Articles posted November 1, 2012

Obviously Worth Notice in Tough BC Mile

For a horse with the name he's been given, Obviously is anything but at the 2012 Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Peruvian-Bred Makes Breeders' Cup History

November 1, 2012
International, Breeders' Cup, West Region

Almudena will become the first Peruvian-bred Breeders' Cup World Championships starter in the Nov. 2 Marathon (gr. II).

Breeders Hope They're Good Luck for Rail Trip

November 1, 2012
Racing, Breeders' Cup, West Region

Breeders Maryann and Kevin Donohue are excited to see their grade I winner Rail Trip battle in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) Nov. 3 at Santa Anita Park.

Countdown to the Cup: Friday Longshots

By Steve Haskin
November 1, 2012
Breeders' Cup

Steve gives you his longshots for the Breeders' Cup races on Friday. read blog

Breeders' Cup News Minute - 11/01/2012

By Lenny Shulman
November 1, 2012
Breeders' Cup

Lenny Shulman reports on the news of the day, including the first track visits for the last arriving horses, including Mucho Macho Man. Sponsored by Vinery Watch Video

Challenges Await 'Kitty' in Juvenile Sprint

When asked about the chances of Ceiling Kitty in the $500,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint Nov. 2, British trainer Tom Dascombe replied with a refreshing, "The truthful answer is I don't really know."

White Horse Award to Late Remington Worker

A Remington Park maintenance department employee who died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident in March was honored posthumously Nov. 1 with the White Horse Award from the Race Track Chaplaincy of America.

'Everything Under Control' for Shanghai Bobby

Jack Wolf of Starlight Racing kept a close eye on Shanghai Bobby Nov. 1 as the colt made his first trip around Santa Anita Park's oval, looking happy and alert as he strode past.

Moment of Truth for Rumor in F&M Sprint

Rumor, with ties to the red-hot Claiborne Farm, will tackle heavy hitters Groupie Doll and Musical Romance in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint for trainer Richard Mandella.

Trainers Pletcher, Casse Criticize Salix Ban

Trainers Todd Pletcher and Mark Casse took issue with the Breeders' Cup decision banning the anti-bleeding medication furosemide in this year's five juvenile races during the World Thoroughbred Championships.

O'Brien's Starters Lead Euro Exercise Nov. 1

By Blood-Horse Staff
November 1, 2012
Racing, International, Breeders' Cup, West Region

Having cleared quarantine, Aidan O'Brien's powerful string of Breeders' Cup contenders took to the oval with the other Europeans at Santa Anita Park for the first time to stretch their legs the morning of Nov. 1.

Racing Participants and Writers Honored

Racing participants and Turf writers were honored by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters during the organization's awards banquet Oct. 31 at Santa Anita Park.

Racing Likely to Return to Yavapai in 2013

By Frank Angst
November 1, 2012
Racing, Southwest Region

Plans call for the usual 60-day summer meeting in 2013 beginning on Memorial Day. The track has not raced since 2010 and last year former owner Yavapai County Farm and Agriculture Association filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Trainer O'Brien Ready with Two 'Turf' Stars

By Tracy Gantz
November 1, 2012
International, Breeders' Cup, West Region

With co-owner Derrick Smith looking on, Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien sent out Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) hopefuls St Nicholas Abbey and Treasure Beach for a gallop at Santa Anita Nov. 1.

Amazombie Primed for Second Sprint Attack

Throw out his last race, said trainer Bill Spawr of Amazombie. The Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint favorite is ready to repeat.

My Happy Hoping for Smiles in Tempted

By Frank Angst
November 1, 2012
Racing, Northeast Region

After just missing out on a grade I victory in her previous start, My Happy Face will try to put smiles on her connections' faces Nov. 4 in the $150,000 Tempted Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct.

Groupie Doll Becoming California Girl

According to assistant trainer Maria Kabel, Groupie Doll is making the adjustment from her Kentucky home to her California digs just fine in advance of her run in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Breeders' Cup - BC President Craig Fravel

By Ron Mitchell
November 1, 2012
Breeders' Cup

Breeders' Cup President Craig Fravel, on the Cup's return to Santa Anita. Watch Video

BC Ramps Up Hospitality, Seeks 'Elegance'

By Tom LaMarra
November 1, 2012
Breeders' Cup, West Region

Breeders' Cup is well on its way in executing a strategy to enhance the World Championships experience for owners, breeders, and trainers.

Contested Returns to Track Nov. 1

Dual grade I winner is over the lung infection that kept her out of the Breeders' Cup.

