The Saturday Cup program got underway with the 2nd running of the Damascus Stakes, and Smart Bid rallied for the win under Jeremy Rose. Graham Motion saddled the winner.
Remember to click on the name of each Cup winner to view a replay.
The first of eight Breeders’ Cup races on Saturday went to Pounced, who did just that in the Turf Sprint. Chalk up another win for the euros. Bridgetown set the pace and held the place by a head over Interactif. Frankie Dettori booted home the John Gosden trainee.
California Flag was cooked on the pace …read more

Breeders’ Cup entrants continue to go through their final paces as the big days loom, and Zenyatta made a favorable Halloween impression at Hollywood Park.
The undefeated miss breezed an effortless six furlongs in 1:12.40, and her morning jaunt was reportedly better than her final Cup move in ‘08. Earlier this year she did not seem to be quite as sharp as she was last season, but all of that has changed now, and she appears poised to deliver the goods in the Cup.
In other Classic works, Summer Bird went five furlongs in :59.28 at Santa Anita. In his …read more

Part four of my Breeders’ Cup Classic blog, and below is a look at the final four pre-entrants.
Colonel John rates a longshot look in the Classic. 2-time local graded winner just missed in the Goodwood, and he won the Grade 1 Travers at this distance last year. He was my Ky Derby top in ‘08, and I have always had a soft spot for him. He was visually impressive winning the Wickerr on the turf earlier this year, and I would like to see him return to the weeds at some point.
Chocolate Candy is familiar …read more

Part three of my Breeders’ Cup Classic blog, and below is a look at the next four pre-entrants.
Mine That Bird shocked the world on the first Saturday in May with an improbable late running win in the Kentucky Derby. He had lost three straight before that, and he has dropped four starts since. Sustained runner is always at the mercy of the pace, and the 4-time synthetic winner finished last in the ‘08 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. He was 6th of 10 when last seen in the Goodwood, the final local prep …read more

Part two of my Breeders’ Cup Classic blog, and below is a look at the next four pre-entrants.
Regal Ransom started his career in the US, and he was sent to Dubai for the winter following a disappointing effort in the ‘08 Norfolk at Santa Anita. He has been part of the exacta in 4 of 5 starts since, with his only below par effort a speed/fade trip in the Ky Derby. He returned from a 4+ month layoff to easily wire the Super Derby, and he continues to work well. Biggest questions are his …read more

As expected, Zenyatta has been pre-entered in both the Ladies’ Classic and against males in the $5 million Classic. Everyone would love to see her take on the gents, and I have a feeling she will do just that.
The Shirreffs trainee has won all thirteen of her lifetime starts, and it would be great if she could go out on top in the toughest challenge of her career. 7-time grade one winner is 4 for 4 at Santa Anita.
Overseas invaders dominated the 2008 Classic, with Raven’s Pass (John Gosden) and Henrythenavigator (Aidan O’Brien) leading the way. …read more

Below are post positions, morning line odds, and notes for the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic, to be run at ten furlongs over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface on October 25, 2008.
Santa Anita Race 9: Grade 1 BC Classic, 3up, 10f
(1) Go Between (8-1) – Fresh synthetic specialist is training well for this. Garrett Gomez chose this one over Colonel John.
(2) Casino Drive (10-1) – Japanese runner is 3-3, and the $950k purchase is well-bred and has a world of potential.
(3) Tiago (15-1) – Mike Smith/John Shirreffs teamed up to win yesterday’s Ladies’ Classic with Zenyatta. He finished 2nd …read more

Curlin breezed four furlongs in :49.60 on October 20th, and his stablemate Student Council continues to impress in morning drills, this time getting a half-mile in :48.18 while full of run. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride the latter.
Pyro, the 3rd member of the Steve Asmussen express, worked a pedestrian 4f in :51.17. Julien Leparoux has picked up the mount.
In other Classic news, Mast Track developed a quarter crack on Monday and has been eliminated from Cup consideration. The Frankel trainee was expected to set the pace in the Classic.
Robert Frankel will be represented in the Classic …read more

Curlin, fresh off a sharp five furlong drill over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface in between races on October 13th, has been pre-entered for a Breeders’ Cup Classic title defense on Oct. 25th. His five furlong work on Monday (pictured above) was completed in :59.11 while in company with Hawaii Calls.
Steve Asmussen also sent out Classic contender Student Council on Monday, and he drilled six furlongs in 1:12.40 under Shaun Bridgmohan.
Kentucky Derby hero Big Brown’s Classic hopes were dashed with a career ending injury to his right front heel following a turf work at Aqueduct on Oct. 13th. The …read more

Three-year-old Colonel John, last seen winning the Travers Stakes by a scant nose, breezed four furlongs in :46.80 over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface on Oct. 8th. The entire sophomore division could be in trouble versus older company, but the Colonel, an improving son of Tiznow, clearly enjoys synthetic footing and should give a good account of himself.
Casino Drive has returned from Japan, and his unorthodox walking/galloping routine continues at Hollywood Park. He shipped to the states and nabbed the Peter Pan in May, but a stone bruise kept him from competing in the Belmont Stakes. He was expected to …read more