2009 Graded Stakes

Two of the six Breeders' Cup races created the past two years have been given Grade I status for 2009: the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint and $1 million Dirt Mile.

The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association released the complete list of graded stakes - those determined to be the best in the country. To be eligible, a stakes must be unrestricted (except for age or sex) with a purse of at least $75,000.

The 488 graded stakes for next year reflect an increase of seven from 2008. A total of 13 stakes were upgraded: six to Grade I status - including Keeneland's Vinery Madison - and seven bumped up to Grade II. There also will be 10 new Grade III races.

Four races that have been Grade III - including Turfway's Kentucky Cup Juvenile - will not be graded next year.

Breeders' Cup 2008 Results

For the record, total commingled handle this year was $132.6 million on 14 races, according to preliminary figures released by Breeders' Cup on Sunday night, whereas total all-sources handle last year was $129.2 million on 11 races, a difference of 2.6 percent.

There is no question that the rapid deterioration in the economic environment both in the U.S. and abroad took its toll on the Breeders' Cup, as it has on race meets across the U.S. over the past three months. The average handle on a Breeders' Cup race this year was $9.5 million, compared with $11.7 million on each Breeders' Cup race run in 2007 at Monmouth Park, a difference of 18.8 percent.

Those figures reflect both the lack of consumer confidence that has gripped the United States over the past three months and the reality that horse racing bettors have finite bankrolls when approaching big-event days. Even though the Breeders' Cup expanded by three races - or 27 percent - wagering held steady.

"Overall, in light of all the variables, I have to be very pleased with where the numbers are," said Ken Kirchner, the Breeders' Cup's simulcasting and wagering consultant. "The recession is knocking racetracks across the country by about 20 percent."

Attendance held its own when compared to Breeders' Cups conducted at Santa Anita in the past. On Friday, when five Breeders' Cup races restricted to fillies and mares were held, attendance was 31,257. Attendance on Saturday, when nine Breeders' Cup races were held, was 51,331. When the Breeders' Cup was last held at Santa Anita was 2003, with a one-day card with eight races, attendance was 51,648.

Total handle over the two full days of racing was $155.5 million, with $47.9 million in wagering on Friday's 10-race card and $107.6 million bet on Saturday's 11-race card. Total handle last year at Monmouth Park over the two days of racing was $147.4 million, a difference of 5.5 percent.

Breeders' Cup Results and Payouts

Here are the horse racing results and payouts of the 25th running of the Breeders' Cup 2008 at Santa Anita Park, October 24-25, 2008.

$1 Million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint 
Gate  Horse           Win   Place    Show
12  Ventura         $7.60   $3.40    $3.00
5  Indian Blessing          $3.40    $2.40
6  Zaftig                            $4.00
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
Miraculous Miss, Tizzy's Tune, Intangaroo, Magnificience, 
Jazzy (ARG), Lady Sprinter, La Tee, Dearest Trickski, 
Dream Rush, Tiz Elemental

$1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf 
Gate  Horse           Win    Place    Show
3  Maram           $24.20   $13.20   $6.40
12  Heart Shaped            $11.60   $6.60
2  Laragh                            $3.40
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
Saucey Evening, Emmy Darling, Consequence, Sugar Mom, 
C Karma, Freedom Rings, Renda, April Pride (GB), 
Beyond Our Reach (IRE)

$2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies 
Gate  Horse           Win   Place   Show
10  Stardom Bound   $5.20  $3.20   $2.20
12  Dream Empress          $8.80   $5.20
4  Sky Diva                        $3.60
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
Dave's Revenge, Persistently, Van Lear Rose, C. S. Silk, 
Black Magic Mama, Evita Argentina, Doremifasollatido, 
Pursuit of Glory (IRE), Be Smart, Palacio de Amor

$2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf 
Gate  Horse              Win  Place    Show
3  Forever Together   $11.80  $6.40   $4.80
1  Sealy Hill                $36.20  $15.80
5  Wait a While                       $3.60
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
Visit (GB), Vacare, Mauralakana (FR), Halfway To Heaven (IRE), 
Dynaforce, Folk Opera (IRE), Pure Clan

$2 million Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic 
Gate  Horse             Win  Place  Show
1  Zenyatta           $3.00  $2.60  $2.10
3  Cocoa Beach (CHI)         $4.60  $3.80
4  Music Note                       $3.80
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
Carriage Trail, Hystericalady, Ginger Punch, 
Santa Teresita, Bear Now

$500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon 
Gate  Horse              Win  Place  Show
5  Muhannak (IRE)     $26.80  $10.80  $6.20
1  Church Service              $9.60  $6.80
7  Big Booster                        $6.80
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
Delightful Kiss, Sixties Icon (GB), Cedar Mountain (IRE), 
Zappa, Booyah

$1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint 
Gate  Horse             Win  Place  Show
9  Desert Code       $75.00  $30.80  $21.00
8  Diabolical                 $7.60  $5.20
6  Storm Treasure                    $9.20
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
Fleeting Spirit (IRE), Heros Reward, Salute the Count, 
True to Tradition, One Union, Get Funky, California Flag, 
Mr. Nightlinger, Rouse the Cat, Idiot Proof, Only Answer (GB)

$1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile 
Gate  Horse                  Win  Place   Show
7  Albertus Maximus       $14.60  $7.40   $5.40
10  Rebellion (GB)               $16.00  $11.20
15  Two Step Salsa                       $12.80
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
My Pal Charlie, Mast Track, Pyro, Lewis Michael, Lord Admiral, 
Well Armed, Slew's Tiznow, Slew's Tizzy, Surf Cat

$2 million Breeders' Cup Mile 
Gate  Horse                    Win  Place  Show
4  Goldikova (IRE)           $5.60  $4.00  $2.80
2  Kip Deville                      $4.80  $3.40
11  Whatsthescript (IRE)                   $3.40
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
Precious Kitten, U S Ranger, Awesome Gem, War Monger, 
Bold Chieftain, Thorn Song, Daytona (IRE), Shakis (IRE)

$2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile 
Gate  Horse            Win  Place  Show
11  Midshipman       $9.20  $4.40  $3.20
4  Square Eddie             $5.00  $4.40
8  Street Hero                     $4.40
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
Terrain, Pioneerof the Nile, West Side Bernie, Gallant Son, 
Silent Valor, Azul Leon, Munnings, Bushranger (IRE), Mine That Bird

$1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf 
Gate  Horse             Win   Place  Show
4  Donativum (GB)     $13.60  $7.00  $5.00
3  Westphalia (IRE)           $5.40  $3.80
7  Coronet of a Baron                $5.40
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
City Style, Relatively Ready, Vaquero, Orthodox, Bittel Road, 
Ninth Client, Grand Adventure, Skipadate, Paddy the Pro (IRE)

$2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint 
Gate  Horse            Win  Place  Show
4  Midnight Lute      $7.40  $5.00  $3.20
9  Fatal Bullet              $6.60  $3.80
2  Street Boss                      $2.40
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
In Summation, Fabulous Strike, Sing Baby Sing, 
Black Seventeen, First Defence

$3 million Breeders' Cup Turf 
Gate  Horse                  Win  Place  Show
9  Conduit (IRE)          $13.60  $8.40  $5.80
11  Eagle Mountain (GB)           $9.60  $6.40
6  Dancing Forever                      $12.80
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
Soldier of Fortune (IRE), Out of Control (BRZ), 
Red Rock Canyon (IRE), Winchester, Better Talk Now, 
Spring House, Red Rocks (IRE), Grand Couturier (GB)

$5 million Breeders' Cup Classic 
Gate  Horse                 Win  Place   Show
8  Raven's Pass         $29.00  $15.80   $8.00
5  Henrythenavigator            $22.00  $11.20
3  Tiago                                 $7.00
Unplaced horses in order of finish:
Curlin, Go Between, Colonel John, Smooth Air, 
Champs Elysees (GB), Duke of Marmalade (IRE), Fairbanks, 
Student Council, Casino Drive

Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Results and Payouts

The Breeders' Cup 2008 has just began and the first race, Filly and Mare Sprint, was just run. Here are the winners and payouts. Still 13 races to go. You can watch the races live on Breeders' Cup website.

   Horse          WIN    Place   Show 
12. Ventura        7.60   3.40    3.00
5. Indian Blessing       3.40    2.40
6. ZAFTIG                        4.00

$2 Exacta $25.40, $2 Trifecta $97.40, $1 Superfecta $733.30

Breeders Cup Post Position for Saturday Races

Here are the post positions, jockey, and Breeders' Cup odds for 2008 contenders. Saturday races.

