Jessica Chapel / Railbird

Racing Archive

Breeders’ Cup Picks

For Friday, posted at Hello Race Fans. And for Saturday, also on HRF.

For actual, in-depth handicapping, check out my fellow Turf Bloggers.

Posted in Racing on November 4, 2011 / Comments Off

Breeders’ Cup Scenes

Photos from the first half of Breeders’ Cup 2011 week at Churchill Downs …

Gio Ponti takes in the early morning track activity.

Midday (center) and company return from galloping.

Turallure pauses at the top of the chute.

Goldikova heads to the track.

Goldikova kicks up her feet a little. Harmonious is at right.

Trainer Freddy Heads talks to the press after Goldikova comes off the track. He confirmed that the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Mile would be her final race. Asked what he hoped for on Saturday, he replied, “I want her to get a good run.”

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, outside his barn with retired Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day, reminisces about Breeders’ Cup races past.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile contender Creative Cause plays around during his bath.

Flat Out in his stall. He looks sweet, doesn’t he? As though he’d like you to come over and give him a pat. I would have, but was warned off — apparently he’s a biter. Even trainer Scooter Dickey gets nipped by the big horse.

“Go Scooter! Go Scooter!” Well wishes for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Havre de Grace gets a mint from owner Rick Porter.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile favorite Union Rags, out to graze.

Game on Dude exits the track after galloping.

Outside Bob Baffert’s Churchill Downs barn.

And for a little fun! The Breeders’ Cup Classic contender cartoons.

Posted in Racing on November 2, 2011 / Tagged Backstretch, Breeders' Cup, Churchill Downs, Goldikova, Training, Turf / 1 comment

Where Have I Read That?

Something about the subject and stats of Steve Haskin’s linkless latest, “Girls Gone Wild,” on the domination of fillies and mares in open company stakes worldwide, seemed awfully familiar as I was reading it on Saturday.

It could be that Valerie Grash wrote on a similar topic only two days before, drawing on the wealth of data and insights she’s accumulated in writing about top class distaffers internationally over the past couple years.

Posted in Racing on October 24, 2011 / Tagged Distaffers / Comments Off