He was precocious at 2 and special at 3, with a brilliant mix of speed and stamina. I don't recall a more exciting 3-year-old that was built better for the classics than he was. On top of that, he's a tremendous individual with a true sire's pedigree, bred along the same lines as leading European sire Shamardal and very similar to champion sire Danehill. Further, Eskendereya traces directly back to champion sires Northern Dancer and Halo. All these factors will generate international appeal both in the breeding shed and in the sales ring.”

Eskendereya is by Giant's Causeway   out of the multiple stakes-producing Seattle Slew mare Aldebaran Light, whose third dam is major producer Queen Sucree.

“Eskendereya represents the highest of quality, and we feel that he presents a fantastic opportunity at $30,000,” Jackson said. “He was an elite racehorse--one who captured the imagination unlike any other 3-year-old this year. Physically, he's as grand-looking as a Thoroughbred could be, and it all makes sense when you evaluate his tremendous pedigree. He embodies what is required of a top stallion prospect, and he'll get the full support of Stonestreet.”

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Tough Timber

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 2:34 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 9:58 AM With 36 starts under his belt, Silver Timber has a lot of mileage. But you would never know it from looking at him. The 7-year-old Prime Timber gelding has the legs of a horse less than half his age, a coat still in bloom, and the demeanor of a Labrador.

Needless to say, he is a favorite in the barn of trainer Chad Brown, where everyone, including Brown's young daughter Ava, likes to give him peppermints. Having set a course record in the Churchill Downs Turf Sprint (gr. IIIT) this past spring among his four victories this year, Silver Timber is expected to be among the favorites in a full field for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IIT).

Since winning his second consecutive Woodford Stakes (gr. IIIT) Oct. 9, Silver Timber remained at Keeneland to complete preparations for the Breeders’ Cup. The chief reason: He likes training on the Polytrack. “He’s a 7 year old and he’s a sprinter and he’s been running since April,” explained Anna Hollander, the assistant trainer and exercise rider. “He knows what he’s doing and he does what he needs to do.”

Before shipping to Churchill Downs Oct. 31, Silver Timber had the nearly undivided attention of Brown’s small crew at Keeneland. The gelding seemed to enjoy the quiet surroundings and the brisk autumn mornings, Hollander said. “He’s a wonderful horse to be around. He’s a happy little fellow,” she said.

Brown was on hand to oversee Silver Timber’s two works, one Oct. 23 and the last Oct. 30 and both with regular rider Julien Leparoux aboard. In the latter, clockers timed the gelding in :48 2/5 for four furlongs while Brown said he got him in 1:01 for five furlongs.

Both works came over the Polytrack. “He’s been training well on the Polytrack, so I didn’t want to change anything,” Brown said.

The trainer expects Silver Timber to be especially formidable in the Turf Sprint now that the race has been shorted to five furlongs from 6½ and the gelding holds the Churchill Downs record for that distance.

Brown claimed Silver Timber in April 2009 for $25,000. Since then he has won seven times from 11 starts for Michael Dubb and High Grade Racing Stable. In all, the gray/roan New York-bred has earned $677,619.

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Proviso Strong in Gallop Out at Churchill

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 4:45 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 1:05 PM

Proviso, who will try to stop European invader Goldikova from winning an unprecedented third straight Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT), galloped out eagerly following her four-furlong work in a moderate time of :51 3/5 over firm turf at Churchill Downs Nov. 1. Her ears were pricked as Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux guided her down the backstretch.

Proviso posted splits of :14 3/5, :28 1/5, and :39 4/5. Her gallop-out times were 1:05 for five furlongs and 1:19 for six furlongs.

The 5-year-old bay daughter of Dansili was calm and professional prior to breezing, standing quietly on the dirt track and alertly watching other horses passing by before she headed to the grass.

“Proviso worked well; she was very good,” said the mare’s Hall of Fame trainer, Bill Mott. “Kent did a great job with her. She warmed up nicely. She went off a little easy, but came through the stretch very nicely. He never let her off the bridle. She galloped out very strong. I couldn’t be happier.”

