To open Royal Ascot 2011, The Queen unveiled a magnificent bronze sculpture in the Ascot's main paddock of Coolmore's stallion, Yeats, who is the only horse to win Ascot's Gold Cup four times.
It set a quality tone for international racegoers and fans on the first day of Royal Ascot which offers three Group 1 races featuring some of the world's top Turf horses.
This year is also the first year of the British Champions' Series and winners of those three Group 1s qualify for inclusion.
The King's Stand Stakes also qualified for the Global Sprint Challenge.
Breeders' Cup executives actively scout the races on Day 1 and 2 for talent to include in their November championship races which will be held November 4 and 5 at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.
Arguably the first and third races generated the most interest generated by the presence of Canford Cliffs, Cape Blanco, Goldikova in the first and mega-star Frankel in the third.
The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m)for 4yo+
Canford Cliffs got the better of Goldikova. Photo ©David Hastings
Flash Dance was pacemaker for Freddie Head's Goldikova, 6yo triple Breeders' Cup Mile winner and 13-Group 1 winner, who was sent out with her jockey Olivier Peslier weighing in two pounds overweight.*
Handicap officials acknowledge that the extra weight negated her fillies' allowance and cost her a length.
With trainer Richard Hannon gunning for blood after his colt Paco Boy's multiple losses to the mare (costing him over £1.5 million in earnings) and a very fit Canford Cliffs under top jockey Richard Hughes, Goldikova could expect no mercy.
With the weight disadvantage, her jockey should not have taken the lead too early if he wanted to avoid setting her up as a sitting duck.
Further, he did not appear notice Canford Cliffs oncoming assault 1f out and responded too late for even a dead heat.
Goldikova is a mare who will always try with her tremendous speed and determination if she gets the jockey signal soon enough. She did not get it and came in second by 1 length.
Cityscape was another 1¾ lengths in third. The talented Cape Blanco had an off day 16 lengths behind the winner and beat only Flash Dance home and behind Rio De La Plata and Ransom Note.
The King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series and Global Sprint Challenge), 5f (5/8m, 1000m) for 3y0+
Nineteen runners from eight countries competed in this sharp 5f sprint and the impressive foreign competitors looked to have the advantage over Britain's horses.
Robert Cowell's four-year-old gelding, Prohibit, beat out three foreign-trained horses in a tight close with Australia's Star Witness, South Africa's mare Sweet Sanette and Hungary's speedster Overdose.
Prohibit races best from behind under a strong pace and he got his conditions paying 7/1.
He gave Ballydoyle's Zoffany the chance to streak from the rear 1f out to nearly, but never able to, catch him.
Favourite Kingsgate Native at 11/2 was 3¾ lengths behind the winner in sixth and the second favourite at 13/2, Sole Power, was eighth by 4¼ lengths.
*In Peslier's attempt to lose his extra 2 pounds, he took a sauna and grabbed boots which looked like his. They were not and he was fined £650. Not his best day.
The St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 3yo entire colts
The world's highest-rated horse, unbeaten Frankel, won his cliffhanger St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Photo ©David Hastings
This must be the race of races at this year's Royal Ascot.
There is no adequate description of the excitement leading up to seeing the world's highest rated horse, Frankel, annihilate another hapless field of the year's best three-year olds.
Yet confused signals between the pacemaker Rerouted who went too fast burning himself out early and the wilful Frankel who forced himself into the lead 2f out and then dawdled almost contemptuously.
The playful Frankel left part of the audience holding its collective breathe and other sounding as if they were having heart attacks with the tension.
After watching Goldikova's being pipped, it was good to see jockey Tom Queally rally his colt thereby averting disaster.
Zoffany has the rare distinction of getting closest to the Wonder at a ¾ length, but only because of a failed Cecil (Sir Henry) team tactic.
Cecil promised to change tactics in future races and defended his jockey from what he felt was unfair criticism.
Marco Botti's Excelebration lost again to Frankel - this time ceding second to Zoffany and just holding third from Neebras by a head. They were 2¼ and 2½ lengths behind the winner.
The other five competitors were too far behind to be in the same class: Dream Ahead, Dubawi Gold, Wootton Bassett, Grand Prix Boss from Japan and pacemaker Rerouted.
The three races were fast on good ground, but this race was the fastest by 0.76s (1m 39.24s).
One can only admire Sir Henry Cecil for allowing the Juddmonte colt his head and experimenting with different tactics.
He is not playing it safe. Frankel will have his chance to show how good he really is.
Day Two
Races with international 'star' horses and good weather increased Royal Ascot's opening day crowd by 10% over last year to 43,354. Even Tote betting increased by 14% over last year to £1,245,535.
The second day of Royal Ascot has three world-class Group races which were full of surprises and without a favourite winning.
The Jersey Stakes (Group 3), 7f (7/8m, 1400m) for 3yo
After seeing Richard Hannon's Strong Suit in the saddling area, it was difficult to imagine the imposing colt not being the favourite (11/1), but Codemaster was at 7/4.
Strong Suit was one of last year's best two-year olds. Breathing problems developed this year and he had surgery to relieve the difficulty.
When he powered up, Codemaster and the third Western Aristocrat at 9/2 had no answer. Strong Suit was out front by ½ length and a neck in 1m 26.09s (fast by 0.61s).
The victory gave trainer Richard Hannon and son-in-law Richard Hughes their second Group victory in Royal Ascot's opening races.
