The first day of the Breeders’ Cup is in the books, and below is a recap of the Friday card. Click on the name of each Cup winner to view the replay.
The first two races on BC Friday were non-Cup events, starting with an optional claiming route on Pro-Ride, which was captured by Deal Breaker (Bejarano-Mitchell). The winner stalked the pace, and note that runner-up Mr. Hot Stuff was a Triple Crown series also-ran.
Optional claiming sprint in the 2nd, and Mike Mitchell saddled back-to-back winners. Miss McCall wired the field under Tyler Baze.
2nd running of …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

Keeneland Recap – Oct 11th
The Polytrack was fast as always. Turf was listed as yielding. Seven races run on synthetic, and only one wire job as stalkers and closers scored six times. Late runners nabbed all three turf races.
Kent Desormeaux booted home both stakes winners on the day.
Grade 3 Bourbon: Todd Pletcher’s flashy fav Interactif did not disappoint in a good looking off the pace tally. He looms a formidable presence in the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Grade 1 Spinster: Pace fell apart in this one, and overseas transplant Proviso was the major beneficiary…please hold all …read more

Keeneland Recap – Oct 10th
The Polytrack was fast as always. Back on the turf, and the condition was listed as soft. Seven races run on synthetic, and only one wire job as off the pace types scored six times. Stalkers and closers best on the sod.
Albarado, Graham, and Leparoux each booted home a pair.
Grade 3 Woodford:  Silver Timber wore down a game Mr. Nightlinger in this prep for the BC Turf Sprint. Leparoux booted home the winner for Chad Brown.
Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America: SoCal invader Carlsbad looked home free in the stretch, but heavy …read more

Keeneland Recap – Oct 9th
The Polytrack was fast as always. The two turf races were transferred to the synthetic surface. The two 6f races favored speed. Stalkers best in the three 7f races carded. Patient runners best in the five route races on the afternoon.
Hat trick for Rajiv Maragh. Albarado also pulled off the hat trick, and he booted home a pair for trainer Ken McPeek.
Grade 3 Phoenix: Synthetic lover Fatal Bullet, the ‘08 Breeders’ Cup sprint runner-up, probably punched his ticket to Santa Anita with a game prominent throughout half-length tally. He looms a pace factor on …read more