Marathon, Total Purse $500,000, 3+, 1 1/2 Miles
Post Horse               Jockey           Odds  
1    Church Service      Edgar Prado      10-1
2    Add Heat            Alex Solis       20-1
3    Delightful Kiss     Calvin Borel      8-1
4    Sixties Icon        Frankie Dettori   2-1
5    Muhannak (IRE)      Patrick Smullen  20-1
6    Zappa               Garrett Gomez     5-2
7    Big Booster         Rafael Bejarano   9-2
8    Cedar Mountain      Javier Castellano 6-1
9    Booyah              Joe Talamo       30-1

Turf Sprint, Total Purse $1,000,000, 3+, 6 1/2 Furlongs
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds 
1    Heros Reward        Javier Castellano   8-1
2    Fleeting Spirit     John Murtagh        5-1
3    True to Tradition   Kendrick Carmouche 15-1
4    Only Answer (GB)    Olivier Peslier    20-1
5    Salute the Count    Eibar Coa          12-1
6    Storm Treasure      Shaun Bridgmohan   12-1
7    Rouse the Cat       Edgar Prado        20-1
8    Diabolical          Frankie Dettori     6-1
9    Desert Code         Richard Miglior    30-1  
10   California Flag     Joe Talamo         15-1
11   Idiot Proof         Garrett Gomez       8-1
12   One Union           Victor Espinoza    15-1
13   Get Funky           Jose Valdivia Jr.   9-2     
14   Mr. Nightlinger     Jamie Theriot       6-1

Dirt Mile, Total Purse $1,000,000, 3+, 1 Mile
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds 
1    Lewis Michael       Michael Eibar       5-1
2    Surf Cat            David Flores        6-1
3    Slew's Tizzy        Joel Rosario       20-1
4    Mast Track          Tyler Baze          6-1
5    Two Step Salsa      Martin Pedroza     15-1 
6    Pyro                Shaun Bridgmohan   20-1
7    Albertus Maximus    Garrett Gomez       4-1
8    Well Armed          Aaron Gryder        3-1
9    Slew's Tiznow       Rafael Bejarano    15-1
10   Rebellion (GB)      Edgar Prado        15-1
11   My Pal Charlie      Victor Espinoza    20-1
12   Lord Admiral        John Murtagh       20-1

Mile, Total Purse $2,000,000, 3+, 1 Mile (Turf)
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds 
1    Shakis (IRE)        Alan Garcia        10-1
2    Kip Deville         Cornelio Velasquez  5-1
3    Precious Kitten     Rafael Bejarano     8-1
4    Goldikova (IRE)     Olivier Peslier     3-1
5    Daytona (IRE)       Alex Solis          6-1
6    Awesome Gem         Tyler Baze         20-1 
7    U S Ranger          John Murtagh       15-1
8    Bold Chieftain      Russell Baze       15-1
9    War Monger          Kent Desormeaux    12-1
10   Thorn Song          Robby Albarado     12-1
11   Whatsthescript (IRE)Garrett Gomez       4-1

Juvenile, Total Purse $2,000,000, 2, Colts & Geldings, 1 1/16 Miles
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds 
1    Munnings            John Velazquez      7-2
2    Gallant Son         Leslie Mawing      15-1 
3    Terrain             Jamie Theriot      20-1  
4    Square Eddie        Rafael Bejarano     9-2
5    Azul Leon           Joel Rosario       20-1 
6    Silent Valor        Edgar Prado        15-1
7    Elusive Bluff       Michael Baze       15-1
8    Street Hero         Alex Solis          6-1
9    Mine That Bird      Chantal Sutherland 30-1
10   Pioneerof the Nile  Robby Albarado     15-1
11   Midshipman          Garrett Gomez       5-1
12   Bushranger (IRE)    John Murtagh        6-1 
13   West Side Bernie    Stewart Elliott    20-1

Juvenile Turf, Total Purse $1,000,000, 2, Colts & Geldings, 1 Mile (Turf)
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds 
1    Ninth Client        Julien Leparoux    15-1
2    City Style          Tony McNeil        20-1
3    Westphalia (IRE)    John Murtagh        5-1         
4    Donativum (GB)      Frankie Dettori     6-1
5    Relatively Ready    Cornelio Velasquez 12-1
6    Vaquero             Kent Desormeaux     9-2
7    Coronet of a Baron  Alan Garcia        15-1
8    Paddy the Pro (IRE) Garrett Gomez      20-1  
9    Orthodox            Jon Court           6-1
10   Skipadate           Shaun Bridgmohan    7-2
11   Bittel Road         John Velazquez      5-1
12   Grand Adventure     Rafael Bejarano    20-1
13   AE Mark S the Cooler Frankie Dettori   20-1

Sprint, Total Purse $2,000,000, 3+, 6 Furlongs 
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds 
1    Cost of Freedom     Tyler Baze         4-1
2    Street Boss         David Flores       3-1 
3    Fabulous Strike     Ramon Dominguez    4-1
4    Midnight Lute       Garrett Gomez      7-2
5    First Defence       Javier Castellano 12-1 
6    Black Seventeen     Clinton Potts     15-1
7    In Summation        John Velazquez    10-1
8    Sing Baby Sing      Justin Shepard    30-1
9    Fatal Bullet        Eurico Da Silva    6-1

Turf, Total Purse $3,000,000, 3+, 1 1/2 Miles (Turf)
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds 
1    Better Talk Now     Ramon Dominguez    10-2
2    Red Rocks(IRE)      Frankie Dettori     5-1
3    Grand Couturier (GB)Alan Garcia         6-1
4    Soldier of Fortune (IRE) John Murtagh   7-2  
5    Winchester          Patrick Smullen    15-1
6    Dancing Forever     Rene Douglas       10-1
7    Red Rock Canyon (IRE) Colm O'Donoghue  30-1     
8    Spring House        John Velazquez     10-1
9    Conduit (IRE)       Ryan Moor           6-1
10   Out of Control (BRZ)Garrett Gomez      10-1
11   Eagle Mountain (GB) Kevin Shea          6-1

Breeders' Cup Classic, Total Purse $5,000,000, 3+, 1 1/4 Miles
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds 
1    Go Between          Garrett Gomez       8-1
2    Casino Drive        Victor Espinoza    10-1
3    Tiago               Mike Smith         15-1 
4    Duke of Marmalade (IRE) John Murtagh   10-1
5    Henrythenavigator   John Velazquez     10-1
6    Smooth Air          Manoel Cruz        50-1
7    Student Council     Shaun Bridgmohan   20-1
8    Raven's Pass        Frankie Dettori     6-1
9    Curlin              Robby Albarado      7-5
10   Fairbanks           Richard Migliore   10-1
11   Colonel John        Edgar Prado        20-1
12   Champs Elysees (GB) Alan Garcia        15-1

Breeders' Cup Post Positions - Friday Races

Fields for the 14 Breeders' Cup races were drawn today at Santa Anita. Here are the Breeders Cup 2008 post positions of filly races on Friday.

Filly and Mare Sprint, Total Purse $1,000,000, 3+,Fillies & Mares 7 Furlongs 
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds
1    Magnificience       David Flores       20-1
2    Indyanne            Robby Albarado     12-1
3    Intangaroo          Alonso Quinonez     9-2
4    Lady Sprinter       Rene Douglas       15-1
5    Indian Blessing     John Velazquez      2-1 
6    Zaftig              Rafael Bejarano     8-1
7    Dream Rush          Kent Desormeaux    20-1
8    Tiz Elemental       Joel Rosario       20-1 
9    Dearest Trickski    Dearest Trickski   15-1
10   Miraculous Miss     Ramon Dominguez    20-1
11   Jazzy               Alan Garcia        20-1
12   Ventura             Garrett Gomez       5-1
13   Tizzy's Tune        Alex Solis         30-1
14   La Tee              Jon Court          30-1

Juvenile Fillies Turf, Total Purse $1,000,000, 
2-Year-Old Fillies, 1 Mile (Turf)
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds
1    April Pride         David Flores       12-1
2    Laragh              Edgar Prado         7-2 
3    Maram               Jose Lezcan        10-1
4    C Karma             Cornelio Velasquez  8-1
5    Emmy Darling        Rafael Bejarano     8-1 
6    Freedom Rings       Alan Garcia         8-1
7    Consequence         John Velazquez      8-1
8    Sugar Mom           Eibar Coa          10-1
9    Renda               Sebastian Madrid   10-1 
10   Beyond Our Reach (IRE) Frankie Dettori 15-1
11   Saucey Evening      Garrett Gomez       9-2  
12   Heart Shaped        John Murtagh       15-1 
AE   Atka                TBA                 8-1
AE   Internallyflawless  Russell Baze       30-1

Juvenile Fillies, Total Purse $2,000,000, Two-Year-Old Fillies,
1 1/16 Miles
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds
1    Evita Argentina     Alex Solis         15-1
2    Persistently        Alan Garcia        15-1
3    Black Magic Mama    Rafael Bejarano    15-1
4    Sky Diva            Ramon Dominguez     7-2
5    Be Smart            Garrett Gomez      15-1 
6    Van Lear Rose       Chantal Sutherland 30-1
7    Dave's Revenge      Joel Rosario       30-1
8    C.S. Silk           Robby Albarado     15-1
9    Palacio de Amor     Victor Espinoza    12-1
10   Stardom Bound       Mike Smith          2-1
11   Pursuit of Glory (IRE) John Murtagh     8-1
12   Dream Empress       Kent Desormeau      6-1
13   Doremifasollatido   Eibar Coa          15-1

Filly and Mare Turf, Total Purse $2,000,000
3+, Fillies & Mares, 1 1/4 Miles (Turf) 
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds
1    Sealy Hill          Patrick Husbands   15-1
2    Vacare              Jose Valdivia Jr.  10-1
3    Forever Together    Julien Leparoux     6-1
4    Visit (GB)          Ryan Moor          15-1
5    Wait a While        John Velazquez      3-1
6    Dynaforce           Alan Garcia         6-1
7    Mauralakana (FR)    Kent Desormeaux     5-1
8    Halfway to Heaven (IRE) John Murtagh    4-1
9    Folk Opera (IRE)    Frankie Dettori    10-1  
10   Pure Clan           Edgar Prad         15-1

Ladies' Classic, Total Purse $2,000,000, 3+, Fillies & Mares 1 1/8 Miles 
Post Horse               Jockey             Odds
1    Zenyatta            Mike Smith          3-5 
2    Hystericalady       Garrett Gomez      15-1
3    Cocoa Beach (CHI)   Ramon Dominguez     8-1
4    Music Note          Javier Castellano   6-1
5    Carriage Trail      Kent Desormeaux     8-1  
6    Ginger Punch        Rafael Bejarano     9-2
7    Santa Teresita      Michael Baze       50-1
8    Bear Now            Eurico Da Silv     30-1

BC Workout in Other Racetracks

At Fair Hill, undefeated Frizette Stakes victress SKY DIVA drilled six furlongs in 1:13 on the Tapeta training surface. The Steve Klesaris pupil is a leading contender in the Juvenile Fillies.