The Windsor Forest Stakes (Group 2), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 4yo+ fillies and mares
Ireland's Lolly For Dolly bested 12 far more experienced and higher-rated fillies to win by 1½ lengths over Sir Henry Cecil's Chachamaidee and David Simcock's First City (by another length).
Tommy Stack, trainer of the winner. attributed her victory to staying ability and newly-fitted blinkers. Wayne Lordan gave her a perfect ride and was thrilled with his first win at Royal Ascot.
The Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m2f (10f, 1¼m, 2000m) for 4yo+
Frankie Dettori's flying dismount from Godolphin's Rewilding after winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Photo ©David Hastings
This race probably had the most shocking conclusion of any during the meet.
Ballydoyle's famous import from Australia, So You Think NZ, was sent out 4/11 favourite. Any and all would probably have done battle over his being the one sure winner of the day.
Godolphin did not agree and they sent in their Debussy and Rewilding, winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic, to take on the challenge.
Debussy is a better frontrunning horse at 7f or a mile and Rewilding is a true 1m4f stayer who lags in the back to make bursting closes.
Godolphin bet on So You Think's actually not being a stayer and Rewilding having the ability to handle a sharper trip than usual. And they have jockey Frankie Dettori.
The saddling-up area is the best place to assess the fitness and mood of potential winners. Those three horses, plus the underestimated Sri Putra, looked the best.
I bet on the sleek and lightly-raced Rewilding, half brother of Dar Re Mi by dam Darara, who looked outstanding to me.
Jan Vermeer, who was So You Think's pacemaker, missed the break and took 2f to get to the front putting SYT in second to be closely shadowed by Debussy.
Ryan Moore had trouble settling his mount SYT who was sweating in the paddock.
Once they hit the front, it appeared the race was locked down 1f out until the Dettori torpedo shot from back of the pack to wear down So You Think winning by a neck with Sri Putra third 6 lengths out.
The crowd was stunned and Godolphin jubilant.
Dettori did his flying dismount after earning himself a nine-day ban for excessive use of the whip.
Aidan O'Brien claimed his horse lost, because he was not fit enough. Australians and New Zealanders had much more unkind assessments.
Day Three
The third day of Royal Ascot draws the largest crowd of the Meet as it is Ladies' Day and the ladies come in droves to outdo each other in fashion.
It is also Gold Cup Day. For the last four years, the race was won by Yeats who is now retired to the Coolmore Stud and commemorated on Day One by The Queen when unveiling his statue in the main paddock.
This year's tussle for Royal Ascot's iconic was between the two major racing empires: Opinion Poll for Godolphin (Darley) and Fame And Glory for Ballydoyle (Coolmore).
The Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 2m4f (20f, 2½m, 4000m) for 4yo+
Yeats' worthy successor Fame And Glory outclassed Royal Ascot's Gold Cup field winning by 3 lengths over Opinion Poll. Photo ©David Hastings
The race was slowly run in 4m 37.51s (16.51s) and perfectly set up for jockey Jamie Spencer to bring Ballydoyle's relaxed Fame And Glory to the front of 14 other competitors in the final furlongs of the Gold Cup.
His stamina gave him the edge in the staying race over Godolphin's respected Opinion Poll and trainer Andre Fabre's accomplished Brigantin who raced for owners Team Valor.
Fame And Glory won easily by 3 lengths over Opinion Poll and a further 4½ lengths over Brigantin.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien confirmed that the five-year old horse will be prepared for October's Arc de Triomphe and he will return to Royal Ascot next year to try to equal or best Yeats' Gold Cup record.
Day Four
Thursday at Royal Ascot may be Ladies' Day, but the fourth day of Royal Ascot or Friday has the showcase mile race for the best international fillies of the three-year-old Classic generation.
The Corronation Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 3yo fillies
Robert Collet and son brought their dynamic filly duo, Immortal Verse and Nova Hawk, from France to take first and second in Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Twelve fillies competed led by some of Britain and Ireland's best females.
France's Robert and son Ron Collet believed they had two of the best three-year old fillies, Immortal Verse and Nova Hawk, of 2011 and committed them to Royal Ascot's prestigious Coronation Stakes.
They were right. The beautiful Immortal Verse beat her beautiful compatriot Nova Hawk by 2¼ lengths followed a half length by Richard Fahey's Barefoot Lady.
The British were stunned but gracious to the happy Frenchmen. Regretfully, there is some truth in the French trainers complaint to the French press that they received only a tepid reception for their victories.
The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2), 1m4f (12f, 1½m, 2400m) for colts and geldings
Trainer John Gosden usually has good reasons when he brings a three-year-old colt who has only won a maiden to compete in one Royal Ascot's Group 2 historic races.
Nathaniel was second to Treasure Beach in the Group 3 Chester Vase and did not face as stiff competition in the King Edward.
The handsome Nathaniel, who has proven to be best at 12 furlongs, waltzed 5 lengths past his nearest rival (of nine) Fiorente and another 2 lengths ahead of Alexander Pope in a slow 2m 34.48s (slow by 4.48s).
Young jockey William Buick rode Nathaniel to perfection.
The team is just beginning its upward curve for they have a very talented colt.
Day Five
Royal Ascot's closing day on Saturday is often family day which has one of the best races for two-year olds and a prestigious 6f sprint which is part of the Global Sprint Challenge along with the 5f King's Stands Stakes won by Britain's Prohibit on opening day.
