BREEDER'S CUP FIELDS

[u4ic]

JUVENILE FILLIES

PURSE: $1,060,000
POST: 1:20 pm

PP HORSE (Morning Line)
1 Folklore (5-2)
2 Original Spin (6-1)
3 Along the Sea (20-1)
4 Diamond Omi (12-1)
5 Knights Templar (12-1)
6 Adieu (3-1)
7 Sensation (8-1)
8 Ex Caelis (15-1)
9 She Says It Best (15-1)
10 Wild Fit (6-1)


JUVENILE

PURSE: $1,590,000
POST: 1:55 pm

PP HORSE (Morning Line)
1 Superfly (30-1)
2 Ivan Denisovich (12-1)
3 Leo (20-1)
4 Set Alight (20-1)
5 Jealous Profit (50-1)
6 Dawn of War (20-1)
7 Stream Cat (30-1)
8 Sorcerer's Stone (12-1)
9 First Samurai (8-5)
10 Henny Hughes (5-1)
11 Private Vow (8-1)
12 Stevie Wonderboy (8-1)
13 Brother Derek (20-1)
14 Dr. Pleasure (20-1)


FILLY & MARE TURF

PURSE: $1,060,000
POST: 2:35 pm

PP HORSE (Morning Line)
1 Luas Line (15-1)
2 Film Maker (12-1)
3 Sundrop (30-1)
4 Riskaverse (15-1)
5 Wend (10-1)
6 Flip Flop (20-1)
7 Wonder Again (8-1)
8 Megahertz (5-1)
9 Favourable Terms (20-1)
10 Intercontinental (8-1)
11 Mona Lisa (15-1)
12 Karen's Caper (15-1)
13 Ouija Board (5-2)
14 Angara (20-1)


SPRINT

PURSE: $1,060,000
POST: 3:10 pm

PP HORSE (Morning Line)
1 Taste of Paradise (12-1)
2 Attila's Storm (30-1)
3 Silver Train (8-1)
4 Battle Won (10-1)
5 Lion Tamer (12-1)
6 Wildcat Heir (10-1)
7 Lost in the Fog (even)
8 Elusive Jazz (12-1)
9 Lifestyle (30-1)
10 Gygistar (12-1)
11 Imperialism (15-1)

[u4ic]

1. the rest...

MILE

PURSE: $2,025,000
POST: 3:45 pm

PP HORSE (Morning Line)
1 Host (12-1)
2 Artie Schiller (6-1)
3 Whipper (12-1)
4 Sand Springs (20-1)
5 Ad Valorem (20-1)
6 Funfair (12-1)
7 Majors Cast (15-1)
8 Gorella (20-1)
9 Singletary (8-1)
10 Valixir (10-1)
11 Leroidesanimaux (7-5)
12 Limehouse (20-1)

DISTAFF

PURSE: $2 million
POST: 4:20 pm

PP HORSE (Morning Line)
1 Society Selection (8-1)
2 Stellar Jayne (5-1)
3 Ashado (2-1)
4 Nothing But Fun (30-1)
5 Yolanda B. Too (30-1)
6 Healthy Addiction (10-1)
7 Happy Ticket (6-1)
8 Island Fashion (12-1)
9 Hollywood Story (20-1)
10 In the Gold (20-1)
11 Pleasant Home (20-1)
12 Sweet Symphony (8-1)
13 Capeside Lady (30-1)

TURF

PURSE: $2,228,000
POST: 4:55 pm

PP HORSE (Morning Line)
1 Shake the Bank (99-1)
2 Shirocco (20-1)
3 Bago (FR) (5-1)
4 Better Talk Now (8-1)
5 Azamour (7-2)
6 Ace (IRE) (12-1)
7 Shakespeare (3-1)
8 Silverfoot (30-1)
9 Fourty Niners Son (15-1)
10 English Channel (10-1)
11 Laura's Lucky Boy (20-1)
12 Leprechaun Kid (20-1)
13 Gun Salute (20-1)

