Prospective Breeders' Cup Fields

Thanks for our friends at Churchill Downs, here's a list of horses that can potentially run in each of the Breeders' Cup Championship races.

CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY

MARATHON

A.U. Miner (trained by Clark Hanna), Alcomo-BRZ (Eduardo Caramori), Atoned (Neil Howard), Bright Horizon-GB (Aidan O’Brien), Eldaafer (Diane Alvarado), Falling Knife (Tom Amoss), Precision Break (Paul Cole), Tastahil-IRE (Barry Hills) and Temple City (Carla Gaines). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Marathon some consideration: Dansant-GB, Gabriel’s Hill, Giant Oak (Clark Handicap), Prince Will I Am (Turf), Wade Giles-IRE, Where’s the Remote (Hollywood Turf Cup) and Whispering Gallery-GB.

JUVENILE FILLIES TURF

Arch Support (trained by Gary Contessa), Forest Legend (Victoria Oliver), Kathmanblu (Ken McPeek), More Than Real (Todd Pletcher), New Normal (Mark Frostad), Quiet Oasis-IRE (Brian Meehan), Tale Untold (Richard Hannon), Together-IRE (Aidan O’Brien), Winter Memories (Jim Toner) and Wyomia (Juvenile Fillies). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Juvenile Fillies Turf some consideration: Cloneylass-IRE, Fancy Point, Harlan’s Ruby, Hooray-GB, Jazzy Jessy, Jordy Y (Juvenile Fillies), Singapore Lilly-IRE, Street Chimes, Theyskens’ Theory (Juvenile Fillies) and Tiger Girl.

FILLY & MARE SPRINT

Champagne d’Oro (trained by Eric Guillot), Dubai Majesty (Bret Calhoun), Evening Jewel (Jim Cassidy), First Passage (Marty Wolfson), Informed Decision (Jonathan Sheppard), Jessica Is Back (Marty Wolfson), Moontune Missy (Eoin Harty), My Jen (Eddie Kenneally), Qualia (Robert Ribaudo), Rightly So (Tony Dutrow), Rinterval-IRE (Eric Reed), Sara Louise (Saeed bin Suroor), Secret Gypsy (Ronny Werner), Sweet August Moon (Brian Koriner), Switch (John Sadler) and Tidal Pool (D. Wayne Lukas). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Filly & Mare Sprint some consideration: Gabby’s Golden Gal, Nicole H and Rapport.

FILLY & MARE TURF

Changing Skies-IRE (trained by Bill Mott), Eclair de Lune-GER (Ron McAnally), Forever Together (Jonathan Sheppard), Harmonious (John Shirreffs), Hibaayeb-GB (Saeed bin Suroor), Midday-GB (Henry Cecil), Plumania-GB (Andre Fabre) and Red Desire-JPN (Mikio Matsunaga). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Filly & Mare Turf some consideration: Ave-GB, Hot Cha Cha, Keertana, Miss Keller-IRE, Shared Account and Turning Top-IRE.

JUVENILE FILLIES

A Z Warrior (trained by Bob Baffert), Awesome Feather (Stan Gold), Delightful Mary (Mark Casse), Harlan’s Ruby (Ken McPeek), Izshelegal (Terry Knight), Jordy Y (Wayne Catalano), Joyful Victory (Tony Dutrow), R Heat Lightning (Todd Pletcher), Soundwave (Ronny Werner) and Tell a Kelly (John Sadler). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Juvenile Fillies some consideration: Honey Chile (Pocahontas), Indian Gracey, Tale Untold (Juvenile Fillies Turf), Theyskens’ Theory, Together-IRE (Juvenile Fillies Turf) and Wyomia (Juvenile Fillies Turf).

LADIES’ CLASSIC

Acoma (trained by David Carroll), Acting Happy (Rick Dutrow Jr.), Blind Luck (Jerry Hollendorfer), Funny Moon (Christophe Clement), Havre de Grace (Tony Dutrow), Life At Ten (Todd Pletcher), Malibu Prayer (Todd Pletcher), Persistently (“Shug” McGaughey), Seeking the Title (Dallas Stewart) and Unrivaled Belle (Bill Mott). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Ladies’ Distaff some consideration: Always a Princess, Evening Jewel (F&M Sprint), Milwaukee Appeal, Third Dawn (Chilukki) and Zardana-BRZ.

CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY

JUVENILE TURF

Air Support (trained by “Shug” McGaughey), Banned (Tom Proctor), Cozy Kitten (Wesley Ward), Klammer-GB (Jane Chapple-Hyam), Pluck (Todd Pletcher), Soldat (Kiaran McLaughlin) and Typhoon Slew (Mike Maker). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Juvenile Turf some consideration: Biondetti, Deciphering Dreams, J.B.’s Thunder (Juvenile), Major Gain, Mantoba-GB, Powhatan County, Rerouted, Rockin Heat, Rogue Romance (Juvenile), Rough Sailing, Titus Mills-IRE, Treasure Beach-GB, Utley and Willcox Inn.

DIRT MILE

A Little Warm (trained by Tony Dutrow), Aikenite (Todd Pletcher), Awesome Gem (Craig Dollase), Crown of Thorns (Richard Mandella), Dakota Phone (Jerry Hollendorfer), Gayego (Saeed bin Suroor), Here Comes Ben (Charlie Lopresti), Hurricane Ike (John Sadler), Mine That Bird (D. Wayne Lukas), Thiskyhasnolimit (Steve Asmussen), Tizway (Jim Bond), Twirling Candy (John Sadler) and Vineyard Haven (Saeed bin Suroor). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Dirt Mile some consideration: Bribon-FR (Sprint), Duke of Mischief, Jeranimo, Mad Flatter, Morning Line (Classic), Redding Colliery (Clark Handicap) and Warrior’s Reward (Sprint).

TURF SPRINT

Awakino Cat (Linda Rice), California Flag (Brian Koriner), Central City (Ronny Werner), Chamberlain Bridge (Bret Calhoun), Due Date (Steve Margolis), Elusive Gift (Richard Vega), Fatal Bullet (Reade Baker), Grand Adventure (Mark Frostad), Little Nick (Anthony Quartarolo), Quick Enough (Doug O’Neill), Rose Catherine (Todd Pletcher), Silver Timber (Chad Brown), Stradivinsky (Rick Dutrow Jr.), Tropic Storm (Craig Dollase) and Unzip Me (Marty Jones). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Turf Sprint some consideration: A Unique Treasure, Bridgetown, Gilt Edge Girl (Sprint), Ravalo, Scenic Blast-AUS and West Ocean.

JUVENILE

Boys At Tosconova (Rick Dutrow Jr.), J P’s Gusto (David Hofmans), Jaycito (Mike Mitchell), Stay Thirsty (Todd Pletcher) and Uncle Mo (Todd Pletcher). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Juvenile some consideration: Astrology, Blue Laser (Delta Jackpot), Caleb’s Posse, Factum, J.B.’s Thunder (Delta Jackpot), Madman Diaries (Delta Jackpot), Major Gain (Juvenile Turf), Mountain Town, Murjan, Riveting Reason, Rockin Heat, and Rogue Romance (Juvenile Turf).

MILE

Courageous Cat (Bill Mott), Court Vision (Rick Dutrow Jr.), Delegator-GB (Saeed bin Suroor), Get Stormy (Tom Bush), Goldikova-IRE (Freddie Head), Paco Boy-IRE (Richard Hannon), Proviso-GB (Bill Mott) and Sidney’s Candy (John Sadler). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Mile some consideration: Beethoven-IRE, Enriched, Gio Ponti (Classic), Grand Rapport, Society’s Chairman, Starspangledbanner-AUS, Victor’s Cry and Yankee Fourtune (Commonwealth Turf).

SPRINT

Atta Boy Roy (trained by Valorie Lund), Big Drama (David Fawkes), Cash Refund (Steve Margolis), Cost of Freedom (John Sadler), Dancing in Silks (Carla Gaines), E Z’s Gentleman (Bob Baffert), Girolamo (Saeed bin Suroor), Hamazing Destiny (D. Wayne Lukas), Kinsale King (Carl O’Callaghan), Riley Tucker (Steve Asmussen), Smiling Tiger (Jeff Bonde), Supreme Summit (Mike Puype), Warrior’s Reward (Ian Wilkes) and Wise Dan (Charlie Lopresti). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Sprint some consideration: Bank Merger, Bribon-FR (Dirt Mile), Gilt Edge Girl (Turf Sprint), Hollywood Hit, Latigo Shore, Rule by Night, and Wildcat Brief.

TURF

Al Khali (trained by Bill Mott), Behkabad-FR (Jean-Claude Rouget), Champ Pegasus (Richard Mandella), Debussy-IRE (John Gosden) and Winchester (Christophe Clement). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Turf some consideration: Dangerous Midge, Gitano Hernando-GB (Classic), Joshua Tree-IRE, Paddy O’Prado (Classic/Japan Cup), Plumania-GB (Filly & Mare Turf), Prince Will I Am (Marathon), Redwood-GB, Tazeez, Telling and Workforce-GB.

