After all the complaints about the Breeder’s Cup being contested two straight years at Santa Anita Park and on a synthetic surface, we have gotten a record number of horses back for a second year to defend their championship titles from 2008. Six runners are looking to become back-to-back winners in the Filly & Mare Sprint ( Ventura ), Filly & Mare Turf (Forever Together), Marathon (Muhannak), Turf Sprint (Desert Code), Mile (Goldikova) and Turf (Conduit). Also, three other winners from last year; Maram (Filly & Mare Juvenile), Zenyatta (Ladies Classic) and Midshipman (Juvenile) have returned to race in other categories (F&M Turf, Classic and Dirt Mile). That’s nine horses who have returned back where they won last year and will attempt to be two time winners. Not much outcry from the connections of these runners about the racing surface.
The number of European entrants this year has increased with the success of last year’s Euros winning here. Muhannak, Goldikova, Donativum, Conduit and Raven’s Pass all notched championships at Santa Anita. Also four other European runners were runner-up with in the money finishes (Heart Shaped, Westphalia & Eagle Mountain ). So it was completely logical that European connections would come across the pond for a second year in a row.
We have maximum fields in 6 of the 14 races carded, with many of the Juvenile runners having to choose either the main track or turf races. The older male horses had to choose between the Dirt Mile & the Classic. All in all, this year’s edition of the Breeder’s Cup Championship races comes across as a highly exciting betting affair with many intriguing angles.
The Godolphin Stable from the desert has been “red hot” since the summer months. They have sent many runners here to not only win championships, but see if thier string of horses will be good enough to dominate thier races early next year when they open their new “synthetic” track in the United Arab Emirates . Owner George Strawbridge has a runner in each of the five filly and mare races on Friday afternoon. Ventura tries to repeat as champion for her ailing trainer; Bobby Frankel. Presious Passion attempts a victory for little known trainer; Mary Hartmann in the Turf versus the “big” European guns; Sir Michael Stoute, John Gosden and Brian Meehan. In the “main event” race on the Breeder’s Cup card; the Breeder’s Cup Classic, a full field of 13 line up with many questions to be answered. Will the American three year old colts; Summer Bird, Quality Road, Mine That Bird, Regal Ransom and Girolamo take to Santa Anita’s pro-ride surface and be successful in victory? Will European lightning strike twice in the Classic with either; Rip Van Winkle or Twice Over winning? Do the “local” runners at Santa Anita; Awesome Gem, Colonel John or Richard’s Kid have an edge by racing over the polytrack surface and did the two turf horses; Einstein and Gio Ponti make the right decision by passing up the Turf and choosing in this spot?
These subplots are nothing to compare to the biggest question of all. Will, the fabulous mare; Zenyatta who is placing her undefeated streak of 13 straight victories on the line by facing the “boys” for the first time in her career going a mile an a quarter, put her in the record books? Yes, the championship day is at the same venue for a second year and yes, it is on an unnatural surface. But, today with the horses entered and titles at stake, it adds up for an exciting and intriguing day for our sport!
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