Proviso, a Juddmonte Farms homebred, is coming into the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Mile, which is sponsored by TVG, off of four consecutive victories in grade I races. In her most recent effort, she defeated C. S. Silk by a half-length in the Oct. 23 First Lady Stakes (gr. IT) at Keeneland. 

“She’s won four grade Is in a row; she’s beaten the boys in California earlier in the year,” Mott said. “She’s definitely a horse that’s earned her way into the Breeders’ Cup. We could have run her in the Matriarch (gr. IT at Hollywood Park), but I didn’t think we were going to gain much more than what we had already done by going there. I think the big prize is on Breeders’ Cup Day here, and obviously it’s the deepest water, the toughest race that we’re going to be in, but she deserves her chance. She’s ready for the challenge, and we’re ready to watch her take them on. We’re anxious to get in there and give it a try.”

Mott had another worker on grass Nov. 1--Al Khali, who is scheduled to compete in the Nov. 6 Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT). Ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux, the 4-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro   covered five furlongs in 1:01 2/5. His splits were :12, :24 4/5, and :38. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:15 2/5.

“He went well; I was happy,” Mott said. “He looked like he was on the bridle most of the way. He was smooth.”

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Unrivaled Belle Likely for Ladies Classic

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 2:33 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 11:54 AM

Barring a last-minute decision, Unrivaled Belle will run in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (gr.  I) instead of the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I), said Bill Mott, the filly’s Hall of Fame trainer, Nov. 1 at Churchill Downs.

Mott discussed the plan for the 4-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Song after she worked four furlongs in :49 2/5 on a fast track. Unrivaled Belle was pre-entered in both the Ladies Classic and the Filly and Mare Sprint, which are scheduled for Nov. 5.

“I took a good look at it, actually,” Mott said. “I think she would be very competitive in the Filly and Mare Sprint going seven-eighths (of a mile). I think she would stand a very good chance in there.”

But all of Unrivaled Belle’s races this year have been at distances beyond a mile, “and she won going two turns (at Churchill Downs) in the spring. I guess (the Ladies Classic) is really where the big reward is. We have an option, but I think the option that we’re going to take is the Classic.”

With Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard for her work, Unrivaled Belle turned in splits of :13 1/5, :25 1/5, and :37 1/5. She galloped out five furlongs in 1:02 1/5.

“It was a maintenance work,” Desormeaux said. “It was just something to stretch her legs. We didn’t ask her for much. She works herself. She loves the game. She wants to play. She’s a racehorse. She wants to go as fast as she can, so I spent the whole work just keeping her quiet.”

Mott was satisfied with Unrivaled Belle’s effort. “It looked good,” he said. “She looked smooth to me. It looked like she was happy and moving well.”

Unrivaled Belle, bred and owned by Gary Seidler and Peter Vesgo, hasn’t won since taking the April 10 La Troienne Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill. She finished second in the June 12 Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park, and was also second in the Aug. 1 Ruffian Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont.

Both Belmont races were around one turn, and Desormeaux believes Churchill’s two-turn layout for the 1 1/18-mile Ladies Classic will better suit Unrivaled Belle.

“The speed isn’t as stressful” in a two-turn race, Desormeaux said. “The speed doesn’t get away from her. It’s not as trying of a race going around two turns. In those one-turn races, they just flat out run. There’s no time for breathers; there’s no time to get air.

“Belmont is really quite deep. Churchill Downs is a little bit faster. I think she likes that. (The surface) is something she gets a hold of a lot better. With it being two turns, the speed stays right next to her and she’s able to be on the pace effortlessly instead of having to work to keep up. That allows her to finish stronger.”

Desormeaux also believes Unrivaled Belle is ready for a big effort.

“She’s doing super,” he said. “Being around her so much, she seems to be spot on. She’ll make sure the rest of them will bring their running shoes.”

Unrivaled Belle is out of the Betrando mare Queenie Belle.

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Briecat, Valenzuela Claw Out Las Palmas Theft

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 1:45 PM
Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 9:32 PM

Briecat led all the way for jockey Patrick Valenzuela to score a 13-1 upset by a neck in the $150,000 Las Palmas Handicap (gr. IIT) on closing day of the Oak Tree meet Oct. 31 over the Hollywood Park turf (VIDEO).