CLASSIC

Blame (trained by Al Stall Jr.), Espoir City-JPN (Akio Adachi), Etched (Kiaran McLaughlin), First Dude (Dale Romans), Fly Down (Nick Zito), Haynesfield (Steve Asmussen), Lookin At Lucky (Bob Baffert), Morning Line (Nick Zito), Musket Man (Derek Ryan), Quality Road (Todd Pletcher) and Zenyatta (John Shirreffs). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Classic some consideration: Crown of Thorns (Dirt Mile), Gio Ponti (Mile), Gitano Hernando-GB (Turf) and Paddy O’Prado (Turf). 

Shirreffs on Zenyatta - Oct. 15

From the Keeneland Press Release....

LEXINGTON, KY (October 15, 2010) – John Shirreffs, trainer of the undefeated Zenyatta, met with the media Friday morning at Keeneland to discuss the 6-year-old mare’s preparations for her defense of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) she won last year Santa Anita.

A perfect 19-for-19 in her career, Zenyatta worked five furlongs in 1:02.60 on Thursday at Hollywood Park and is scheduled to have two more works there before flying to Louisville, Ky., for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic to be run November 6 at Churchill Downs. Shirreffs is in Lexington to saddle Harmonious in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland.

“It was her first work back (since winning the Grade 1 Lady’s Secret on October 2), an easy five-eighths,” Shirreffs said about Zenyatta’s Thursday work. “It was a starting point to get into a routine. Her next two works will be longer and faster.”

Other topics addressed by Shirreffs included the following:

How does the Zenyatta of 2010 compare with the Zenyatta of 2009 coming into the Breeders’ Cup?

“I think she is as good or better than she was last year. She has been at the racetrack in training since she was a 2-year-old, so her fitness is good. The main thing you have to do is keep her mentally happy and wanting to do it.”

What is it that has allowed her to basically not miss a beat during her career and manage to win every time?

“I wish I knew. She is very special and has the real ability to lengthen her stride at the end of races. Sometimes people will say a horse will quicken at the end of a race and run a little harder. You just watch when she drops her head and starts to lengthen her stride. You seldom see that in horses. … Some horses can do that for a quarter mile and stakes horses can for three-eighths, but I have seen her do some amazing things and extended her stride for a half-mile.”

Zenyatta has cut it close in many of her races. Were there any races where you thought that maybe this was going to be the day she did not get there?

“Several. But one in particular was the (2008) Vanity (G1) when (trainer Bob) Baffert had a top filly in there (Tough Tiz’s Sis). She had to start her run at the half or 4 ½ to get the speed and it was the longest extended drive I have ever seen a horse make.”

What would your thoughts be should Zenyatta lose in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and not be named Horse of the Year?

“It would be almost too much. It would be a real slap in the face. I think she deserves it on what she has done on the track and as for the industry as a whole.”

What is your favorite Zenyatta moment?

“There are so many special times. I think it was when she walked into the paddock at Del Mar last year and the crowd was so amazing. People were yelling ‘Go Zenyatta! Go Zenyatta!’ and the paddock there is a lot like Churchill Downs and then the tunnel leading to the track. She didn’t flinch. I was really proud of her.”

What do you think your emotions will be when you saddle her for the last time?

“I don’t want to think about it. Walking to the paddock with Zenyatta is such an incredible experience. You just can’t believe it. You feel like everybody loves your horse and loves you. Churchill Downs is always an emotional place. When you go through that tunnel everybody is just yelling and screaming and the energy is going everywhere.”

Should Zenyatta’s undefeated streak end in the Classic, do you think it will tarnish her legacy?

 “It would not be the end of the world. She has an opportunity to achieve something (going 20-for-20) unattainable. … As far as I am concerned, she is just one of the best ever. When she is done, she is going to go off to the pasture and whether she is 19-for-20 or 20-for-20, I think she will be OK.”

Speed Figures - Saturday

After one of the last big days of Breeders' Cup Prep Races, here are some of key Beyer Speed Figures from the major stakes courtesy of Daily Racing Form. This time, I've included the horses previous figure for comparison.

