BC Cup thread.... spoilers included!

[Drvmb1ggl3]

A thread where people can discuss the results without giving the game away for anyone who can't watch live.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Today's races.

12:35 PT
FILLY & MARE SPRINT
7f
$1m

PP ODDS HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY
1 20-1 MAGNIFICIENCE Bruce Headley David Flores
2 12-1 INDYANNE Greg Gilchrest Robby Albarado - non Runner
3 9-2 INTANGAROO Gary Sherlock Alonso Quinonez
4 15-1 LADY SPRINTER Juan Reviriego Rene Douglas
5 2-1 INDIAN BLESSING Bob Baffert John Velazquez
6 8-1 ZAFTIG James Jerkens Rafael Bejarano
7 20-1 DREAM RUSH William Phipps Kent Desormeaux
8 20-1 TIZ ELEMENTAL Carla Gaines Joel Rosario
9 15-1 DEAREST TRICKSKI John Sadler Mike Smith
10 20-1 MIRACULOUS MISS Steve Klesaris Ramon Dominguez
11 20-1 JAZZY (Arg) Mark Hennig Alan Garcia
12 5-1 VENTURA Bobby Frankel Garrett Gomez
13 30-1 TIZZY'S TUNE Ron McAnally Alex Solis
14 30-1 LA TEE Mark Glatt Jon Court

1:15 PT
JUVENILE FILLIES TURF
1m
$1m

PP ODDS HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY
1 12-1 APRIL PRIDE (GB) Jim Cassidy David Flores
2 7-2 LARAGH John Terranova Edgar Prado
3 10-1 MARAM Chad Brown Jose Lezcano
4 8-1 C KARMA Gregory DeGannes Cornelio Velasquez
5 8-1 EMMY DARLING John Sadler Garrett Gomez
6 8-1 FREEDOM RINGS David Donk Alan Garcia
7 8-1 CONSEQUENCE Shug McGaughey John Velazquez
8 10-1 SUGAR MOM Wayne Catalano Eibar Coa
9 10-1 RENDA Juan Arias Sebastian Madrid
10 15-1 BEYOND OUR REACH (Ire) Tom Stack Frankie Dettori
11 9-2 SAUCEY EVENING Graham Motion Garrett Gomez
12 15-1 HEART SHAPED Aidan O'Brien Johnny Murtagh
Also-eligibles (listed in order of preference)
AE 8-1 INTERNALLY FLAWLESS Bob Baffert TBA
AE 30-1 ATKA Mike Harrington Russell Baze



1:55 PT
JUVENILE FILLIES
1 1/16m
$2m

PP ODDS HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY
1 15-1 EVITA ARGENTINA John Sadler Alex Solis
2 15-1 PERSISTENTLY Shug McGuaghey Alan Garcia
3 15-1 BLACK MAGIC MAMA Doug O'Neill Rafael Bejarano
4 7-2 SKY DIVA Steve Klesaris Ramon Dominguez
5 15-1 BE SMART D. Wayne Lukas Garrett Gomez
6 30-1 VAN LEAR ROSE Catherine Day-Phillips Chantal Sutherland
7 30-1 DAVE'S REVENGE Bob Hess Jr. Joel Rosario
8 15-1 C. S. SILK Dale Romans Robby Albarado
9 12-1 PALACIO DE AMOR Myung Kwon Cho Victor Espinoza
10 2-1 STARDOM BOUND Christopher Paasch Mike Smith
11 8-1 PURSUIT OF GLORY (Ire)- David Wachman Johnny Murtagh
12 6-1 DREAM EMPRESS Kenny McPeek Kent Desormeaux
13 15-1 DOREMIFASOLLATIDO James Jerkens Eibar Coa

2:35 PT
FILLY & MARE TURF
1¼m
$2m

PP ODDS HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY
1 15-1 SEALY HILL Mark Casse Patrick Husbands
2 10-1 VACARE Christophe Clement Jose Valdivia Jr.
3 6-1 FOREVER TOGETHER Jonathon Sheppard Julien Leparoux
4 15-1 VISIT (GB) Michael Stoute Ryan Moore
5 3-1 WAIT A WHILE Todd Pletcher John Velazquez
6 6-1 DYNAFORCE Bill Mott Alan Garcia
7 5-1 MAURALAKANA (Fr) Christophe Clement Kent Desormeaux
8 4-1 HALFWAY TO HEAVEN (Ire) Aidan O'Brien Johnny Murtagh
9 10-1 FOLK OPERA (Ire) Saeed bin Suroor Frankie Dettori
10 15-1 PURE CLAN Bob Holthus Edgar Prado

