JC / Railbird

Breeders’ Cup

Monday Notes

Frank Mitchell asks, “who are the great mares of the past 100 years?” Coming up with names isn’t a problem (there are so many), but refining the ranking methodology could be tricky. Record in open company has to be one of the criteria. Regarding that, you have to give Alan Shuback credit for pointing out the unpopular fact that, as the two near their final races in the Breeders’ Cup, Goldikova has proved more than Zenyatta.

The Racing Post rates Dewhurst winner Frankel “as the best European juvenile in the 21st century.” On the all-time list, he ties for third. No doubt Frankel’s freaky, and so is Champagne winner Uncle Mo, as measured by Thorograph. [More Frankel: BHA handicapper Mathew Tester bumps his rating up to 124. That’s the second highest for a Dewhurst winner this young century. It’s also second for the season to Dream Ahead’s top-rated nine-length Middle Park win, and as such, “doesn’t do justice” to the colt, sniffs Hotspur.]

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies lost one contender and gained another over the weekend. Oak Leaf winner Rigoletta has been ruled out with a splint injury. Undefeated homebred Awesome Feather earned herself a shot at Churchill Downs after winning the My Dear Girl division of the Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder. “Breeders’ Cup!,” exulted owner-trainer Stanley Gold. “That’s what we discussed going into the race. If she won and did it right, we’d go …”

So, I guess this guy plays football? And he visited Zenyatta?

Posted in Racing on October 18, 2010 / Tagged Awesome Feather, Breeders' Cup, Buzz Babies, Champions, Distaffers, Frankel, Great Horses, Juveniles, Racing History, Rankings, Rigoletta, Speed Ratings, Uncle Mo, Zenyatta

Swept

In 2005, the Euros swept the Breeders’ Cup Turf superfecta. Is there any doubt we could see the same this year? At Woodbine on Saturday, Group 2 winner Joshua Tree won the Grade 1 Canadian International by a head over Swedish staker winner Mores Wells. And that wasn’t all: “European-based horses swept the three Grade 1 races at Woodbine on Saturday.” Given how strong European turf form has been in 2010, I suppose it’s a good thing the Breeders’ Cup returns to dirt at Churchill Downs — otherwise the Americans might have been in for serious competition in main track races run over a synthetic surface, as well as the usual beating over grass. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic third-place finisher and two-time Champion Stakes winner Twice Over is one who won’t be challenging Zenyatta again because of the surface: “He won’t go to the Breeders’ Cup as the Prince [Khalid Abdullah] does not want to run him on dirt in America,” said trainer Henry Cecil on Saturday.

Posted in Racing on October 17, 2010 / Tagged Breeders' Cup, Canadian International, Euros, International, Twice Over, Woodbine

Thursday Notes

Dewhurst dozen halved, but the big three remain. Trainer David Simcock is certain “lazy” Dream Ahead won’t hang this time, not with regular rider William Buick up, and not with competition from Frankel and Saamidd. “These are good enough horses that he’s not going to be streaking five lengths clear.”

Aidan O’Brien trainee Bright Horizon, possible for the Breeders’ Cup Marathon, looks a lot like recent winners, writes Brad Free: “… his form in Europe is comparable to Marathon winners Man of Iron and Muhannak.” But both those horses won over Pro-Ride; the Marathon this year will be run over dirt. The Churchill Downs surface could be advantage Americans.

“Why are sportswriters so invested in sports stars retiring while still on the top or, as Rhoden puts it, with their ‘legacy intact’?” So, it’s not just racing …

Buy a Belmont Stakes winner: Da’ Tara is available as a racing or stallion prospect as hip #3308 (PDF) in the Keeneland November sale.

Posted in Racing on October 14, 2010 / Tagged Breeders' Cup, Bright Horizon, Buzz Babies, Dewhurst Stakes, Dream Ahead, Euros, Frankel, International, Juveniles, Retirement, Saamidd, Sports Writing, Turf Writing