European trainers discussed the strengths of their Breeders' Cup contenders, the largest number from overseas since 1994. Several said they would not have made the trip if the main track had a dirt instead of a synthetic surface.
Mauralakana's owner had expected his mare to be in a Southern Hemisphere breeding shed in October, not the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. The 5-year-old mare is Robert Scarborough's first Breeders' Cup contender.
All horses racing in Friday's Breeders' Cup races had to be on the grounds at Santa Anita at noon today. Zenyatta, accompanied by stablemate Tiago, passed through the stable gate at 11:59. Judging from her 3-5 morning line odds and all the accolades she has received, that should be the only close call the magnificent filly will have this week.
Pacesetter Indyanne may scratch out of the Sentient Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint due to fever.
The three-day Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall yearling sale at the sale company's Newtown Paddocks near Lexington ended Oct. 22 with across the board declines.
New York state officials finally gave Delaware North approval to build and operate a video lottery casino at Aqueduct. The racetrack will house New York City's only legal casino, which could generate tens of millions for purses and breeders' awards.
Hosted by Lenny Shulman and Steve Haskin, "And They're Off" is a bi-monthly online video series sponsored by Darby Dan Farm. This episode, Lenny and Steve are at Santa Anita discussing the Breeders' Cup, including an interview with Paul Reddam - owner of Square Eddie, Red Rocks, and Black Magic Mama, "Feel Good" Breeders' Cup stories, and some picks. Plus, putting an end to the Big Brown foot conspiracy.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien discussed the chances of his eight Breeders' Cup contenders, who were followed by a throng of media after their morning walks on the track.
Sixties Icon, an invader from England, is the 2-1 morning line favorite for the inaugural Breeders' Cup Marathon Oct. 24 at Santa Anita. Six of his eight career victories have been scored at the Marathon's distance of 1 1/2 miles or longer. In 2006, he became a European classic winner, taking the Ladbrokes St. Leger (Eng-I) by 2 1/2 lengths.
Robert Ribaudo, the small-stable trainer of Grand Couturier, considers himself lucky in a sport of declining fortunes. One of his former owner got back into the racing game and now they have a solid contender in the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT).
Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation will assume ownership of Pyro, a contender in the Oct. 25 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, following the World Championships.
Trainer Richard Mandella will send out Mine That Bird and One Union in an attempt to add to his total of six Breeders' Cup winners in the last two such events at Santa Anita Park
Carriage Trail comes into the Oct. 24 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita off a dazzling performance in the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (gr. I). The 5-year-old daughter of Giant's Causeway rolled to a 7 3/4 length victory in that race while setting a track record for 1 1/8 miles of 1:46.77 over Keeneland's Polytrack.
Todd Beattie is happy to be in California with Fabulous Strike for the Sentient Flight Group Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I). He had hoped to be at last year's Sprint, but instead had to battle a lung infection that could have ended the gelding's racing career.
Health and safety procedures announced for two-day Breeders' Cup program.
New Approach, this year's Vodafone Epsom Derby (Eng-I) and last year's Cartier Award winning 2-year-old male, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Sheikh Mohammed's Dalham Hall Stud near Newmarket, England.
Put together by Kelly Colliver, the 26-member strong Livin the Dream partnership group owns one horse in training. That horse is Dream Empress, who figures to be a strong contender for Friday's Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I).
Cougar Cat, a graded stakes-placed son of Storm Cat raced by Nathan Fox's Richland Hills, will stand at that farm near Midway, Ky., in 2009, it was announced Oct. 22. His fee will be $5,000.
Dual listed stakes winner Alfie Flits headed Doncaster's October horses in training sale Oct. 22 when selling for £95,000 ($162,133) to trainer Jennie Candlish as a dual-purpose prospect.
Hall of Fame jockey Don Brumfield has been named as a steward for the upcoming Gulfstream Park meet, the track announced Oct. 21.
Divine Park has been retired for stallion duty at Brereton C. Jones' Airdrie Stud near Midway, Ky.
Lev Fanning Jr., who managed several successful California horse farms, died Sept. 10.
Trainer Richard C. Gonzalez died Oct. 4 at Steubenville, Ohio, after battling cancer.
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Owner: Ron Winchell
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
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