3:15 PT
LADIES' CLASSIC
1 1/8m
$2m

PP ODDS HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY
1 3-5 ZENYATTA John Shirreffs Mike Smith
2 15-1 HYSTERICALADY Jerry Hollendorfer Garrett Gomez
3 8-1 COCOA BEACH (Chi) Saeed bin Suroor Ramon Dominguez
4 6-1 MUSIC NOTE Saeed bin Suroor Javier Castellano
5 8-1 CARRIAGE TRAIL Shug McGaughey Kent Desormeaux
6 9-2 GINGER PUNCH Bobby Frankel Rafael Bejarano
7 50-1 SANTA TERESITA Eric J. Guillot Michael Baze
8 30-1 BEAR NOW Reade Baker Eurico Da Silva

[JER]

The Guardian is live blogging the BC:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/oct/24/breeders-cup

[justalittlex]

I've got the video to work on breederscup.com though it isn't a great image. Streaming well now right before Juvenile Fillies Turf. youbet.com didn't deliver!

[justalittlex]

oh darn, had heartshaped picked to win, photo finish, maragh won.

[dressagetraks]

Results/comments please. What's happening?

[justalittlex]

Race 3 Ventura- missed the video beat Zaftig and Indian Blessing
Race 4 Maragh in photo with Heart Shaped, who came from way behind.
Race 5 about to go

[tlw]

Site listing entries with country of origin?

[justalittlex]

Race 5 Juvenile Fillies
Stardom Bound, a gorgeous gray, daughter of Tappit, and is for sale this fall. $4-5 million?Set a race record. Followed by Dream Empress and then Sky Diva, who was in a big sweat before the race started.

She looked big unworried and exquisite, came from the back which has been the style today.

I boxed her with Sky Diva, darn.

[justalittlex]

Race 6 Filly and Mare Turf
1 Forever Together
2 Sealy Hill (48 to 1 odds!)
3 Wait a While

Tight pack all the way, with Sealy Hill the big surprise.

[lalahartma1]

Come on , Ladies Classic!

[Glimmerglass]

What's up with that funky walk by Zenyatta in the the saddling area? Like a weird elongated stride with her front legs.

[VirginiaBred]

What's up with that funky walk by Zenyatta in the the saddling area? Like a weird elongated stride with her front legs.


They tried explaining that! Sort of!


Good Luck Zenyatta!!!!!

[justalittlex]

yes yes yes the big ZZZZZZ wins

[Drvmb1ggl3]

What a filly.... way too easy.
She should really be racing in open company... wish the connections weren't so conservative.

[Sing Mia Song]

Whew! What a filly!

[justalittlex]

followed by Cocoa Beach and Music Note

A nail biter for a big part of the race as she stayed at the back, then WOW Zenyatta!

[VirginiaBred]

Takes a while to unfold those legs!!!

WOW.

[justalittlex]

Did I hear right that she's 17 hands?

[VirginiaBred]

Did I hear right that she's 17 hands?

Yes, she is!

[lalahartma1]

woot! Now for the video! :)

[MillicentBystander]

That was pretty awesome watching Zenyatta unfold. Never watched her race or even heard of her until now [sorry I havent been keeping up with racing much this year]. Would it not be cool to see her and Curlin get matched together for a foal?

[lalahartma1]

That was pretty awesome watching Zenyatta unfold. Never watched her race or even heard of her until now [sorry I havent been keeping up with racing much this year]. Would it not be cool to see her and Curlin get matched together for a foal?

Too much Mr Prospector? :no:

[Linny]

What a filly.... way too easy.
She should really be racing in open company... wish the connections weren't so conservative.

Thats the first time Jerry Moss was called conservative!:lol: They have Tiago in the Classic and don't want to ruin his value by having Zenyatta beat him to a quivering pulp.

No so much that it's "too much Mr. P" but it would be a bit close as both Zenyatta and Curlin are sired by sons of Mr Prospector.

[VirginiaBred]

I'd love to see her go to Dynaformer.

