JC / Railbird

Breeders’ Cup Archive

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 in Breeders' Cup on October 20, 2004

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 in Breeders' Cup on October 19, 2004

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 in Breeders' Cup on October 19, 2004