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 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

Travers (G1) hero Colonel John makes his final start as a three-year-old as Santa Anita kicks off their winter meet on December 26th. The Grade 1 Malibu has drawn a field of seven sophomores, led by the Colonel.
Eoin Harty’s charge was last seen finishing a solid 6th in the Breeders’ Cup Classic versus a salty group of older international company. Besides the Travers, Colonel John also won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Sham (G3), both at Santa Anita Park.
2008 Breeders Cup Classic replay
He began his career with a place finish at Del Mar in 2007, and he …read more

Saturday (11-29-08) recap
Both surfaces seemed to play fair…pace made the race.
Tyler Baze and Rafael Bejarano both booted home a pair.
Mr. Rod ran them off their feet in the Grade 3 Generous. Pletcher fav Bittel Road gave a gallant chase but was 2nd best. California Flag got away with a :23.84 opening quarter en route to a facile wire job in the 23rd running of the Grade 3 Hollywood Turf Express. My top choice Delta Storm was passively ridden from the rail post under Gryder and ended up a better than appears 3rd.
Sunday (11-30-08) Hollywood Park preview
Sunday’s 10-race …read more