[War Admiral]

I'd love to see her go to Dynaformer.

That's what I was thinking. Or if you had to go with a Mr. P, go with Point Given who at least has it farther back. Ideally however, ship her overseas to breed to Montjeu (http://www.coolmore.com/stallions/ireland/montjeu), get some close up Sadler's Wells in there... which is of course what I personally would do! :D:lol:

[War Admiral]

Any picks for the Marathon? I'm going with Delightful Kiss. Sentimental pick would be Zappa, how cool would it be to see an ex-claimer pull this one off??!! :yes:

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Horrible ride from Dettori, he easily had the best horse in the race, but put him in an awful spot.
Well ridden by Smullen.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Man i love downhill sprints..... what a race!

The Mig wins it on long shot Desert Code, catching Diabolical on the line. Fantastic race.

[grayarabpony]

Can the races be seen online?

[War Admiral]

Can the races be seen online?

Yup, go here: http://www.breederscup.com/content.aspx?id=29093

DANG, I wish betting were legal in GA. I'd have made some nice money today so far! How 'BOUT Albertus Maximus!!! :yes:

[Anne FS]

I just won some money, I just won some money!

But I guess so did a LOT of people (LOL!). Go-o-o-o-o-o-o. Goldikova!!

[Drvmb1ggl3]

GO GOLDIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
Go Goldie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Go GOLDIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

What a filly! and what a icey veined ride by Peslier!

And to think she isn't fit to wipe Zarkava shoes! Tells how good Zarkava is.

Special congrats to freddie Head... by fav jockey of all times, now has ridden and trained the winner of the BC Mile.

[mroades]

How bout the little bay filly? Way cool!

[grayarabpony]

Goldikova was spectacular!!

[War Admiral]

Honestly?? I wasn't that overwhelmed by her. Don't get me wrong, she deserved the win, but I just don't detect a whole lotta special there. But MAN did Kip deVille ever close nicely for 2nd!

[grayarabpony]

War Admiral thanks for the link!

Yes, I think it's wonderful a 3-year-old filly won the mile. Her kick was amazing!

[Pronzini]

No so much that it's "too much Mr. P" but it would be a bit close as both Zenyatta and Curlin are sired by sons of Mr Prospector.

Inbreeding but not that close..Zenyatta is by Street Cry by Machiavellian by Mr P while Curlin is by Smart Strike by Mr P.

Inbreeding to Mr P is becoming more acceptable after all of the good Distorted Humors like Commentator and Flower Alley that have that in their background.

[Acertainsmile]

Honestly?? I wasn't that overwhelmed by her. Don't get me wrong, she deserved the win, but I just don't detect a whole lotta special there. But MAN did Kip deVille ever close nicely for 2nd!

A plain bay filly, but wow, what a kick she has!

[Anne FS]

Honestly?? I wasn't that overwhelmed by her. Don't get me wrong, she deserved the win, but I just don't detect a whole lotta special there.

Oh, man, uh, YEAH, she deserved the win. Because she TOOK it. She's only 3, won 5 out of 8, beat HenrytheNavigator when she ran against the boys last time, and that final burst to force her way through just as the announcer said, "Goldikova boxed in with no where to go..." was fantastic. She blew 'em away.

[justalittlex]

Goldikova was my first and only win so far today after a week of trying hard to figure it out!

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Gomez is on fire!
Midshipman returns some of Sheik Mo's purchase price of Stonerside.

[War Admiral]

Midshipman ran a very nice race there! I like that colt!

[Drvmb1ggl3]

What a finish in the Juve Turf!!!
Maktoums vs Coolmore, with Princess Haya's Donativum just edging Westphalia on the line.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Dettori is such a ham!

[War Admiral]

Yeah, that was a great race. The Europeans are really kicking butt at this BC! Very pleased for Princess Haya - nice win!

[justalittlex]

Did you see Dettori's flying dismount? And the white spots on the back of the roan?

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Opps, Frankie didn't stick the landing..... that'll costs a couple of points.

[MillicentBystander]

well so far for these last two races, I have gotten the first-show-place horses correct. To bad I did not bother betting :lol: Although if I had, then of course those horses would lose, my luck when I do watch/bet. Shoot I went to Breeders Cup 05 and won all my exacta/trifecta bets up until the Classic. I put $100 on Lost In The Fog and all my money was taken away :lol: Had to dig up change for the train ride home and went without dinner. I will say, only reason why I went for Midshipman was because it reminds me of my Navy father and my Coastie uncle.

