Velazquez Undergoing Surgery to Remove Spleen
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, injured in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), was undergoing surgery later that afternoon according to officials at Santa Anita Park.
Claire Novak
Mizdirection Repeats in BC Turf Sprint
Mizdirection defended her title in the $1 million GEICO Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT) on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park, taking down Reneesgotzip and Tightend Touchdown with a brilliant stretch run.
Dank Delivers in BC Filly & Mare Turf
Beverly D. Stakes (gr. IT) winner Dank delivered as the 3-5 favorite in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park, stringing together back-to-back grade I scores on the American lawn.
THS: The Breeders' Cup Classic
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra handicap the Breeders' Cup Classic. watch video
30 Years in 30 Days: Wise Dan's Mile, 2012
I felt the deep satisfaction that comes from knowing a horse is good, from knowing you've witnessed his best moments. The 2012 Mile was proof a great runner can come from anywhere.
Chriselliam Blows By in Juvenile Fillies Turf
Chriselliam powered home a clear winner of the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 1, proving her form off a Sept. 27 score in the Shadwell Fillies Mile (Eng-I).
BC Friday: Why We Do What We Do
The buzz is rising. It's Breeders' Cup Friday, and if you can't enjoy horse racing's Super Bowl at Santa Anita, you might as well get out of the sport. read blog
Cleburne Out of Juvenile With Bucked Shin
Donegal Racing's undefeated Cleburne, winner of the Iroqouis Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, will miss the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) with a bucked shin, trainer Dale Romans confirmed Oct. 31.
Worldly Brings Walsh to Sport's Biggest Stage
For trainer Brendan Walsh, preparing his first Breeders' Cup starter in two years of training is a brand new world that could lead to the first graded stakes victory of his career coming on the sport's biggest stage.
Hendrickson, Whitney Donate $10k to NTWAB
John Hendrickson and Marylou Whitney donated $10,000 to the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters association during the 54th annual awards dinner at The Derby restaurant in Arcadia, Ca. Oct. 30.
Breeders' Cup: Dirt Mile Runner Goldencents
- By Claire Novak
Goldencents is not impressed by reporter Claire Novak's iPhone videos at the Breeders' Cup. watch video
Wise Dan Stretches Legs on Santa Anita Turf
Reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan galloped for the first time at Santa Anita Park the morning of Oct. 31 in preparation for his defense of the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT).
Breeders' Cup: Shug on Point of Entry
Hall of Fame trainer gives an update on his Breeders' Cup contenders and Kentucky Derby winner Orb. Shug also discusses Point of Entry and Hymnbook. watch video
Breeders' Cup: John Gosden on The Fugue
Trainer John Gosden talks about Breeders' Cup Turf contender The Fugue. watch video
Breeders' Cup: Charlie LoPresti on Wise Dan
- By Claire Novak
Has the reigning Horse of the Year lost a step? Wise Dan answers that question with some emphatic hijinks Oct. 30 at Santa Anita Park. watch video
No Jet Lag on the Improve, Dangerous in Mile
The Oct. 5 City of Hope Stakes was meant as a trial run for No Jet Lag to see if he belonged in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT). He aced that test when he finished in 1:31.84, just off the record set last year by Wise Dan.
The Fugue Leads Euros out of Quarantine at BC
Eleven of the 16 European contenders for the Nov. 1-2 Breeders' Cup World Championships cleared quarantine on the morning of Oct. 29, led by Andrew Lloyd Webber's top turf filly The Fugue.
BC Dirt Mile to be Last Race for Verrazano
As expected, Haskell Invitational (gr. I) winner Verrazano will retire to Ashford Stud, it was announced Oct. 29. His final race will come Nov. 1 in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I).
Hard-Knockers Line Up for BC Marathon
Argentinian-bred Ever Rider, looking to follow the path taken by Calidoscopio, heads a field of 10 along with millionaire Pool Play in the $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. II) on Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
Wise Dan Draws Post 8 for BC Mile Defense
Horse of the Year Wise Dan will launch a title defense in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) from post 8 in a field of 10 off his only loss of 2013. Among his challengers is the horse who beat him, Silver Max.
Breeders' Cup: Baffert, Game On Dude, Paynter
- By Claire Novak
Hall of Fame trainer talks about Paynter and Game On Dude after their Oct. 28 works at Santa Anita. Claire asks Bob Baffert if Game On Dude is a different horse from last year, listen to his answer. watch video
Ever Rider is Dream Come True for Connections
"The horses are for the dreamers, for the romantics," said Alberto Ibanez, sitting at Clocker's Corner on the Sunday morning before the Breeders' Cup World Championships. "With horses, you win races, not money."
Breeders' Cup: Game On Dude's New Friend
- By Claire Novak
Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Game On Dude has priorities on his mind on the Sunday before the World Championships. Who can resist a peppermint? watch video
30 Years in 30 Days: Gary Stevens Reflects
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens shares his favorite Breeders' Cup memories, talks about the hardest Breeders' Cup races to win, and fills us in on his roster of runners as he returns from a seven-year absence.
Joshua Tree to Defend International Title
Joshua Tree, winner of the 2012 and 2010 editions of the $1 million Pattison Canadian International (Can-IT) and second in the 2011 running, looks to defend his title in the Oct. 27 Woodbine event against 10 other invaders.
Borel Suffers Broken Fibula in Keeneland Fall
Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel was hospitalized with a broken fibula Oct. 23 after falling from his mount in the sixth race of the day at Keeneland, which was declared a no contest.
