If there is one thing you can always count on in the Breeders' Cup it's that it will have it's share of longshot winners and mid-price overlays who get lost in the handicapping frenzy that is so much a part of the event.
Yesterday
In a move faster than trainer/exercise rider Helen Pitts would have liked, Stronach Stables' Einstein tuned up for the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) with a half-mile workout in a quick :47 4/5 at Santa Anita Nov. 1.
6 days ago
Parading returns to the scene of his most lopsided stakes victory earlier this year when he takes on nine rivals in Keeneland's $150,000 Fayette Stakes on Oct. 31, closing day for the Lexington track's short fall meet.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Stronach's Einstein, one of the top American hopes for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Oak Tree at Santa Anita, zipped a fast five furlongs at Churchill Downs on Oct. 25 in the veteran star's final pre-race training move over his home track.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
It can be argued that this year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) is as perplexing and wide open as any time in the event's 26-year history. Between the parity of the top older horses and the wild card factor of Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface, handicappers will have plenty of choices come Nov. 7
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A solid field of nine was entered for the $300,000 Meadowlands Cup (gr. II) Oct. 16. They have banked nearly $5 million and have eight graded victories amongst them.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Tracy and Carol Farmer have chosen Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Ky., as the permanent home for two-time Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Commentator, it was announced Oct. 2.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Edward Evans' Nite Light took advantage of pedestrian fractions and went gate-to-wire in the $100,000 Turfway Park Fall Championship Stakes (gr. III) Sept. 12 in Florence, Ky.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Tracy Farmer's multiple grade I-winning gelding Commentator arrived Sept. 10 at Mike Evans' Sheltowee Woodford near Versailles, Ky., where he will live out his retirement.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Todd Pletcher is always a presence at the Breeders' Cup World Championships, and with a spot to the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Marathon up for grabs via the $100,000 Turfway Park Fall Championship Stakes (gr. IIIT), the Eclipse Award-winning trainer will look to bolster his chances with a pair of solid contenders.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Richard's Kid, sent off at odds of 24-1, charged from far back with jockey Mike Smith aboard to win the $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar Sept. 6, nipping Einstein in an exhilarating finish.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) paid tribute to Commentator Sept. 6, at Saratoga Race Course. The 8-year-old chestnut gelding, owned by Tracy Farmer and trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito, was retired from racing Aug. 9, a day after finishing third in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I). He was attempting to join Discovery and Kelso as the only three-time winners of the race in its 82-year history.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Colonel John and Einstein, who were expected to clash in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) this past spring, should finally have their first meeting as the favorites in the $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar on Sept. 6.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Einstein, who is scheduled to run in the Sept. 6 Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar, has been bought by Frank Stronach's Stronach Stables for an undisclosed sum.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Stronach Stables buys grade I winner Einstein, who will contest Sunday's Pacific Classic (gr. I)
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Rail Trip, San Diego Handicap (gr. II) victor Informed, and Eddie Read (gr. IT) winner Global Hunter wrapped up their serious work for the $1-million Pacific Classic with drills on the morning of Aug. 30.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Nineteen top-notch runners, including four millionaires and a pair of 3-year-olds, have been nominated to run in Del Mar's $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) on Sept. 6.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Einstein, the richest North American horse currently in training with more than $2.7-million in purses, will ship to Del Mar on Aug. 31 to compete in Del Mar's Pacific Classic (gr. I) on Labor Day Sunday, Sept. 6.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Robert LaPenta Coal Play, best known for nearly shocking Big Brown in last year's Haskell Invitational (gr. I), will look for his fourth win over the Monmouth Park main track when he takes on six rivals in the $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (gr. III) on Aug. 22.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The New York Racing Association will pay tribute to one of the most popular horses in racing when the recently-retired Commentator is honored on Sept. 6 at Saratoga.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Tracy Farmer's two-time Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Commentator has been retired after finishing third in his quest for a record-tying third win in the Saratoga event, trainer Nick Zito announced on the morning of Aug. 9.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
The longest shot in a field of six, 18-1 Bullsbay pulled a shocking upset in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) Aug. 8 at Saratoga, splitting horses on the turn and pulling away for a 1 1/2-length score under Jeremy Rose.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Castleton Lyons' Gio Ponti notched his fourth consecutive grade I victory Aug. 8 at Arlington Park, as he rolled to a 1 1/4-length win in the Arlington Million (gr. IT) under Ramon Dominguez.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Jason, Tom, and Les Instone from Brisnet/Twinspires.com preview the Arlington Million (gr. I). Plus picks for the Whitney (gr. I).
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Two of the most prestigious turf races on the North American racing calendar, the Arlington Million and Beverly D., will be aired live Sat., Aug. 8, on ESPN from 4:30-6:00 p.m. ET.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
The ageless Commentator will try to stand alongside the great Kelso as the oldest horse ever to win the prestigious Whitney Handicap (gr. I), a race he will also attempt to capture for a record-tying third time.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Often times, European horses are the focus of attention in the internationally prestigious Arlington Million (gr. IT). And while the 2009 edition of the race does include three capable foreigners, it is a trio of terrific American horses that are the ones to beat this time around.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Einstein, who stumbled at the start and finished fifth in last year's Arlington Million (gr. IT), drew the inside post for this season's prestigious turf race at Arlington Park, which will be held Aug. 8.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Commentator, the 8-year-old who Aug. 8 will attempt to become only the third horse in history to win the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) three times, turned in another excellent work Aug. 1 at Saratoga, covering a half-mile in :47.85, handily.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Macho Again, winner of last year's Jim Dandy (gr. II), turned in a bullet work before the heaviest of the rains began July 31 as he prepared for the grade I, $750,000 Whitney at Saratoga on Aug. 8.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tracy Farmer's Commentator, the expected elder statesmen of the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) on Aug. 8 at Saratoga, turned in a bullet work over the Oklahoma track at Saratoga July 23, breezing five furlongs in :59.12.
Friday, July 24, 2009
The 135th renewal of the grade II, $400,000-added Clark Handicap highlights the 12 stakes races with total purses of $1.775 million for the Nov. 1-28 fall meet at historic Churchill Downs.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Einstein and Gio Ponti are just two of several talented turf horses considering the Aug. 8 race.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Winless in six starts since capturing last fall's Super Derby (gr. II), My Pal Charlie is the 120-pound high weight for the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (gr. II) on June 27.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
West Point Thoroughbreds' Macho Again found room off the turn and pulled away from a wall of horses to win the $660,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 13 at Churchill Downs. Einstein, seeking his third consecutive grade I score, finished third after a troubled trip.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Commentator rolled to an easy win June 12 at Belmont Park, beating Stud Muffin by seven lengths in the $64,950 Kashatreya Stakes.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Jason, Tom, and the Wizard analyze the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), June 13 at Churchill Downs.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Einstein, a leading candidate for 2009 Horse of the Year midway through the season, will try to make history by becoming the first horse to win grade I events on dirt, turf and synthetics in the same year in the $600,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 13 at Churchill Downs.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Midnight Cry Stable's Einstein was assigned top weight of 124 pounds for the $600,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 13 at Churchill Downs.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Midnight Cry Stable's Einstein, runner-up to Curlin in last year's Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), topped a list of 20 nominees for this year's renewal, which will be run June 13 at Churchill Downs.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Euphony and Vacation earned their first graded wins on a big stakes day at Arlington Park May 23.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Two grade III stakes to be contested on Polytrack -- the $150,000 Arlington Matron and the $100,000 Hanshin Cup -- join with a pair of top-notch grass events to provide a quality afternoon of racing at Arlington Park on May 23.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