[Foxtrot's]

Does it amaze anybody else that those light grey spots on Donativum guarantee that he has The Tetrach in his pedigree - after all these years it still comes through. My mare, too, passes it on.

[War Admiral]

Does it amaze anybody else that those light grey spots on Donativum guarantee that he has The Tetrach in his pedigree - after all these years it still comes through. My mare, too, passes it on.

Yahhhhhhhh... Sigh.... This is why IMO the racing peeps are SO short-sighted when they keep saying that you only need to look back 3....

I'm sticking with my picks from 3 weeks ago for the Classic: Curlin, Henrythenavigator, Col. John (IMO Duke of M. been overraced).

Turf I'm going with Soldier of Fortune, Spring House, and Dancing Forever. All of this on paper, mind, since I live in the Bible Belt. :(

I don't bother researching the sprints since I don't really care much who wins 'em (its blood won't ever be in MY barn, except by coincidence...). So I may go take a shower now! :lol:

[Barnfairy]

If Garret Gomez were to become any hotter, he would spontaneously combust.

Nice gutsy performance from Midnight Lute. Impressive.

[MillicentBystander]

Well I was right on the sprint to. I hope to heck that this year will not be like 2005, at least I am not betting!



My choice for the classic:

Curlin
Colonel John
Champs Elysees [if he isnt scratched. The page I am looking at to do my research is not letting me know, so I find out a few min before post time and change].


if CE is scratched, well then I will have to go with henrythenavigator.

[Barnfairy]

I'm rooting for Colonel John.

[Acertainsmile]

I'm going with Better Talk Now in the 8th, and away they go!

[Acertainsmile]

Good grief... glad I didnt have my $2 bucks on him...lol.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

St Leger winner wins the Turf!... can't beat classic stamina.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Coolmore beaten by one of their castaways for 2nd place.

[MillicentBystander]

durn only one of my horses came in on the turf :( Maybe an omen? I was rooting for Eagle Mountain, Spring House [sorry but I love chester house foals!] and Red Rocks. Better Talk Now looks like he is ready for retirement. Shoot he is almost 10 years old.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

That race put Curlin's grass performance in perspective, Red Rocks and Better talk Now finished well down the field.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Holy Moly!! Curlin is trading at 4/5!!
Casino Drive is 2nd fav.
Some great value in the rest of the field there, almost all double digits.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Henrythenavigator has lost it.... seriously acting up..... has run his race already.
He's a ball of sweat.

[Anne FS]

well, GEEZ, how can I not root for Colonel John now?

[Acertainsmile]

I'm with you Anne...really sad story.

[MillicentBystander]

told yall :lol: I suck, I need to quit watching racing and quit saying out in public who I want to win :lol:

[Anne FS]

Have to laugh now, though. Didn't bet this race, but the totally non-horse people at the party had all bet Raven's Pass "because he was the PRETTIEST."

[regret]

I am so disappointed that Curlin did not win.

[Anne FS]

Wow, Curlin doesn't even look like he's breathing hard. Now that's FIT.

[War Admiral]

Henrythenavigator has lost it.... seriously acting up..... has run his race already.
He's a ball of sweat.

Haha, I'll gladly take one who "leaves his race in the paddock" in the BC Classic like that! Told ya! :D

Gutted about Curlin of course but quite a race for my boy!! :D

[Anne FS]

So glad Curlin got a standing ovation as he left.

But really, can we please see the WINNER now?

[dressagetraks]

Order of finish for those of us stuck having to work instead of watching live?

[justalittlex]

so sorry about Curlin, and the 1 and 2 horses were both having hissy fits in the paddock. And what about Casino Drive? I turned off my live feed as I felt so badly.

[Anne FS]

Raven's Pass, Henry the Navigator, Tiago, Curlin.

[War Admiral]

Order of finish for those of us stuck having to work instead of watching live?

1 Raven's Pass
2 Henrythenavigator
3 Tiago
4 Curlin

[Barnfairy]

Lovely day of racing.

Nice balance of American & foreign presence.

