NYRA "Holidayfest" & ATP "season finale" for 2010

The major stakes racing in New York comes to a seasonal end today with the last grade I stakes of 2010. This will also begin the "winter hiatus" of my thoroughbred racing column; AT THE POST for two months until the three year old action begins at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park around the beginning of February. So, for the final column of ATP in 2010 it will be selections for today's graded stakes at Aqueduct that wrap up the last big weekend of thoroughbred action.

There are four stakes today which included the last of the two year old races that are stretching out both males and females toward next season. Also there is two route races for our older horses which wrap up the last major races run on Aqueduct's main track before the transition to the "Inner-track" begins on December 1st. I guess this weekend is like a seasonal closing for both major racing with NYRA and myself talking about for a few months.

The stakes action begins in the 6th with the two year old fillies racing in Demoiselle Stakes (gr.II) going a mile in an eighth. The Rick Dutrow runner (#5) Believe in A.P. gets the call here. She closed well in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies race for fourth at 16-1. I pegged her as my "longshot" play in that race and if she had captured the show money, I would have cashed the triple. For 2nd, I'm going with the longer price of Dutrow brothers horses, the Tony Dutrow trained; (#4) Light Your World. At 12-1 on the morning line, this filly has won two straight route races at Delaware Park and is the value in this short six horse field.

Two year old colts are featured next in the 7th race - the Remsen Stakes going the same route distance as the girls. Here, I'm going against the 6/5 morning line favorite; To Honor and Serve with the (#4) Bandbox. This NY bred stumbled at the start in his last race, the Sleepy Hollow Stakes going seven furlongs and recovered with a wide sweeping victory as the favorite. Today he tries a route distance and has plenty of speed in front of him to set up his close nicely. I'll use the favorite (#5) To Honor and Serve for 2nd off his wire-to-wire Nashua Stakes victory going a mile.

The Gazelle Stakes (8th) is next for the three year old fillies going the route distance. The race used to be part the Belmont Fall meet schedule, but now has found this late season spot. I'm going with the shipper and outside horse here (#8) No Such Word. In this wide open event, she has been a gem of consistency all this season with victories at four different tracks. Her last victory in the Remington Park Oaks was a commanding one and gets my slight edge here. For 2nd, the Kiaran McLaughlin trained; Dubai Dancer (#5) comes in to this contest with a three race win streak and is lightly raced. Both Quiet Temper (#3) and longshot - Joanie's Catch (#6) must be used in your exotic plays.

The 8th race and final grade I race in N.Y. for 2010 is the Hill 'N' Dale Cigar Mile. A nice field of seven runners are assembled (with an entry) and this year's edition is evenly matched with some very familiar names. My top selection here and lukewarm choice is the horse who finished 2nd in the race last year; (#3) Bribon. Exclusively sprinting his last four starts, today he races at his favorite distance and should be primed for a top effort. For 2nd, I'll be giving my old friend (#7) Musket Man one last shot. He's been very disappointing since his only victory this year when he returned to the races at Tampa Bay Downs in February. For exotic plays, I'll include; the Godolphin entry (#1) Girolamo and Vineyard Haven with (#5) Jersey Town underneath.

Zenyatta.....comes up short again

Unlike the countless times that Brett Favre was going to retire and then decided not to, the connections of the "super" mare; Zenyatta announced on Wednesday afternoon that her career on the track was finished and she would be going to the shed row. After last year's triumph in the Breeder's Cup Classic, it was thought that it would have been her last race. But, the continued training weeks after her last victory was a indication that she was going to defend her title and make more history. So, Zenyatta returned this year to continue her undefeated quest and try to garner the award she came up short with in 2009.

In 2009, Zenyatta remained on the west coast for the entire season with the Breeder's Cup being contested at Santa Anita Park on the polytrack surface. Meanwhile, another filly (Rachel Alexandra) one year younger than Zenyatta was defeating colts and older runners throughout the country at several different race tracks. Even with Zenyatta extending her undefeated streak with winning the 2009 Breeder's Cup Classic and the first female horse ever to win the Classic, it wasn't enough for her to win the eclipse award for Horse of the Year. That went to Rachel Alexandra for her victories versus males in the Preakness Stakes, Haskell Invitational and defeating older males in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga . For Zenyatta the chance would come again this year, if she would remain undefeated and get to the Classic again. Part of this quest she would fulfill.