The speedy 5-year-old daughter of Adcat registered her first graded stakes win since she captured the Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II) on Hollywood's Cushion Track in December 2008, also in front-running fashion at odds of 13-1.

Vladimir Cerin conditions the winning chestnut mare for Holly and David Wilson. Briecat served notice that she was sitting on a top effort with a runner-up effort when just failing to last in the Swingtime Stakes at the distance in her most recent start Oct. 10.

"She's very, very tough on the lead," Cerin noted. "The key with her is to open up when she turns for home and hope they can't get her. Today they couldn't." 

Briecat, assigned 116 pounds but carrying top weight of 120 due to a four-pound overweight, was timed in a solid 1:34.77 for the mile over a firm course while defeating seven rivals.

Leaving from the rail for Valenzuela, Briecat broke outwardly, bumping with Westwood Pride and squeezing a couple of others while getting a narrow lead and expanding it rounding the clubhouse turn. Briecat led by about two lengths while carving easy fractions of :24.20, :47.93, and 1:11.19. Westwood Pride, a rank Distinctive along the inside, and Turning Top on the outside, were all in pursuit.

But Briecat continued to show the way around the far turn and took a two-length advantage in the stretch run. Westwood Pride, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, and Turning Top, with Brice Blanc aboard, gradually cut into the advantage, but Briecat responded to the challenge and proved determined all the way to the wire. She held on under urging in a patented Pat V. ride.

"She ran a good race, Vlado (Cerin) had her plenty fit," said Valenzuela, who last won the Las Palmas aboard Ack’s Secret in 1980 when the race was contested at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.

"She paced her own pace and picked it up nice on the turn," Valenzuela added. "I think she won it on the turn when she got away from the horses because when she picked it up everybody else had to pick it up. Through the stretch they didn't have as much finish (because) she did that. She stuck her head down and fought them off."

"He (Valenzuela) is just unbelievable," Cerin said. "I told him if he was in a bank, they'd arrest him for stealing."

Westwood Pride wound up second, a head in front of second choice Turning Top. Favored Blue Maiden (13-10), racing mid-pack for Joel Rosario after being squeezed at the start in her first U.S. start, never fired and finished seventh.

Briecat, who has enjoyed most of her success on synthetic or fast dirt tracks, won for the second time in eight tries on turf. Her overall mark stands at 8-3-0 in a 24-race career with earnings of $467,805 with the Las Palmas winning purse of $90,000. Her last victory came in the Las Madrinas Stakes at Fairplex Park Sept. 25.

"This is the heaviest, the best she's ever looked, by far. I still wasn't confident about running her today," Cerin said. "We have her nominated for a race in Louisiana ($125,000 Treasure Chest at one mile) on Delta Jackpot Night (Nov. 20 at Delta Downs). But I figured if we run her here, I won't have to train her hard. We'll see how she comes out of this race, but we're still looking at Louisiana."

Bred in Florida by Ocala Oaks and Don R. Graham, Briecat is out of the Marlin mare Silk Briefcase.

She paid $29, $10.60, and $5.60 and teamed with Westwood Pride ($7.20, $3.80), making her stakes debut for red-hot trainer Kristin Mulhall, for a $143.40 exacta. Michael Tabor's Turning Top, who ran second in the Yellow Ribbon Stakes (gr. IT) Oct. 2, was $2.80 to show under 119 pounds.

Wynning Ride, shuffled back when squeeezed a bit at the start, came on well between horses late to get fourth, followed by Distinctive, Princess Taylor, Blue Maiden, and Value Stream.

Racing in Southern California resumes at Hollywood Park's autumn meet beginning with a 7 p.m. post on Nov. 4.

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Lookin At Lucky Tops BC Workers at Hollywood

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 1:43 PM
Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 6:14 PM

Multiple stakes winner Lookin At Lucky worked five furlongs on Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track in :59 3/5 Oct. 31 in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 6 at Churchill Downs.

“He went really well,” said trainer Bob Baffert after the drill under regular rider Martin Garcia. “I wanted him to go in about a minute. It was perfect for him. Everything’s a go.”