Many foreign sprinters come to Royal Ascot just to compete in both races as the 5 and 6 furlong distances.
Until recently the British sprinters were easy prey for the superior foreign horses, but that has changed with Prohibit and Society Rock (below).
The Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series and Global Sprint Challenge, 6f
Society Rock outpowered Monsieur Chevalier and Star Witness in Royal Ascot's Golden Jubilee Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Australia's Star Witness travelled to Royal Ascot to compete in both its Global Sprint Challenge races a 5 and 6 furlongs.
He was unfortunate to be touched off by Prohibit in the King's Stands Stakes, but had no excuses when he lost to Society Rock by 1¾ lengths. He was third 1¼ lengths behind trainer Richard Hannon's Monsieur Chevalier who has recovered much of his earlier form.
Trainer James Fanshawe always seems to produce a winner at Royal Ascot.
The Chesham Stakes (Listed Race), 7f for 2yo fillies and colts
Future star Maybe in the Ballydoyle Tabor colours imposed herself on 15 other 2y olds by 2¼ lengths in Royal Ascot's Chesham Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Sometimes trainers are overly enthusiastic about their horses, but Aidan O'Brien's words about his two-year-old filly Maybe were understatements.
With Ryan Moore on board, the filly was sent out 5/2 favourite in Royal Ascot's Chesham Stakes and she thrashed the field of 16 - 2¼ lengths in front of Fort Bastion and another 3 lengths before Self Centered.
The youngster is a very finished professional filly and one expects great things from her.
The O'Brien/Moore team also won the second race of the day, the Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2), 1m4f for 4yo+, with four-year-old colt Await The Dawn who beat Harris Tweed by 3 lengths and Drunken Sailor in third.
Overall World Top Ten Ratings
Outstanding winners and seconds enhanced their reputations on the World Top Ten Ratings with their Royal Ascot Turf performances:
Canford Cliffs and Goldikova rose to 130 and 126 respectively for the Queen Anne race.
Rewilding and So You Think raised their ratings to 130 and 129 respectively for the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
Frankel retains his 133 world leader rating for the 2000 Guineas though his impressive St James's Palace Stakes did not rate a 133.
Workforce earned his 127 from the Brigadeer Gerard and did not compete in Royal Ascot.
Five of the world's top Turf horses competed at Royal Ascot and six of the 11 are European.
Posted June 19, 2011
Royal Ascot Will Set Season's Form Again
The five-day Royal Ascot Meet occurs during the early peak season for most horse. Its races are known to establish the year's form for the horses competing in its wide range of races and distances.
It is suitable, that given 2011 is the 300th Anniversary of Royal Ascot, the QIPCO British Champions Series should start its first Series in the same year having seven of Royal Ascot's races are part of the Series.
Three major QIPCO BCS races are on opening day June 14th.
The Queen Anne Stakes (1m, 4yo+) has lured six-year-old Goldikova back to England to repeat her success last year. She is up against very tough competition against powerful males like Canford Cliffs, Cape Blanco, Citiscape, Ransom Note and Rio Del La Plata. Flash Dance will be her pacemaker.
Given the mess in the Prix de Diane, one hopes Goldikova's jockey remembers that she is 2010 Horse of the Year in both England and France as well as being the three-times' winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile.
The King's Stand Stakes (5f, 3yo+) has attracted 19 of some of the world's finest sprinters - except Black Caviar who will compete in 2012 - and trainers.
Overdose is back for the Czech Republic. Todd Pletcher brought Bridgetown and Wesley Smith brought Holiday For Kitten to be ridden by Zenyatta's partner Mike Smith who is riding in Britain this Spring.
Star Witness is currently favourite and hails from Australia.
The European home team claims the favourites in Sole Power and game Kingsgate Native.
This is the most open race of the three starting the RA/BCS Series.
The St James's Palace Stakes (1m, 3yo) promises to be a thriller with eight taking on Frankel who is the highest-rated colt in the world at 130.
Japan is not affraid of him. It has sent Grand Prix Boss with Dubai World Cup winner Mirco Demuro on board. Dumuro is proving to be one of the world's top jockeys in and out of Italy along with his chum Frankie Dettori.
Dubawi Gold and Wootton Bassett return to the challenge against Frankel along with Dream Ahead, Excelebration, Rerouted, Godolphin's Neebras and Ballydoyle's Zoffany.
Many think Canford Cliffs will beat Goldikova. He may, but my heart is always with her.
I cannot predict the sprint outcome, but I cannot see any colt beating Frankel unless he has his first bad day.
Inside international horse racing paddocks with form expert Susan Trevelyan-Syke
Breeders' Cup 2011
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Could a horse named Game On Dude USA (Awesome Again USA), who led the feature Breeders' Cup Classic through its close, be unluckier than to be 'gamed' by another four-year old in the close of the Grade 1 race, 1m2f (10f, 1¼m, 2000m) on Dirt at Churchill Downs?
In a race that sunk all the 'hot' favourites, 148/10 Drosselmeyer USA (Distorted Humor USA) appeared from no where - from the center back and wide - to bore down on the unsuspecting rail-hugging leader who valiently fought off all challengers.
Chantal Sutherland, former partner of jockey Mike Smith, had the race wrapped up on Game On Dude after the Belmont Stakes winner, Ruler On Ice USA (Roman Ruler USA) lost his bid.