Good landing this time, Frankie. :winkgrin:

[Anne FS]

Full order of finish:

Raven's Pass, Henrythenavigator, Tiago, Curlin, Go Between, Colonel John, Smooth Air, Champs Elysees, Duke of Marmalade, Fairbanks, Student Council, Casino Drive

[Glimmerglass]

Eclipse vote: HOTY = Zenyatta

Sorry Jess and Steve but you could've scratched when you knew (and we knew) Curlin couldn't work on the pro-ride surface with confidence. Swing and a big miss.

To Casino Drive's connections - proof it was a dumb decision with a dead last finish. It was his 4th lifetime start at a distance he's never gone and only the second graded race in his life. What did anyone expect? Come on folks that is overfacing a horse who never looked like the second coming of Spectacular Bid as it is.

[Anne FS]

Arnold Schwazenegger is such a DOOFUS. And WHY is Kurt Russell there?

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Euro Milers 1st and 2nd!!! Gotta love that. Henry and Raven's have been duking it out all year, with Henry having the upper hand in the early part of the season and RP coming to the fore in the fall.

This was Zenyattas race though, she could have won this.

[Barnfairy]

Eclipse vote: HOTY = Zenyatta

Here here! :yes:

[Glimmerglass]

And WHY is Kurt Russell there?

Kurt was in the "horse" movies Dreamer and The Horse with the Grey Flannel Suit

[Barnfairy]

Kurt was in the "horse" movies Dreamer and The Horse with the Grey Flannel SuitWhich, of course, qualifies him as the perfect choice for celebrity commentary.

It came down to either Kurt or Bo D. 'Kinda glad Kurt won out on that one.

[harvestmoon]

Arnold Schwazenegger is such a DOOFUS. And WHY is Kurt Russell there?

Perhaps because he likes horse racing?

As for HOTY, has a mare ever gotten it without racing the boys? Personally I don't think she should get it, but that's just me. The mare races are restricted, so the boys couldn't race against her even if they wanted to, right?

Oh well, Curlin, good run. :(

[LJD]

Will Curlin retire after the BC?

[TKR]

Lady's Secret was HOY -- I think she ran against the boys, could be wrong.

PennyG

[Barnfairy]

As for HOTY, has a mare ever gotten it without racing the boys?

Azeri.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

I don't see how Zenyatta can be declared the best horse of the year when she didn't race against and defeat the best horses. I think she was well capable of doing that, but alas she didn't, so by right shouldn't get the title.

[Anne FS]

Kurt was in the "horse" movies Dreamer and The Horse with the Grey Flannel Suit

Trust me, that doesn't answer the question. :D

[Vivace]

I don't see how Zenyatta can be declared the best horse of the year when she didn't race against and defeat the best horses. I think she was well capable of doing that, but alas she didn't, so by right shouldn't get the title.

She beat the 2007 Champion Older Mare a couple times (Ginger Punch), and the F&M division is a HECK of a lot stronger than the handicap division this year.

ZENYATTA FOR 2008 HOY.

[Barnfairy]

You can't beat the best when you ARE the best. :cool:

[Acertainsmile]

I was thinking the blonde that Frankie was kissing was his wife... and thought wow, what a pretty wife he has... then I realized it was Bo Derek...he kissed her twice on the mouth...LOL.

[Barnfairy]

I was thinking the blonde that Frankie was kissing was his wife... and thought wow, what a pretty wife he has... then I realized it was Bo Derek...he kissed her twice on the mouth...LOL.Mm. 'Saw that.

Looks like Frankie has some 'splaining to do when he gets home to his wife.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

I was thinking the blonde that Frankie was kissing was his wife... and thought wow, what a pretty wife he has... then I realized it was Bo Derek...he kissed her twice on the mouth...LOL.

His wife (http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39084000/jpg/_39084803_frankie_cath200.jpg) is prettier imo, plus she's an amateur jock (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/3796005.stm).

[Glimmerglass]

I was thinking the blonde that Frankie was kissing was his wife.

Frankie's wife for the record is very attractive and they're in love (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23400577-details/Frankie+Dettori+saddles+up+wife+Catherine+to+make+ a+big+splash/article.do). Trust me as Paul Newman said "why go out for hamburger when you have filet mignon and home"

As for Zenyatta she won convincingly on synthetic and dirt with ease.