BELMONT PARK

Jamaica
Prince Will I Am  90 (86)
Citrus Kid            87 (72)
Beau Choix         86 (94)

Frizette
A Z Warrior         81 (66)
R Heat Lightning   78 (76)
Joyful Victory       71 (77)

Champagne
Uncle Mo            94 (102)
Mountain Town   85 (61)
I'm Steppin Up    66 (61)

KEENELAND

Woodford
Silver Timber      99 (89)
Central City        98 (81)
Due Date            97 (90)

TCA
Dubai Majesty      91 (90)
Old Time Religion 89 (78)
Informed Decision 88 (90)

First Lady
Proviso                 102 (97)
C.S. Silk               101 (82)
Gotta Have Her     101 (86)

Breeders' Futurity
J.B.'s Thunder       84 (72)
Santiva                  77 (68)
Wilcox Inn            77 (73)

Shadwell Turf Mile
Gio Ponti              99 (100)
Society's Chairman 97 (84)
Courageous Cat    94 (103)

OAK TREE - HOLLYWOOD

Oak Tree Mile
Liberian Freighter 102 (96)
Colgan's Chip       102 (100)
Tropic Storm        97 (100)

Ancient Title
Smiling Title          103 (96)
Supreme Summit  102 (92)
EZ's Gentleman    100 (90)

By The Numbers

It was a sad Tuesday in the world of Thoroughbred Racing as super filly Rachel Alexandra retired and 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Real Quiet passed away.

Both horses brought racing fans great memories during their racing career including record setting victories and memorable defeats.



I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some of the well known and not-so-obvoius statistical superlatives each horse achieved. And, the ironic part is that some of their stats are similar.



Rachel Alexandra's record win in the Kentucky Oaks



Rachel Alexandra

Career Record          
19 Starts - 13-5-0

Career Earnings         

$3,506,730

Number of Years Raced
3

Grade 1 Victories      
5 (Kentucky Oaks, Preakness, Mother Goose, Haskell and Woodward)

Number of Graded Stakes Victories
9

Number of Jockeys Used 
2 (Brian Hernandez, Jr. and Calvin Borel)

Number of Times Made Betting Favorite
15 (79% of career starts)

Longest Winning Streak
9 (Golden Rod - Nov. 2008 - Woodward - Sept. 2009)

Longest Losing Streak
2 (New Orleans Ladies - La Troienne - 2010)

Best Beyer Speed Figure
116 - 2009 Haskell Invitational

Number of Races Over 100 Beyer Speed Figure
12

Largest Margin of Victory
20 1/4 lengths - 2009 Kentucky Oaks

Career Debut
May 22, 2008 - Churchill Downs, 9th Race

Number of Tracks Run
8 (Churchill. Keeneland, Fair Grounds, Oaklawn, Pimlico, Belmont, Monmouth and Saratoga)

Number of Trainers
2 (Hal Wiggins and Steve Amussen)

Average Margin of Victory
4.63 lengths

Average Odds
3.16-1
(Note: Her first two races, she was sent off at 26-1 and 12-1)

Average Field Size
7.16

Real Quiet

Career Record

20 Starts - 6-5-6

Career Earnings
$3,271,802

Number of Years Raced
3

Grade 1 Victories
5 (Hollywood Futurity, Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Pimlico Special and Hollywood Gold Cup)

Number of Graded Stakes Victories
5

Number of Jockeys Used
6 (Joe Steiner, David Flores, Scott Stevens, Kent Desormeaux, Gary Stevens and Jerry Bailey)

Number of Times Made Betting Favorite
7 (35% of career starts)

Longest Winning Streak
2 (Kentucky Derby-Preakness, 1998)

Longest Losing Streak
6 (June 15, 1997-Sept. 5, 1997)
Best Beyer Speed Figure
115 - 1999 Hollywood Gold Cup

Number of Races Over 100 Beyer Speed Figure
11

Largest Margin of Victory
3 - 1997 Maiden Special - Oct. 18, 1997

Career Debut
June 15, 1997 - Churchill Downs, 1st Race - Finished 7th

Number of Tracks Run
11 (Churchill. Hollywood, Santa Fe, Del Mar, Santa Anita, Golden Gate, Pimlico, Belmont, Fair Grounds, Lone Star and Suffolk)

Number of Trainers
1 (Bob Baffert)

Average Margin of Victory
1.25 lengths

Average Odds
3.35-1

Average Field Size
8.6

Now What?

There was a time when it wasn't a matter if Rachel Alexandra would win; it was simply an issue of how badly she would beat her opponents. Now we wonder if she can beat the elite horses in the nation.

On Sunday at Saratoga, Rachel looked like she might capture her first Grade 1 and major race of 2010 as the field came down the home stretch for the final time. But in the final sixteenth of a mile of the Personal Ensign, she began to get very leg weary and a very ordinary horse named Persistently went right by Rachel in the final strides.