Also for Klesaris, unbeaten Monmouth N.A.T.C. Futurity winner FORTY THIEVES, on the also-eligible list for the Juvenile, sped five panels in 1:01. The Florida-bred has won both of his starts by a combined 13 1/4 lengths.

On a fast track at Laurel, Turf Sprint contender HEROS REWARD traveled five-eighths in 1:01 2/5. The Dale Capuano charge is coming off a close fourth as the defending champion in the Nearctic Stakes.

COMMUNIQUE, who was a solid second in the Beverly D. Stakes two prior, breezed three-eighths in :36 3/5 over the Polytrack at Keeneland. The Rusty Arnold trainee is pointing toward the Filly & Mare Turf.

Two-time Bernard Baruch Handicap star SHAKIS(Ire) smoked a half-mile in :47 3/5, the second swiftest of 75 drills at the trip. The Kiaran McLaughlin charge is pointing toward a go in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Also drilling in :47 3/5 was impressive Jessamine Stakes victress LARAGH, who is limbering up for the Juvenile Fillies Turf

Arlington-Washington Futurity winner TERRAIN exercised in :48 2/5 in advance of the Juvenile. The Albert Stall Jr. pupil exits a runner-up performance in the Breeders' Futurity.

Recent Super Derby romper MY PAL CHARLIE, who is pre-entered in the Dirt Mile, got his breeze in :50 4/5 for Stall.

At Golden Gate Fields, multiple Grade 3 heroine INDYANNE blitzed four panels in :46 3/5 on the Tapeta in preparation for the Filly & Mare Sprint.

Breeders' Cup Workout at Hollywood Park

At Hollywood Park, likely Juvenile Fillies favorite STARDOM BOUND smoked five-eighths in :59 1/5 on the Cushion Track. The Chris Paasch filly has captured the Del Mar Debutante Stakes and Oak Leaf in smashing style.

Multiple Grade 1 winner TIAGO worked six panels in 1:12 3/5. Fifth in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic in Monmouth Park, the John Shirreffs charge will bid to improve on that performance this year.

Grade 2 winner AWESOME GEM, runner-up in the All American Stakes, posted 1:11 4/5. The Craig Dollase trainee has the Classic as his first preference, with the Mile second.

Santa Lucia H. scorer SANTA TERESITA, third in the Lady's Secret Stakes, finished up in 1:14 2/5.

Full brothers SLEW'S TIZNOW and SLEW'S TIZZY strode in 1:12 4/5 and 1:13 3/5, respectively, for O'Neill. Grade 2-winning Slew's Tizzy, a four-year-old, is on the also-eligible list for the Turf Sprint, his first preference, and the Dirt Mile. Grade 1-placed Slew's Tiznow, who landed the El Cajon Stakes in his belated sophomore debut, is ranked ahead of his older brother on the also-eligible list for the Dirt Mile.

Breeders' Cup Workout at Santa Anita

Many Breeders' Cup contenders completed their final workouts at Santa Anita Park on Saturday in preparation for big races this weekend. I hope this workout report helps you bet on winning Breeders' Cup horses.

WAIT A WHILE is a Todd Pletcher's prime contender in the Filly & Mare Turf. WAIT A WHILE exercised five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 on the firm turf.

On the Pro-Ride, GINGER PUNCH worked five panels in 1:00 3/5 in advance of a title defense in the Ladies' Classic (Distaff).

Ladies' Classic threat COCOA BEACH, who upset Ginger Punch in the Beldame Stakes in their latest, blasted her five-eighths in a bullet :57 4/5. The Godolphin filly's work was easily the fastest of 54 at the distance.

INDIAN BLESSING, a 6 1/4-length romper in the Gallant Bloom Handicap, blitzed in :59 1/5 in preparation for the Filly & Mare Sprint.

ZAFTIG, the last horse to beat Indian Blessing when capturing the Acorn Stakes, zipped six furlongs in a bullet 1:11 2/5, best of 22 trials at the trip. The Jimmy Jerkens filly, who has been sidelined by injury since that June 7 contest, will return to action in the Filly & Mare Sprint.

Three-time Grade 1 queen MUSIC NOTE traveled five panels in 1:00 3/5. The winner of the Mother Goose Stakes, Coaching Club American Oaks and Gazelle Stakes by commanding margins, the Godolphin filly will tackle older stakes rivals for the first time in the Ladies' Classic.

Breeders' Futurity Stakes romper SQUARE EDDIE, a leading contender in the Juvenile, negotiated six furlongs in 1:15 2/5 for new trainer Doug O'Neill.

Just a Game Stakes heroine VENTURA scorched five-eighths in :58 3/5. The Judmonte Farms homebred has the Filly & Mare Sprint as her first preference, but she also holds a pre-entry in the Mile.

Canadian Horse of the Year SEALY HILL went in :59 3/5 in preparation for the Filly & Mare Turf.

Ancient Title Stakes winner COST OF FREEDOM stopped the watch in :59 2/5 in his tune-up for the Sprint.

Grade 1 veteran IN SUMMATION rattled off a half-mile in :47 4/5 as he eyes a rematch in the Sprint.

Multiple Grade 2 victor WHATSTHESCRIPT completed his seven-panel drill in 1:26 2/5.

San Pasqual Handicap winner king ZAPPA zoomed in 1:25 2/5. The John Sadler charge, who galloped by 6 1/4 lengths in the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II H. earlier this season, will stretch back out to that distance for the Marathon.

Grade 2 vixen and Ladies' Classic contender BEAR NOW, who is exiting a four-length tally in the Kentucky Cup Distaff, strolled five-eighths in 1:03 2/5.

Unbeaten Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes scorer WEST SIDE BERNIE darted four furlongs in :47 3/5 as he gears up for the Juvenile.

Best Pal Stakes winner AZUL LEON, sixth in the Norfolk Stakes and looking to rebound in the Juvenile, covered three-quarters in 1:14 2/5.

Windy Sands Handicap winner ALBERTUS MAXIMUS ripped five panels in :59 1/5. Third in the Goodwood in his latest, the Vladimir Cerin trainee is reverting in trip for the Dirt Mile.

Natalma Stakes winner C KARMA went in :59 4/5 in advance of the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Oak Leaf Stakes fourth BLACK MAGIC MAMA worked six furlongs in 1:14 3/5. The O'Neill-trained maiden is on the also-eligible list for the Juvenile Fillies, her first preference, and the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Zenyatta, Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic Favorite

Zenyatta, a gigantic 4-year-old who stands more than 17 hands tall, has become the top filly in America, winning all eight of her starts. Zenyatta started attracting national attention in April when she ran down Ginger Punch, last year's Eclipse Award-winning older mare, in the Grade I Apple Blossom at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park. Last month at Santa Anita, Zenyatta defeated another top mare, Hystericalady, in the Grade I Lady's Secret Stakes. Zenyatta has earned $1,064,580.

Zenyatta will have her biggest test yet in Friday's $2-million Breeders' Cup 2008 Ladies' Classic at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita. She's one of the favorites of the highlight race on the first of a two-day Breeders' Cup extravaganza that features 14 races and $25.5 million in purses. The unbeaten Zenyatta will face Cocoa Beach, Ginger Punch, Hystericalady, Music Note, and Carriage Trail in Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic. Because of the depth of quality in the Ladies' Classic, only eight horses were entered, the smallest of the Breeders' Cup fields.

Breeders' Cup Classic Field

16 horses were pre-entered to the Breeders' Cup Classic. Curlin, Go Between, and Well Armed won Win and You're In races and were first in. Colonel John, Pyro, Smooth Air, Student Council, and Tiago got the next five slots, based on points in graded stakes. The committee gave the final six spots to Casino Drive, Champs Elysee, Duke of Marmalade, Henrythenavigator, Mast Track, and Raven's Pass. The committee made Fairbanks and Awesome Gem alternates, in that order. They draw in if someone from the main body of the race defects between now and entry time Tuesday.

In the Classic, seven of the 16 horses were pre-entered in two races. Fairbanks (Marathon) and Well Armed (Dirt Mile) were denoted as having first preference in other races, so, in essence, all who want to run in the Classic likely will be able to run.

Casino Drive (Marathon), Mast Track (Dirt Mile), Pyro (Dirt Mile), Raven's Pass (Mile), and Awesome Gem (Mile) all have the Classic as their first choice, though they were cross-entered.

Here are the pre-entries for the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic.

Casino Drive (Victor Espinoza)
Champs Elysee (Alan Garcia)
Colonel John (Edgar Prado)
Curlin (Robby Albarado)
Duke of Marmalade (either John Murtagh or John Velasquez)
Go Between (Garrett Gomez)
Henrythenavigator (Velasquez or Murtagh)
Mast Track (Tyler Baze)
Pyro
Raven's Pass (Jimmy Fortune)
Smooth Air (Manoel Cruz)
Student Council (Shaun Bridgmohan)
Tiago (Mike Smith)
Well Armed (Aaron Gryder)

Fairbanks and Awesome Gem (Rafael Bejarano) currently outside looking in.

Breeders Cup Entries

A total of 210 pre-entries were announced October 16, with 180 horses pre-entered for the 14 Breeders' Cup 2008 races, to be run at Santa Anita on Friday and Saturday, October 24th and 25th.

This year’s Breeders’ Cup also features a record seven former Breeders’ Cup winners. Last year’s winners looking to make it back-to-back victories are Curlin, Midnight Lute (Sprint), Kip Deville (Mile), Indian Blessing (Juvenile Fillies), and Ginger Punch (Distaff). Better Talk Now (2004 Turf) and Red Rocks (2006 Turf) are also back.

