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 in the ‘08 Turf Sprint, but he controlled proceedings throughout in a sharp wire job this time around. Joe Talamo was the pilot. Downhill specialist Gotta Have Her rallied for the place, and Cannonball rounded out the trifecta.

Lookin At Lucky was an unlucky 2nd in the BC Juvenile

Zensational was not a fast breaker, so he was in trouble after drawing the rail in the Sprint, and he was never comfortable in a disappointing but predictable 5th place finish. Four noses on the wire with CA-bred Dancing In Silks upsetting the applecart. Crown of Thorns, Cost of Freedom, and Gayego made up the rest of the top four. Joel Rosario got the win aboard the Carla Gaines trainee.

Bob Baffert did not get a break. Zensational was stuck on the rail in the Sprint, and his undefeated 2yo Lookin At Lucky was stuck in post 13 in the Juvenile. He had every right to fold after racing wide behind a tepid pace, but he rallied strongly under Gomez to just miss by a head. Overseas invader Vale of York was the stalk and pounce upset winner for Godolphin.

Goldikova won the ‘08 BC Mile with a perfect trip, and some thought she was vulnerable from a bad post this time around. I thought she was impossible to beat, and she rolled from the back of the pack to prove a much the best repeat winner. Euros are on a roll!

Zenyatta made her case for Horse of the Year after beating the boys in the BC Classic

Midshipman was my Dirt Mile top because of his pace advantage and ability to handle synthetic. He ran a fine race but was run down by my 2nd choice Furthest Land (Leparoux/Maker). Unfortunately, Ready’s Echo rallied to head my top out of the place, costing me a nice exacta.

Another overseas runner was attempting a grass repeat, and Conduit did just that in the Turf. He ran down a game Presious Passion, who opened up early as expected.

‘09 was the year of the girls beating the boys, and girl power was on full display as Zenyatta stormed past eleven male rivals en route to an exciting BC Classic victory. Mike Smith had his regular seat aboard the John Shirreffs trainee. Turf specialists Gio Ponti and Twice Over took down the place and show, and Summer Bird completed the superfecta.

The 2-day Cup extravaganza was a smashing success, and the Horse of the Year debate begins. Is it 8 for 8 Rachel Alexandra, who beat grade one males three times, or is it 5 for 5 Zenyatta, who won the BC Classic for her 14th win from as many lifetime starts?

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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 a tricky layout, and horses proven down the dip typically fare well.

Zenyatta goes for Classic glory on Saturday

Sprint: Plenty of speed, and Zensational is fleet fav breaking from the rail. Fatal Bullet is also quick early, and he was 2nd in this event last year.

Juvenile: Hot trainer Bob Baffert has the aforementioned Zensational in the Sprint, and he also has favorite Lookin At Lucky in here. The fav is 4 for 4 lifetime and should be tough to beat under Gomez, but he must overcome unlucky post 13.

Mile: The defending champ is back, and if Goldikova fires her best shot they are all running for minor awards. She did lose her last overseas start and must work out a trip from an outer post, but she is more than talented enough to get the job done.

Dirt Mile: Europe has the fav with Mastercraftsman. He has won half of his six starts this year, with his three setbacks coming at the expense of superstar Sea The Stars.

Turf: The overseas contingent typically dominates this event, and the ‘09 renewal should be no exception. Click here for my analysis of the Turf.

Classic: Her stablemate Life Is Sweet won yesterday’s Ladies’ Classic, and let’s see if undefeated mare Zenyatta can down the boys in the Classic. Would be a great story if she could run her record to 14 for 14 with a win here!

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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 the Breeders’ Cup Marathon also goes to Europe, but defending champ Muhannak did not win. He was 5th behind Man of Iron (Murtagh/O’Brien). 9yo Cloudy’s Knight did everything but win for Homeister/Sheppard…great effort! Better Than Honour was the dam of the winner, and she has also produced Jazil, Rags To Riches, and Casino Drive. Top two rallied from off the pace, and fav Mastery was a clear 3rd. I tabbed the trifecta in my full card analysis.

2nd running of the Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Tapitsfly (Albarado/Romans) wore down a game Rose Catherine. The winner was training extremely well and was my 2nd choice. When I say training well, I mean according to professional clockers such as Bruno DeJulio from Today’s Racing Digest. Do not listen to what the connections of each horse are saying. They all state their horses are doing great. By the way, speed dominated this turf race.