For her connections, she would have to maintain her undefeated status and venture outside California and their restricted synthetic racing surfaces. Once again, half the bargain would remain with 19 straight victories including her second career win outside California at Oaklawn Park in the Apple Blossom Handicap on "real" dirt. But, her victories this year were against basically the same filly and mares that she defeated in 2009 and not once took on the males or traveled to Kentucky or the east coast to take on her other distaff rivals. This will hurt her once again when the voting for Horse of the Years honors are tabulated in January.

She did make it to Churchill Downs to defend her title as Classic champion. Unlike Rachel Alexandra, her racing form did not tail off and she remained in training. It was hoped that her 2010 racing schedule would include more "real" dirt races, but nevertheless Zenyatta would try to make history in so many ways by finishing her career undefeated with a perfect 20 for 20 record. She came so close, but a head difference under the lights at Churchill Downs was the final disappointment for all her fans and may be her undoing once again this year.

No female thoroughbred has accomplished what Zenyatta has in the last two years, but it was a "super" filly last year and a photo finish this year that will cost her the ultimate award for any horse; Horse of the Year honors. This year, Blame was hands down the best older thoroughbred in the country winning grade I races in Kentucky and New York . He won the biggest race of the year, which usually determines year end honors; the Breeder's Cup Classic. Meanwhile, Zenyatta does her thing all year and gives a courageous account of herself while coming up just a head short. But, it will be the "photo finish" that prevents the great Zenyatta in getting what her connections wanted so bad this year; their mare winning Horse of the Year honors. It's the disappointment felt around the world, but nothing to be ashamed of. A record of 19-1 for a career some only dream of, it's not winning Horse of the Year honors again this year that will be the nightmare.

It lived up to all the hype.......and more!

The return of the Breeder’s Cup World Championships to “real” dirt and Churchill Downs lived up to every expectation last Friday and Saturday. If you said it lack color or excitement, you need to find another sport to follow. It was a blend of great racing with exciting finishes, tremendous efforts, controversy and a little extracurricular activities.

First was the “fist-a-cuffs” right after the finish of the first Breeder’s Cup race, the marathon. Jockey Javier Castellano aboard; Prince Will I Am took a sharp right turn at the top of the stretch and interfered with Romp nearly putting jockey Martin Garcia down on the track. This action also affected A.U. Miner with jockey Calvin Borel aboard. After the race in the winner’s circle, both Castellano and Borel exchanged words. That accelerated to more than just words and nearly a brawl! Jockey Borel was restrained by several other people in the paddock and there was a rage in his eyes. This was all caught on camera by the ESPN television footage, including the “sucker punch” that Castellano gave Borel. It was really like a scene from the WWE and got the Breeder’s Cup race schedule off to quite an interesting start!

The first day ended under the lights in the Ladies Classic and here was the second big event of the Cup, this was the controversial one. As the field was in the post parade and making there way to the starting gate, the second choice in the wagering; Life At Ten seemed not to be warming up well for the race. What was not known to the people “on track” was the conversation that jockey John Velazquez aboard Life At Ten had with former jockey Jerry Bailey on the ESPN television coverage. Velazquez told Bailey that his horse wasn’t warming up well on the track and wasn’t acting herself in the paddock prior to saddling. Even her trainer, Todd Pletcher said that Life At Ten was not on her toes when he saddled her and seemed listless on the track. When the gates open, Life At Ten walked out of the gate and just lagged behind the field throughout the mile and an eighth event. Basically “distanced” in the running of the race, questions arose whether the stewards at Churchill Downs knew the condition of the horse and what was said on ESPN prior to the running. The horse was not a late scratch, no action was taken against Velazquez or Pletcher because of their comments and millions of dollars was wagered on this horse that was never ridden at any point during the race. This is a “black eye” for the sport again with the wagering integrity part and how the bettor took it on the chin with a horse that SHOULD have been scratched.

Day two on Saturday was less controversial and without fighting, but did have that great element of excitement our sport produces “on track”. We saw the great European mare; Goldikova win her third straight Breeder’s Cup Turf Mile with ease again. Just before her triumph, a future superstar; Uncle Mo dominated his field of two year old runners with a bold victory and served early notice for next year’s Triple Crown races. But, the biggest race of the two days came at the end in the Breeder’s Cup Classic. This highlighted the great Zenyatta going for a perfect 20 for 20 in her career and second straight victory in the Breeder’s Cup Classic versus the boys. As the gates open, our heroine lagged far behind her rivals as she usually does and lost contact with the field. Then on the far turn she got into gear and was making up ground slowly, but surely. As they came down the Churchill Downs stretch, she was gobbling up ground and the question was would see get there in time? In the shadow of the wire, the great Zenyatta came up a head short to Blame and tasted defeat for the first time in her career. It was not the finish many wanted to see, but Zenyatta’s effort in defeat was one of the greatest I have ever seen. All in all, the 2010 Breeder’s Cup lived up to the hype and even more!

