Summer Raven, winner of the 2004 Tempted Stakes (gr. III) and in foal to Unbridled's Song, became the first horse to bring seven figures Nov. 11 during the second session of the Keeneland November breeding stock auction in Lexington. Offered around noon (EST), she sold for $1.7 million to Kentucky bloodstock agent Reynolds Bell.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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
Three participants in this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships â€" Diamondrella, Lethal Heat, and Magical Fantasy -- were scheduled to be offered at the Nov. 10 Fasig-Tipton November select mixed sale in Lexington as of Nov. 9. Grade I winner Diamondrella finished 11th in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint; grade II winner Lethal Heat was seventh in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I); and grade I winner Magical Fantasy finished fifth in the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT).
Monday, November 09, 2009
Relive the 2009 Breeders' Cup with our collection of photo galleries.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
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.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
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.
Friday, November 06, 2009
European trainer John Gosden hopes to stun the racing world with Rainbow View in the Ladies Classic Nov. 6, like he did with Raven's Pass in the Classic last year.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
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.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Lethal Heat has attracted attention more for trainer Barry Abrams' assertion that he wanted to run her in two Breeders' Cup races on consecutive days than for her ability. But Madeline Auerbach, who bred and owns the filly in partnership, says that Lethal Heat is fit, happy, and ready to run a big race in the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I).
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Godolphin's Music Note was third in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic last year. Careless Jewel, second choice at 2-1, is on the rail.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
With most of the major training over for the Nov. 6-7 Breeders' Cup World Championships completed, the work tab at Santa Anita Nov. 3 was pretty light.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Careless Jewel has taken Vern and Donna Dubinsky to winner's circles they never thought possible, especially for a horse who cost only $40,000.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Cocoa Beach and Music Note have been here before. In 2008, at the end of long campaigns, they were still able to finish second and third, respectively, to Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita.
Monday, November 02, 2009
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.
Friday, October 30, 2009
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.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Breeders' Cup World Championships success last year of five European-trained horses at Santa Anita Park really made everybody sit up and take notice. There were a record 31 European-trained raiders in 2008 and the number is set to be matched or even surpassed this year.
Monday, October 26, 2009
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.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Lahaleeb produced the biggest upset in the 54-year history of Woodbine's E.P. Taylor Stakes (Can-IT) Oct. 17 when she came from off the pace in the stretch to win the $964,356 test for fillies and mares at odds of 44-1.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Coming off a group I win in Ireland, Rainbow View can sew up a starting berth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) next month with a victory in Woodbine's $1 million E.P. Taylor Stakes (Can-IT) on the turf Oct. 17.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Last weekendfs racing helped to clarify the Breedersf Cup picture for runners from Godolphin Racing, including Gayago, Girolamo, and Cocoa Beach.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Barry Abrams plans an unprecedented first when the Oak Tree Racing Association hosts the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita on Nov. 6 and 7.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Interference in deep stretch cost Juddmonte Farms a chance to win their own race, as their English homebred Proviso crossed the wire first in the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I) but was disqualified for veering out sharply inside the sixteenth-pole. The disqualification gave the victory to Brushwood Stable's Mushka, who crossed the wire second by 2 1/4 lengths, but likely would have gone by Proviso had her path not been impeded.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
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.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
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)
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Mark Stanley's Swift Temper, who upset Seventh Street last month in the Ruffian Handicap (gr. I), will make her first start on a synthetic surface in more than three years as she preps for the Breeders' Cup in the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I) Oct. 11 at Keeneland.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
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.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
If Sea the Stars does not make the trip to California, which seems more likely than not, and joins Rachel Alexandra on the absentee list, it will create a void never before seen in the Breeders' Cup.