Sutherland would have been the first woman jockey to win a Breeders' Cup Classic except for the very same Mike Smith and his spectacular horse Drosselmeyer who outran her by 1½ lengths in a spectacular close.
Ruler On Ice was 1-length behind GOD in third and the only filly in the race, Havre De Grace USA (St Liam USA), fourth by another ½ length.
Flat Out USA who beat Drosselmeyer by 2¼ lengths October 1, was fifth and the Aidan O'Brien ace, So You Think NZ, who had trouble finding escape room from the rail was sixth.
Uncle Mo USA challenged Game On Dude early in the race and blew out to finish tenth. There was a bitter after-race controversy over his participation and failure. He has been retired.
Despite sympathy for Sutherland and her horse's connections, one could not begrudge Smith his brilliant win after witnessing his misery firsthand last year when he lost on the great Zenyatta to the three-year-old colt Blame.
This writer must confess an abiding affection for Drosselmeyer who, like Animal Kingdom, has been very unlucky and yet always seemed capable of better.
His canny trainer William Mott always believed in him and had him ready to scoop the big one - his only Grade 1 victory in his two-year career - after winning a Belmont Grade 2 at 10f. He has won three races out of 11.
Drosselmeyer will retire to stud in New York and will be one of the finalists for the Eclipse Horse of the Year Awards to be named in January 2012.
Another finalist for the Eclipse HOY will be Havre De Grace who will race again in 2012 after a rest in Florida.
For many who had other expectations, the result was just another of this year's Breeders' Cup races which did not go according to popular predictions.
Racing International did predict this could be a stayer's race and tipped Drosselmeyer as having a good chance with a long-run finish.
Drosselmeyer won handily and was the best horse in the race on the day. That is the fact.
It was no painful squeaker like last year.
©Posted November 6, 2011
Most of the nine races on Breeders' Cup Day delivered surprises including the corker Breeders' Cup Classic (above) itself.
Many horses failed to perform as expected and did not handle Churchill Down's track despite ideal racing and weather conditions. The ground was drying out after rain earlier in the week and was running fast.
Whatever reasons given, many favourites did not perform as expected giving adaptable outsiders their chances to prove their mettle.
What better way to start the second day of a tricky Two-Day Marathon than with a marathon.
Breeders' Cup Marathon (Grade 2), 1m6f (14f, 1¾m, 2800m) for 3yo+ on Dirt
Trainer Robert E Reid Jr said his gutsy grey Afleet Again USA (Afleet Alex USA), sent out 42/1, could "race all day and today was his day".
He beat Birdrun USA (Birdstone USA) a second favourite, by 2¼ lengths with impressive Giant Oak USA (Giant's Causeway USA) in third by a head.
Europe's hopes for the talented 7/1 filly, Meeznah USA (Dynaformer USA), were shot when she started late and was pulled up.
A.U. Miner USA (Mineshaft USA), 7/2 favourite, was also pulled up and jockey Calvin Borel said he could not handle the track.
It was not immediately known if they were injured.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1), 1m for 2yo colts and geldings on Turf
Ireland's Aidan O'Brien can never be underestimated in international races despite his having a weak Breeders' Cup record compared to the number of his entries.
Nor can European or Canadian Turf horses be ignored.
O'Brien's record may explain why a Ballydoyle colt trained by Todd Pletcher, Finale USA (Scat Daddy USA), was sent out 4/1 favourite and O'Brien's Wrote IRE (High Chaparral IRE) only managed 11/1.
Once Britain's champion jockey Ryan Moore moved forward on Wrote, the race was over.
Ian Black's Excaper USA (Exchange Rate USA), at 33/1, was second 2¼ lengths behind Wrote and Farraaj IRE (Dubai Destination USA) who just lost second by a nose.
Black is from Canada, a country with a strong Turf tradition, and Farraaj is trained by Roger Varian in England's racing capital Newmarket.
The favourite, Finale, was seventh.
Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (Grade 1), 6f for 3yo+ on Dirt
A Dirt sprint is more the American speciality and this race did not disappoint with final battle between Bill Spawr's Amazombie USA (Northern Afleet USA), ridden by jockey Mike Smith, and Peter R Walder's Force Freeze USA (Forest Camp USA).
Smith dominated by a neck in his first victory of the day on the talented five-year old Amazombie who has won five of his 10 races and placed in three others. Four of his wins are Grade 1s at 6f, 7f and 8f.
Force Freeze has won five of his 18 starts at 6f.
The third was the favourite at 14/5, Jackson Bend USA (Hear No Evil USA), 2¼ lengths behind.
Surely Amazombie will be a favourite for an Eclipse nomination.
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (Grade 2), 5f for 3yo+ on Turf
In spite of this being a Turf race, the only non-USA entries were Grand Adventure USA from trainer Mark Frostad of Canada and Hoof It NZ from British-born, US-based trainer Graham Motion.
Of the 14 runners, Regally Ready USA (More Than Ready USA) was sent out 23/10 favourite and proved he was worth the betting assessment.
He won easily in 56.48s by 1½ lengths over Country Day with Perfect Officer another ¾ length behind in third.
Steve Asmussen trained him and Cori Nakatani was his jockey.
The four-year-old chestnut gelding should win many more races and be a factor in the 2012 Eclipse Awards.
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (Grade 1), 1m for 3yo+ on Dirt
There were many fluctuations in betting before this race filled with classy horses including the Preakness winner, Shackleford USA (Forestry USA), who could be counted on to set a fast pace when he got to the front.