Because of the number of races, a total of 30 horses pre-entered in more than one race. Of the 14 races, seven were oversubscribed, with 21 pre-entered in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, and 19 in the Filly & Mare Sprint, the Juvenile Turf, and the new Turf Sprint.

Aidan O’Brien tops all trainers with 10 horses pre-entered in eight different races. John Sadler has pre-entered seven horses in seven different races. Todd Pletcher, who went 0-for-17 in the Breeders’ Cup two years ago, has only six pre-entered this year, but they are a sneaky half-dozen, with all having a legitimate shot to win.

Breeders' Cup 2008 Post Time

The Breeders' Cup post time and race order for the two Breeders' Cup cards at Santa Anita on October 24 and 25 was released today.

Championship Friday will be a 10 race program, beginning at 2:05 p.m. (et) 11:05 a.m. (pt) with two Santa Anita allowance races followed by five Breeders' Cup races (ESPN2, 3:30-6:30 p.m. et) on the first ever major racing card devoted exclusively to female horses: Sentient Flight Group Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint; Grey Goose Juvenile Fillies Turf; Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic. Friday's program concludes with the Las Palmas Handicap and two Santa Anita allowance races.

Championship Saturday (ABC 1:00-3:30 p.m.; ESPN 3:30-7:00 p.m. et) features nine open Breeders' Cup races on an 11 race card, starting with the Breeders' Cup Marathon at 1:10 p.m. et (10:10 a.m. pt), followed by the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, TVG Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Breeders' Cup Mile, Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Sentient Flight Group Breeders' Cup Sprint, Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf and the Breeders' Cup Classic. Post time for the Classic will be 6:45 p.m. et. The Damascus Stakes and Oak Tree Derby follow the Classic.

Friday October 24th
TV Coverage: ESPN2, 3 PM - 6:30 PM(EST)
Race                     Post Time(EST)
Filly & Mare Sprint      3:35 p.m.
Juvenile Fillies Turf    4:15 p.m.
Juvenile Fillies (Gr.I)  4:55 p.m.
Filly & Mare Turf (Gr.I) 5:35 p.m.
Ladies' Classic (Gr.I)   6:15 p.m.

Saturday October 25th 
TV Coverage: ABC, 1 PM - 3:30 PM and ESPN, 3:30 PM - 7 PM(EST)
Race                      Post (EST)
Marathon                  1:10 p.m.
Turf Sprint               1:50 p.m.
Dirt Mile                 2:30 p.m.
Mile (Gr.I)               3:15 p.m.
Juvenile (Gr.I)           3:55 p.m.
Juvenile Turf             4:35 p.m.
Sprint (Gr.I)             5:15 p.m.
Turf (Gr.I)               6:00 p.m.
Classic (Gr.I)            6:45 p.m.

No Matchup between Big Brown and Curlin in the Breeders Cup

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown injured his right front foot during a workout at Aqueduct Race Course in New York and ended his racing career. Michael Iavarone of IEAH Stables, co-owners of Big Brown, said the 3-year-old colt tore a three-inch piece of flesh off the foot after it collided with his right rear foot while working over Aqueduct's turf course with stablemate Kip Deville.

Iavarone said the injury would take around two months to heal, making it impossible for Kentucky Derby winner, Big Brown to run in The Breeders' Cup Classic. With the strapping bay due at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Ky. by the end of the year to begin his stud career, Iavarone said there simply isn't enough time to get Big Brown back on the track one last time.

Breeders' Cup president Greg Avioli said Big Brown's health was the highest priority. "We are disappointed that Big Brown will not be able to compete in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic racing but are glad to hear that he is expected to make a full recovery from the injury he sustained earlier today".

Big Brown's retirement leaves the spotlight squarely on Curlin, who became the first North American horse to eclipse $10 million in earnings with a victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park last month.

Curlin is already at Santa Anita. He was scheduled to have a five-furlong work over the track's artificial surface Monday.

Breeders' Cup wagering calculator

With its combination of large fields and numerous exotic wagers, just calculating the cost of a pick four ticket or superfecta wager on the Breeders’ Cup can make a handicapper’s hair hurt.

A feature added for 2008 on the Breeders’ Cup website addresses the problem. The Breeders’ Cup betting calculator allows players to determine the cost of exacta, trifecta, superfecta, pick three, pick four, and pick six wagers when multiple horses are entered.

To try out, click here

Commentator Off the Breeders' Cup Trail

Nick Zito said Commentator, the winner of the Whitney Handicap and Massachusetts Handicap this year, will not race in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic and may not race again until next year.

"He had his first workout since the race on Monday," Zito said by phone from Saratoga, where Commentator worked a half-mile in 49.03 seconds. "He was supposed to work last Thursday, but he wasn't up to it. After talking to all the people who care for the horse, and who get on his back, like his exercise rider, Carlos Correa, I just don't think he's ready to travel." He added "I have to give him more time in between works. I think the best thing is to wait. If we can find something at the end of the year, fine. If not, we'll try to chase Kelso next year."

Commentator, 7, is a gelding who has been raced sparingly throughout his career. He has made just 20 starts, but has won 13 of them. He has made five starts this year, winning four, and raced just four times last year.

Juddmonte Spinster Stakes - Carriage Trail

Carriage Trail won the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes by 7 3/4 lengths in record time for the Polytrack surface at Keeneland racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky., to earn automatic qualification for the October 24 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic at Santa Anita.

Carriage Trail, trained by Shug McGaughey and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.77.

Keeneland, Sunday October 05, 2008 - Race 9
Juddmonte Spinster Stakes
Purse: $500,000 
Distance/Restrictions: 1 1/8M Dirt
3 Year Olds and Up
Here are the race results and payouts
Pgm Horse          Win    Place    Show
4 Carriage Trail  9.20     5.00    3.40
3 Model                    9.20    6.00
11 Rosinka                         7.80 

2008 Lady's Secret Handicap

Jerry and Ann Moss’s brilliant filly Zenyatta lived up to her star billing and 7-to-10 favoritism as she outshined runner-up Hystericalady on Saturday to remain undefeated with a clear win in the $245,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park.

Zenyatta, purchased for $60,000 as a yearling by owners Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss, sent her earnings to $1,064,580 in eight starts. Unbeaten in eight lifetime starts, Zenyatta also earned a starting spot in the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (Grade 1) on October 24 at the Arcadia, California, track.

Oak Tree at Santa Anita - September 27, 2008
$245,000 Lady's Secret Stakes
Pgm Horse              Win   Place    Show
4 Zenyatta            3.40    2.10  
3 Hystericalady               2.10  
5 Santa Teresita    

$1 Exacta (4-3) Paid $2.20
Scratched: Wake Up Maggie (IRE), Also ran: Super Freaky

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes - Raven's Pass

Raven's Pass finally got the better of Henrythenavigator at Ascot on Saturday, fighting off that rival's challenge to win the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes by one length.

Raven's Pass, trained by John Gosden, had run fourth to Henrythenavigator in the English 2000 Guineas and second to him in the St James's Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes. But Henrythenavigator, from trainer Aidan O'Brien's barn, had run fifth behind Goldikova in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp earlier this month and may not be as sharp as he was in the summer.

Both Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator are likely to contest Breeders' Cup races, but neither Gosden nor O'Brien was ready to specify a choice between the Mile and the Classic. With the QE II part of the Breeder's Cup's Win and You're In program, Raven's Pass has an automatic reserved spot in the Mile.

Fillies Mile Stakes - Rainbow View

A daughter of Dynaformer bred and owned by George Strawbridge, Rainbow View is unbeaten in four races. She is unlikely to run again before next year, although her victory earned a Win and You're In spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

2008 Breeders' Cup TV Schedule

Television coverage for the Breeders' Cup will be on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2. Friday will be Ladies Day with five races for the distaff divisions with the feature race being the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. Saturday will have nine races ranging from the 6 furlong Breeders' Cup Sprint to the new 1 1/2 mile Breeders' Cup Marathon, with the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic still the feature race on Saturday. Race order and post times have yet to be decided.

Friday, October 24, 3:30-6:30pm (EST), ESPN2

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint       ESPN2
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf     ESPN2 
Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic           ESPN2
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf         ESPN2
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies          ESPN2

Saturday, October 25
1:00-3:30pm (EST), ABC
3:30-7:00pm (EST), ESPN

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile                 ABC
Breeders' Cup Juvenile                  ABC
Breeders' Cup Mile                      ABC
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint               ABC 
Breeders' Cup Marathon                  ABC
Breeders' Cup Sprint                   ESPN
Breeders' Cup Classic                  ESPN
Breeders' Cup Turf                     ESPN
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf            ESPN

Jockey Club Gold Cup - Curlin

Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin became the winningest horse in North American racing history as his earnings topped $10.2 million with the victory in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at a rainy Belmont Park.

The four-year-old colt, trained by Steve Asmussen and owned by California vintner Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables, added $450,000 to his career earnings for a total of $10,246,800, surpassing the 12-year-old record of $9,999,815.

Curlin's next race may be a showdown with 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown in the Breeders' Cup Classic on October 25 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.

Belmont Park, 10th Race Results and Payouts - September 27, 2008
$750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup 
Pgm Horse                  Win   Place   Show
5 Curlin                   2.80   2.10    2.10
4 Wanderin Boy                    4.20    3.70
2 Merchant Marine                         5.70
$2 Exacta (5-4) Paid $9.40, $2 Trifecta (5-4-2) Paid $49.20, 
$2 Superfecta (5-4-2-9) Paid $120.00

Jockey Club Gold Cup Entries and Post time

Curlin, 2007 Horse of the Year, will attempt to garner his second consecutive victory in Saturday's $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. A win in the 1 1/4 mile race is worth $450,000 and would make Curlin the first $10 million horse in thoroughbred history. The two-time Eclipse Award winner will face eight challengers with a victory giving the winner automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Classic.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup will be televised live on ESPNEWS. It will be the 10th race on an 11-race card, with a scheduled post-time of 5:52 p.m. Here are entries for the 90th running of Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational and the post time. I will post Morning Lines and Curlin's horse betting odds to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup whenever they become available.
MLs been added.

