Cup-Bound Richard's Kid All Heart in 'Antonio

Richard's Kid is Dubai-bound after winning the $150,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 7 in his first start for new owner Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum's Zabeel Racing International.

Furthest Land Hopes to Atone in San Antonio

Furthest Land, last as the 3-5 favorite a month ago in his first race since capturing the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I), can make amends Feb. 7 in the $150,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II)at Santa Anita.

Rose Collects Career Win No. 2,000

Jeremy Rose rode his 2,000th winner at Gulfstream Park Jan. 28 aboard Cherokee Queen in the third race.

Lava Man Retired After Brief Comeback

Lava Man, who returned to racing after a more than 17-month layoff only to finish last in the San Gabriel Handicap (gr. IIT) Dec. 27 at Santa Anita, has been retired after his failed comeback attempt.

Life Is Sweet Scratched from San Gorgonio

Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) winner Life Is Sweet was scratched from the the Jan. 2 San Gorgonio Handicap (gr. IIT) when she "tied up a little" following a morning jog, according to trainer John Shirreffs.

Life Is Sweet Starts New Season On Turf

Making her first start since a rousing triumph in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) two months ago, Life Is Sweet returns in the $150,000 San Gorgonio Handicap (gr. IIT) on the turf at Santa Anita Jan. 2.

Rail Trip Back in Training at Hollywood

Grade I winner Rail Trip, last seen finishing third in the Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar in September, is back in training at Hollywood Park, trainer Ron Ellis said Dec. 30.

Grateful Ascanio Moves On Without Frankel

Trainer Humberto Ascanio says he'll push on in 2010 without his longtime mentor and friend, Hall of Fame member Bobby Frankel, even with the loss of the barn's blue-blood horses from its central client, Juddmonte Farms.

Parading to Stand at Claiborne

Grade II winner Parading has been retired from racing and will join his sire, successful stallion Pulpit, at stud in 2010 at the Hancock family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky.

Clear Sailing For Mast Track in Native Diver

In taking the Native Diver, Mast Track won for the first time since June 28, 2008 when he scored the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I).

All Eyes On Lava Man in Native Diver

Lava Man and Mast Track have accounted for victories in four of the past five renewals of the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I). Both have question marks heading into the $100,000 Native Diver Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park.

Poll: Best North American Older Male of 2009

Who should win the Eclipse Award as North America's top older male of 2009?

Vote Now!

Black Hills Strikes Gold in Zia Distance 'Cap

Black Hills altered course inwardly at the sixteenth pole and swept to victory in the $200,000 Zia Park Distance Championship Handicap Dec. 6 in Hobbs, N.M.

Life Is Sweet May Run in Bayakoa 'Cap Dec. 5

Life Is Sweet, winner of the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I), could run next the $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II) at Hollywood Park Dec. 5, according to the filly's owner.

THS: The Clark (Video)

Jason, Tom, and James Scully of twinspires preview the Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on November 27.

Watch Now!

Clark: Showdown For 3 Potential Champions

The Clark Handicap (gr. II) is always a solid race and a good way to put an exclamation point on not only the Churchill Downs fall meet, but the older handicap division.

American Lion: Tiznow/Storm Cat Cross Roars

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Most discussion of Tiznow as a sire of stakes winners focuses on how well his foals do when they've had some time to mature. When crossed with Storm Cat's precocious line, though, his juveniles are unbeatable.

Late-Season Clark 'Cap Attracts a Full Gate

There was plenty of interest at the entry box when it closed for the $400,000 Clark Handicap (gr. II), the premier post-Breeders' Cup handicap event around two turns on dirt in the United States. In all, 14 horses were entered for the Nov. 27 Clark, which is run at 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs.

Einstein Assigned Top Weight for Clark 'Cap

Stronach Stables' Einstein, unplaced in the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), was assigned top weight of 123 pounds for the Nov. 27 Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs.

Shirreffs: Classic Winner Zenyatta is HOY

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.

Breeders' Cup Slideshows

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

Breeders' Cup Handle $150 Million and Rising

Through Nov. 8, the all-sources handle for the recent Breeders' Cup World Championships exceeded $150.2 million. The total does not include an estimated $24.75 million in exchange wagering handled by Betfair.

'Sweet' Victory in the Ladies Classic

Pam and Martin Wygod's locally-based Life is Sweet rallied from last on the far turn, engulfed the field in the stretch and drew away to a three-length victory in the $2-million Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) Nov. 6 at Santa Anita Park.

Classic Report: Oh, Henry

If there is one main aspect of the Breeders' Cup that is most fascinating it is the merging of American and British cultures, whether it be terminology, style of racing, or in the way horsemen deal with the media and vice versa.

Mastercraftsman is Strong Dirt Mile Favorite

Europe's Mastercraftsman is a strong favorite at 6-5 in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Blame Beats Elders in Closing Day Fayette

Blame, the only 3-year-old in the field, rallied from the back of the pack and ran down favored Parading in mid-stretch to win the $150,000 Fayette Stakes (gr. II), the closing day feature of the Keeneland fall meet Oct. 31.

Ladies Classic Has Appeal Even Minus Zenyatta

Rachel Alexandra isn't coming and Zenyatta is leaning to the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I). However, anyone who believes that doesn't leave much for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) needs to think again.

Zenyatta 'Definitely' Leaning Toward Classic

Trainer John Shirreffs said on a national teleconference Oct. 28 that the first preference for Zenyatta is the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) as long as she works well this Saturday at Hollywood Park and appears to be peaking for the race.