Add that to defeating older females, winning on multiple different race tracks, and having more victories and starts in a single year, winning more grade 1 races, etc it begs the questions why in the world would Curlin ever deserve it? He lost a couple of races, was used sparingly at best, aside from the Dubai World Cup in the Spring none of his races were jaw dropping amazing. Sorry folks but the JCGC wasn't impressive. So voting against Zenyatta would be simply to award Jess Jackson the prize as a form of "thanks" for returning his horse at the age of 4 vs. actually having the best horse.

[Barnfairy]

Glimmer, you didn't warn us that that link is X-rated!

[harvestmoon]

Frankie's wife for the record is very attractive and they're in love (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23400577-details/Frankie+Dettori+saddles+up+wife+Catherine+to+make+ a+big+splash/article.do). Trust me as Paul Newman said "why go out for hamburger when you have filet mignon and home"

As for Zenyatta she won convincingly on synthetic and dirt with ease.

Add that to defeating older females, winning on multiple different race tracks, and having more victories and starts in a single year, winning more grade 1 races, etc it begs the questions why in the world would Curlin ever deserve it? He lost a couple of races, was used sparingly at best, aside from the Dubai World Cup in the Spring none of his races were jaw dropping amazing. Sorry folks but the JCGC wasn't impressive. So voting against Zenyatta would be simply to award Jess Jackson the prize as a form of "thanks" for returning his horse at the age of 4 vs. actually having the best horse.

Actually I think they are even on G1 wins.

[justalittlex]

So glad I turned it off before Arnold appeared. And I had to watch my mayor Antonio V, though he wasn't so bad, just struggling and smiling. Casino Drive came in last?

Now I'm sitting back and wondering about betting. I heard of somebody who only bet horses with food names, which sounded so nutso, but unless you make a career of handicapping, it seems the best thing is to look at them in the parade before the race, or pick the prettiest! I think Duke of Marmalade was the only food name.

I've always had my best luck with reading the stats and then looking at the horses for cues, in person. Watching Curlin before the race on my computer, I thought he looked very much at ease, but I wondered "Where's the engine?"

For me Friday was more fun, even though I didn't do much better in my betting choices. Maybe I just liked the mare/filly thing!!

[Acertainsmile]

Glimmer, you didn't warn us that that link is X-rated!

:lol::lol:

But still, it IS Bo Derek...

[Barnfairy]

But still, it IS Bo Derek...

No, it's better...

It's Catherine Dettori!

[dressagetraks]

My vote, for what it's worth, would go to Zenyatta.

Sounds like a great day of racing! I look forward to seeing it.

About methods of picking winners, there was a totally non horsey man on his first day ever at the races Derby Day who nailed the War Emblem - Proud Citizen exacta (paid over $1000) because he thought that a "patriotic" named horse should win after 09/11. His racing expert friend spent most of the day before the race trying to explain to him why this strategy was flawed and why the bet was wasted money.

I've had best luck with the "how they look in the paddock" method myself.

[gubbyz]

Here's to a great day of racing and thankful that everyone made it home safely! :)

[BabyGoose]

Here's to a great day of racing and thankful that everyone made it home safely! :)

Here Here! I'm bummed that Curlin and Munnings didn't win (I love Munnings!). But most important everybody is back safe!

[Madeline]

Tha race I would like to see, but never will, is Zarkava vs Zenyatta for filly/mare of the year, universe division. I guess you could throw Goldikova in there to make it interesting. Mile and a quarter on the synth.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Much has been made of the pro-ride surface, and that this was the first BC that was steroid-free.
But here's an interesting stat, the following horses ran without the benefit of Lasix

BC Distaff
1st - Zenyatta -

BC Mile
1st - Goldikova

BC Turf
1st - Conduit
2nd - Eagle Mountain

BC Juve Turf
1st - Donnativum
2nd - Westphalia

[War Admiral]

WHOA. Now that really IS an interesting stat!! Fascinating, in fact.

...And Madeline... Let's really up the ante a bit for those girls, make it a mile and a HALF on synth! :)

[Madeline]

I figured that since Goldikova won at a mile, Zarkava at a mile and a half and Zenyatta at a mile and a quarter, the latter would be fairest. I could be talked onto a different surface,,,

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Zenyatta has never run longer than 9f in her career.
Goldikova is a pure miler, the only time she ran longer was in the Prix Diane (French Oaks) at 10.5f where she was eaten alive by a Zarkava who's jockey was blowing kisses to the crowd for the last furlong.
Zarkava has also won G1s at 8f (beating Goldikova, the specialist Miler), and the biggest race in the world at 12f beating the best grass boys in the world.
Zarkava would have them both for breakfast.