Belmont Park 10th Race (5:52 EST, September 27, 2008)
Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (Grade 1)
1 1/4 Miles | Filly & Mare | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $750,000
Post # Horse                Jockey               ML
1 Ravel                     Bejarano R         30-1 
2 Merchant Marine           Velasquez C        12-1
3 Timber Reserve            Desormeaux K J     12-1
4 Wanderin Boy              Garcia Alan        10-1
5 Curlin                    Albarado R J        3-5
6 Angliana                  Maragh R           30-1
7 A. P. Arrow               Dominguez R A      20-1
8 Stones River              Saez G             20-1
9 Mambo in Seattle          Prado E S           7-2

Curlin vs. Big Brown in the Breeders' Cup Classic

Curlin's owner Jess Jackson has yet to commit Curlin to a defense of his Breeders' Cup Classic title at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting, but he is in the process of doing due diligence. He already has made one site survey at Santa Anita to see the installation of the synthetic Pro-Ride surface, and on Tuesday's conference call, he said he intended to make another visit to Santa Anita quite soon.

Jackson said other races under consideration for Curlin are the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28, and the Japan Cup Dirt on Dec. 7. This year's Japan Cup Dirt will be run at Hanshin over a clockwise, or right-handed, course.

"So much depends on the condition of the horse," Jackson said regarding the Breeders' Cup. He said other factors to consider, besides the new Pro-Ride surface, are getting Curlin acclimated to the surface before the race, as well as "my desire to see him run against the best anywhere."
Jackson said he had no interest in running in a match race against Big Brown.

Tiznow Handicap - Jonesboro

Two-time Grade 3 winner Jonesboro secured a berth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile with a front-running 1 3/4-length victory on Saturday in the $151,500 Tiznow Handicap at Louisiana Downs. Jonesboro has won 11 of 33 starts and earned $836,575 for trainer Randy Morse. Bred by Jayeff B Stables, Jonesboro is out of the Top Command mare Mom's Command, the Eclipse Award winner as 1985 champion three-year-old filly and a 2007 inductee into the Racing Hall of Fame.
Trainer: Randy L. Morse
Owner: Michael Langford
2008 Record: 8-3-2-0
2008 Earnings: $251,660

Louisiana Downs 
$150,000 Tiznow Handicap Results and Payouts
Pgm     Horse             Win    Place    Show 
4       Jonesboro        3.60     2.20    2.10  
7       Autobeacat                3.00    2.40  
5       Smokeyjonessutton                 2.60

Massachusetts Handicap - Commentator

Heavily favored Commentator won the 66th Massachusetts Handicap by 14 lengths on Saturday, beating an overmatched field over 1 1-8 miles at Suffolk Downs. Commentator earned $300,000 for his record MassCap victory, boosting his career earnings to more than $1.8 million. The win also places him in the top-10 nationwide in purse earnings in 2008. By winning Massachusetts Handicap, Commentator won a berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic, but Zito, who sang the praises of the Suffolk Downs dirt racing surface, said he would wait before making a decision whether to send Commentator to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Zito is also an outspoken critic of artificial racing surfaces, such as the one recently installed at Santa Anita.
Trainer: Nicholas P. Zito
Owner: Tracy Farmer
2008 Record: 5-4-1-0
2008 Earnings: $1,025,700

Suffolk Downs Results and Payouts 
$500,000 Massachusetts Handicap
Pgm    Horse              Win    Place    Show 
2      Commentator       2.20     2.20    2.20 
3      Won Awesome Dude           4.60    3.00 
4      Cuba                               2.80 
$2 Exacta (2-3) Paid $9.00, $2 Trifecta (2-3-4) 
Paid $28.60, $1 Superfecta (2-3-4-6) Paid $21.30

Rish Free Betting Against Big Brown

I found this interesting horse racing props - Betting against Big Brown in the Breeders' Cup.

Here are the details.
- Place a bet on any of the other Breeders' Cup contenders and if your horse wins, you win. If Big Brown wins, you will have your money back. Basically either a horse you pick wins, or Big Brown wins, you keep your wagering money. If your horse wins, you get your winning money extra.

Click to see the details of this Big Brown prop bets.

Natalma Stakes - C Karma

C Karma rated off the pace in Sunday's $150,000 Natalma Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack, began a run leaving the turn and got home first, a neck in front of Freyga. C Karma, a Florida-bred daughter of Exchange Rate, finished the 1 mile on turf in 1:40.74.
C Karma earned a starting spot in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on October 24 at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park with this win.

Trainer: Gregory de Gannes
Last Jockey: Jono C. Jones
Owner: Pamela F. Edel
2008 Record: 5-2-1-2
2008 Earnings: $153,810

Natalma Stakes Results and Payouts

Pgm Horse             Win   Place   Show 
5   C Karma         11.70   6.20    4.40  
8   Freyga                 28.80   13.00  
10  Koonunga Hill                   6.30

Woodbine Mile - Rahy's Attorney

Canadian-owned Rahy's Attorney won the $1 million Woodbine Mile on Sunday. All eyes in the race were squarely on American horse Kip Deville, North America's top-ranked miler trained by Rick Dutrow Jr., the conditioner for Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown. But like Big Brown, who finished last in the Belmont in his quest for the U.S. Triple Crown horse racing, Kip Deville struggled badly when the race was on the line.

With the win, Rahy's Attorney clinched a berth in the Breeders' Cup Mile on October 25.

Trainer: Ian Black
Owners: Ellie Boje Farm, Peters, Read, Jean and Jim MacLe
2008 Record: 6-2-1-1
2008 Earnings: $783,488

Woodbine, 9th Race 
$1,078,200 Woodbine Mile Stakes Results and Payouts
Pgm Horse             Win   Place   Show
2 Rahy's Attorney   27.30    8.70   9.30
8 Ventura                    4.20   4.90
3 Just Rushing                      9.90
$2 Exactor (2-8) Paid $107.60, $2 Triactor (2-8-3) 
Paid $757.90, $1 Pick 3 (4-8-2) 3 Correct Paid $640.60 
Pick 3 Pool $36,343, $1 Superfecta (2-8-3-6) Paid $2,240.60

Turfway Park Fall Championship Stakes - Delightful Kiss

Ridden by Calvin Borel, Delightful Kiss entered Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Turfway Park Fall Championship without having raced over a synthetic track or farther than 1 1/8 miles.
Delightful Kiss qualified for the inaugural running of the Breeders' Cup Marathon next month at Santa Anita. That race is also contested at 1 1/2 miles over a synthetic track.

Trainer: Pete D. Anderson
Owner: Hobeau Farm
2007 Record: 9-3-0-1
2007 Earnings: $465,237

Turfway Park, 9th Race 
$100,000 Turfway Park Fall Championship Stakes
Pgm Horse             Win   Place   Show
2 Delightful Kiss   19.00   11.20   7.60
3 Star Plus (ARG)            8.60   7.00
10 Dominican                        3.80
$2 Exacta (2-3) Paid $121.40, $2 Trifecta (2-3-10) 
Paid $570.40, $2 Daily Double (8-2) Paid $59.20 
Daily Double Pool $4,487, $2 Superfecta (2-3-10-5) 
Paid $6,352.40

Ballerina Stakes - Intangaroo

California-based multiple Grade 1 winner Intangaroo rallied six wide, seized command near midstretch, and posted a 2 3/4-length win in the $239,333 Ballerina Stakes on Sunday. Intangeroo’s victory gave jockey Alonso Quinonez and trainer Gary Sherlock their first career wins at Saratoga Race Course. The win earned Intangaroo an automatic starting spot in the Sentient Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on October 24 at Santa Anita Park.

Intangaroo entered off a fourth-place finish on Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track surface in the A Gleam Handicap on June 28. The Orientate filly earned her fifth win in 13 starts and increased her earnings to $623,231.

Bred in Kentucky by Pollock Farms and Taylor Made Farm, Intangaroo is one of two winners from as many starters out of multiple stakes winner Tasso’s Magic Roo, by Tasso.


Trainer: Gary Sherlock
Last Jockey: Alonso Quinonez
Owner: Tom Grether Farms, Inc.
2008 Record: 6-4-0-1
2008 Earnings: $559,551

Saratoga, 10th Race
$239,333 Ballerina Stakes Racing Results and Payouts
Pgm Horse             Win   Place   Show
1 Intangaroo        12.20   7.00    3.90
7 Miraculous Miss           7.00    3.50
2 Sugar Swirl                       2.90
$2 Exacta (1-7) Paid $81.50, $2 Trifecta (1-7-2) 
Paid $283.50, $2 Superfecta (1-7-2-3) Paid $1,645.00

Pat O'Brien Handicap - Lewis Michael

Frank Calabrese's homebred Lewis Michael got a perfect set-up along the inside to post a runaway upset in the $297,500 Pat O'Brien Handicap at Del Mar on Sunday. 2007 Breeders' Cup Sprint champion Midnight Lute failed to fire in his 2008 debut finishing 10th. Lewis Michael was winless in his previous three starts since earning his first graded stakes victory in the 2007 Washington Park Handicap on Arlington Park’s synthetic Polytrack surface. Lewis Michael entered off a fourth-place finish on turf in the Sea O Erin Handicap in his five-year-old debut on July 26 at the suburban Chicago track.

Lewis Michael earned a berth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint on October 25 at Santa Anita.

