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 four of my Breeders’ Cup Classic blog, and below is a look at the final four pre-entrants.
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 is familiar …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

Part two of my Breeders’ Cup Classic blog, and below is a look at the next four pre-entrants.
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 …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

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

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

Time to take a look at the Breeders’ Cup Marathon. This race has been moved to BC Friday (Nov 6th), and at this stage it is one of the most wide open contests of all the Cup races. It will be run fourteen furlongs over the Pro-Ride surface.
Muhannak invader from Europe and nabbed this race last year, but he has been below his best this season, and it remains to be seen if he will return to defend his title.
Speaking of overseas runners, St. Leger winner Mastery is expected to invade for Godolphin, and King Edward …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

Time to take a look at the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, and the Bob Baffert trained Zensational is the one to catch and beat.
The Zayat Stables 3yo colt has defeated older rivals in his last three outings and will be out winging on Cup day. If another rival fails to threaten him early, this race could be over after a quarter of a mile. One possible pace factor is ‘08 BC Sprint runner-up Fatal Bullet.

The latter exits a prominent throughout win in the Phoenix, and he has been part of the exacta in all 11 synthetic starts …read more