CLASSIC

PURSE: $4,680,000
POST: 5:35 pm

PP HORSE (Morning Line)
1 Rock Hard Ten (7-2)
2 Sun King (30-1)
3 Choctaw Nation (15-1)
4 Oratorio (10-1)
5 Perfect Drift (12-1)
6 Sir Shackleton (20-1)
7 Super Frolic (30-1)
8 Suave (20-1)
9 Flower Alley (10-1)
10 Jack Sullivan (50-1)
11 Borrego (9-2)|
12 A Bit O'Gold (30-1)
13 Saint Liam (3-1)
14 Starcraft (12-1)

[Awsi Dooger]

2. Thanks, I'll have to start looking at those fields

I went to Saratoga this summer but haven't been in touch with horse racing results since then. Wow, that strikes me as one of the weaker Classic fields in memory, minus the likes of Ghostzapper and Afleet Alex. Saint Liam is hardly overwhelming. I beat him in the Whitney when I bet on a speedball named Commentator. Saint Liam spotted him several lengths and then hung a bit while trying to pass in the stretch, losing by maybe a length.

[two gun sid]

3. The Classic looks like a good betting race...

at 1 1/4 miles and the way Belmont is layed out I'd like a horse who could save ground and has some early speed. Choctow Nation in the 3 hole at 15-1?

[GOPisEvil]

4. You can get free past performances here.

http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&style=purple§ion=breederscup&id=15396

Click on the race, and at the top of the next page is a link to get past performances from Equibase.

[u4ic]

9. Thanks, David!

:hi:

[GOPisEvil]

10. I wish I could have gone to the races.

Heck...I'd love to go place a few wagers. I might head to the track and do just that. Hmmmm...

[u4ic]

11. How are you at handicapping?

I'm pretty lousy, admittedly, but I've had my moments. I did have Pleasantly Perfect the year he won the Classic, and have won a few handicapping contests on other boards, but generally, I'd be living on Ramen noodles if I became more of a regular at it. x(

[GOPisEvil]

12. I'm pretty much break-even.

I don't play big enough money to do it right though.

I usually take about $50 with me when I go to the track. I either leave $50 poorer or with the same $50. I had a good year at the Derby a few years back. I turned $60 into $300 that day. That's my best day ever.

[Awsi Dooger]

14. That sounds familiar

I bet decent amounts only on matchup bets, one horse to beat another. I treat that like a football or basketball game, with only two entrants and possible outcomes and no 18% take off the top.

Thanks for the past performance link. I see that Saint Liam easily avenged that loss to Commentator in his next race, the Woodward. I totally missed that race. Jerry Bailey aboard may make Saint Liam much tougher to buck.

I bet much smaller amounts on the parimutuel end. My best overall day was the '97 Derby, when I had Silver Charm to win and won 9 of 10 matchup bets. I absolutely couldn't believe it when they came down the stretch and all my horses were in front. The opposite of that was a year earlier when Louis Quatorze won the Preakness. I lost every matchup bet and down the stretch I don't think any of my horses had even rounded the turn.

Still, by far my favorite trip to the track was in college more than 20 years ago. I bought Andy Beyer's book "Picking Winners" and there was a chapter about strange races, times when trainers use a race as more of a workout and you get odd running line patterns. Now normally I'm not a conspiracy guy. But I bought the Form that night and was transfixed on a horse in the second race at Hollywood Park, called Running True. The horse had been shipped out of southern California and run two races at a very small track. In its most recent race, the horse went off as the favorite and lost, but exhibited a bizarre past performance line that almost duplicated the example Andy Beyer used in his book, the so-called Z Pattern. Running True was maybe 15 lenghs back, cut it to about 6, then fell 12 lengths behind before losing by about 4. Beyer's chapter said that was extremely rare, that horses won't make two moves in a race on their own, but if you saw something like that the trainer and connections were really looking forward to a future race, than trying to win that one.

That race was 7 furlongs. Now you had Running True shipped to a much better track, against a stronger field, and entered at a mile and an eighth. It made absolutely no sense. Sure enough, Running True was dismissed at 30/1 on the morning line. I enthusiastically convinced about six friends of mine to make the trip, based on the chapter in the book. We loaded in the back of my friend's pickup. The first race I picked another horse but without conviction or care. He lost big. Prior to that race, a loudmouth big black guy we met at the track dismissed both my pick in the first race, and especially Running True. His pick in the first race won. Can you believe this: that caused all but one of my friends to abandon Running True and bet on the other guy's horse in the second race?

