A day after undefeated Zenyatta became a giant of the racing world with a spine-tingling victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), trainer John Shirreffs said she should be Horse of the Year over favored Rachel Alexandra.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien said that Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Rip Van Winkle is fine and did not show any indications of his recurring foot problems when he went to the track at Santa Anita early Nov. 4.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Mr. Prospector line stallions were represented by eight of the 14 Breeders' Cup World Championship winners. Ten of the 14 winners are inbred within five generations, while four were outcrosses. Thursday, October 30, 2008
America once ruled the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I). But "quoth the raven, 'Nevermore.' " With a synthetic surface introduced for the first time this year, leveling the playing field for the Europeans, Raven's Pass, like Edgar Allen Poe's mysterious bird, came tapping at our chamber door...then busted it down.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin returned to Churchill Downs Oct. 27 following a flight from southern California and the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Oak Tree at Santa Anita.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Horsemen making their regular morning stops at Santa Anita's Clocker's Corner Oct. 26 were abuzz over the success of the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships, the first ever run on an artificial surface.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
European challengers Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator plus U.S. contender Tiago defeat fourth-placed Curlin. Despite a big move by Curlin at the top of the stretch that put him on the lead, Raven's Pass roared past him on the outside. Meanwhile, Henrythenavigator came along the rail to take second.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
It was another sun-splashed morning at Santa Anita Oct. 24 as a large contingent of horsemen, fans, and media awaited the first day of the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Breeders' Cup and Horse Racing Simulation LLC, a leading developer of horse racing and virtual racing simulations, unveiled the "Dream Classic," a simulation featuring some of the greatest Breeders' Cup Classic winners over the last 24 years in a showdown with defending Breeders' Cup Classic Champion and North America's all-time richest horse Curlin to determine his place among the great champions.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
European trainers discussed the strengths of their Breeders' Cup contenders, the largest number from overseas since 1994. Several said they would not have made the trip if the main track had a dirt instead of a synthetic surface.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
All horses racing in Friday's Breeders' Cup races had to be on the grounds at Santa Anita at noon today. Zenyatta, accompanied by stablemate Tiago, passed through the stable gate at 11:59. Judging from her 3-5 morning line odds and all the accolades she has received, that should be the only close call the magnificent filly will have this week.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Trainer Aidan O'Brien discussed the chances of his eight Breeders' Cup contenders, who were followed by a throng of media after their morning walks on the track.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Curlin, the heavy favorite at 7-5 in the Breeders' Cup Classic, drew post nine against 11 other rivals. The race will be run Oct. 25.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Trainer Bobby Frankel reported Oct. 20 that Mast Track, one of the likely pacesetters in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), is doubtful for Saturday's $5 million race after a quarter crack was detected while he was being shod, but he still hasn't ruled out the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
Monday, October 20, 2008
On a foggy, overcast morning Oct. 20 at Santa Anita Park, trainer Steve Asmussen worked three of his star stablemates, including Horse of the Year Curlin, who will contend against one another in the Oct. 25 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Monday, October 20, 2008
Stablemates Colonel John and Well Armed, both pre-entered for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), turned in final works at Santa Anita Oct. 20 for trainer Eoin Harty, who reported he was pleased with both efforts.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) winner Fairbanks worked five furlongs in 1:00 over the main track at Santa Anita Oct. 19 in preparation for the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced he will attend the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 25, and he will become the first California governor to ever present the winner's trophy for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Friday, October 17, 2008
Although the Breeders' Cup dirt races will have some element of the unknown due to the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita, the unchartered waters of the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) will be the deepest of all.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Majority owner Jess Jackson announced Oct. 14 that reigning Horse of the Year Curlin will defend his title in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at California's Santa Anita Park on Oct. 25.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
This headline was originally written about Casino Drive, who will be discussed later. But Big Brown's retirement obviously takes precedence.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dual classic winner Big Brown has been retired after sustaining an injury during a workout at Aqueduct the morning of Oct. 13.
