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Bridgetown Moderate Favorite in Turf Sprint

The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT) was the most popular race among the 15 on the two-day World Championships programs, with a maximum 14 drawing into the field for the race.

Pletcher's Crew Solid in Santa Anita BC Works

Breeders' Cup candidates were out in full force at Santa Anita Park Oct. 20, going through the late stages of their major drills for the World Championships events.

California Flag Waves Good-Bye in San Simeon

Looking fresh as a daisy, California Flag humbled his rivals in the $100,000 San Simeon Handicap (gr. IIIT) with a front-running 2 1/4-length victory on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita April 21.

San Simeon Marks Return of California Flag

On the sidelines since last fall's Breeder's Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IIT), California Flag returns to head a field of eight in the $100,000 San Simeon Handicap (gr. 11T) on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita Park April 21.

Caracortado Posts Bullet Work at Santa Anita

Several horses posted their final workouts the weekend of Oct. 28-30 in preparation for the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II).

Caracortado Heads BC Works at Santa Anita

Caracortado, prepping for the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II) at Churchill Downs, worked five furlongs on Santa Anita Park's main track Oct. 23 in a minute under regular rider Joe Talamo.

California Flag Fast and Furious in Morvich

California Flag became the first horse to win the Morvich Stakes (gr. IIIT) three times when he took the latest edition of the race by a half-length over Excessive Passion in a furious finish Oct. 10.

Leading California Breeder Keith Card Dies

Keith Card, former president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association and recently inducted into the state's Racing Hall of Fame, died March 8. He was 83.

Will 'Flag' Unfurl in Turf Sprint?

California Flag, the 2009 BC Turf Sprint winner, attempts to overcome uneven season Nov. 6 at Churchill Downs.

Silver Timber 4-1 for BC Turf Sprint

Silver Timber, winner of the April 30 Turf Sprint (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs, will break from post 5 against a full field in the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IIT).

Nov. 1 Workouts at Churchill Downs

It was another busy day for clockers at Churchill Downs as many contenders of the Nov. 5-6 Breeders' Cup World Championships completed their workouts Nov. 1.

Koriner Pair Lead BC Works at Churchill

A pair of horses trained by Brian Koriner topped the Breeders' Cup work tab at Churchill Downs Oct. 26.

No Shortage of Talent in Turf Sprint

The Turf Sprint is not the most glamorous BC race, but it may be one of the most competitive.

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Silver Timber Repeats in Woodford

Silver Timber took a different route than he did last year, but the result was the same in the $100,000 Woodford (gr. IIIT), as he came off the pace to win the turf sprint Oct. 9 at Keeneland.

BC Turf Sprint Contenders in Woodford

California Flag and Chamberlain Bridge, both expected to be major contenders for next month's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IIT), will go to battle in the $100,000 Woodford Stakes (gr. IIIT) Oct. 9 at Keeneland.

National and State Breeders, Owners of 2009

Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association names Jerry and Ann Moss the leading owners for 2009. Edward Evans is TOBA's national breeder of the year, and Hi Card Ranch is the top small breeder of the year.

California Flag to Begin Campaign in Crosby

California Flag, winner of the 2009 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and third in the 2010 Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-III) in Dubai, is back working for a possible start in the Aug. 1 Bing Crosby Stakes (gr. I) at Del Mar.

Avenue of Flags, 22, Dies in New Mexico

Son of Seattle Slew was the sire of 20 stakes winners including last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprinnt winner California Flag

Calming Influence Wins Godolphin Mile

Godolphin's Calming Influence took over rounding the turn, opened up a commanding lead in the stretch, and held off Green Coast to win the $1-million Godolphin Mile (UAE-II) March 27 in Dubai.

World Cup Notes For March 25

Blood-Horse correspondent Jason Ford makes his way around Meydan Racecourse for the March 27 Dubai World Cup.

Nine U.S. Horses Probable for Dubai World Cup

Four U.S. horses, including dual champion Gio Ponti, are among the 14 horses likely to contest the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Meydan Racecourse on March 27.

Dead Heat for Cal-bred Horse of the Year

California Flag and Dancing in Silks, both Breeders' Cup winners last year, share the honor of California-bred Horse of the Year for 2009.