Garcia also worked Frizette Stakes (gr. I) winner A Z Warrior for Baffert in :49 for four furlongs in advance of the Grey Goose BC Juvenile Fillies (gr. I).

J P's Gusto, a multiple stakes winner who finished second in the Norfolk Stakes, worked six furlongs in 1:13 for the Grey Goose BC Juvenile for trainer David Hofmans.

Trainer Richard Mandella also worked a pair of Breeders’ Cup candidates: Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Crown of Thorns in :59 2/5 for five furlongs on Cushion Track for the BC Dirt Mile (gr. I) and Clement Hirsch (gr. IT) Stakes winner Champ Pegasus five furlongs on turf in 1:01 3/5 for the Emirates Airline BC Turf (gr. IT).

“Champ Pegasus went very nice and galloped out in :12,” said Mandella of the drill under Joel Rosario before Argentine co-owner Arturo Vargas.

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Champ Pegasus: Ready for BC Turf Competition

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 8:51 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 5:22 PM

Though it will be a tall task for Champ Pegasus to best the likes of European invaders and group I winners Workforce and Behkabad in the Nov. 6 Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT), the son of Fusaichi Pegasus   looks to be on top of his game, winning his last two straight starts—the Aug. 29 Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) and the Oct. 3 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes (gr. IT).

“He couldn’t be training any better; he looks great,” said Richard Mandella, who conditions Champ Pegasus for owners/breeders Gerald Ford of the Versailles, Ky.-based Diamond A Racing and Argentine-born Arturo Vargas.

“I’m not sure what the fields are that we’ve beat here in California, but he’s done it like a good horse," added Mandella. "We’re looking at the (Qatar) Prix de l ‘Arc de Triompe winner (Workforce), and several other graded stakes winners, and it’s a tough race. Whether he is good enough to beat this field, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Champ Pegasus, who worked five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 over Hollywood Park’s turf Oct. 31, will ship to Churchill Nov. 2, according to Mandella.

“We’ve had him around a couple years, and he’s always been good to deal with, so we don’t anticipate any problems (with shipping),” said Mandella, adding that while Champ Pegasus was not impressive as a young horse, he has finally matured into fine form in time for the Breeders’ Cup.

Mandella didn’t start the now 4-year-old Champs Pegasus until last December due to a variety of minor ailments, but the bay colt made up for lost time through his consistent performances over the last nine months, quickly proving himself worthy of elite competition.

So far, Champ Pegasus has won or placed in seven of his eight starts, including a runner-up effort in the Sunset Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Hollywood July 18, and has earned $358,520.

In addition to Champ Pegasus, Diamond A has been represented by many other graded stakes winners over the years alone or in partnership, including grade I victors Stop the Traffic, Dixie Union  , Noches de Rosa, and 2003 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner  Pleasantly Perfect  . As breeders, Diamond A is additionally represented by multiple grade I winner Devil May Care.

Champ Pegasus was produced from the graded stakes-winning Salt Lake   mare Salt Champ, who was bred in Argentina and named champion 3-year-old filly in that country in 2004. A three-time group I winner, Salt Champ was sent to the United States following her championship year, where she won the 2005 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) for Mandella before retiring to become a broodmare.

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Acoma Gets Encore in Ladies' Classic

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 8:16 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 5:26 PM For three seasons, the mother-and-daughter team of Helen Groves and Helen Alexander had been trying to get a grade I victory next to the name of their homebred runner Acoma, a daughter of Empire Maker   out of the Danzig mare Aurora. Acoma was cooperating to a degree, winning the grade III Dogwood Stakes as a 3-year-old in 2008, and the grade II Mrs. Revere as well as four grade IIIs last season.

But in 2010, with retirement and a broodmare career looming, Acoma had been winless heading into what all believed would be the final race of her career, the Oct. 10 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland. In mid-pack early, Acoma burst down the center of the stretch to outkick nine opponents and take the Spinster at odds of 23-1. Afterward, Alexander was overjoyed that the hard-knocking mare had achieved that grade I victory that had eluded her in four previous tries, and was satisfied that the mare would retire at the top of her game.