Luckily, I stuck to my guns and bet $20 across. I'm telling you, it was like Silky Sullivan. Running True was barely in sight of the field until he got lost behind the tote board. Then he roared alongside the leaders at the head of the stretch and I was speechless with an open mouth when he drew clear and won by 5 open lengths. The odds were 49/1! I had to sweat out a brief inquiry because Running True bore in slightly while making the lead, but it was clear he was passing a tired horse and had not interfered. My hands were shaking while the cashier woman handed me the most cash I'd ever seen to that point, more than $1600. The win payoff was an even $99. She noticed my reaction and said, "Take care of it, son."

To this day, I'm not sure if the previous race was a setup or just a fortunate coincidence. Running True won his next two races, also at Hollywood Park. I managed to blow about half the profit $80 at a time in subsequent visits to the track, before wising up and investing the rest on a brunette coed.

[u4ic]

71. $1600!

Good job! :thumbsup:

[Justpat]

5. Hi everybody.

Glad to see the horse racing people here again.

This morning there were so many photographers at the gap
to the main track that I had to shout at a couple of them
to move aside and let me onto the track. All the BC
horses were out for a gallop and media was out in force.

Lost in the Fog is incredible to see but he went about two
miles at almost a two minute lick. He was basically
running off the whole way.

I watched a bunch of the Brit's gallop. All their horses look
really well - shiny coats and carry plenty of flesh.

The big field for the Classic is a problem for the horses on
the outside because they break on the turn and the ones on the
inside really can save ground. The outside post is always a
disadvantage but is especially so on a track like this.

[Kingofalldems]

6. I saw that workout on TVG

Lost in the Fog looked awesome.

[two gun sid]

7. Hi, OB

Hope everything is well for you guys. How's the track at Belmont? Notice any bias?

[Justpat]

16. This year we have a new track superintendent

and he is the best. The track seems to be playing very
fair for everyone. This track used to be terrible on the
rail - very deep. I never used to breeze horses on the rail.
I would always stay out in the three path, but now the rail
is the same as the rest of the track. This guy is great
at what he does.

[two gun sid]

17. Thanks for the info...

boy, I wish I'd have bought tickets to the BC this year. I went to the 2002 BC and totally enjoyed myself. It was cold as hell, sptting rain and my seats sucked. I was in heaven. My girlfriend, not so much.

Enough about me, how are you and yours? How are the horses? You guys got any babies you're excited about for next year?

[Justpat]

22. Sid, I am most excited about my own filly for next year.

It is the best one I have had so far. She is in Ocala being
broke and does everything like an old class horse. They love her
at the training center and I love her attitude. Her name is
Heart That's True.

I wish we all could have gotten together here for the BC.
This is the best track for it, I think. All the europeans
love the size and configuration of the turf track.

Tomorrow is a great day of racing. There had been BC's in the
past that I couldn't get excited about but this year I'm really
up for it.

[u4ic]

72. Good luck with your filly, OB

I'll be on the lookout for her next year.

[bread_and_roses]

83. What a great name!

Best of luck with her. And thanks for your posts here about Belmont.

[Justpat]

84. Thank you, Kenzee13. And you are welcome.

[u4ic]

8. Hi Old Broad!

Thanks for your observations.

How is the turf?

[Justpat]

15. The turf probably will not be firm

We have so much rain last week. I think unless we have a
really sunny day here it will be listed as good for the races
Sat. But that is better than the way it was in Canada this
past weekend. IT was like a bog for the INternational.

[u4ic]

18. Thanks, OB

Definitely makes a difference, it's the turf races that I prefer handicapping.

Yes, it was quite something at Woodbine, wasn't it? :scared:

I hope your mare came out of the race in good shape.

[Justpat]

21. Today it was nice and sunny here with enough breeze

that it might have helped dry out the turf course pretty well.
If we don't get any more rain tonight, Bill says it will be
perfect for tomorrow. So, disregard my earlier note.