Again, I looked to clocker thoughts to separate my leading contenders, and my top She Be Wild (Leparoux/Catalano) ran to her recent works in the Juvenile Fillies. Beautician held off Blind Luck for the place, and Biofuel was an unlucky 4th. Winner stalked the pace at 8.5f on synthetic.

Informed Decision wins the '09 BC Filly & Mare Sprint

Back to the weeds, and Europe captures another with ground saving stalker Midday (Queally/Henry Cecil). Pure Clan and defending champ Forever Together rallied for minor placings in the Filly & Mare Turf. The winner was my best bet on the Friday card, and I gave her out on Steve Bortstein’s Fast Track Radio Show on Fox Sports 1340 New Mexico.

Informed Decision (Leparoux/Sheppard) sat the right prominent throughout trip in the Filly & Mare Sprint, and that made all the difference in a game tally over rallying defending champ Ventura. I singled the latter, and that knocked out my suggested pick six ticket.

Final Cup race on day one, and Careless Jewel could not be rated and set fast fractions before fading to last. Off the pace runners loved the swift pace, and Zenyatta’s stablemate Life Is Sweet (Gomez/Shirreffs) got her turn to shine in the Ladies’ Classic. Mushka rallied for the place, and last year’s show finisher Music Note took up that spot again.

Grade 2 Las Palmas Handicap completed the card, and the grass route went to pace presser Tuscan Evening (Bejarano/Hollendorfer).

As for any bias info, it seemed as though you needed to be within striking range to win on the turf. As for the Pro-Ride, pace made the race, but it did not hurt to have positional speed either.

I’ll post a Saturday Cup preview shortly.

Handicapping the Breeders’ Cup?

Use the BC Dashboard featuring over 100 replays, morning lines and handicapping analysis for all 14 races!

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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.

Zenyatta is approaching the Breeders' Cup on top of her game

In other Classic works, Summer Bird went five furlongs in :59.28 at Santa Anita. In his final work, he went fast early and slow late, and he might be worth trying to beat over a surface he might not particularly enjoy.

Gio Ponti worked four furlongs in :52.59 over a soft turf course at Belmont Park. He is enjoying a fine year and should be rolling late in the Classic.

Quality Road also drilled at Big Sandy, but he did his work on the main track, getting five panels 1:00.81. He should be a pace factor in the Cup, but his ability to handle synthetic ground is a major question.

2007 Classic show finisher Awesome Gem, coming off a win in the Hawthorne Gold Cup, went six furlongs in 1:13, and I would not be shocked if his late rally netted him another minor award.

Ky Derby winner Mine That Bird galloped a couple of miles on Oct 31st, and he will have his final Cup work on Monday.

Handicapping the Breeders’ Cup?

Use the BC Dashboard featuring over 100 replays, morning lines and handicapping analysis for all 14 races!

Results and video from all past Breeders’ Cup Classic races can be found here.

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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's first preference is the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

Chocolate Candy is familiar to many because he was on the Triple Crown trail this year. He found trouble in the Ky Derby (5th) and Belmont Stakes (9th). He two starts since comprised of  a closing 2nd in the El Cajon and a respectable 5th versus older foes in the Goodwood. His speed ratings are on the upswing, and he should be sitting on a top effort in his 3rd race off a layoff. He clearly does his best work on synthetic ground, and note that the Dirt Mile is his first preference.

Bullsbay has a first preference in the Dirt Mile, and he is enjoying a career year. Go back to February of this year, and was a length behind Richard’s Kid in the Campbell at Laurel. Richard’s Kid won the Grade 1 Pacific Classic this summer at Del Mar, and Bullsbay nabbed the Grade 1 Whitney prior to finishing 3rd behind Rachel Alexandra when last seen in the Woodward at the Spa. The Graham Motion runner handles synthetic but owns stronger speed ratings on regular dirt.

Awesome Gem landed the show in Curlin’s 2007 BC Classic. Versatile late runner is a 2-time graded winner on dirt and exits a sharp tally in the Grade 2 Hawthorne Gold Cup. A win would surprise but he could rally for a minor award.