Trainer: Wayne M. Catalano
Last Jockey: Rene R. Douglas
Owner: Frank Carl Calabrese
2008 Record: 2-1-0-0
2008 Earnings: $188,700

Del Mar, 8th Race 
$297,500 Pat O'Brien Handicap Horse Betting Results and Payouts
Pgm Horse            Win   Place   Show
4 Lewis Michael    19.20    9.00   5.80
2 Rebellion (GB)            7.20   5.40
6 Barbecue Eddie                   5.40
$1 Exacta (4-2) Paid $50.00, $2 Quinella (2-4) 
Paid $53.00, $1 Trifecta (4-2-6) Paid $438.90, 
$1 Superfecta (4-2-6-8) Paid $1,671.20

Del Mar Mile Handicap - Whatsthescript

Favored Whatsthescript got the fast pace he was looking for and unleashed an eye-catching move down the center of the stretch to capture the $328,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap by three-quarters of a length on the grass August 24 and Whatsthescript earns a spot in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Mile.

Garrett Gomez, Eclipse Award-winning jockey of 2007 who would cap a superb weekend with a victory in the $1-million Pacific Classic in the next race, guided the 4-year-old Irish-bred colt by Royal Applause to victory over Bold Chieftain. The latter finished a game second by a neck over 29-1 shot Global Hunter.

Trainer: John W. Sadler
Last Jockey: Garrett K. Gomez
Owner: Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLC
2008 Record: 3-2-1-0
2008 Earnings: $410,000

Del Mar, 9th Race - August 24, 2008
$328,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap
Pgm Horse                  Win  Place   Show
4 Whatsthescript (IRE)    6.00   3.40   2.80
5 Bold Chieftain                 6.40   4.60
6 Global Hunter (ARG)                   8.00
$1 Exacta (4-5) Paid $20.50, $2 Quinella (4-5) Paid $22.80, 
$1 Trifecta (4-5-6) Paid $255.40, $1 Superfecta (4-5-6-8) 
Paid $1,364.30

Rancho Bernardo Handicap - Dearest Trickski

In Sunday's $200,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar, the speedy 4-year-old filly, Dearest Trickski won her fourth stakes in the last year, leading throughout. Ridden by Mike Smith, Dearest Trickski ($6.20) held off a late run from Tiz Elemental to win by a nose, finishing 6 1/2 furlongs in a track-record time of 1:15.17. The victory earned Dearest Trickski an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita on October 24.

Trainer: John W. Sadler
Last Jockey: Mike E. Smith
Owner: Tom Mankiewicz
2008 Record: 4-3-0-0
2008 Earnings: $379,608

Del Mar, 7th Race - August 24, 2008
$200,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap
Pgm Horse                  Win   Place   Show
7 Dearest Trickski         6.20   4.20   3.40
5 Tiz Elemental                  10.40   6.40
4 La Tee                                11.60
$1 Exacta (7-5) Paid $27.70, $2 Quinella (5-7) 
Paid $34.20, $1 Trifecta (7-5-4) Paid $285.90, 
$1 Superfecta (7-5-4-1) Paid $1,464.90

Pacific Classic Stakes - Go Between

Go Between earned an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic on October 25. Go Between won the most prestigious race of his career in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar, his second victory in a $1 million race this year. In January, he won the Sunshine Millions Classic for California-breds and Florida-breds at Santa Anita. In between, he finished second in the Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup.
Trainer: William I. Mott
Last Jockey: Garrett K. Gomez
Owner: Peter Vegso
2008 Record: 5-2-3-0
2008 Earnings: $1,530,000

Del Mar, 10th Race - August 24, 2008
$1,000,000 Pacific Classic Stakes Results and Payouts
Pgm Horse           Win   Place   Show
6   Go Between     7.60    4.20   3.00
7   Well Armed             7.60   5.60
8   Mast Track                    5.80
$1 Exacta (6-7) Paid $34.30, $2 Quinella (6-7) 
Paid $33.00, $1 Trifecta (6-7-8) Paid $164.00, 
$1 Superfecta (6-7-8-3) Paid $1,672.20

2008 Longacres Mile - Wasserman

Wasserman, a 10-1 longshot and a Washington bred, made Jennifer Whitaker the first woman jockey to win the Longacres Mile. Wasserman earned an automatic berth in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile on October 25.

$272,500 Longacres Mile H. (G3)
Pgm Horse              Win   Place  Show
4 Wasserman          22.40   7.60   3.20
11 True Metropolitan         4.60   3.20
2 Tropic Storm                      2.60
$1 Exacta (4-11) Paid $49.00, $1 Trifecta (4-11-2) 
Paid $129.00, $1 Superfecta (4-11-2-10) Paid $3,171.00

2008 Sword Dancer Invitational - Grand Couturier

Trainer Robert Ribaudo credited a firm turf and a strong early pace for helping Grand Couturier win the Sword Dancer Invitational in 2007. Though neither condition was prevalent on Saturday, Grand Couturier still found a way to win the Grade 1, $500,000 Sword Dancer again. Grand Couturier has earned an automatic berth into the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf, to be run on Oct. 25 at Santa Anita.
Here is the race reply and the Sword Dancer Invitational Results!

$500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational S. (G1)
Pgm Horse                 Win   Place   Show
2 Grand Couturier (GB)    9.30   4.80   3.70
6 Better Talk Now                4.30   3.50
4 Interpatation                         5.50
$2 Exacta (2-6) Paid $32.00, $2 Trifecta (2-6-4) Paid $337.00
Scratched: Champs Elysees (GB) and Red Rocks (IRE), 
Also ran: Presious Passion, Dancing Forever and Equitable

Beverly D. Stakes - Mauralakana

Mauralakana was scheduled to be retired to the breeding shed after Saturday's $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes, but after a 1 1/4-length win under Kent Desormeaux, the Christophe Clement trainee will now begin preparing for the October 24 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita. The bay five-year-old earned an automatic berth in that 11-furlong grass event when finishing the 1 3/16-mile Beverly D. in 1:55 on the firm turf.

Winners and Results
Pgm Horse           Jockey                 Win  Place  Show
4 Mauralakana       Kent J. Desormeaux     6.80  4.00  3.40
8 Communique        Rene R. Douglas              9.00  6.00
7 Toque de Queda    Murtagh J P                        13.00

Arlington Million - Sprit One

France-bred Spirit One with Ioritz Mendizabal aboard, held off favored Archipenko, ridden by Kevin Shea, in Saturday's Grade I Arlington Million horse racing on turf in Arlington Heights, Ill. The victory in the 1 1/4 mile grass race gave Spirit One automatic entry into the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf.

Trainer: Philippe Demercastel
Owner: Kamel Chehboub

2008 Record: 1-1-0-0
2008 Earnings: $594,000

2008 Arlington Million Results and Payouts
Pgm Horse           Win  Place  Show
3 Spirit One (FR)  29.40 10.20  6.00
1 Archipenko              3.40  2.60
7 Mount Nelson (GB)             4.00
$2 Exacta (3-1) Paid $68.40, $2 Trifecta (3-1-7) 
Paid $264.20, $2 Superfecta (3-1-7-8) Paid $1,930.00

John C.Mabee Handicap - Black Mamba

Black Mamba defeated I Can See by a half-length to win Sunday's $400,000 John C. Mabee Handicap at Del Mar after being trapped along the rail until deep in the stretch. Black Mamba's victory earned her a spot in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf on Oct. 24 at Santa Anita.

Trainer: John W. Sadler
Last Jockey: Garrett K. Gomez
Owner : Double Down Stables, Inc.

2008 Record: 5-2-2-1
2008 Earnings: $409,294

Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Black Mamba ran 1 1-8 miles on the turf in 1:47.11 and paid $3.80, $3 and $2.40 as the odds-on favorite.

 Horse             Win Place Show
1 Black Mamba (NZ) 3.80 3.00 2.40
8 I Can See            10.60 5.80
6 Passified (GB)             3.20
$1 Exacta (1-8) Paid $31.70, $2 Quinella (1-8) Paid $39.20, 
$1 Trifecta (1-8-6) Paid $143.10, $1 Superfecta (1-8-6-5) 
Paid $437.90

Cougar II Handicap - Zappa

Zappa earned an automatic berth to the $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting with his win in Wednesday’s $150,000 Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar.

Trainer: John W. Sadler
Jockey: Garrett K. Gomez
Owner: Barber, Gary and Cecil

2008 Record: 7-2-0-1
2008 Earnings: $213,812

Zappa paid $9.80, $4.80 and $3. Tissy Fit returned $5.40 and $2.40, giving trainer John Sadler a 1-2 finish in the race. Big Booster, the 3-5 wagering favorite, was another two lengths back in third and paid $2.10 to show.