Fort Larned Sharp in Breeders' Cup Work
Defending Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Fort Larned worked at Churchill Downs on Oct. 22 while fellow Classic contender Game On Dude and Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) runner Beholder breezed at Santa Anita Park.
Madame Cactus Pops in Raven Run at Price
One of two also-eligibles, Madame Cactus drew in to the $250,000 Lexus Raven Run (gr. II) and unleashed a tremendous rally to get up at odds of 11-1 at Keeneland Oct. 19.
Royal Delta Heads Mott's BC Works at Belmont
Led by champion Royal Delta and Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Ron the Greek, horses conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott got in their Belmont Park works Oct. 19 in advance of the Nov. 1-2 Breeders' Cup.
Wired Bryan Cruises in Bongard
Wired Bryan turned in a front-running tour-de-force in the $150,000 Bertram F. Bongard Stakes on Empire Showcase Day; Miss Narcissist employed similar tactics to take the $150,000 Joseph A. Gimma for fillies.
Point of Entry Comes Back Strong
- By Claire Novak
Five-time grade I winner Point of Entry sailed along his road to recovery from a condylar fracture suffered in early June, and is on track for a comeback in the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT). read blog
Wise Dan, Groupie Doll Drill For BC Starts
Defending Horse of the Year Wise Dan, champion female sprinter Groupie Doll, and 3-year-old Will Take Charge were on the Oct. 18 worktab in Kentucky, gearing up for runs in the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Najjaar Takes Down Sycamore Stakes
Shadwell Stables' Najjaar returned to Polytrack for the first time since his 2-year-old season and handled the switch with success Oct. 17, taking an off-the-turf edition of the $100,000 Sycamore Stakes.
THS: Empire Classic H. and Raven Run S.
- By Claire Novak
Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the competitive Empire Classic H. and the stacked Raven Run S. this weekend. Will a speed horse win the Empire Classic? watch video
Eighttofasttocatch Heads MD Million Classic
Sylvia E. Heft's Eighttofasttocatch returns to the Maryland Million Classic for the third year in a row, looking for his second victory in the 1 1/8-mile feature on the Maryland Million Day card at Laurel Park.
Ciao Bella Luna, Lighthouse Bay Top Raven Run
Ciao Bella Luna and Lighthouse Bay head an overflow field for the $250,000 Lexus Raven Run (gr. II) at Keeneland Oct. 19, one of the final graded sprints limited to 3-year-old fillies in 2013.
Nutello Favored in Sycamore Stakes
After two adventures in grade I company, trainer Graham Motion brings Wertheimer & Frere's homebred Nutello to the $100,000 Sycamore Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland on Oct. 17.
Verrazano Works Bullet for BC Dirt Mile
Let's Go Stable and Coolmore partners' Verrazano worked a bullet five furlongs in 1:01.08 Oct. 12 on the dirt training track at Belmont Park, gearing up for the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park.
Kitten's Dumplings Quirky Winner of QEII
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Kitten's Dumplings proved a quirky winner of the $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup over 8-5 favorite Alterite at Keeneland Oct. 12 to pick up her first grade I victory.
Za Approval Solid in Knickerbocker Score
Za Approval ran to his recent form and easily captured the $200,000 Knickerbocker Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Belmont Park Oct. 12, coming off recent runner-up efforts behind Wise Dan and Obviously.
Title Contender Takes On Elders at Hastings
Multiple grade III winner Title Contender could continue his recent success in Canada Oct. 14 at Hastings Race Course, when he goes up against eight others in the $100,000 British Columbia Premier's Handicap (Can-III).
Honor Code to Bypass Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Champagne Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Honor Code will bypass the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) in favor of the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct Racetrack, Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey said Oct. 10.
Boisterous, Za Approval Top Knickerbocker
Grade I winner Boisterous is looking to get back on track in the $200,000 Knickerbocker Stakes (gr. IIIT) Oct. 12 at Belmont Park, a race he has won twice before, but Live Oak Plantation's Za Approval looms large.
Kitten Kaboodle Skims to Jessamine Win
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Kitten Kaboodle took the rail trip to victory in the $150,000 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland Oct. 9, earning a berth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT).
Alterite Heads Loaded Lineup for QE II Cup
Alterite, a 1 1/2-length winner of the Garden City Stakes (gr. IT) in her North American debut last month, heads a field of nine 3-year-old fillies entered for the $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (gr. IT).
Champion Hansen Sold to South Korea
Hansen, the 2-year-old champion of 2011 and winner of that year's Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), has been sold to South Korea, former owner Kendall Hansen confirmed Oct. 8.
Game On Dude Heads BC Classic Drills
Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contenders livened up the worktabs at Santa Anita Park and Churchill Downs Oct. 8, as Game On Dude cruised around his California base and Fort Larned and Will Take Charge drilled in Kentucky.
Up With The Birds Comes Flying in Jamaica
Sam-Son Farms' homebred Up With the Birds closed with a rush to take the $500,000 Jamaica Handicap (gr. IT) Oct. 5 at Belmont Park, earning his first graded stakes victory for trainer Malcolm Pierce.
Havelock Mows Way to Victory in Woodford
Silverton Hill's Havelock returned to his home turf and mowed down nine opponents Oct. 5 to take the $150,000 Woodford Presented by Keeneland Select (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland.
My Conquestadory Brilliant in Alcibiades
Conquest Stables' My Conquestadory turned in a dazzling performance Oct. 4 at Keeneland, taking the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (gr. I) after all sorts of trouble early on.
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