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

The 2nd day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be starting shortly, so let’s take a quick look at each event. Click on the name of each Cup race for a Horse Racing Nation preview.
Juvenile Turf: The favorite in this race is Interactif. He has done nothing wrong on the turf yet. If speed is still strong on the turf, then Bridgetown could be a live pace player.
Turf Sprint: A wide open event. Again, if speed rules, then California Flag rates a gander, along with Canadian Ballet. The downhill turf course at Santa Anita is …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

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

Undefeated mare Zenyatta, the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic winner, worked six furlongs in company at Hollywood Park on Oct 23rd.
The John Shirreffs trainee bested her two stablemates in 1:11.20, and the strong morning move was the best of ten at the distance.
It remains to be seen whether she defends her Ladies’ Classic title or tackles males in the BC Classic. She will be pre-entered in both races.
In other Ladies’ Classic news, Icon Project, who missed the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland earlier this month, has been retired with a tendon injury.
Barry Abrams trainee Lethal Heat …read more

A matchup between Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra and undefeated champion mare Zenyatta is becoming increasingly unlikely by the minute.
According to recent reports, Zenyatta’s owner Jerry Moss does not want to ship to face Rachel because the Breeders’ Cup will be held in his backyard. You can blame BC officials since they opted to hold the Cup at Santa Anita for two straight years.

Mr. Moss did leave the door open a crack regarding a meeting after the Cup. “We may run against the boys at some point, and we’re open to meeting Rachel Alexandra perhaps after the Breeders’ …read more

Rachel Alexandra has arrived at Belmont Park for the 53rd running of the Grade 1 Mother Goose. The nine furlong event for three-year-old fillies will be run on Saturday, June 27th. Don’t Forget Gil, Flashing, and Malibu Prayer are also expected.
Ashland (G1) winner Hooh Why heads a field of eight in Friday night’s Iowa Oaks (G3). Steve Asmussen’s Hightap, last seen winning the Dogwood at Churchill, has also been entered, along with Sweet Relish, Don’ttalktome, and Peach Brew.
Terrain is the one to beat in the Iowa Derby (G3), but keep an eye on Lone Star Derby runner-up Red …read more

Eclipse Awards
Curlin repeated as Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Award ceremonies. The recently retired all-time North American money earner stands at Lane’s End Farm with a $75k stud fee. Undefeated miss Zenyatta took home Older Female honors.

Big Brown was unanimously voted 3yo Champion, and Proud Spell took down 3yo filly honors over her late stablemate Eight Belles.
As expected, Midshipman is the Juvenile Champ, and Stardom Bound nabbed Juvenile Filly honors.
The other equine Eclipse Awards went to Conduit (Turf Male), Forever Together (Turf Female), Benny the Bull (Male Sprinter), Indian Blessing (Female Sprinter), and Good Night …read more

The Eclipse awards ceremony will be held in January 2009 (Miami), and the race for Horse of the Year should be a tight contest between reigning champ Curlin and the undefeated Zenyatta.
Kentucky Derby hero Big Brown has his fans, but his Horse of the Year hopes went up in flames with his Belmont Stakes debacle.
Curlin, a daunting physical specimen, had a fantastic four-year-old campaign with five wins in seven starts, including victories in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, Woodward, Stephen Foster, and Dubai World Cup.
His two losses occurred in the Breeders’ Cup Classic over synthetic …read more

Undefeated filly sensation Zenyatta made her case for Horse of the Year with a powerful performance in the Ladies’ Classic. She remains in light training until a decision is made regarding her future. I would like to see her race next year and possibly take on males at some point.
Ginger Punch finished 6th in her Ladies’ Classic title defense, and the Robert Frankel trainee has been retired. The five-year-old mare won six Grade 1 races and amassed over $3 million in career earnings.
Carriage Trail, 4th in the Ladies’ Classic, has been retired.
Curlin, 4th in the Breeders’ Cup …read more