The Breeder's Cup comes back home to "real" dirt

After a two year hiatus, the thoroughbred world championships have returned to the “real” proper surface; dirt. The Breeder’s Cup has come home to Churchill Downs and the excitement has already begun. A record amount of entries have been racing since yesterday and the anticipated finale today will see if history can be made. It’s a return to a racing surface that most people feel is and always has been the best. With the return to Kentucky , the European contingent has made its way stateside and the east coast horses stock once again has risen. There are many stories to unfold today and the winners today will be considered “true” championship horses.

I’ll be honest, the past two years when the races were at Santa Anita on the polytrack, I did well. It was easy to throw out the east coast dirt form and just use the runners who were capable on the synthetic surfaces. The Europeans who ventured westward, did well in main track events. But this year, its back to what the Breeder’s Cup is really all about.

The winners of today’s and yesterday’s races all want a future after their racing years as a sire or breeder if possible. When this concept was introduced in 1984, it was to showcase the best horses in training and give them a stepping stone for the future with their victories. The “poltyrack” syndrome that has taken over the state of thoroughbred racing the past few years has had a negative view on the future of great sires in our sport. When animals of our sport have excelled on the dirt surface for centuries,we now have certain people wanting to change to a quote “safer surface". This changes the whole picture of thoroughbred racing.

While safety issues were the main reason for these changes, not all synthetics have been cooperated. One such track is Santa Anita, with its racing surface recently removed and replace back to natural dirt. So now we return to the track and surface that made the Breeder’s Cup Championship day the event it was; a spotlight on the sport's best athletes.

We’ll see a European invasion on the turf surfaces with the Juveniles, the older marathon runners and one special mare that is out to make history. Goldikova is trying to win three straight Breeder’s Cup Turf Mile races. No horse has ever done that and she’ll attempt to be a perfect “3 for 3”racing in North America . A future star in the making is also showcased today in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile. Uncle Mo is two for two and comes into this year’s two year old race as the best young runner in training. But, the real spotlight and main focus on the events of today come in the last race. Zenyatta will attempt to be the first filly and mare to win two Breeder’s Cup Classic races, both back to back and retired undefeated a perfect 20 for 20 in her career. She’ll be facing her toughest field yet and making her first start at Churchill Downs, only her third start on a natural dirt surface. Will the trip away from her native California and their polytrack, hurt her? Will the competition this year be much stronger than the field she beat last year? And will the long Churchill Downs stretch, hinder her come from behind, late closing kick? The answers will be answered today and the outcome could be a great one or not. Either way, the Breeder’s Cup has returned to what made it best in the past. Natural dirt, full fields from around the world and the “crown jewel” horse of racing trying to make history.

Mark Hoffman’s 2010 Breeder’s Cup Selections – day #2 Saturday (11/6)

Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf

Mantoba (#3) – one of many Europeans invaders, this one was supplement to the race and comes off a one mile score on the weeds in Britain , trainer very crafty when shipping stateside.

Master of Hounds (#5) – accomplished well bred two year old runner may have a class edge over his opponents here, tough to separate this two picks.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Banned – Pluck – Dux Scholar


Breeder’s Cup Sprint

Girolamo (#2) – makes third start off layoff after winning at Belmont Park last time out, not the most “sound” of animals…..but, lives up to his breeding when he runs, a favorite of mine!

Wise Dan (#3) – lightly raced three year old gelding brings three race win streak into this event, could be any kind and is a price here!

Exotic & multi-race runners : Big Drama – Atta Boy Roy - Pashito the Che


Breeder’s Cup Turf Sprint

Grand Adventure (#11) even effort in last start at Woodbine going six furlongs on the turf, wheels right back and shortens up a bit, love his morning line odds & hope to get near that in wide open event.

Rose Catherine (#9) – brilliant 3 yr.old filly seeks fourth straight turf sprinting, has a lot of talent and takes on the older boys today, can you say Very Subtle on the grass????

Exotic & multi-race runners : Silver Timber – Chamberlain Bridge – Bridgetown


Breeder’s Cup Juvenile

Uncle Mo (#7) - the talk of the two year old crop off his first two starts, one at Saratoga and the in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park, for now…..he’s the best juvenile and the “horse to beat” today at short odds.

Rogue Romance (#9) – if I’m taking the “chalk” on top here, then I’m this longshot that is racing first time dirt underneath him, interesting spot for this son of Smarty Jones from connections who do well in Kentucky .