A.G. Vanderbilt Handicap - Abraaj

Shadwell Stable's Abraaj earned his first stakes victory with a late rally in Saturday's $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G2), closing with a rush to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee completed six furlongs in 1:10 1/5 over Saratoga's fast track and has now earned $338,050 from a 13-5-4-2 line. By finally taking this event, Abraaj has earned an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

 
Pgm Horse            Win Place  Show
5 Abraaj            5.40  3.10  2.40
2 First Defence           4.10  3.00
4 Sammarco                      5.10
$2 Exacta (5-2) Paid $20.60, $2 Trifecta (5-2-4) Paid $135.00

Diana Stakes - Forever Together

Augustin Stables’ late-running Forever Together surged into contention from the outside and wore down runner-up Dynaforce late to win the $500,000 Diana Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. It was the first graded-stakes turf win for the 4-year-old roan filly, who has dramatically improved since she switched surfaces.
Trainer: Jonathan E. Sheppard
Jockey: Julien R. Leparoux
Owner: Augustin Stable
2008 Record: 4-2-0-1
2008 Earnings: $374,760

Pgm Horse               Win    Place   Show
8 Forever Together      20.00   8.20   5.80
2 Dynaforce                     5.10   3.70
7 Rutherienne                          5.20
$2 Exacta (8-2) Paid $126.50, $2 Trifecta (8-2-7) Paid $866.00, $2 Superfecta (8-2-7-5) Paid $4,483.00

Go For Wand Handicap - Ginger Punch

Ginger Punch earned an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic, formerly the Distaff. She'll likely run next in the Grade I, $600,000 Beldame for fillies and mares at nine furlongs at Belmont on Sept. 27, but trainer Bobby Frankel would also consider Ginger Punch for the Grade I, $400,000 Personal Ensign on Aug. 22 at
Trainer: Robert J. Frankel
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Owner: Stronach Stables
2008 Record: 5-4-0-1
2008 Earnings: $803,924

Pgm Horse         Win   Place   Show
1 Ginger Punch   2.40   2.30    2.10
5 Copper State          5.80    3.30
3 Indescribable                 3.30
$2 Exacta (1-5) Paid $13.60, $2 Trifecta (1-5-3) Paid $51.50

Whitney Handicap - Commentator

Commentator, the 2005 champ, went wire-to-wire Saturday to register his second victory in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga. The win secures a spot for Commentator into the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Saturday, October 25.
Trainer: Nicholas P. Zito
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Owner: Tracy Farmer
2008 Record: 4-3-1-0
2008 Earnings: $725,700

Pgm Horse             Win   Place    Show
1   Commentator     10.80    6.20    4.30
10  Student Council          7.60    4.70
8   Grasshopper                      4.80
$2 Exacta (1-10) Paid $100.00, $2 Trifecta (1-10-8) Paid $624.00, $2 Superfecta (1-10-8-3) Paid $3,342.00
 

4 Breeders' Cup Challenge Races and Post Positions

4 Breeders' Cup Challenge races will be run at Saratoga tomorrow. ABC will telecast the races.

Here are runners of each race, post positions, jockeys, trainers, and morning lines.
- Whitney Handicap (Gr I), Breeders' Cup Classic

PP Horse           Jockey         Trainer         Wt. ML
1 Commentator      Velazquez J R  Zito Nicholas P 120 3-1
2 Solar Flare      Saez G         Jones J Larry   115 4-1
3 Notional         Prado E S      Hennig Mark     116 5-1
4 Cowtown Cat      Bejarano R     Pletcher Todd A 114 20-1
5 Merchant Marine  Maragh R       Jerkens H Allen 113 15-1
6 Tasteyville      Luzzi M J      Kelly Patrick J 115 12-1
7 Rising Moon      Velasquez C    Dutrow, Jr. R E 115 10-1
8 Grasshopper      Albarado R J   Howard Neil J   116 10-1
9 A. P. Arrow      Dominguez R A  Pletcher Todd A 116 10-1
10 Student Council Bridgmohan S X Asmussen Steven M 117 6-1
11 Timber Reserve  Castellano J J Kimmel John C   115 20-1

- Go For Wand (Gr I), Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic

 
PP Horse         Jockey         Trainer            Wt. ML
1 Ginger Punch   Bejarano R     Frankel Robert     124 1-2
8 Spring Waltz   Castellano J J Frankel Robert     117 1-2
2 Inside Passage Coa E M        Tagg Barclay       113 15-1
3 Indescribable  Desormeaux K J Mott William I     115 15-1
4 Moon Catcher   Prado E S      Clement Christophe 115 5-1
5 Copper State   Bridgmohan S X Asmussen Steven M  114 10-1
6 Runway Rosie   Maragh R       Contessa Gary C    114 8-1
7 Over Under     Albarado R J   Stewart Dallas     113 20-1

- Diana Stakes (Gr I), Breeders' Cup F&M Turf

 
PP Horse           Jockey          Trainer              ML
1 Bit of Whimsy    Coa E M Tagg    Barclay             12-1
2 Dynaforce        Desormeaux K J  Mott William I       4-1
3 Bayou's Lassie   Albarado R J    Romans Dale         12-1
4 Wait a While     Bejarano R      Pletcher Todd A      3-1
5 Vacare           Prado E S       Clement Christophe   9-2
6 Criminologist    Velazquez J R   McGaughey III C R    8-1
7 Rutherienne      Gomez G K       Clement Christophe   6-1
8 Forever Together Leparoux J R    Sheppard Jonathan E 15-1
9 Chestoria        Velasquez C     Badgett William Jr  20-1
10 Lady Digby      Dominguez R A   Motion H Graham     10-1

- A.G. Vanderbilt Handciap (Gr II), Breeders' Cup Sprint

PP Horse          Jockey         Trainer             Wt.      ML
1 Thor's Echo     Nakatani C S   O'Neill Doug        118     6-1
2 First Defence   Castellano J J Frankel Robert      116     4-1
3 Black Seventeen Gryder A T     Koriner Brian       116     9-2
4 Sammarco        Hill C         Hushion Michael E   112    15-1
5 Abraaj          Garcia Alan    McLaughlin Kiaran P 115     3-1
6 Bustin Stones   Prado E S      Levine Bruce N      118     2-1
7 E Z Warrior     Desormeaux K J Mott William I      115    15-1

Greenwood Cup - Evening Attire

The 10-year-old gelding earned a spot in the Breeders' Cup Marathon via a Breeders' Cup Challenge victory in the Greenwood Cup at Philadelphia Park on Saturday, July 19, 2008.
Trainer: Patrick J. Kelly
Owners: Grant, Mary and Joseph and Kelly, Thomas J
2008 Record: (6-1-3-0)
2008 Earnings: $227,236

Pgm Horse              Win   Place    Show
6 Evening Attire       6.40   3.20    2.60
5 Phil the Power             13.80    5.60
1 Barcola                             2.10
$2 Exacta (6-5) Paid $80.00, $2 Trifecta (6-5-1) Paid $171.20

San Diego Handicap - Well Armed

Well Armed earned a spot in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile via a Breeders' Cup Challenge victory in the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on Saturday, July 19, 2008.
Trainer: Eoin G. Harty
Owner: WinStar Farm LLC
2008 Record: (4-2-1-1)
2008 Earnings: $960,000

Well Armed was making his first start since his third-place result behind Curlin in the Dubai World Cup in March. Earlier this year the five-year-old gelding defeated Heatseeker in the San Antonio Handicap at Santa Anita and was second in the San Pasqual behind Zappa and ahead of Heatseeker. The San Diego victory was worth $180,000 to bring Well Armed's career earnings to just over $1 million. The gelding has five wins in 17 career starts.

Well Armed returned $5.40, $3.60 and $2.80. Surf Cat paid $4.40 and $3.40, and Mostacolli Mort paid $4.60 to show.

Breeders' Cup Fantasy Challenge Began

The Breeder’s Cup kicks off on Jul 5, as does the 2008 Breeder’s Cup Fantasy Challenge. In the Fantasy Challenge, fantasy players place mythical bets on one horse per race to win and place. Based on the odds of the horse to win, fantasy players win (or lose) mythical money as a result.

The top three finishers after the Breeders' Cup Fantasy Challenge is complete on October 9, 2008 earn an automatic berth to the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, to be held January 23-24, 2009, at Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Monthly prizes will also be rewarded at the end of each month and at the end of Breeders’ Cup season (Oct 9);

- July: a trip for two to Seattle for the Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs racetrack.
- August: a trip to Woodbine for the October 4th Breeders’ Cup Challenge races.

Click to go to Breeders' Cup Fantasy Challenge contest!

Smile Sprint Handicap - Benny the Bull

Benny the Bull earned a spot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Sired by the little-known stallion Lucky Lionel, whose only graded stakes winner to date is G3 Las Flores winner Hello Lucky. A G2 winner in France, Lucky Lionel came to America at age 4 and set the 6-1/2 furlong track record at Santa Anita, but never won a domestic stakes. Maternal grandson of Birdonthewire, a two-time Breeders’ Cup Sprint participant.
Trainer: Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.
Owner: IEAH Stables, James, Greg and Cohen, Andrew I.
2008 Starts: 4
2008 Record: 4-4-0-0
2008 Earnings: $1,753,080

Delaware Handicap - Hystericalady

Hystericalady earned a spot in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic via a Breeders' Cup Challenge victory in the Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park on Sunday, July 13, 2008.

Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Owner: Rancho San Miguel, Hollendorfer, Jerry and Todaro
2008 starts: 4
winning: 4-2-0-1
earnings: $352,053

Princess Rooney Handicap - Mistical Plan

Mistical Plan earned a spot in the Sentient Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint via a Breeders' Cup Challenge victory in the Princess Rooney Handicap at Calder Race Course on Saturday, July 12, 2008.

Trainer: Doug F. O'Neill
Owner: J. Paul Reddam
2008 starts: 4
2008 Record: 4-1-0-1
earnings: $282,440

Vindication, son of Seattle Slew, euthanized

Vindication, the Seattle Slew son who won the 2002 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile and was that year’s champion 2-year-old male, died because of a gastric rupture. Vindication had been standing at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Lexington, Kentucky for a fee of $60,000 for a live foal.

A news release said the stallion showed signs of colic last night and was sent to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, where exploratory surgery revealed an irreparable gastric rupture.

As a racehorse, Vindication was four-for-four, winning the Kentucky Cup Juvenile at Turfway Park in 2002 before taking the Breeders’ Cup race at Arlington Park. He suffered a suspensory injury in February 2003 while training for his 3-year-old debut and later was retired without racing again.

Presious Passion Won United Nations Stakes

Presious Passion led from wire to wire in the $750,000 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 5th, holding off Strike a Deal by a neck in the Grade I race on a yielding turf course. Presious Passion earned an automatic berth in the $3-million Breeders’ Cup Turf by winning the United Nations Stakes.