A funny thing happened on the way to the broodmare barn, however. The mare came out of the Spinster in perfect shape, according to trainer David Carroll. And the lure of Breeders’ Cup glory proved too strong to ignore for Groves and Alexander. So Acoma is getting one last run, in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (gr. I) Nov. 5.

It is a move that makes sense on a variety of levels. Acoma is perfect in two starts over the main track at Churchill Downs, which this year hosts the two-day World Championships. She trains over the strip daily. There is plenty of speed signed up to favor her late-running style. And she is exiting the right prep race.

"I take solace in realizing that 10 Spinster winners have gone on to win the Distaff/Ladies’ Classic," said Alexander, who owns Middlebrook Farm on Old Frankfurt Pike near Midway, Ky. "The next-best prep had two winners, so that kind of makes me feel good."

Trainer Carroll has been receiving all the right signals from Acoma since the Spinster.

"I couldn’t be any happier with how she’s training and how she looks," noted the conditioner. "This is her home; she’s very comfortable here, and she’s yet to run a bad race at Churchill Downs.

"The way she’s acting and training and feeling, she’s not acting like a horse who wants to go to the paddock, so why deny her this opportunity. We’re not taking her to the Breeders’ Cup; she’s taking us, and I really mean that."

Alexander is the granddaughter of Robert Kleberg, who founded the equine division of King Ranch in Texas in the 1930s. The operation bred and raced 1946 Triple Crown winner Assault and 1950 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes victor Middleground. Alexander assumed control of the legendary operation at the age of 21. When the board of directors of King Ranch eventually decided to close down the Thoroughbred division, Alexander established her Kentucky base, rolling out a stream of graded stakes winners as owner and/or breeder, many of whom, like Acoma, had names beginning with the first letter of the alphabet.

Alexander has owned or co-owned graded stakes winners Aishah, Aldiza, Althea, Aquilegia, Atelier, Auto Dial, Connected, Defacto, Electric Flash, Ketoh, and Pantufla, and had bred or co-bred graded winners Aishah, Aldiza, Althea, Aquilegia, Arch  , Atelier, Auto Dial, Connected, Defacto, Destiny Dance, Electric Flash, Ketoh, Namaqualand, Pantufla, Pie N Burger, Tenacious Tiffany, Twining, and Yamanin Paradise.

She has also served as an officer or on just about every industry board one could name, including the Breeders’ Cup.

"These horses are here because they’re the best in their division, and it’s an honor to be included in that group," noted Alexander, who is seeking her first Breeders’ Cup victory as an owner or breeder. "You just have to be at your very best on the day. Any horse that’s in these races can win, and you just hope that it’s your day."

It will be one last day at the office for Acoma, who will join Middlebrook’s broodmare band as a grade I winner whatever the Ladies’ Classic outcome.

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Haskin's BC Report: Track Should be Fair

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 5:13 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 2:25 PM

After the slow times turned in on Sunday’s opening day card, and the forecast of freezing low temperatures for Friday and Saturday, the typical warning flares went up.

How fair will the track be for the Breeders’ Cup and what can be done to prevent the track from becoming cuppy, a condition no trainer wants to see, especially those coming from harder surfaces and synthetic tracks?

Track superintendent Butch Lehr has had his share of pressure over the years, dealing with the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), but with the Breeders’ Cup, he has to make things as fair as possible for well over 100 horses, who will be running at distances ranging from five furlongs to 1 ¾ miles, and on dirt and turf.

“There’s definitely a little bit of pressure right now, because a lot of these horses have never run on dirt,” Lehr said. “But it’s more so for the general public than it is for the racing people. We try to be the same all year round, so in that respect, it’s not very different from what we’re always trying to do. But let’s just say I’m glad I’m not a rookie.”

Some have questioned running a Breeders’ Cup held in Kentucky in November, but as for the predicted cold weather, Lehr is not expecting any problems.

“If we had terrible weather, as far as rain on top of the freezing temperatures, I think it would have created a lot of controversy,’ Lehr said. “I’ve had meetings with the Breeders’ Cup about what happens if it’s inclement weather. To me, if we didn’t lose any of the racetrack for Smarty Jones’ Derby, we never will. That was the closest I ever came to losing the racetrack. We had 10 inches of rain, and all the sewers were stopped up, which caused that. Because of all the construction that was going on at the time, nobody knew it until the last minute. That was my worst nightmare, but we got through that.

