Breeders' Cup Turf Report, Sept. 26, 2001

Cetewayo is a veteran warrior trying to make a comeback. Slew Valley has limited experience but a lot of promise. Both are being pointed toward the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) by their trainer Michael Dickinson. And both will be in action the last weekend in September. Cetewayo will tackle the Turf Classic Invitational (gr. IT) at Belmont Park on Saturday, and Slew Valley will run in the Canadian International (Can-IT) at Woodbine on Sunday.

Winner of the 1998 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap (gr. IT), Cetewayo finished sixth the same year in the Breeders' Cup Turf. He was injured while winning last year's Red Smith Handicap (gr. IIT), according to Dickinson, and that's why he has started only once in 2001. In his lone race this year, the 7-year-old son of His Majesty finished fifth in the Sept. 1 Sussex Handicap at Delaware Park.

"It (the distance of nine furlongs) was a bit short for him, but he ran okay," Dickinson said. "We didn't expect him to win."

Slew Valley's efforts this year include a runner-up finish in the Bowling Green Handicap (gr. IIT) and a third in the Sword Dancer. In his most recent outing, he was fifith in the Atto Mile (Can-IT) at Woodbine.

Slew Valley is talented, but it has been a challenge to get him relax early in his races. Dickinson believes that problem has been solved.

"He's still really inexperienced," said the trainer. A 4-year-old son of Valley Crossing, Slew Valley has made only 11 starts in his career.

Dickinson accomplished one of the greatest feats in Breeders' Cup training history when he saddled Da Hoss to win the 1998 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) after the gelding had raced only once since capturing the Mile's 1996 edition.