Monday, October 13, 2008
One minute, Mike Iavarone was all smiles after watching Big Brown work a sharp six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 over the Aqueduct turf course in company with stablemate Kip Deville on Oct. 13, and the next he was announcing the colt's retirement.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Casino Drive, the Japan-based half-brother to two Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winners, cruised to an easy victory in a Santa Anita allowance race Oct. 12 to prepare for the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Undefeated Casino Drive has been entered to run at Santa Anita on Oct. 12 in what his connections hope will lead to a start in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Big Brown continued his preparation for the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), breezing six furlongs on the turf at Aqueduct in 1:14 3/5 with exercise rider Michelle Nevin aboard.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
With trainer Steve Asmussen looking on, Curlin worked over the Pro-Ride synthetic surface at Santa Anita early the morning of Oct. 6. The trainer, who has made no secret of the fact that he prefers dirt over synthetic surfaces, said that he could not make any decision about Santa Anita's new surface on the basis of just one work.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Talk about a hair-trigger decision. Following Curlin's victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), majority owner Jess Jackson said over he phone that the colt likely would ship to Santa Anita "in about a week" to test out the Pro-Ride surface. The next morning, Curlin was on a plane to California.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Big Brown breezed Sept. 30 for the first time since winning the Monmouth Stakes on the grass Sept. 13. The dual classic-winning 3-year-old went five furlongs in 1:04.21 over Aqueduct's main track.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Curlin, racing's $10 million horse, arrived at Santa Anita on Sunday, Sept. 28, and settled in at Barn 27. Assistant trainer Scott Blasi said that Curlin would probably make his first visit to the Santa Anita track Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Monday, September 29, 2008
It didn't take majority owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen long to make plans for Curlin, winner of the Sept. 27 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (gr. I) at Belmont Park.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Favored Well Armed, under strong urging from jockey Aaron Gryder, responded to open up a clear advantage in the homestretch, then held off the late-closing Tiago to win the $500,000 Goodwood (gr. I) at Oak Tree's Santa Anita meet Sept. 27. Because the race is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, Well Armed gained a slot in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Saturday, September 27, 2008
All eyes will be on reigning Horse of the Year Curlin as he takes aim at Cigar's all-time earnings record in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (gr. I) Sept. 27 at Belmont Park.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Goodwood Stakes (gr. I), as usual, serves as the main prep race in Southern California for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) this season. But for the 11 entered in this year's $500,000 renewal Sept. 24, it's also the first test of Santa Anita's new Pro-Ride synthetic racing surface and will go a long way toward determining which contenders move on.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Breeders' Cup announced Sept. 25 that it will launch a multi-city tour featuring legendary Hall of Fame jockeys Pat Day, Angel Cordero, Jr., and Laffit Pincay Jr., beginning Oct. 1 in celebration of the upcoming 25th running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park Oct. 24-25.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Fairbanks, who enters off a resounding stakes victory at Saratoga last month, heads a field of seven older horses in the $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (gr. II) Sept. 27, all of them hoping to establish themselves as a Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
On Sept. 27, Honest Man will tell trainer Larry Jones if he is ready for prime time, as he makes what could be his final Breeders' Cup prep in the $350,000 Kentucky Cup Classic (gr. II) at Turfway Park. He will take on five rivals in the 1 1/8-mile test on Polytrack.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Commentator, a two-time grade I winner for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, leads a field of seven for the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap Sept. 20 at Suffolk Downs.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
WinStar Farm's Colonel John, winner of the $1 million Travers Stakes (gr. I) by a nose at Saratoga, worked four furlongs Sept. 14 on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface in :48 4/5 for trainer Eoin Harty. The colt is headed for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Oct. 25 at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meet.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Big Brown made his return to turf a successful one Sept. 13 in the $500,000 Monmouth Stakes, as he sprinted to a commanding early lead under Kent Desormeaux and then gamely held off Proudinsky for the length of the stretch to win by a neck.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Being a dual-classic winner sure has its share of privileges. One of them is being able to have a new stakes written for you, one with a very large purse and on the exact day of your choosing.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
On Sept. 9, trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. addressed the media to answer questions about dual-classic winner Big Brown, who returns to the grass in the newly-created Monmouth Stakes Sept. 13 in New Jersey. Though Dutrow fielded questions regarding Big Brown's race this weekend, inevitably, the talk eventually returned to the one subject everyone seems obsessed with: Big Brown vs. Curlin.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Anak Nakal, rallying from far back for jockey Joe Bravo, got up in the final strides to defeat Acai in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park Sept. 1.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Minority owner Paul Pompa Jr. confirmed that Big Brown will not go to Saratoga this summer. The connections will instead look for a turf race for the dual classic winner's next start.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
It certainly wasn't as impressive as his wins in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) or Preakness (gr. I), but Big Brown got the job done in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) before 45,132 spectators at Monmouth Park Aug. 3.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Trainer Carl Nafzger will be honored for his overall contributions to Thoroughbred racing when Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners (KTO) presents the two-time winner of the Kentucky Derby with the 2007 "Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award."
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Millennium Farms' Ro Parra has decided to run his star pupil Student Council in the $2.3 million Japan Cup Dirt (Jap-I), rather than the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I). The 1 1/4-mile Japan Cup Dirt will be contested Nov. 24 at Tokyo Racecourse.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Despite the string of second-place finishes, Awesome Gem, who was bred in Kentucky by Runnymeade Farm Inc., Catesby Clay and Peter Callahan, has shown he can compete with the best. It gives Terry Finley hope he will surprise people in the Classic, even with such a deep field.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
There were some anxious moments for Any Given Saturday in the $150,000 Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II) Sept. 22 at Belmont Park. But the 1-5 favorite eventually took over at the sixteenth pole and then pulled away for a 2 1/2-length victory in his final prep before the Oct. 27 $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (gr. I).
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Laura de Seroux, trainer of Azeri, said Tuesday that in the wake of the defections of Candy Ride and Perfect Drift, she will keep her options open regarding the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I).
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