Finery came out of her race extremely mad. She really tried
hard and was furious that she didn't beat those fillies.
She will try again in the Cardinal at Churchill 11/17, then
go be a broodmare after that. I'll miss her. She is a class
act in everything she does.

[aaronbees]

13. Still working through my selections...

The Classic does seem to be a poor lot overall. Just can't get too excited about Saint Liam yet, and I'm a little concerned about some hoof problems Rock Hard had recently. Gosh, an Afleet Alex, Ghostzapper matchup would have been marvelous.

As for the rest of the fields, I think they're very competitive and if I was in a betting mood, would've made for a good day to play at that. As it is, the fields strike me as somewhat deep and the bearing they bring on HOY will be interesting. I'm really rooting for Megahertz; we'll see ... soft going and Belmont may not be to her liking. It would be great to see Lost in the Fog get the job done; a freaky boy he is indeed.

[u4ic]

19. Rock Hard Ten out of the Classic

http://bc.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=30769

[u4ic]

20. Saw this in LBN

This is the same farm that stands, among others, Cee's Tizzy (Tiznow): http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1883828&mesg_id=1883828

Looks like they have a few divisions - TB, vegetable and beef.

[two gun sid]

23. Crushing the Cup

For those who like to wager on running horses:

From The Bloodhorse:
Countdown to the Cup: Here Come the Longshots
If it's the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, you can bet (literally) that there will be several longshot winners. With so many of the grade I races this year appearing to be wide-open, with full fields, there is no reason to think this year will be any different from past Breeders' Cups.

CLASSIC – POWERED BY DODGE: Rock Hard Ten's scratch will lower the odds of several horses who had looked as if they might be enticing longshots. Saint Liam now will likely be a solid favorite, with Borrego a relatively close second choice. Starcraft looks as if he will be the big bet-down horse, and should go off as the third choice, despite never having run on dirt.

The loss of Rock Hard Ten also means that the price horses have a better shot to win. Although I have no strong convictions which one will jump up and run the race of his life, the pick from the heart is Perfect Drift, who may not be as gifted as the top choices, but is capable of beating anyone on his best day, and when things go right for him. The feeling here is that he is the one horse that deserves to win this race after three failed attempts, and that he represents something that has become rare in Thoroughbred racing -- a tough, hard-knocking older horse who keeps coming back year after year in top company.

This 6-year-old gelding was talented and tough enough to out-battle 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft in the Stephen Foster and the brilliant Congaree in that year's Kentucky Cup Classic (gr. II). Whether he still has the ability to defeat horses of that caliber no one really knows, but he won't back down from anyone, and this is why he has a shot in this year's Classic. Also, seeing him in his stall, he is very much on the muscle. His eyes are bright and alert, and he just looks like a horse itching for a fight. When you can see that in an old horse who has been running with the best horses in the country for four straight years, you have to give him a shot at a price.

http://bc.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=30777

[aaronbees]

24. My picks...

Juvenile Fillies: Folklore, Adieu, Knights Templar
--> Lukas filly should get it done after smashing Matron win.
Juvenile: Sorcerer's Stone, Stevie Wonderboy, First Samurai
--> I like a closer here.
Filly and Mare Turf: Wonder Again, Megahertz, Wend
--> Love Meggie, but I think conditions favor Wonder Woman.
Sprint: Lost in the Fog, Wildcat Heir, Battle Won
--> I think Fog will blow them to pieces.
Mile: Leroidesanimaux, Valixir, Singletary
--> Just can't see anyone beating the King here.
Distaff: Happy Ticket, Ashado, Stellar Jayne
--> Happy's from Louisiana, so this is my lone sentimental choice; she nearly nailed Ashado last out.
Turf: Bago, Shirocco, Better Talk Now
--> Just a hunch on Bago here, and should be an amazing race.
Classic: Borrego, Saint Liam, Choctaw Nation
--> Loved Borrego's late charge in the JCGC ... visually amazing.


Should be a great day ... I'm pumped!