“We do have lights now, so we have more options. We can hold off for a few minutes if we had to. The way it looks now, the weather is going to be working with us.  We’re going to have near-freezing temperatures, but that won’t bother us.”

Addressing the possibility that the track could turn cuppy without the proper amount of water being added to it, Lehr assured everything will be done to prevent that,

“It’s all about keeping the right amount of moisture,” he said. “On Sunday, the wind wouldn’t let it lay down, but we have to deal with that. It was a little behind on the moisture Sunday, which made the times a bit slow, but it wasn’t terrible. As long as the temperature doesn’t get down in the teens, we’ll be OK. Normally, this time of the year, we’re trying to get moisture out of the track, but this year we’re trying to keep it in. Weather-wise, it looks really good; better than normal. There are always going to be some people who are critical of the track, and this probably won’t be any different, but we accept that. I tell everybody, that’s why I’m on four different blood pressure medicines.”

Love is Blind

Is it at all possible not to fall in love with Blind Luck? It is inconceivable to imagine anyone saying no, especially after watching this little ball of energy scooting around the track, jogging along the rail at a rapid clip, and then scampering off the track.

There may not be a lot to her physically, but her heart and toughness make her a giant.

In this day and age, for a filly to make six cross-country tips, winning four and running one of the best races of her career finishing second is unheard of.

It has become a cliché to refer to anyone – human or animal -- as the Energizer bunny, but it fits her perfectly.

Win or lose, you know she is going to be flying down the stretch, giving everything she has and then some, just as she always does.

Morning notes

-- Blame turned in a useful maintenance half-mile work in :49 3/5 under Garrett Gomez, and even in the dark, his coat was glistening as he returned to his barn. It’s always a good sign when Blame goes out there and starts biting on the pony, and judging from his actions with the pony this morning, he is extremely sharp and raring to go.

-- If there is a more handsome horse in the Breeders’ Cup than Al Khali we haven’t seen him yet. The Bowling Green (gr. IIT) winner looked great on the turf course this morning.  Another horse training on the turf who looked fantastic was Sidney’s Candy, who also had a very high energy level and tore around there with a great deal of speed and power.

-- The first three European invaders took to the track – Delegator, Debussy, and Biondetti -- and all looked well. Biondetti could be an intriguing addition to anyone’s exotic bets.

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BC Interview: Julien Leparoux

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J.B.'s Thunder: 'A Definite Go' for Juvenile

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 8:59 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 5:00 PM

J.B.’s Thunder, a 2-year-old son of Thunder Gulch   got in his final drill prior to the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) when he took to the track the morning of Nov. 1 under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, who will have the mount in the Nov. 6 1 1/16-mile event.

Walking onto the track in company with stablemate Heritage Hall around 8:42 a.m., J.B.’s Thunder avoided the antics of a loose horse and waited until that one was captured before beginning his preparations.

J. B.’s Thunder, who is out of the Unbridled's Song  mare Rebridled Dreams, broke off about one length behind the workmate, who was under exercise rider Randi Melton, and finished on the outside on even terms, clocking the four furlongs in :50 flat. The gallop out was 1:03 1/5, and trainer Al Stall Jr. said it was “all systems go” for the Nov. 6 competition.

“It was a perfect work,” Stall said in a release. “Shaun said he was perfectly relaxed, dragged him up to that horse, and wanted to accelerate on his own when he turned for home. He had to slow him down a little bit, and when he got to the wire he dropped his hands a little bit and ‘J.B.’ took off again with his ears forward. It was a great work.”

The Columbine Stable runner has just two starts under his girth, but both resulted in victories at the 1 1/16-mile distance: a solid maiden score at Saratoga Aug. 21 and an impressive four-length win in the Oct. 9 Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland.

“He acts like an old horse; he’s been that way since day one,” Stall said. “He came over here from Keeneland and took to the dirt just like he’d been here his whole life, although he was here for three and a half months from April to mid-July, so we weren’t too concerned. He likes it here. I loved the way he trained here in the spring. He did just fine.”