[RedMare01]

So, who was a fan of splitting it into the two days and separating male/female days? Personally, I liked it better when it was one day, and I didn't really like all the filly/mare races on one day. JMO.

Caitlin

[findeight]

Didn't like it. Too many horses in too many races...used to be they were all champions to even get there. Now...with the win and in? I wonder what some were doing there although handicapping was not such a nightmare, you could actually throw some out in way over their heads.

For one thing every BC race used to be at least a million. Think they cheaped it up with a couple of the 500k ones. For another, the girls deserved a better showcase then a weekday-especially given the horse of the year issue.

I mean, do we really need a Juvenile Sprint on Turf for males born on Tuesday during a full moon billed as a World Champoinship?
I know it is good for business but it's not a day of the best racing in the world, it's 2 days of some great racing among the best in the world mixed in with a confusing array of other "championship" races.

I had the Classic winner:D but coupled with Tiago as an exacta:(.
But I did have two out of the three even if it didn't pay. Had Col John in there as well. That was one race that retained it's World Championship calibre.

[RiddleMeThis]

Does it amaze anybody else that those light grey spots on Donativum guarantee that he has The Tetrach in his pedigree - after all these years it still comes through. My mare, too, passes it on.Thought this would be an interesting thread for some on gray in the thoroughbreds.
http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/grey-in-thoroughbreds-227958.html

Also wanted to say that TONS of breeds get the white spots on grays and not all have the Tetrach in their peds. The spots were just named after him because he had so many.

ETA: For example Aul Platinum, a PB arabian http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/aul+platinum

[Foxtrot's]

Yabbut - maybe, I could be called on this one. All the TB's with the spotted grey coats that I have checked out have The Tetrach in them.

[RiddleMeThis]

Yabbut - maybe, I could be called on this one. All the TB's with the spotted grey coats that I have checked out have The Tetrach in them.
The thread that I posted from the other BB is about all the grays that the OP had found ALL went back to the Tetrarch. I believe they have only found one other gray that has a gray family member that does not go back to the tetrarch, although they both go back to the same gray founding sire. It is a very interesting read.

[Foxtrot's]

Which founding sire - was he spotted, too? Or do the spots originate from The Tetrach. I'm getting confused.

[Glimmerglass]

I was thinking the blonde that Frankie was kissing was his wife... and thought wow, what a pretty wife he has... then I realized it was Bo Derek...he kissed her twice on the mouth...LOL.

Equidaily unearthed a snapshot and I don't think Bo was enjoying it nearly as much as Dettori: horsephotos - after winning the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic (http://www.horsephotos.com/watermark.jsp?photoID=90481)

On a more positive note, it was nice to see the success of a 29-year old from Upstate NY on Breeders' Cup day: Mechanicville's Brown saddles Breeders' Cup winner (http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/oct/25/1025_bc/)

Unable to attend the funeral for his maternal grandfather on Friday, Mechanicville native Chad Brown paid tribute to Elmer “Smokey” Maynard in another way.

He won a Breeders’ Cup race on his first try.

Maram rallied from off the pace to take the lead in deep stretch, then held off fast-closing Irish import Heart Shaped to win the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita Park in a photo finish.

His string did well this year at nearby Saratoga:

In his first summer at Saratoga, Brown had six wins and four seconds 18 starters. He has 40 horses in training, 30 at Belmont and 10 at Monmouth in Oceanport, N.J.

[europa]

I think BB would have chewed it up! GO BROWN GO

Such a shame.

[FatDinah]

Ginger Punch has been retired.

Here is from ESPN.com last night:

Frankel said Ginger Punch would remain in California for another week, then be sent to Kentucky to the farm of Frank Stronach, who bred and owns Ginger Punch. She will be bred next year. Frankel did not know to which stallion Ginger Punch would be bred.

Ginger Punch was one of Frankel's favorite horses, ranking up there with Sightseek.

Asked if he was going to miss her, Frankel said, "For sure."