Unfortunately, he was mugged in an extraordinary 4-length victory by Caleb's Posse USA (Posse USA) for trainer Donnie K Von Hemel and jockey Rajiv Maragh.
Shackleford was second and Tres Borrachos third another 1¾ lengths behind.
This is another Eclipse-qualifying result for Caleb's Posse.
Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (Grade 1), 1m4f for 3yo+ on Turf
With Sir Henry Cecil's Midday, the winner in 2009 and second in 2010 present, expectations for a fiercely competitive race were high.
Sir Michael Stoute's three-year-old Sea Moon, denied an early workout when rain closed the course, was second favourite at 33/10.
The two Juddmonte breds would face the Aga Khan's filly Sarafina FR, sent off 5/2 favourite, and two of Aidan O'Brien's stable: St Nicholas Abbey IRE and Await The Dawn IRE.
The European breeders' battle of Juddmonte, Aga Khan and Coolmore (Ballydoyle) would be fought in America against US horses on Turf.
This was another quirky race that allowed a brilliant finish by Joseph O'Brien (18-year-old son of Aidan) on four-year-old St Nicholas Abbey IRE (Montjeu IRE) to win over unlucky Sea Moon (Beat Hollow) by 2¼ lengths.
America's best, Thomas Albertrani's Brilliant Speed USA (Dynaformer USA), took third by another length under John Velazquez. Dynaformer is known to produce very good Turf horses.
Sarafina was reluctant before the race and ran keenly. She never provided her brilliant closing speed and was lucky to grab fourth - three more lengths off the winner.
And Midday, another female who did not enjoy the track, was sixth.
The crowd greeted the youngest jockey to win a Breeders' Cup, Joey O'Brien, with tremendous warmth.
For those of us who have followed the pretty St Nick, it was a fitting conclusion that he proved how good he is on a world stage despite his multiple career setbacks. He will now retire.
Afterthought: Since the Rest of the World races on Turf, the US should consider training more horses on the surface so that it can be more competitive worldwide.
Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Grade 1), 1m½f for 2yo colts and geldings on Dirt
This and the next two races provided the biggest shocks of the Meet.
Union Rags USA (Dixie Union USA), 11/10 favourite for this race and next year's Kentucky Derby, disappointed many when he floundered hanging right on the center ground and, once nearing the redoubtable grey Hansen USA (Tapit USA), could not overtake him.
He lost by a head to the 71/10 underestimated youngster trained by Michael J Maker.
Hansen, named for his owner owner Dr Kendall Hansen, was the least experienced horse in the race with only two races from September 9 and 24 at Turfway Park to qualify.
He likes to lead by big margins, but had to settle for less when upped to Grade 1 class and easily fought off all challengers.
The Breeders' Cup Juvenile is his first Graded victory out of three.
The imposing Union Rags was a cinch for Eclipse Two-Year-Old Champion, but now the tough little Hansen must be considered for it and the Derby as well.
His connections were staggered; they thought they should give him a chance, but had no idea he was as good as he is.
Then again, he is by Tapit who is an increasingly successful sire.
Creative Cause, who was up with the pace throughout the race, was third by another length.
He displayed no flaws in his steadiness and has the ability to mature into a top colt at three.
TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (Grade 1), 1m for 3yo+ on Turf
This was the least pleasant race of the weekend when several jockeys pinned the 13/10 favourite, Goldikova IRE (Anaaba USA), on the fence to prevent her from winning her fourth consecutive Breeders' Cup Mile.
In the absence of Zenyatta, she was treated as the undisputed Queen of the Breeders' Cup by the crowd and Breeders' Cup officials.
Her exasperated jockey, Olivier Peslier, forced his way out of the trap thereby creating a mess and nearly bringing down Courageous Cat.
His mare Goldikova was battered and, once in daylight, ran down her opponents as usual only to be mugged from behind.
There was poetic justice in the resolution.
Two fast-closers from the rear ran her and the others down as they tried to extricate themselves from the melee.
Court Vision USA (Gulch USA), 65/1, beat 11/1 Turallure USA (Wando CAN) by a nose with Goldikova another length behind in third.
The mare had no time nor space to respond before the post.
There was poetic justice in the verdict.
Those who tried to stop Goldikova were out of the money and faced a stewards' enquiry along with Goldi's jockey.
Two deserving horses, who caused no trouble, exploited their advantages.
And they are 100% American horses who won on Turf.
Did the best horse win? I still think Goldi should have won and so do the French who are gutted for their heroine.
As an American who lives in Europe, I was disgusted with the conduct of several jockeys in this race. Stewards must be far stricter.
©Posted November 6, 2011
Havre De Grace - Fav For Classic?
European bookies have rated filly Havre De Grace as favourite for the Breeders' Cup Classic in a surprise shift which downgraded Uncle Mo to fourth.
Florida's likeable Flat Out has crept up to second with Australia's So You Think permanently stuck in third spot due to his lack of Dirt experience.
Are there any other horses in the race of 12?
Bill Mott fans are heartened for Drosselmeyer after Royal Delta's classy win of the Ladies' Classic.
Some think Todd Pletcher has an ace in Stay Thirsty if Uncle Mo cannot handle the 10 furlongs.
Then there is Ruler On Ice who will not get his very soft ground and Rattlesnake Bridge who has Calvin Borel, the rail specialist on board.
The rail has been offering advantage on the drying ground.