We have the 2009 Breeders Cup thoroughly covered on Horse Racing Nation. I am pleased to announce that we have launched the BC Dashboard!

Over 100 video replays. Fields and morning lines for all 14 races. Handicapping race outlook. Historical Race Profiles. Find it all at the BC Dashboard.

Results and video from all past Breeders’ Cup Classic races can be found here.

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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 for the Classic. He drilled a :58 and change five furlong bullet over the Pro-Ride surface on Oct 26th.

Mine That Bird has lost four straight since winning the Ky Derby

Girolamo is an exciting 3yo with an outstanding pedigree. The Godolphin colorbearer has won all three of his starts this year and exits a strong tally in the Jerome Handicap at Belmont Park. He has never tried synthetic ground, but a more pressing matter is his lack of a route foundation. If he opts to go in the Classic, it will be his first start around two turns. He has a ton of raw talent, but he has a tall task confronting him.

Gio Ponti is an interesting prospect for trainer Christophe Clement. He had his four-race grade one win streak snapped in a place finish over boggy ground at twelve furlongs last time. He’s a 3-time winner at ten furlongs and won a graded event over the local synthetic track in Dec. ‘08. Classy colt is worth a look at playable odds.

Einstein is a graded winner on dirt, synthetic, and turf. He lone start over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface resulted in a Big Cap victory in March of this year. Versatile sort worked a strong five furlong bullet at Churchill on Oct 25th in advance of his Cup tilt. He tries to end a 3-race losing streak, and note that he only missed by a neck when last seen in the Pacific Classic.

The ‘09 Classic drew sixteen pre-entries, and I’ll be back tomorrow to look at the final four players.

We have the 2009 Breeders Cup thoroughly covered on Horse Racing Nation. I am pleased to announce that we have launched the BC Dashboard!

Over 100 video replays. Fields and morning lines for all 14 races. Handicapping race outlook. Historical Race Profiles. Find it all at the BC Dashboard.

Results and video from all past Breeders’ Cup Classic races can be found here.

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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 ability to handle synthetic and his stamina.

Super Derby hero Regal Ransom is training well for Breeders' Cup

Richard’s Kid has found his best stride since moving to the Baffert barn and switching to synthetic. He smartly nabbed the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and he proved that was no fluke with a closing show finish in the Goodwood. He is a grade one winner at this distance and is a viable price player.

Summer Bird obviously has ability with wins in the Belmont Stakes, Travers, and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He might be best on a wet track, and the Classic will be his first try on an all-weather surface. Owns fine positional speed since donning the hood.

Twice Over has won three straight overseas turf races at the ten furlong Classic distance. Group one winner could threaten if able to handle the footing. In last year’s St James Palace Stakes, he finished 3rd behind ‘08 Classic 1-2 finishers Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator.

The ‘09 Classic drew sixteen pre-entries, and I’ll be back tomorrow to talk about the next four players.

We have the 2009 Breeders Cup thoroughly covered on Horse Racing Nation. I am pleased to announce that we have launched the BC Dashboard!

Over 90 video replays. Fields and morning lines for all 14 races. Handicapping race outlook. Historical Race Profiles. Find it all at the BC Dashboard.

Results and video from all past Breeders’ Cup Classic races can be found here.

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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.

Breeders' Cup Classic is Zenyatta's first preference

Overseas invaders dominated the 2008 Classic, with Raven’s Pass (John Gosden) and Henrythenavigator (Aidan O’Brien) leading the way. O’Brien is back for more, and he has possible favorite Rip Van Winkle.

The 3yo son of Galileo lost his first three starts this year to Arc winner Sea The Stars, and he promptly won his last two group one outings after fleeing that rival.

O’Brien also has Mastercraftsman. He pre-entered for the Classic, but it is his 2nd preference behind the Dirt Mile. The 4-time group one winner is a contender in either spot.

Quality Road has the raw talent to threaten in the Classic, but ten furlongs is a bit out of his comfort range, and he has never tried synthetic ground. This is his first preference over the crowded Dirt Mile.

The ‘09 Classic drew sixteen pre-entries, and I’ll be back later today to talk about the next four players.

We have the 2009 Breeders Cup thoroughly covered on Horse Racing Nation. I am pleased to announce that we have launched the BC Dashboard!