In both of his starts, J.B.’s Thunder has taken the field wire to wire, but that hasn’t necessarily been by design.

“We had no intention of ever being on the lead, he just kind of ‘out-athleted’ them out there,” the trainer said. “He rates kindly but he just breaks so sharp he usually just spurts away from them. He took a big, deep breath in the middle of the turn at Keeneland and just relaxed and kicked on home on his own so that’s always a good sign, too.

“I just don’t want to deny him the chance of being 2-year-old champion, which is what would happen if he wins this race. He just has to be perfect, he’s got to look perfect, train perfect, his legs have to be perfect, and so far he’s been that way. We’ll see what he looks like tomorrow but we haven’t had any problems with him and the way he worked today I have to say he’s a definite go.”

J. B.'s Thunder was bred in Kentucky by Coffee Pot Stables.

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New Mexico Cup: Glory Be Mine Wins 7th in Row

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 2:13 PM
Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 9:13 PM

Odds-on choice Glory Be Mine registered her seventh consecutive win when she led gate to wire to take the $151,575 New Mexico Classic Cup Championship Filly Stakes at Zia Park Oct. 31.

It was one of two wins on the day for trainer Todd Fincher, who captured four races during last year's New Mexico Classic program. The 11-race card for state breds, which included seven Thoroughbred races and four for Quarter Horses, was worth about $2 million, making it the richest day of its kind in American racing.

Glory Be Mine, ridden by Joe Martinez, scored by  a half-length over Elvira Who as the 3-5 favorite, keeping intact a winning streak that began in the third race of the 3-year-old filly's career. The daughter of Dome--Princess Zahra, by Polish Navy, owned by Bobby McQueen and Dale Taylor, completed the six furlongs for sophomore fillies in 1:10.67 over a fast track.

The chestnut filly captured last year's New Mexico Classic Cup Juvenile Fillies and improved her career record to seven wins in nine starts with earnings of $412,638. Ginger Washburn bred the winner, a $13,000 yearling buy.

Glory Be Mine paid $3.20 to win. Elvira Who finished 1 1/4 lengths ahead of the show horse, Awintersdream.

Fincher just missed a repeat in the $192,075 Rocky Gulch New Mexico Cup Classic Championship, the featured event on the program, when 17-1 shot Double Smart nosed his Enchanted Outlaw in the final jump of the one-mile event.

Enchanted Outlaw, who won last year's race by 8 1/2 lengths, went to the front after a quarter-mile and dueled with He's a Tough Dude before taking control. He owned a 1 1/2-length advantage mid-stretch for jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr. But Double Smart, a 4-year-old gelding ridden by Ramsey Zimmerman, shifted off the rail at that point needing to make up three lengths. They reached the wire in a perfectly timed finish.

The Ray Ashford-trained Double Smart was timed in 1:37.35.

Roger K. Beasley and Leach Racing's homebred son of Premeditation--Miss Einstein, by Beau Genius, earned $114,900 for the biggest win of his career. His fifth victory overall in 22 starts boosted his bankroll to $233,199.

Double Smart paid $37.80 for the win and combined with Enchanted Outlaw, off at odds of 9-2, for a $413.60 exacta. It was 1 1/4 lengths back to the show horse, Runnin Red. Lesters Secret, the 11-10 favorite, faded to last in the field of 11.

Fincher's second win came in the $182,690 New Mexico Classic Cup Sprint Championship with 11-10 choice Smash Dancer, who held off second pick Lefty Who for a neck victory in a front-running effort at six furlongs.

Three-year-old Smash Dancer, breaking from the far outside in the field of 12 for jockey Miguel Hernandez, clocked 1:09.31 for his fifth win in 12 races for owner/breeder Barbara M. Coleman.

The gelded son of Robyn Dancer--Some Smash, by Rare Brick, the only 3-year-old in the field, improved his career earnings to $200,700.

Lefty Who finished 4 1/2 lengths clear of the show horse, Bonndaddy's.

In the $182,690 Peppers Pride New Mexico Classic Cup Filly/Mare Championship, 9-10 choice Cali Baby, ridden by Juarez, thoroughly dominated her 11 foes with a 9 1/2-length triumph.