Who knows? There have been several surprises on Day 1.
®Posted November 4, 2011
So You Think
Ballydoyle's greatest Breeders' Cup hope for the Classic, So You Think, finally had a canter on Churchill Downs' Dirt track and handled it well.
He is a big, powerful horse and should have a very good chance in the Classic.
One can only wish that connections had brought the European horses over to Louisville a bit earlier so that they would have adequate preparation and work under the lights.
©Posted November 4, 2011
Annonce Scratched
One of those surprises was the "strange incident in the night" with Andre Fabre's admirable filly Announce.
She was scratched just before the race after smashing into the ambulance parked on the Dirt
track when she should have been on the Turf approaching the stalls.
She was keyed up before the race and is aggressive by nature.
Was her jockey Maxime Guyon blinded by the night lights?
Or did she take him off course?
©Posted November 4, 2011
Shumoos To Stay In USA
After a brilliant last-to-first run in the 6f Juvenile Sprint for 2yos for second place, trainer Brian Meehan's filly Shumoos will remain in the USA
to train on Dirt with Ben Cecil.
The Breeders' Cup Sprint was her first race on Dirt and, with her Distorted Humor and Wile Cat parentage, she is beautifully bred for US racing.
©Copyright November 4, 2011
Breeders' Cup 'Americas' Day 1
The first six races of the Breeders' Cup weekend are held on the Friday card at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.
Four of the Friday races were on Dirt and two on Turf.
Ground conditions were muddy on Dirt and yielding on Turf until just before the BC races when the drying ground in warm, sunny weather was upgraded to good. The Dirt look muddy to me.
Only two European horses have won on Dirt in the 28-year history of the Breeders' Cup: Wilko and Johannesburg.
European horses usually dominate Turf races in the USA, but today's six winners were all American including Canada's impressive Perfect Shirl in the 1m3f Emirates Airline BC Filly & Mare Turf.
Europe sent 28 horses to compete in this year's 15 Breeders' Cup races. So far two of their Turf horses have placed: Nahrain and Misty For Me. Up was fourth in the BC Juvenile Fillies.
European race favourites on the Saturday card are Goldikova IRE and Sarafina FR on Turf and So You Think NZ on Dirt.
In advance, experts felt that only two European horses has a chance on Dirt: filly Shumoos USA in the inaugural 6f Juvenile Sprint and So You Think in the BC Classic.
Pachattack USA (Pulpit USA) has been training in the USA with British trainer Gerald Butler and she came in third in the BC Ladies' Classic on Dirt.
Shumoos, trading at 153/10, came through brilliantly in a last-to-second flying finish just 1 length off the 2/5 favourite colt Secret Circle USA (Eddington USA) in the inaugural Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint (Conditions), 6f for 2yo on Dirt.
Holding Bullets USA (Ghostzapper USA) was third another 4½ lengths behind the two leaders.
The near victory had a bittersweet result for the filly's trainer Brian Meehan. She will remain in the USA to race on Dirt with Ben Cecil.
Shumoos had not shown such good form on Turf and it appears that her Distorted Humor and Wile Cat breeding have given her a real Dirt edge.
Secret Circle, though drifting a bit so far out in front and perhaps tiring, proved himself an outstanding colt and an Eclipse contender.
Time was 1.10.52.
It is said that he might not have won the longer, two-turn 7f juvenile sprint despite his obvious ability.
Creating this shorter one-turn race has filled a real void and has opened more opportunities for talented youngsters.
Though Britain's star Elusive Kate was sent off 14/5 favourites in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 2), 1m for fillies on Turf, she had a difficult race and could only manage eighth behind three US horses and Ballydoyle's Up.
Stopshoppingmaria took hold of the lead and kept it for most of the race until her nemesis Stephanie's Kitten USA shut her down by ¾ lengths in 1.38.80.
It is her second defeat by SK.
John Velazquez usually rides for Todd Pletcher, but deserted his Stopshoppingmaria for Wayne Catalano's Stephanie's Kitten. Wise move.
Sweet Cat USA took third 1¼ behind for Pletcher and the much criticised Up, Ballydoyle's little maiden, was fourth by a neck in another run from a way-behind last to place.
Former Viet Nam veteran William Kaplan produced Musical Kate USA (Concorde's Tune USA) as a surprise 202/10 winner of the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (Grade 1), 7f for 3yo+ on Dirt.
Like Elusive Kate in Race 8, favourite Turbulent Descent USA had a turbulent race, having been checked several times, and could only manage fifth.
Switch USA and Her Smile USA followed the winner by 1¼ and a head in 1.23.47.
Musical Kate's victory was a great boost for Florida-breds and Calder Racetrack where she is based.
It was her second Grade 1 victory and a first BC victory for her, her jockey Juan Leyva and trainer Kaplan.
This race is said to raise the broodmare value of whichever horse wins.
The Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1), 1m½f for 2yo fillies on Dirt, was an exceptionally pleasing race.
The 21/10 winner My Miss Aurelia USA (Smart Strike USA) was always just at the ready to put the race to bed after a fast early lead by Awesome Belle and Say A Novema.
Steve Asmussen, Curlin's trainer, presented the filly with three wins to remain unbeaten by 3 lengths over Grace Hall USA (Empire Maker USA) in 1.46.00.
Weemissfrankie USA (Sunriver USA) was third another 6 lengths behind.
Speculation is that her exceptional performance will win MMA the Cliff Award.
The Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Grade 1), 1m3f for 3yo+ fillies and mares, led to two upsets.
The first was a last minute scratching of Andre Fabre's Announce (Selkirk) after the hyped-up filly ran into the parked ambulance on the Dirt track.
What she and her jockey, Maxime Guyon, were doing there is a mystery unless they were blinded by the night lights.
Officials decided not to race her.
The second upset was Canada's Perfect Shirl USA (Perfect Soul USA) won the Turf race at 28/1 when Stacelita, who had originally trained in France and the other three European-trained horses were expected to win - namely, Announce, Nahrain and Misty For Me.
Stacelita FR (Monsun GER) was trapped with no hope of escape for most of the close.
Frankie Dettori did well to get his three-year-old filly Nahrain (Selkirk) out of cover by stops and starts to take second ¾ lengths behind the winner.
Misty For Me IRE (Galileo IRE), a very experienced Ballydoyle three-year old, lagged behind the pack for most the race, but Ryan Moore galvanised her to grab third in a photo nose behind Nahrain.
The time was 2.18.62.
Neither Up nor MFM were poor prospects for the fillies races. Given that they had poor, outside positions for their first times at Churchill, they did well.
Let's hope the lessons Moore has learned will benefit So You Think. He should be in the money in the Classic or there is no justice.
The Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (Grade 1), 1m1f for 3yo+ fillies and mares on Dirt is the most prestigious race of the Friday card and the nine participants were of the highest quality.
Since Zenyatta, this race has achieved iconic status as a stepping stone to the Breeders' Cup Classic. On Saturday, the lone filly Havre De Grace will take on the boys in the Classic.
Someday the winner Royal Delta USA (Empire Maker USA), who was beaten by HDG, may take the same path for her trainer William Mott who won his fourth Ladies' Classic.
The three-year-old 11/5 favourite demolished a fine field with Godolphin's It's Tricky USA (Mineshaft USA) second by 2½ lengths and British-trained Pachattack USA (Pulpit USA) third by 2¼ lengths.
Royal Delta kept up with the very fast pace until it was time to leave the others behind in a finely-timed move by jockey Jose Lezcano.
It was a great victory and we shall see more of this young, classy filly Royal Delta.
©Posted November 4, 2011
Breeders' Cup Preview 3
With Prayer For Relief out of the 12 runner line-up in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Flat Out fans worry that he will be trapped in the former's stall 1 hole.
He has clocked blistering workout times and seems very happy on the track despite some believing that he can only win Grade races at Belmont.
One has to wonder if Havre De Grace's connections are having second thoughts about their decision to enter her only in the Breeders' Cup Classic after her 10 stall draw.
Initially, she was quite finicky about working out on the Churchill Downs track, but seems to have settled.
The filly's betting odds have stalled and most of the play is with the three males.
US favourite Uncle Mo was not done any favors with a 12 draw.
Speculation is rampant about his recovery and ability to handle the distance considering that a few jockeys will try to keep him on the outside.
His trainer Todd Pletcher and owner are also criticised for putting him in the wrong race - the Classic instead of the Dirt Mile.
UK betting is solidly behind So You Think in stall 5 and Pletcher sees him as the horse to beat. He will wear blinkers for the first time since he moved to trainer Aidan O'Brien from Australia.
They Honor And Serve and Headache are also on the outside in 10 and 11 respectively.
Ruler On Ice's trainer is disappointed that the rain came too soon to greatly benefit him in 4.
The softish grass should be good for France's diva Goldikova who luckily got the 1 draw far, far away from Richard Hannon's Strong Suit in 11.
The Hannon family had a brilliant ambush planned to spoil her chances for a fourth back-to-back Breeder's Cup Turf Mile.
Son Richard Hannon was furious with the draw and even more furious with Churchill Downs officials who would not allow British Turf horses to train on the rain-soaked grass track Thursday.
He not only attacked the officials for their lack of professionalism, showing preferences for American horses who got a chance to work on grass (they arrived earlier), Mafia connections, etc.
He ended his polemic citing that his father, Richard Hannon Sr, won't travel to the US, because he just hates the Yanks.
Well, the Hannons can all stay home with their horses in the future and can leave our prize money in America for American trainers or send it home with the gracious Goldikova connections.
European Await The Dawn, Sarafina 5/2 favourite, Sea Moon and Midday are favourites for the Breeders' Cup Turf.
John Gosden's Elusive Kate is 2/1 favourite for the Juvenile Fillies Turf on Friday.
©Posted November 2, 2011
Breeder's Cup Preview 2
Goldikova leaves France for Churchill Downs today according to trainer Freddy Head who finds it hard to believe that the 14 Group 1 winner is in line to win her fourth back-to-back Breeders' Cup Mile.
(May the Force be with her!)
Alain de Royer Dupre, trainer of the four-year-old filly who should have won the last two Arcs, committed Sarafina to the Breeders' Cup Turf, to confront Ballydoyle's Await The Dawn and St Nicholas Abbey.
Sir Henry Cecil's mare Midday will attempt to win her second BC Turf (2009) and she may have a chance with jockey focus on stopping Sarafina instead of her as one of them did last year (See Breeders' Cup 2010).
Steve Crist laments that Europe has not sent one of its highest-ranking horses (ranked by the International Federation of Horseracing Authority) to the Breeders' Cup this year.
He cites Frankel, Cirrus Des Aigles, Danedream, Canford Cliffs, Nathaniel and Rewilding.