Over 90 video replays. Fields and morning lines for all 14 races. Handicapping race outlook. Historical Race Profiles. Find it all at the BC Dashboard.

Results and video from all past Breeders’ Cup Classic races can be found here.

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Included in the dozen is Quality Road, who traveled 5f in 1:00.52 at Belmont Park in preparation for the $5 million Classic. The flashy 3yo obviously has talent, but ten furlongs is pushing the envelope, and how will be handle the Pro-Ride surface?

Quality Road will contest the Breeders' Cup Classic for Todd Pletcher

Exciting Juvenile Turf prospect Interactif breezed 4f in :49.14 on Oct 26th. He looked good in winning the Bourbon at Keeneland on Oct 11th.

Pletcher sure is loaded with promising youngsters, and according to clockers, Eskendereya had the move of the day. He worked in company with stablemate and fellow Cup entrant Aikenite. They finished up close together, but former reportedly galloped out strongly.

One baby not going to the Cup but making news was Florida Stallion series hero Jackson Bend. The Calder comet was purchased by Robert La Penta and will move to the barn of Nick Zito. Look for him in 3yo stakes ranks at the Gulf next winter.

Derby winner Mine That Bird uncorked a five furlong Pro-Ride bullet as he continues preparations for the Classic. He was last seen finishing 6th in the Goodwood.

Super Derby winner Regal Ransom (Classic) breezed a visually impressive five furlongs for Godolphin, and Lethal Heat went the same distance in the exact time of :58-2/5 for Barry Abrams. As noted in an earlier post, she might contest the Ladies’ Classic on Nov 6th and the Turf Sprint the following day.

On the international front, sharp conditioner Aidan O’Brien entered Rip Van Winkle in the Classic, and he’s the likely fav in that spot. Barn also has Mastercraftsman, who could go in the Dirt Mile (1st preference) or Classic.

Other Cup entrants from the O’Brien barn include Man of Iron (Marathon), Alfred Nobel (Juvenile), Beethoven (Juvenile), Lillie Langtry (Juvenile Filly Turf), and Viscount Nelson (Juvenile Turf).

We have the 2009 Breeders Cup thoroughly covered on Horse Racing Nation. I am pleased to announce that we have launched the BC Dashboard!

Over 90 video replays. Fields and morning lines for all 14 races. Handicapping race outlook. Historical Race Profiles. Find it all at the BC Dashboard.

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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 pleased as punch. He will work five furlongs again on Oct 31st.

Summer Bird galloped out 6f in 1:13.03 at Santa Anita on Oct 25th.

Over at Churchill Downs, Einstein worked five furlongs in company, and he received a best of 54 bullet for the :59 and change move. Unlike Summer Bird, the Helen Pitts trainee is proven over synthetic and will leave for SoCal on Oct 27th. Note that he won the ‘Big Cap at Santa Anita in March.

A pair of juveniles punched their tickets to the Breeders’ Cup this weekend. The Michael Maker pair of Kera’s Kitten (Juvenile Turf) and Lisa’s Kitten (Juvenile Filly Turf), both out of promising young sire Kitten’s Joy, won grass stakes races at Retama on Oct 24th. The former easily captured the El Joven, and the latter overcame trouble to nab the La Senorita.

Spanish Moon, a prime BC Turf player, will have the services of crackerjack international jockey Kieren Fallon for his Cup foray.

It was announced earlier this week that Kodiak Kowboy, last seen upsetting Fabulous Strike in the Vosburgh at Belmont Park, would ship to Santa Anita Park to contest the BC Sprint. That news was a change in course for the Steve Asmussen trainee, as he was expected to contest the De Francis Dash on Oct 24th.

Finally, I had a comment on this space regarding Ventura and her recent works. Note that she drilled six furlongs in 1:12 and change at Hollywood Park on Oct 25th. She is on track for a repeat try in the Filly & Mare Sprint.

We have the 2009 Breeders Cup thoroughly covered on Horse Racing Nation. I am pleased to announce that we have launched the BC Dashboard!

Over 90 video replays. Fields and morning lines for all 14 races. Handicapping race outlook. Historical Race Profiles. Find it all at the BC Dashboard.

Image: Newscom

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