Parading Leads Closing-Day Field for Fayette

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.

Countdown to the Cup: Can it Happen Twice?

On April 17, 2008, American racing fans were immersed in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), and no one was even giving the Breeders' Cup a second thought. But across the Atlantic, there was a scene being played out that would have a far greater effect on the Breeders' Cup than anyone could have imagined.

Countdown to the Cup: Early Angles

As we all know there is always an angle or two we can latch on to in the Breeders' Cup. The trick is finding them among the morass of stakes horses that line up for the 14 races. There probably are more chances of landing a longshot on a synthetic surface, because, in all honesty, does anyone really know how to handicap these races?

Cowboy Cal Corrals Breeders' Cup Mile Slot

Versatile Cowboy Cal went gate to wire to win the $150,000 Oak Tree Mile Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Santa Anita turf course Oct. 10, and earned the right to advance to the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) next month.

Perfect Zenyatta Repeats in 'Secret; BC Next

As professional as ever, undefeated Zenyatta equaled Personal Ensign's 13-race winning streak to begin her career, sweeping past the pacesetters in upper stretch to capture Oak Tree's $300,000 Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita in characteristic fashion Oct. 10.

Gitano Hernando Gets Giant Goodwood Upset

Europeans got an early start on the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) this year when British import Gitano Hernando, ridden by Kieren Fallon, upset favored Colonel John in Oak Tree's $350,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Oct. 10.

THS: The Goodwood (Video)

Jason, Evan, and James Scully from twinspires preview the Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) at Oak Tree at Santa Anita on October 10.

Countdown to the Cup: Goodwood Parade

You can't say there isn't enough to choose from when handicapping Saturday's $350,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I), with a smorgasbord of stakes horses all trying to earn their place in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I)

Zenyatta After 13th Straight in Lady's Secret

Undefeated Zenyatta attempts to equal Personal Ensign's streak of 13 consecutive wins when she goes to the post in Oak Tree's $300,000 Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I) as the heavy favorite Oct. 10 at Santa Anita.

Cowboy Cal Among Oak Tree Mile Contenders

Cowboy Cal returns to Santa Anita for trainer Todd Pletcher, looking to get back on the winning track in the $150,000 Oak Tree Mile Stakes (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Oct. 10.

Goodwood: Quality Foes Await Mine That Bird

Mine That Bird, stunning winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) this spring, has hooked a highly contentious field for his first try against older horses in Oak Tree's $350,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Oct. 10.

Zenyatta Set for Lady's Secret After Workout

Trainer John Shirreffs said his undefeated champion Zenyatta came out of her six-furlong workout on Hollywood Park's Cushion Track Oct. 3 in good order and is on course to defend her title in the $300,000 Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I) on Oct. 10 at 1 1/16 miles.

Countdown to the Cup: Rachel Rocks the Spa

Rachel Alexandra provided one of the great moments in the history of Saratoga when she scored a courageous head victory over older male rivals in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes Sept. 5.

Richard's Kid Roars in Pacific Classic Upset

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.

Bejarano to Ride Meteore, Parading at Del Mar

Rafael Bejarano, who was excused from mounts on Sept. 4 and 5 because of an injured thumb on his right hand, has been cleared to ride his two stakes horses -- Meteore in the $350,000 Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) and Parading in the $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) on the Sept. 6 program.

Rachel Holds Off Macho Again in Woodward

Rachel Alexandra cemented herself as one of the best fillies of all-time in a race for the ages, as she set a suicidal pace and then was all out under Calvin Borel to hold off a bold charge from Macho Again to win the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) by a head in electrifying fashion Sept. 5 at Saratoga.

That Handicapping Show: The Woodward (Video)

Jason, Tom, and Rich Nilsen of twinspires.com preview the Woodward Stakes (gr. I). Plus picks for the Forego (gr. I).

Col. John, Einstein Clash in Pacific Classic

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.

Woodward Analysis: Target Rachel?

Please note the following analysis was written by someone with a glass-is-half-empty mentality and is not meant to frighten, upset, or antagonize Rachel Alexandra fans and zealots. So, read at your own risk.

Rachel to Face 7 Males in Historic Woodward

On Sept. 5 at Saratoga, Rachel Alexandra will seek history when trying to become the first female to win the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) -- a feat that would almost certainly lock up Horse of the Year honors and stamp the 3-year-old as one of the best fillies of all time.

Contenders in Final Works for Pacific Classic

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.

Rachel May Send Asiatic Boy to Del Mar

As soon as trainer Kiaran McLaughlin found out Rachel Alexandra would be running in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 5 he quickly contacted the owner of his Woodward hopeful Asiatic Boy, about the possibility of heading to California.

Countdown to the Cup: Classic Confusion

This year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) is such an odd concoction of grass and synthetic horses and undistinguished older dirt horses it's difficult to make a worthwhile list of potential starters.

Bullsbay Confirms Tiznow/Turkoman Affinity

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Stamina influence Tiznow again matches with a speed-oriented Turkoman-line mare. Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Bullsbay joins Colonel John as elite runners bred on the cross.

Zenyatta Cuts Perfection Close in Hirsch Win

Unbeaten Zenyatta remained perfect in 12 starts, but she had her closest call yet in Del Mar's Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 9. Forced to circle the field six wide on the turn behind a slow pace, the giant mare just managed to get up by a head over Anabaa's Creation.