Dancing in Silks Named Dual Cal-Bred Champion

Dancing in Silks, winner of the 2009 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), has been named California champion sprinter and older male by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

Gio Ponti Tops U.S. Nominees to World Cup

Eclipse Award winners Gio Ponti and Lookin At Lucky are among the record 1,951 horses nominated to the March 27 Dubai World Cup program at the new Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

Sacred Kingdom Wins Hong Kong Sprint Again

Sacred Kingdom upheld local dominance Dec. 13 in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I) at Sha Tin by regaining the title he won so impressively two years ago.

Post Positions for Hong Kong Int'l Races

Post positions, post times for the Dec. 13 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races held at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Avenue of Flags to Winners Circle in NM

Avenue of Flags, sire of this year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag, will stand in 2010 for a private fee at James Wasson's Winners Circle Bloodstock Farms near Las Cruces, N.M.

Sire and Pedigree Notes - Breeders' Cup 2009

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

Alan Porter recaps the 2009 Breeders' Cup with pedigree observations about the sire lines, dominant female families, and inbreeding of the 14 winners.

Breeders' Cup Slideshows

Relive the 2009 Breeders' Cup with our collection of photo galleries.

The Morning After: All Zenyatta, All the Time

Although she was back in her barn at Hollywood Park after her historic Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) win, Zenyatta was the hot topic the morning of Nov. 8 among those gathered at Clocker's Corner at Santa Anita, one day after they witnessed history.

California Flag Flies in the Turf Sprint

California Flag, a Cal-bred son of Avenue of Flags and the local favorite, claimed a decisive victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. The final time of 1:11.28 was a Breeders' Cup World Championships record. In second was Gotta Have Her, who also had a win at the race distance of 6 1/2 furlongs on the Santa Anita turf.

California Flag A-OK After Breaking Loose

California Flag, the 7-2 favorite for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, is fine after he unseated assistant trainer Colleen Hartford and galloped back to his barn at Santa Anita Nov. 4.

California Flag Favored in Full Turf Sprint

The Morvich Handicap (gr. IIIT) winner is 7-2 in the morning line.

California Flag: Relaxed and Ready for BC

California Flag has an opportunity that few horses ever get -- a do-over at the Breeders' Cup. A diabolically fast pace cooked him in last year's inaugural Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, but the improved version of California Flag may be much tougher in this year's running.

Turf Sprint Draws Largest Field of All

What could be more specialized than horses that like to sprint on the turf? Yet all manner of runners make up the 22 pre-entries in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, which drew the largest field of all 14 Breeders' Cup races.

Morvich Win Puts California Flag Back in 'Cup

Favored California Flag led nearly all the way to win the $100,000 Morvich Handicap (gr. IIIT) on opening day of the Oak Tree Racing Association meet at Santa Anita Park Sept. 30, earning a repeat victory in the hillside turf course event over runner-up Get Funky and a berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

Morvich Kicks Off Santa Anita's Oak Tree Meet

Fittingly featuring 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint champion Desert Code, the Sept. 30 Morvich Handicap (gr. IIIT) heads Oak Tree's 31-day season at Santa Anita, one that will be highlighted by the two-day, $25.5-million Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 6 and 7.

California Flag Waves Bye-Bye in Express

Favored California Flag rebounded from a disappointing effort in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint last month with a front-running romp in the $150,000 Hollywood Turf Express Handicap (gr. IIIT) Nov. 29.

Fast Pass: 10 Go in Turf Express

The Hollywood Turf Festival offers something for everyone over the long holiday weekend, and sprinters get their chance Nov. 29 in the $150,000 Turf Express Handicap (gr. IIIT) at six furlongs.

Bewildering First Turf Sprint On Tap

The biggest head-scratcher of the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships could well be the inaugural running of the $1-million Turf Sprint Oct. 25.

Turf Sprint: It's All Downhill

The return of the Breeders' Cup World Championships to Santa Anita Park Oct. 24-25 will usher in a trio of races new for the event's 25th edition.

California Flag Waves Bye-Bye in Morvich

Front-running California Flag drew away in stunning fashion to register a 22-1 surprise in track record time while winning the $112,500 Morvich Handicap (gr. IIIT) over Santa Anita's hillside turf course on opening day of the 40th Oak Tree Racing Association meet.

Oak Tree Season Kicks Off With Morvich

Defending champion Get Funky, seeking an assured Breeders' Cup berth, heads 12 entrants in the $100,000 Morvich Handicap as the Oak Tree Racing Association launches its 40th season at Santa Anita Sept. 24.