Cirrus and Danedream may go to the Orient for races later in the year.
Frankel has had an exceptionally busy year and could be a BC Classic contender next year if he can manage the distance.
Nathaniel needs a rest and a bit more training to curb his keenness.
Canford Cliffs has retired to stud and Rewilding is dead.
With so many opportunities for international Turf racing, the connections of good horses can choose the best opportunities to fit their horses' best interests.
Florida, on the other hand, has produced a record number of 25 FL-bred horses for the weekend races.
Flat Out is their flagbearer in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
His chances as fourth favourite could improve in the Post Position Draw on Monday.
Second favourite, the filly Havre De Grace, may defect to the BC Ladies' Classic if her draw is poor.
He is an improving horse who has won at the distance and handles Dirt.
Uncle Mo is still pre-race favourite, but has never raced 10f let alone won at the distance.
So You Think, who is third favourite behind Havre De Grace, has won repeatedly at 10f, but has never raced on Dirt before.
It looks an open race at the top with ground conditions and the draw as the only pre-race unknowns - for now.
During the race, it will be down to ability, experience, jockeys, luck and CLASS.
©Posted October 29, 2011
Breeder's Cup Preview 1
Horse racing will combine the All Stars, World Cups and World Championships in two days on the highest quality of racing at Churchill Downs which will host the 28th Breeders' Cup in Louisville, KY, on November 4 and 5.
One-hundred-ninety-three horses have been entered in 15 races for a total purse of $25.5 million.
Friday is Ladies day with a card of six juvenile and filly/mare races including the $2 million Grey Goose BC Juvenile Fillies, the $2 million Emirates Airline BC Filly & Mare Turf and closing with the $2 million Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic.
Saturday's card holds nine races for 3yo+ fillies, mares, colts and geldings who will compete in sprints, miles and longer distances on both Dirt and Turf.
The day ends with the most prestigious international races: the $3 million Emirates Airline BC Turf, the $2 Grey Goose BC Juvenile, the $2 million TVG BC Mile and the $5 million BC Classic.
France's Goldikova will try for another record victory, her fourth back-to-back, in the BC Mile on Turf and she will be strongly challenged by Richard Hannon's Strong Suit from England.
Is she good enough at six to hold off younger males given that she has lost three of her five races at six? One has to point out that she was second in three races and there were extenuating circumstances in each.
If her jockey Olivier Peslier is alert enough, she has a good chance of breaking her own record three BC Miles.
The Classic has suffered a tremendous loss with Tizway's injury on the gallops. His record justified favouritism and his sire Tiznow's double BC Classic was also in his favour.
Fortunately, he will recover and has been retired to Spendthrift Stud in KY.
I too have been injured and will be forced to stay home and watch the BC, but I have not been injured seriously enough to be retired to stud.
Uncle Mo, Harve De Grace and So You Think move up to top favour followed by Flat Out.
Uncle Mo looked as great in his October 1 Belmont race at a mile as he did at two (before his liver virus in the Spring and Summer).
The Classic will be his first try at 10f (1¼m, 2000m), but he has won at 8 and 9f so the longer trip should not be a problem.
At three, he is the least experienced of the other three horses; however, he may be fresher.
The magnificent four-year-old filly, Havre De Grace, has won eight of her 13 career starts and placed in the remaining five.
She has won mostly on fast ground, but proved her ability to handle mud at Belmont October 1.
What is troublesome about her record is that she has come second to filly Blind Luck both times she has tried 10 furlongs.
HDG and Tizway have both beaten the most experienced older U.S. horse, Flat Out, who is fourth favourite, but he is an improver who has won at 10f.
He raced only twice in 2009, skipped racing in 2010 and built a solid record this year of six races winning at 10f beating Drosselmeyer on October 1 at Belmont.
Third favourite is the ever-present So You Think NZ, representing Ballydoyle, and is the sole European hope for the BC Classic.
He is absolutely solid at 10f - the only horse who is, but has never raced on Dirt before.
He is a sweet-natured, adaptable and professional horse who will give it everything he's got.
None of the U. S. horses can compete with his experience of 19 starts, 12 wins, five places with only two races out of the place slots (in fourth and fifth).
If he adapts, he is a major threat to the American horses.
And, if there is heavy mud, Ruler On Ice, could just duplicate his sole career victory: the Belmont Stakes.
©Posted October 26, 2011
Breeders' Cup Invitations
Winners of the Curragh's Pretty Polly Stakes, the Prix de Saint-Cloud and Hanshin's Takarazuka Kinen qualify to compete in the Breeders' Cup Turf races November 4 and 5.
Misty For Me won the Pretty Polly and has been invited to compete in the Fillies & Mares Classic on the 3rd.
Both Sarafina and Earnestly are invited to the Breeders' Cup Turf Classic on the 4th.
The Breeders' Cup started an Open Enrollment program in 2011 to increase the number of horses, who win major races which are not qualifiers for the BC, to enter its World Championships.
For a $25,000 fee per horse, Ballydoyle's Aiden O'Brien nominated his three stars: Treasure Beach, So You Think and Canford Cliffs (new purchase).
Breeders' Cup 2010 Highlights
Zenyatta For Eclipse Horse Of The Year 2010
Zenyatta with her beloved Mario Espinoza greeting her many fans the
day after the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic which she lost by a neck.
There were at least three times more admirers behind the photographer.
Photo Racing International