Pgm Horse                     Win   Place   Show
3 Presious Passion          29.60   8.80    5.40
8 Strike a Deal                     4.00    3.00
2 Equitable                                 4.20
$2 Exacta (3-8) Paid $109.20, $1 Trifecta (3-8-2) Paid $330.50, 
$1 Superfecta (3-8-2-5) Paid $1,217.60

Notional Won Salvator Mile

Notional, a Triple Crown contender last year until a fractured leg sent him to the sidelines, reemerged Saturday with a stirring win over Gottcha Gold in the Grade 3, $300,000 Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park. The win assures Notional a berth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita in October.

Pgm Horse              Win   Place    Show
1    Notional         17.80    5.40    2.80
5    Gottcha Gold              2.60    2.10
6    Honest Man                        2.60
$2 Exacta (1-5) Paid $48.40, $1 Trifecta (1-5-6) Paid $89.40, 
$1 Superfecta (1-5-6-4) Paid $212.50

2007 Breeders' Cup Mile - Kip Deville

The $2 million Netjets Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) saw 13 older horses go 1 mile on the soft turf course. Cosmonaut set a pace of 24.26, 49.54, and 1:14.65, and held the lead to the 1/8 pole. However, Kip Deville, who had stalked him in third the whole way, found running room at the top of the stretch and surged to the lead at the 1/16 pole, holding off late-running favorite Excellent Art to win by a length in 1:39.78. Pacesetter Cosmonaut finished another length back in third.

Results and Payouts
Gate   Horse              Win     Place   Show
 8   Kip Deville          $18.40  $7.20   $5.20
 13  Excellent Art (GB)           $4.20   $3.00
 7   Cosmonaut                            $6.60

2007 Breeders' Cup Distaff Recap - Ginger Punch

The $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff features the older fillies and mares, deciding both the older female and 3-year-old filly championships. Canadian hope Bear Now battled on the early pace with Hystericalady for the first 1/2 mile before tiring, but Ginger Punch, who stalked them just off the pace in third, moved up along the rail to challenge for the lead. After a prolonged stretch duel with Hystericalady with some bumping, Ginger Punch pulled ahead in the final strides to win by a neck, and it was another neck back to Octave in third in a 3-way photo finish.

Results and Payouts
Gate   Horse           Win   Place   Show
4   Ginger Punch       $11.00  $6.20  $4.40
12  Hystericalady              $9.60  $7.20
8   Octave                            $5.00

2007 Breeders' Cup Turf - English Channel

The $3 million John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf saw a compact field of just 8 travel the marathon distance of 1 1/2 miles over the soft turf course. Fri Guy set the early pace while being stalked by Shamdinan and English Channel. With 1/4 mile left to run, jockey John Velazquez asked English Channel for run and got it, as English Channel took the lead and never looked back, drawing off to a 7 length win in 2:36.96. Shamdinan finished second while defending champion Red Rocks was third. Heavy favorite Dylan Thomas did not like the soft going and failed to show his usual late rally, finishing fifth.

Results and Payouts
Gate   Horse             Win   Place   Show
  6  English Channel    $8.00  $4.40  $3.00
  4  Shamdinan (FR)           $17.60  $9.40
  2  Red Rocks (IRE)                  $4.60

Curlin Breeders' Cup Classic Run Replay

This is the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic Video.
Payouts and Results

   Horse             Win   Place   Show
4  Curlin          $10.80  $5.20  $4.20
8  Hard Spun               $7.60  $5.80
6  Awesome Gem                    $9.40

4 Races Added to the Breeders' Cup Challenge

The 2008 Breeders' Cup Challenge is adding four races that will give the winners automatic bids to the Breeders' Cup on October 24th and 25th.

The expansion of the "Win and You're In" format was announced Wednesday. It brings to 57 the total number of races in the challenge, more than double the number in 2007.

Three of the four added challenge races are automatic qualifiers for the new $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon, to be run at 1 1/2 miles for 3-year-olds and up.

They are the Greenwood Cup at Philadelphia Park, the Cougar II at Del Mar and the Turfway Park Fall Championship at Turfway Park in Kentucky. The one-mile Tiznow Stakes at Louisiana Downs is a qualifier for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Check out the 2008 Breeders' Cup Challenge Schedule!

Curlin may skip 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic

The Daily Racing Form reported Curlin is being considered for the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe turf race in France in October.

Asmussen is still contemplating at least one turf workout at Churchill Downs, with a turf race on the weekend of July 12. Turf races slated for that weekend include the the Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park and the Man O'War Stakes at Belmont Park.

If that goes according to plan, Asmussen said Curlin could then run a major turf race in the US, potentially the Arlington Million on Aug. 9, followed by a trip for Longchamp in France for a prep race, followed by the Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 5.

Jockey Rankings by Earnings

Robby Albarado

Here are the rankings of jockeys in Earnings

Name              Starts  1st 2nd 3rd  Earnings
1 Robby Albarado      573  122  87  84  $9,730,687
2 Garrett K. Gomez    511   98  85  79  $9,579,520
3 Edgar S. Prado      556   98  86  67  $8,448,671
4 Kent J. Desormeaux  509   94  73  73  $7,662,289
5 Rafael Bejarano     506  110 104  63  $7,446,827
6 Ramon A. Dominguez  595  162 102  94  $6,408,567
7 Alan Garcia         632  110  99  90  $5,997,828
8 John R. Velazquez   554  119  84  68  $5,864,463
9 Eibar Coa           727  136 116  95  $5,735,385
10 Rajiv Maragh       669  110 111 101  $4,881,794

Horse Ranking by Earnings

Here are the racing horse rankings by earnings as of June 14th, 2008. After Curlin won the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs last Saturday, he added another $589,000 to his earnings.

Name         Starts  1st 2nd 3rd Earnings
1 Curlin           2   2   0   0  $4,189,000
2 Big Brown        5   4   0   0  $2,676,700
3 Benny the Bull   3   3   0   0  $1,515,000
4 Heatseeker       5   2   2   1    $918,000
5 Go Between       3   1   2   0    $780,000
6 Well Armed       3   1   1   1    $780,000
7 Einstein         6   3   2   0    $778,849
8 Gayego           5   2   1   0    $687,820
9 Proud Spell      4   2   1   1    $681,340
10 Diamond Stripes 2   1   0   0    $680,000

2008 Belmont Stakes Results

A longshot Da'Tara won the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes last Saturday and the Triple Crown contender Big Brown finished last. What went wring with Big Brown? Hoof injury? Steroid? Lack of training? We don't know yet.

Here are the horses in a finishing order.
1. Da' Tara
2. Denis of Cork
3. DH-Anak Nakal
3. DH-Ready's Echo
4. Macho Again
5. Tale of Ekati
6. Guadalcanal
7. Icabad Crane
8. Big Brown

Payout

#	Horse	Jockey	Win	Place	Show
6	Da' Tara	Garcia Alan	79.00	28.00	14.80
4	Denis of Cork	Albarado R J		5.40	4.10
8	DH-Anak Nakal	Leparoux J R			7.60
9	DH-Ready's Echo	Velazquez J R			6.20

Exacta (6-4) Paid $659.00
Trifecta (6-4-8) Paid $3,703.00
Trifecta (6-4-9) Paid $3,954.00
Superfecta (6-4-8-9) Paid $48,637.00
Superfecta (6-4-9-8) Paid $47,309.00
Daily Double (10-6) Paid $1,574.00 Daily Double Pool
Daily Double (BROOKLYN / BELMONT 2-6) Paid $550.00 Daily Double Pool
Pick 3 (5-10-6) 3 Correct Paid $6,475.00 Pick 3 Pool
Pick 4 (1-5-10-6) 4 Correct Paid $34,287.00 Pick 4 Pool
Pick 6 (3/7-4-1-5-10-6) 5 Correct Paid $1,106.00 Pick 6 Pool
Consolation Double (BROOKLYN / BELMONT 2-5) Paid $7.30

Casino Drive Not Running in Belmont Today

Casino Drive, the colt who was shipped from Japan to run in the Belmont Stakes today, was scratched this morning because of a stone bruise in his left-hind foot.

Casino Drive, who won the Peter Pan, is the second choice behind Big Brown in the morning line for the Belmont.

The injury, which gets its name because it can be caused by stepping on a stone, was detected Friday. Casino Drive didn't train Friday. Early Saturday morning, trainer Kazuo Fujisawa had him gallop an easy three furlongs. After being bathed back at the barn, Casino Drive was favoring the foot.

A stone bruise can be caused by stepping on a stone. "It's not serious, it's just a matter of timing," Racing manager Nobutaka Tada said. "The horse is OK."

Big Brown, who had an acrylic patch placed on his front left foot Friday to repair a small crack, was resting comfortably inside Barn 2 on Saturday morning. A retaining wall was set up outside the barn to keep the media and well-wishers at bay.

June 7th, Belmont Day Weather in New York

"Hot weather on Belmont Stakes day is no surprise to us, and in general we're very ramped up on that front for a crowd of 90,000 or so," Lee said yesterday. "It's a major part of our planning, and we have additional EMTs and extra first-aid stations throughout the building."

Tomorrow's high temperatures at Belmont Park are more likely to affect the fans at the track than the horses running on it. John Lee, director of communications and media relations for the New York Racing Association, said the track is prepared.

Thoroughbreds dislike extreme heat but complain about it less than people do. NYRA will have extra hoses ready to cool them off.

Belmont Stakes Post Position

Big Brown will be running from the post 1 this Saturday at Belmont Park.
Here are the post positions of Belmont runners.

1. Big Brown
2. Guadalcanal
3. Macho Again
4. Denis of Cork
5. Casino Drive
6. Da'Tara
7. Tale of Ekati
8. Anak Nakal
9. Ready's Echo
10.Icabad Crane