It seems for every step forward the Classic takes, it takes two steps backward. Last weekend, it took three steps backward, with the defeats of Albert the Great, Tiznow, and Skimming, the last two at the hands of 39-1 shot Freedom Crest. On the other hand, Aptitude's 10-length tour-de-force in the Jockey Club Gold Cup was a break-out race that catapulted the son of A.P. Indy right up to the head of the class.Classic Weekly Report--10/1/2001
One more week and the Breeders' Cup Classic picture should come into focus. The Meadowlands Cup produced a definite starter in Include, who ran a huge race to finish third, and a possible starter in Gander, who led all the way to score a gutsy and well-deserved victory.Classic Weekly Report--9/25/2001
The results of this past weekend only further confused the Classic picture. Guided Tour showed a new dimension in the Kentucky Cup Classic, stalking the front-running Balto Star the entire way before wearing him down. But trainer Niall O'Callaghan doesn't seem too excited about throwing him in with tougher company at Belmont Park.
Classic Weekly Report--9/21/2001
The Breeders' Cup Classic suffered a major blow earlier this month when Point Given retired due to an injury, followed on Sept. 8 by the defeats of European superstar Galileo in the Irish Champion Stakes and defending Horse of the Year and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Tiznow in the Woodward Stakes. That was compounded by the victory in the Woodward by Chilean-bred Lido Palace, who is not nominated to the Breeders' Cup and likely will not be supplemented.