Monday, October 05, 2009
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.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Several trainers from the Oct. 3 races at Belmont indicated which way they were leaning for next month's Breeders' Cup.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Bold Chieftain became the first two-time winner of the 20-year-old California Cup Classic and went over $1 million in career earnings in a bittersweet victory at Oak Tree's Santa Anita meeting Oct. 3. Grazen, the 4-5 favorite, led the $196,000 race by one length in the final furlong but pulled up in distress and was removed from the course by van.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Donver Stable's Careless Jewel won just as a 3-10 favorite is supposed to, as the talented filly led every step of the way in a no-doubt-about-it 3 1/2-length victory in the $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion (gr. II) Oct. 3 at Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Music Note, as expected, swept to victory with jockey Rajiv Maragh in the $600,000 Beldame (gr. I), the first of five grade I stakes at Belmont Park Oct. 3.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
There was a time not too long ago that a meeting among the nation's best fillies and mares in the $600,000 Beldame (gr. I) was a distinct possibility. But with Rachel Alexandra on the sideline, Zenyatta staying in California for the Lady's Secret (gr. I), and Icon Project now heading to Keeneland's Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I), the Beldame has lost some of its appeal.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Even-money morning-line favorite Grazen drew post position 3 for the $200,000 California Cup Classic presented by City National Bank at the draw breakfast Sept. 30.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The brilliant filly Careless Jewel, a romping winner of Saratoga's Alabama Stakes (gr. I) in her last start, heads the field for the $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park Oct. 3.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A trio of contenders for the Oct. 3 $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) had their final tune-ups for the 1 1/4-mile race on a busy morning at Belmont Park Sept. 26.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., reported on several of his top horses Sept. 25 from Aqueduct, including Paul Pompa Jr.'s Futurity (gr. II) winner D' Funnybone, whose next start is still up in the air.
Friday, September 25, 2009
She finished second in last year's Palomar Handicap (gr. IIT), but Gotta Have Her would not be denied this time around, rallying in the stretch to edge pacesetter Lethal Heat by a neck in the $200,000 feature on closing day of Del Mar's 2009 meet Sept. 9.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Brushwood Stable's Mushka took over approaching the quarter-pole, opened a clear lead in the stretch, and held on for a 1 1/4-length victory in the $110,500 Glen Falls Handicap (gr. IIIT) Sept. 7 at Saratoga.
Monday, September 07, 2009
The 4-year-old fillies Allicansayis Wow and Lethal Heat, second and third respectively against males in the Del Mar Mile Handicap (gr. IIT) late last month, are back with their own sex in a contentious renewal of the Palomar Handicap (gr. IIT) on closing day at Del Mar Sept. 9.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Rainbow View registered her first victory of the season as she rolled to a two-length win over Heaven Sent in the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes (Ire-I) at Leopardstown Sept. 5.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
It seems 2009 would be a year for filly phenoms, and they're all the result of young, distance-loving sires. Wednesday, September 02, 2009
After a couple of close tries earlier this year, trainer Ben Cecil warned that Ferneley would win a big race before all was said and done. That day came Aug. 29 when the Irish-bred 5-year-old swept past his tiring rivals to score a 1 1/2-length win in the $238,000 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT).
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Salve Germania, the longest shot in the $200,000 Ballston Spa Handicap (gr. IIT), charged down the center of the stretch to tag favored Rutherienne by a head at the wire on a soggy Saratoga Melon Turf Course Aug. 29.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Godolphin's Music Note repelled a bid from Indian Blessing at the top of the stretch and sloshed home for a 5 1/4-length upset victory in the $300,000 Ballerina (gr. I) Aug. 29 at Saratoga.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Originally pointed to a fall campaign at Belmont Park, Godolphin's Cocoa Beach came out of a stakes win at Saratoga earlier this month so well her connections have opted to run her Aug. 29 in the $200,000 Ballston Spa Handicap (gr. IIT).
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monterey Jazz gets back to his favorite distance and is reunited with former jockey David Flores for the $300,000 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT) Aug. 29.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Though Rachel Alexandra was not in the $600,000 Alabama (gr. I), Donver Stable's Careless Jewel did her best impression of the superstar filly, running away from seven rivals to win by 11 lengths in a breakthrough performance Aug. 22 at Saratoga.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Jason, Evan, and James Scully of twinspires.com preview the Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT). Plus picks for the Alabama (gr. I).
Thursday, August 20, 2009
There are two ways to look at the field for the $600,000 Alabama (gr. I): It could be a disappointment that the nation's top 3-year-old filly, Rachel Alexandra, is not included in the field. Or, a more optimistic view would be that many of the talented fillies entered for the prestigious race are only there because Rachel Alexandra is not in the field.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuscan Evening has taken tremendous strides in going from a maiden to a graded stakes winner in just one season, but the 4-year-old filly will now get her stiffest test yet when she faces a solid field of fillies and mares that includes multiple grade I winner Magical Fantasy in the $350,000 John C. Mabee Stakes (gr. IT).