"After we put away Life at Ten at the quarter pole, I didn't feel any acceleration and I got worried," jockey Calvin Borel said. "She wasn't really there. I knew if anyone was running behind us, we were in trouble."

If she was defeated by Life at Ten in Sunday's race, it would not have been as big of a disappointment as Life at Ten entered the Personal Ensign with a six race winning streak. But Persistently had only won three times in 13 races and had trouble beating horses that weren't in the same league as Rachel or Life at Ten.

Now, what does the future hold for the defending "Horse of the Year?"

"I'm very disappointed that she lost but I am very happy with Rachel," Rachel's trainer Steve Asmussen said. "It hurts to lose and you're disappointed for it but if that's the case, just think how happy she's made you and all the things has done for us...If she isn't exactly where she was last year, hopefully she can get back there."

As for her next race, Asmussen said  "We want to evaluate who we are and who she is and where she is at. We're just worried about her well being."

One thing about her future is certain, she will not be a two-time Horse of the Year. What is almost as certain is that she will not run in the Breeders' Cup Classic against the best horses in the country. She would have little chance to beat the likes of Blame, Quality Road and the undefeated Zenyatta. The most likely spot for her will be the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic where she will have a chance to salvage a good year.

But a good year is not what everyone expected. We were counting on another great year with the hope that she and Zenyatta would meet to prove who was the best female horse in the country. Now her last shot to be in the spotlight will come in the Breeders' Cup.

Before all the Rachel bashers come out of the "wood works" we need to remember one thing; her 2009 campaign was still one of the greatest ever for a 3-year-old filly. Rachel was 8-for-8 last year including wins over the boys in the Preakness, Haskell and Woodward and a near 20-length victory in the Kentucky Oaks. Truly amazing.

What she has done this year should not take anything away from her accomplishments last year.

Rachel just appears to be a filly who peaked in 2009. That is very common in racing. We all just had reasonable expectations that her greatness would continue into 2010.

Saturday's Speed Figures

On the biggest day of the Saratoga meet, here are some notable Beyer Speed Figures. (These are of course, courtesy of the Daily Racing Form.) I've also throw in a couple of Del Mar #'s as well.

The eye popping figure was the 2-year-old debut of Uncle Mo who earned a 102. He won his debut race by 14 1/4-lengths and was the fourth fastest figure of the day. Very impressive considering he is young and inexperienced..

Ballston Spa
Dynaslew         99

Victory Ride
Rapport            103

Ballerina
Rightly So        100

King's Bishop
Discreetly Mine  93

Travers
Afleet Express  105
Fly Down           105
First Dude           95
Afleet Again        93
A Little Warm     92

Del Mar

Pacific Classic
Richard's Kid        95
Crowded House    94
Dakota Phone       93

Pat O'Brien
El Brujo                 106
Crown of Thorns   105

One Hit Wonder?

When the Kentucky Derby rolls around on the first Saturday in May, there are high hopes that a star will emerge and become one of the sport's best athletes in a business that so desperately needs them. This year, Super Saver, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Calvin Borel, took center stage as he rolled to a 2 1/2-length victory over the fast closing Ice Box.

But, in a matter of 14 days, those hopes faded very quickly. In fact, since May 1, Super Saver has become one of racing's biggest disappointments. In the Preakness, he followed the Derby win with an eighth place finish after being in second place during the early part of the race. Pletcher decided to skip the Belmont and wait for the two big summer races for the three-year-olds, the Haskell and Travers.

In the Haskell, Super Saver looked like he might be coming around as he ran fourth to Preakness winner Lookin at Lucky. But on Saturday, Super Saver regressed again and beat only one horse in the Travers as he finished 10th in the 11-horse field.

After the race, Todd Pletcher had little explanation.

"We were tracking in a good, fast spot but just came up empty."

In fact, Super Saver never was closer than eighth at any time during the race which saw a stirring stretch run as Afleet Express nosed out Fly Down.

To add insult to injury, Ice Box, the Derby runner-up has finished ninth, sixth and eighth since the "Run for the Roses." In fact, he finished nearly 14 lengths ahead of Super Saver in Saturday's Travers despite running eighth.

What's next for Super Saver? Your guess is as good as mine. He has one more shot at redemption in November when the Breeders' Cup returns to Churchill Downs, assuming Pletcher decides to tackle the best horses in the world.

If Super Saver could find a way to knock off stars such as Blame, Quality Road (who is also trained by Pletcher) and the undefeated filly Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic, a lot of his luster would be restored but otherwise, the Derby winner will join a long list of "one hit wonders."