Cali Baby, overcoming the far outside post in the one-mile test, steadily circled the field to open up a wide advantage in the lane and cruised home well ahead of La Sorpresa. It was 3 1/4 lengths to Pretty Danseur in third. Final time was 1:37.71.

Bred by Chris P. and Tina L. Hourigan and owned in partnership with UKUSA Stables, Cali Baby is a 4-year-old daughter of Thatsusintheolbean--Aquarellist, by Ole'. The bay filly, trained by Eric Mikkelson, earned her seventh win in 13 lifetime starts and improved her earnings to $263,774.

Marjorie Martin’s 3-5 favorite Russian Lane prevailed by a neck at over Silent Sunday for his fourth win from five starts in the $152,690 New Mexico Classic Cup Juvenile Colts and Geldings.
Russian Lane ($3.20), ridden by Jorge Bourdieu, outfought 15-1 shot Silent Sunday in a classic speed duel, finishing the six furlongs in 1:10.86.

Cal Martin is the winning conditioner. Vessels Stallion Farm and John K. Goodman bred the chestnut colt by Devon Lane--Russian Bonus, by Bonus Money.

Beau Wizer finished third in the field of a dozen 2-year-old males.
The $152,690 New Mexico Classic Cup Juvenile Fillies went to W.T. Stradley and Tom Williams’ homebred Squall Wilbud, who defeated 4-5 favorite Shamrock Girl by a neck.

Under a strong hand ride from Juarez, who won two on the day, Squall Wilbud ($14.80) ran down Shamrock Girl to post a 6-1 upset, racing the six furlongs in 1:10.96 for her second stakes win.
The Fred Danley-trained filly won the Copper Top Futurity at Sunland Park in April for her only other win from nine starts. Highspeed Rescue was third, 4 1/4 lengths farther back.

Squall Wilbud is a bay filly by Squall out of Fancywilfly, by Jack Wilson.
Freda McSwane and Joe Walters’ Train Rider Blues rallied from near the rear of pack early with a determined charge around horses to win the $149,845 New Mexico Classic Cup Championship Colts and Geldings for 3-year-olds.
Martinez picked up his first of two wins on the day aboard Train Rider Blues ($13.40), who raced the six furlongs in 1:09.99 to win by a scant head over 73-1 shot Herbal Slew, who led all the way but was denied at the wire. Chuchuluco, the 1-2 favorite for Fincher, was a nose back in third.
Train Rider Blues scored his third 2010 stakes win for trainer Terry Walker.

Bred by T.J. and Sharon Monsen, Traine Rider Blues is by Desert God--Cara Marisa, by Hennessy.

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Four Breeders' Cup Online Chats Set

Updated: Monday, November 1, 2010 5:04 PM
Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 12:36 PM

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Horseplayernow.com will co-host four live Web chats at NTRA.com during Breeders’ Cup World Championships week. Horseplayernow.com RaceChat can be found in the "Picks and Analysis" section of the "Horseplayers" banner at NTRA.com.

The first of the chats, covering the Breeders’ Cup post position draw, will begin Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 12:45 p.m. (ET) and be hosted by Jeremy Plonk and Bob Neumeier, who will report the fields in real time and discuss the draw’s ramifications with chat participants.

Analysts Joe Kristufek, Brian Nadeau and James Dickson will team up at 9 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, Nov. 4, for a handicapping seminar that will feature additional guests.

On Friday and Saturday, November 5-6, the final two live Breeders’ Cup chats will be anchored by Plonk, and feature all-day paddock analysis, post parade analysis and more. The Nov. 5 chat will begin at 1:30 p.m. (ET), and will start at 11:30 a.m. (ET) on Nov. 6.

There will also be live chats from Churchill Downs during Breeders’ Cup that will include information on how the track is playing and any breaking news. Churchill Downs live racing chats will be offered Nov, 3-4 at NTRA.com, kicking off at 12:15 p.m. (ET) both days.

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BC News Minute: Nov. 1, 2010

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Will she go 20 for 20?

This upcoming saturday, we will find out whether or not she is the greatest racehorse to ever have raced when she attempts to go for her 20th straight win in the Breeder's Cup World Championship.