[aaronbees]

91. Good thing I didn't put $$ down...

I picked the first winner, Folklore, so thought I was about to be lucky; no dice whatsoever!! Three of my second choices got up for the win, though. :P

Overall, great day of racing ... loved seeing it at Belmont.

Random thoughts:
Stevie Wonderboy sure is impressive, muscled and has a great stride. Will he break the jinx? Nice to see Henny Hughes hold on through the stretch -- trainer switch looks good for him. Best stretch run of the day.
Sad to see Mega about a football field behind the pack yesterday ... she got on a roll but way too late and too little. Intercontinental got a crafty ride.
About Fog: got worried about him seeing him kick around a bit in the paddock. He never looked settled to me.
Flower Alley found some real grit to fight down the lane like that -- his most impressive race and he was second.

[jakefrep]

97. I wish I had put money down on Shirocco

...I had a hunch about him after watching him race well in the Arc d'Triomphe.

[Justpat]

25. OK, here my picks -

keep in mind that I am the worst handicapper on the face of
the earth.

Fillies: Folklore, Adieu, Diamond Omi

Colts: First Samurai, Private Vow, Stevie Wonderboy


F&M Turf: Wonder Again and Riskaverse, Megahertz

BC Sprint: Lost in the Fog, Silver Train, Wildcat Heir

BC Mile: Don't have a clue

Distaff: Happy Ticket, Stellar Jayne, Island Fashion

BC Turf: Bago, Forty Niner's Son, Better Talk Now

BC Classic: Borrego, Suave, Perfect Drift

The weather here today is overcast, chilly but no rain.
The turf should be fast and the main track fast.

I kind of like Oratorio too in the Classic. O'Brian has
pulled off this caper before with Johannesburg a few years
ago. This horse has excellent form and the first time lasix
with the Euro shippers is something to watch.

[two gun sid]

26. OB, did O'Brien school his horses in the gate this year?

[Justpat]

27. Sid, the starter here in NY usually requires that foreigners

to go school in the gate before the races. The foreign horses
are notoroiusly bad in the gate.

A guy named Bob Duncan used to be the head starter here and he
was incredible. He went to work with a really great horse
whisperer out west. He has worked with this guy off and on
for years learning how to do things better. He used to spend
all morning with a bad actor if that was what it took to gain
their trust and get their confidence up. The new guy is one of
his best assistants so I am assuming that they are still doing
things the same way.

[two gun sid]

28. Good. I watched Rock Of Gibraltar be left flat footed...

at the gate in Chicago. Aidan didn't school any of his horses that year. We sat with a group of folks over from Ireland and they were totally shocked at the Rock's performance. So was I. I thought he was the best horse in the world that year.

[Justpat]

30. I think Belmont is the best in the country as far as starters go.

They really take their time and work with the young ones and
reschool the olders ones that get nervous for whatever reason.

Unfortunately, every track has a different attitude about how
to handle the difficult horses.

Someday I want someone to explain to me why ALL French horses
are such bad actors in the gate.

[u4ic]

73. 3 winners, OB

:toast:

[Justpat]

29. California shippers finish one-two in the Sport Page

Handicap. First race of the day on the undercard.

Gotashostofachance first
Captian Squire second

[nosmokes]

31. 'lo fellow track degenerates!

i have one helluva time cappin' these hi-class horses. i just can't bring myself to yoss one out. gimme cheap claimers goin 6f and i'm right at home. oddly though, my best ROI comes on girls in the grass, so if you're putting in a pik 6, take a ard look at filmaker in F&M turf. i wouldn't leave her off the ticket. good luck to y'all!

[Awsi Dooger]

34. I generally agree with that

I love to look for a price in mush races. You can throw out the favorite(s) with confidence in many cases because they're not favored based on their own ability, but merely considered better than the rest of the field. I love it when a sucker horse is favored, one that refuses to win no matter the distance or the quality of the field, but since he's always competitive the bettors make him the chalk. The $99 horse I mentioned earlier in this thread that I hit in the '80s, Running True, was in a cheap claiming race at Hollywood Park.

[u4ic]

41. Hiya nosmokes

glad to see you here!

