Indian Blessing, ‘08 Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint runner-up, has decided to take a pass on that same race this year. Her conditioner Bob Baffert has reportedly not been happy with her recent training. She is better on conventional dirt, but it is too bad she is skipping the Cup.
In other Breeders Cup news, Classic contender Summer Bird worked between races at Santa Anita on Oct 25th. He went five furlongs in 1:00.45 under regular rider Kent Desormeaux. As is always the case in works leading up to big races, the connections were …read more

Time to take a look at the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, and last year’s winner Ventura is back to defend her title.
The Robert Frankel runner is a terror on turf and synthetic ground, and she is especially dangerous around one turn. She exits a sharp late running victory against the males in the grassy Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, and she figures right there on Cup day.
Informed Decision figures give Ventura all she can handle on Nov 6th. The Jonathan Sheppard trainee ran her synthetic record to 6 for 6 with an off the pace tally …read more

Robert Frankel’s Proudinsky, a loser of six straight, is the 5-2 choice to get back on the beam in the San Gabriel Handicap. The Grade 2 event is the eighth race of nine on Sunday at Santa Anita, and it will be run at nine furlongs on the turf.
The aforementioned morning line favorite finished 2nd in this event last year, and he began his campaign with a graded tally at Fair Grounds before his current string of bad luck. He does like the local green, but note that he seems to do his best work with some give in …read more

Indian Blessing will try to rediscover her winning ways in Saturday’s seven furlong Grade 1 La Brea at Santa Anita, but her task will not be easy. She was last seen finishing 2nd at this course/distance in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, and her speed ratings are better on conventional dirt, so she may be worth trying to beat at underlaid odds.
2008 Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint replay
Bob Baffert’s gem of consistency has been part of the exacta in all eleven lifetime starts, and she projects a decent tracking trip in this spot.
Bsharpsonata is the …read more

The 2008 Breeders’ Cup has arrived, and first up is Ladies Day on October 24th. Five Cup races will be run on Friday’s 10-race card at Santa Anita…
BC Filly & Mare Sprint – seven furlongs
Indian Blessing is riding a 3-race win streak, and her lone synthetic start was a diminishing head victory in a graded 7f race at Santa Anita in January. The Bob Baffert trainee, ridden by John Velasquez, figures to stalk the pace. The fleet Indyanne has been scratched due to a fever, so Lady Sprinter, Dream Rush, and Dearest Trickski are expected to carve out the fractions. …read more

Post positions have been drawn for the 2008 Breeders’ Cup, and here are notes for all 14 races…
Friday, October 24th
Ladies Classic
Zenyatta drew the rail and is the 3-5 fav for Friday’s feature race. Defending champ Ginger Punch is the 7-2 second choice.
Filly & Mare Turf
Wait A While is the 3-1 morning line favorite. Juddmonte Farms Visit is listed at 15-1 on the line, and she is expected to move to the Robert Frankel barn following the Cup. Forever Together drilled a 4f bullet in :47 at Keeneland.
Juvenile Fillies
Stardom Bound is the solid 2-1 late running choice.
Filly & …read more

Bob Baffert carefully weighed his options with champion filly Indian Blessing, and he seemingly made the right race choice after watching his prize filly overpower a trio of overmatched foes en route to a geared down win in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom at Belmont Park on Saturday.
Indian Blessing was content tracking Zada Belle early, then she cruised up to lead after a 1/2 mile in :45 seconds. Elope was a mild threat turning for home, but Corey Nakatani got slightly busy on the favorite and she responded almost immediately.
She completed the 6.5 furlongs in 1:16.24 and paid …read more