Thursday, August 13, 2009
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.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
She's beaten most of them before, but undefeated Zenyatta won't be lonely in the starting gate when she defends her title in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I) at Del Mar on Aug. 9.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
The undefeated champion Zenyatta sent a clear message to any of her prospective foes in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I) on Aug. 9 with a scintillating five-furlong breeze in 1 minute flat on Del Mar's main track Aug 2.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Heading for a second appearance in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) this fall, the brilliant filly Goldikova showed that she is at the top of her game following a smashing repeat victory in the Prix Rothschild (Fr-I) at Deauville Aug 2.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Midday emerged from the fog and gloom to capture her first group I victory, drawing off to a commanding 2 1/4-length win in the Blue Square Nassau Stakes (Eng-I) at Goodwood Aug. 1.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Ten fillies and mares have been nominated for the Aug. 9 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I), the anticipated next start for unbeaten Zenyatta.
Friday, July 31, 2009
When jockey Rajiv Maragh eased Godolphin Racing's Seventh Street back into an ideal stalking position in the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) on June 13 at Belmont Park, he didn't expect two other horses owned by the ruling Maktoum family of Dubai, Godolphin Racing's Music Note and Darley Stable's Sea Chanter, to charge up and force a furious pace.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Dual graded stakes winner Lethal Heat, who set seven-furlong track records in consecutive races at Del Mar last season, continues what her connections hope will end with an appearance in the $1 million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) later this year when she returns in an allowance race July 25 on opening weekend of the Del Mar meeting.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Donver Stable's Careless Jewel opened up an early lead and never looked back, going gate-to-wire for a convincing 7 1/4-length victory in the $250,000 Delaware Oaks (gr. II) July 18 at Delaware Park.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
After coming up short in two previous prep races for the $700,000 TVG/Betfair Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), Rail Trip put it all together when he rolled to victory July 11 at the Inglewood track.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
A walk down the Godolphin shedrow at Belmont Park reveals a "Who's Who" of major stakes horses, many of whom are just coming back off layoffs and getting ready for the Saratoga meet.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Owner-breeder Marty Wygod is spending the week in Canada on a fishing trip before returning in hopes of hooking the big one -- the $700,000 TVG/Betfair Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) on July 11.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Purchased for $2.4 million at auction last November by Elizabeth Moran's Brushwood Stable, Mushka attempts to win her first stakes for her new connections in the $300,000 Dance Smartly (Can-IIT) on the Woodbine turf July 11.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Trainer Doug O'Neill, perfect in four previous tries in the TVG/Betfair Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), shoots for his fifth win since 2002 when he saddles Informed for the $700,000 Cushion Track event July 11.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Stanjames.com One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) heroine Ghanaati demolished a stellar field to capture the Coronation Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot June 19.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Seattle Smooth wore down Seventh Street in the homestretch to win the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) for her first grade I victory June 13 at Belmont Park.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Music Note, one of the top fillies in the nation last year when she was a three-time grade I winner, makes her 4-year-old seasonal debut in the $300,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) at Bemont Park June 13.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The 2009 renewal of the Investec Oaks (Eng-I) has attracted 10 starters at the final 48-hour declaration stage. Run over 1 1/2 miles at Epsom Downs on Investec Ladies Day June 5 and worth about US$573,695), this year's contest promises to be a high-class renewal.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
A dozen 3-year-old fillies have reached the six-day confirmation stage for the 2009 Investec Oaks (Eng-I) on June 5 at Epsom Downs, led by Sariska and Rainbow View.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Though it was her first start in seven months, undefeated Zenyatta's 10th consecutive win proved to be no more difficult than any of her earlier victories. In disposing of her top-notch stablemate, Life Is Sweet, the 5-year-old daughter of Street Cry rolled to an easy 1 3/4-length win in the $150,000 Milady Handicap (gr. II) at Hollywood Park May 23.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Odds-on favorite Criticism notched her fourth graded stakes victory in a little more than six months, taking a short field of fillies and mares wire-to-wire in the $150,000 Sheepshead Bay Stakes (gr. IIT) May 23 on the Belmont Park turf.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