[u4ic]

32. My picks

since I'm late to the party, I'll continue on at the sprint:

Sprint: LITF, Wildcat Heir, Taste of Paradise

Mile: Leroidesanimaux, Gorella, Valixir (Funfair is nagging at me, though)

Distaff: Ashado, Stellar Jayne, Happy Ticket

[u4ic]

33. Turf:

Shirocco, English Channel, Azamour (hopefully it will have dried out enough for him)

Classic: Saint Liam, Borrego, Starcraft (sentimentally, ABOG, but I don't think he has a shot)

[two gun sid]

36. I'm gettin' my brains beat out...

Pick 6 is down the tubes after singling LITF. Shit. That horse was unbeatable.

[Justpat]

67. Good call on the Turf, u4ic!

And the Classic too!

Can I go to the races with you sometime?

[u4ic]

70. Thanks! :)

[u4ic]

79. It would be my pleasure, Old Broad!

:hi:

[aaronbees]

93. Nice call on Shirocco...

He was most impressive, wasn't he? I had a feeling about him, too, but went with Bago.

[u4ic]

98. He was very impressive!

And a very handsome looking specimen, I might add.

I seen you picked him, too. :thumbsup:

Bago is ok with the softer turf...however, he's clearly not the dominant horse he was last year. Shirocco had some excellent performances on the soft turf.

It seems like you're more of a serious handicapper than I am. I like trying my luck with the turf, but I'm really lousy with the dirt races.

[Awsi Dooger]

35. Too bad about Lost in the Fog

Gobbled up in the stretch and didn't even hit the board, running 7th. The bridge jumpers took quite a hit.

I'm not completely familiar with LITF's typical running style, but he seemed to move quite a bit early, especially going three wide. One friend of mine hit the winner and just sent an ecstatic email. He insisted last night a stretchrunner would win this race and that Silver Train loved the track. I was too dense to listen. Silver Train went from 8/1 second choice on the morning line to paying $25+.

[two gun sid]

37. LITF's running style: Breaks first, goes to the front,...

runs every 1/4 split as fast as the last. No one can touch him. He sure ran outta gas today. Too bad. He's a nice horse.

[u4ic]

40. Note what OB said in an earlier post

maybe overworked himself earlier in the week?

[two gun sid]

49. Yes, I saw OB's post earlier about LITF...

I thought he was unbeatable.

[Justpat]

68. I think running off for a mile and a half two days before the

race did him in. That is too much, even for a good horse.

[Justpat]

38. Wildcat Heir is OK after taking a tumble crossing the finish.

The jock said he was basically rubber legged. I bet he choked up
and ran out of air. He shouldn't have gotten that tired. The
fractions weren't all that stunning for Grade I sprinters.

I'm glad he is OK.

[Awsi Dooger]

39. The fractions were nothing

If I heard right, it was 22 and change and 45 and change. That shouldn't have been enough to cook a premier frontrunner. Sometimes it's not the pace but the pressure, another horse(s) stride for stride when you're used to having it all your own way.

[GOPisEvil]

42. Wow...Artie Schiller...

I have to say, though, that if Migliore was riding him, he wouldn't have won.*


* Migliore has cost me a lot over the years, damn him. ;)

[GOPisEvil]

43. Sorry about Funfare though.

Broken hind leg. :(

[Awsi Dooger]

44. Looks like Funfare will be put down

The vet says it's likely a terminal injury, since the jockey came off and Funfare instinctively chased the rest of the field.

Whenever something like this happens at Belmont, all I can think about is Ruffian/Foolish Pleasure.

[GOPisEvil]

45. I could see it in Edgar Prado's face.

Sad.

[u4ic]

60. It's times like these

that I hate racing. :cry:

[GOPisEvil]

46. Wow...Pleasant Home dominates the Distaff!

:wow:

[two gun sid]

47. That was a helluva performance. Nice turn of foot in the stretch.

and 30-1.

[GOPisEvil]

48. $63.50 to win.

Wow!

[two gun sid]

50. Did you have her?

[GOPisEvil]

53. Nope. Unfortunately, I don't have the disposable income to wager now.

I should have looked closer at the past performances. I might have had her in the mix if I was playing, but I doubt I'd have had her to win.