Exotic & multi-race runners : Boys At Tosconova – Stay Thirsty – Biondetti


Breeder’s Cup Mile

Goldikova (#10) – the European “Queen” is trying to make history by winning this race for the third straight year in a row, she’s better than ever & may upstage our own “Queen” today in victory.

Gio Ponti (#3) – runner-up in last year’s BC Classic, stays on the grass this year and goes a flat mile, this spot is better than the Classic this year & has only one obstacle in his way…..

Exotic & multi-race runners : Sidney ’s Candy – Proviso – Paco Boy


Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile

Here Comes Ben (#5) – stretches out to the mile distance after three straight wins going seven furlongs, this runner likes Churchill Downs and I’m dedicating this Ben to the late Ben Johnson who lost his brave battle with cancer this past week.

Crown of Thorns (#8) – polytrack sprinter makes his third start off layoff after just missing in last years Breeder’s Cup Sprint, bullet work for this and is very dangerous if he takes to the Churchill Downs surface.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Vineyard Haven – Morning Line – Thiskyhasnolimit


Breeder’s Cup Turf

Workforce (#6) – lightly raced three year old won France’s biggest race; the Arc last time out, wheels right back and faces less opponents totaled today by half than he did in his last start.

Champ Pegasus (#1) – California based turf marathon runner has been consistent since breaking his maiden in April, lightly raced & continues to improve, price here???

Exotic & multi-race runners : Winchester – Behkabad – Al Khali


Breeder’s Cup Classic

Blame (#5) – winner of this year’s Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, he returns to his hometown track for his final career start, I’ve been a big fan of this horse this year and have gone on record saying he’ll win this race, he stops the streak……

Zenyatta (#8) – so here it goes…..history can be made today if this mare wins her 20th straight victory, it will be a tough road racing on a surface she has never been on before and a field that is her toughest yet, with that said; I’ll pick her 2nd……but, will be rooting for her if she is charging down the stretch late, she is OUR queen!

Exotic & multi-race runners : Musket Man – Quality Road – Lookin At Lucky

Mark Hoffman’s 2010 Breeder’s Cup Selections – day #1 “Ladies Day” (11/5)

Breeder’s Cup Marathon


Bright Horizon (#9) – the Euros have won the first two runnings of this race and this trainer won it last year, longshots are the key here with the favorites vulnerable, I’ve got the first two runnings right…..hoping to extend the streak to three!

Alcomo (#10) – this Brazilian bred shows two good efforts going this marathon distance, can sit the perfect stalking trip, a must use in exotics.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Atoned – Awesome Gem – Eldaafer


Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Winter Memories (#7) – this regally bred turf runner has been explosive in her two lifetime starts, has the makings of a future superstar.

Kathmanblu (#4) – won impressively last time out at Keeneland in overnight stake, another with great potential.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Together – More Than Real – New Normal


Breeder’s Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

Sara Louise (#2) – this Godolphin runner returned to the races after a ten month layoff with a sharp closing move for third, this lightly raced filly may get overlooked in the wagering at a price.

Rightly So (#13) – this hard hitting NY bred has finished no worst than 3rd in 11 lifetime starts, has speed and is perfect at this seven furlong distance.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Evening Jewel – Champagne d’Oro – Secret Gypsy


Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies

R Heat Lightning (#3) – closed ground as the favorite in the one mile Frizette at Belmont Park last time out, the sixteenth of a mile more should be no problem.

Awesome Feather (#4) – undefeated & a perfect 5 for 5 at Calder, an eight length winner at this distance last time out, gets the “acid” test today, but these type Calder runners do well this time of the year.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Indian Gracey – Believe in A.P. – AZ Warrior


Breeder’s Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Midday (#7) – winner of this race last year has held her form well since then, trying to become the first back-to-back winner in this event.

Miss Keller (#3) – I’ve had a “love / hate” affair with this filly since she came stateside at Saratoga last summer, couldn’t win with her last year & she has beaten me this year, her current form makes her contender in this race and we’ll see if I can catch her this time!

Exotic & multi-race runners : Keertana – Shared Account – Together Forever


Breeder’s Cup Ladies Classic

Blind Luck (#10) – this superstar three year old filly is my BEST BET on today’s card and has been brilliant all across the country this year, won over the course in the Kentucky Oaks at the wire, the faster the pace….the better!

Life At Ten (#1) – bounced back in her last start after a dull effort at Saratoga versus Rachel Alexandra, the best older mare this year figures to be right there again.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Harve de Grace – Unrivaled Belle – Acting Happy