Vegas No Show Lone Stakes Winner in Nashua

Six other promising 2-year-olds will challenge Vegas No Show in the Nashua, including Bourbon Stakes runner-up Really Sharp.

McPeek: BC Marathon 'Logical Spot' for Atigun

To trainer Kenny McPeek, running Atigun in the $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. II) just makes sense.

Pauls Mill Acquires Interest in Mining My Own

Mining My Own, dam of Mine That Bird and Dullahan, has a new home at Ben and Elaine Walden's Pauls Mill following a recent acquisition that saw Pauls Mill purchase half interest in the 11-year-old Smart Strike mare.

Breeders' Cup - Bill Kaplan - Musical Romance

By Ron Mitchell
November 1, 2012

Trainer Bill Kaplan discusses champion sprinter Musical Romance. Watch Video

Cecil Continues Family Training Tradition

Ben Cecil, the son and nephew of English trainers, will attempt to win his first Breeders' Cup race with Reddam Racing's Second City in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I).

Breeders' Cup - Excelebration

By Claire Novak
November 1, 2012
Breeders' Cup

Breeders' Cup Mile contender and top European Excelebration returns from his first trip over the Santa Anita track Nov. 1. Watch Video

Breeders' Cup - Aidan O'Brien

By Claire Novak
November 1, 2012
Breeders' Cup

Trainer Aidan O'Brien discusses his Breeders' Cup contenders, including Excelebration in the Mile, at Santa Anita Nov. 1. Watch Video

Loch Garman Wins Criterium International

By Myra Lewyn
November 1, 2012
Racing, International

Loch Garman scored a last-gasp victory in the Criterium International (Fr-I) Nov. 1 at Saint-Cloud, coming from near the back of the field to catch pacesetter Anna's Pearl in the final strides for a half-length win.

Charles Town to Run 235 Days in 2013

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races will race 235 days from Jan. 2 through Dec. 28 in 2013.

Potesta Recovering Well, Set for January Sale

By Claire Novak
November 1, 2012
Racing, Breeding, Kentucky

Potesta, the Hollywood Oaks winner who suffered a career-ending condylar fracture to her left foreleg during a workout Sept. 14, is recovering well and will be offered at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.

Live Blog - November, 1 at NOON EDT

November 1, 2012

The Breeders' Cup is fast approaching. Join us with comments, questions, and picks. Read Transcript

Executiveprivilege Has Baffert's Confidence

Trainer Bob Baffert carries his usual quiet confidence about the chances of favored Executiveprivilege into the $2 million Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.

Unlocking Winners: Sticking with 'The Greek'

By Pete Denk
November 1, 2012
Breeders' Cup

Pete says Ron the Greek will thrive going 10 furlongs. read blog

Breeders' Cup Morning with The Fugue

By Claire Novak
November 1, 2012
Breeders' Cup

John Gosden walked along the surface of the Santa Anita main track. Beside him strode his main hope and one of Europe's top contenders for the Breeders' Cup World Championships, a 3-year-old filly named The Fugue. read blog

Boisterous Looks to Add Another Stakes Win

By Frank Angst
November 1, 2012
Racing, Northeast Region

While most of Shug McGaughey's focus Nov. 3 will be on preparing Point of Entry for the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park, the Hall of Fame trainer also will be starting a talented turf runner at Aqueduct.

Mares and Hormones

By Jeffrey Cook, DVM
November 1, 2012
Health

Many owners stand by the statement that there's nothing quite like a hard-trying, intelligent mare. But if you ask for her full attention and cooperation while she's showing signs of estrus (heat), good luck! Whether they're causing unsavory behavior in the show arena or preventing a broodmare from coming into estrus, a mare's hormones can...

THS: Breeders' Cup

By Tom LaMarra
November 1, 2012
Breeders' Cup

Tom LaMarra and Claire Novak handicap a few choice races from the Breeders' Cup providing insight from past performances and on site impressions. The Classic will be covered in tomorrow's show. watch video

Edwards Named Churchill VP of Marketing

By Blood-Horse Staff
November 1, 2012
Triple Crown, Kentucky

At Churchill Downs, Edwards will oversee the development and implementation of marketing, branding, and social media strategies for Churchill Downs' live racing meets.

Equine Performance and Psychological Factors Linked

By Christa Lesté-Lasserre
November 1, 2012
Health

Ever feel like your horse is in a bad mood? Well, according to a British equine behavior research team, you could be right. In fact, team members said, paying attention to all of horses' main psychological factors--temperament, moods, and emotional reactions--is key to ensuring their mental well-being and their success.