[u4ic]

51. Very impressive!!

[Awsi Dooger]

52. Whew, I finally got even

I had Pleasant Home in a matchup over Hollywood Story. That's when you feel like a moron betting matchups. Instead of a $63 win payoff I get basically even money for beating Hollywood Story by 22 lengths.

Trevor Denman should be calling these races. There is no way he would have been so late in picking up Pleasant Home's huge move on the outside. Dirkin didn't call it until she was already in front. Maybe I was focusing on Pleasant Home because of the matchup aspect, but it was obvious she was moving like a bullet. Denman has the best anticipation of any race caller I've ever heard.

[u4ic]

59. Nice one!!!

:thumbsup:

[Awsi Dooger]

62. Yeah, but I wouldn't have had her to win

The one-on-one matchup bets are more my game. More margin for error. Next to last beating last is good enough. For some reason I never do very well on the Breeder's Cup, always struggling to break even. Probably because I lose track of racing once the football season begins. I wish we could have a real superstar who would dominate the fall events like the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup all the way thru the Breeder's Cup.

[GOPisEvil]

54. Better Talk Now is 8-1?!?!

Gah...gimme some of that action!

[Awsi Dooger]

56. That does sound high

But I'm clueless on the turf so I don't bet. Just don't have a feel for it.

[GOPisEvil]

57. Shirocco...nice run!

Damn French. ;)

[u4ic]

58. He's a German bred

;-)

Did all of his early racing in Germany. Germany is on the up and up in breeding.

Due to concerns about the turf earlier in the week, I switched from Azamour to him. I've got a lovely picture of him for my wallpaper. Not a high priced winner, but my first one today at least. :bounce:

Soumillion did go on though, didn't he? LOL I remember the same when Peslier won on Banks Hill.

Gotta love that enthusiasm!

[GOPisEvil]

61. Ahhhhh...I just heard the jockey.

Yay for you!!! Winners are a good thing. Normally I'm all over these races, but this year, I just couldn't get into them. I wanted to go to the races so bad this year, but...that's life.

[u4ic]

77. Sorry, David

I didn't even realize Fabre was his trainer! So of course while being German bred and owned, does have the "French connection".

I didn't have the pleasure of sitting and watching all the races, and am just viewing my tape of the whole broadcast.

I didn't study the PP's too much, nor the BC news heading up to the races - I just liked his Euro form, but it didn't even register who trained him. It would have only added extra weight in his favour, anyway...Fabre is one fine trainer, has a good BC record, and some great stock.

(for some reason, I thought Soumillion was Belgian, but I could be wrong)

[Awsi Dooger]

55. Why is Charlsie Cantsey retiring?

They mentioned atop the telecast this was her last Breeder's Cup. I'm assuming she's not doing it voluntarily. Maybe NBC lost the telecast rights. I'm not up on that stuff. I always thought she did a good job on the analysis, if not the picks. One year, maybe early '80s, she got really choked up while on the pony interviewing the winning jockey, when I think it was a horse her husband trained that won the Belmont as a big longshot.

[Justpat]

69. She is retiring voluntarily.

She has been doing this for thirty years and wants to
do something else.

The telecast for next year will be with ESPN but Charlsie has
worked with them a lot over the years. She is the best and could
have kept the job if she wanted it.

Her husband won the Belmont with Temperence Hill back when she
first started doing this. She ran the whole length of the stretch
with the microphone in her hand while the horse was coming
down the stretch. I believe it was back in the seventies when
Temperence Hill won the Belmont.

[Awsi Dooger]

78. That's right, Temperence Hill

That was '80, wasn't it? The race after the big Codex/Genuine Risk controversy, where Cordero forced Genuine Risk wide off the turn and smacked her on the nose with his whip.

I'm glad Charlsie is leaving on her own. I guess I couldn't imagine that because it seems like only a few hours behind the microphone, but I know it's tons more preparation than that. I wish Tom Hammond would have made the situation clear. He patted her on the back and said it was her last year, and I started thinking about CBS encouraging Ken Venturi to retire a few years ago so they could give his job to Lanny Wadkins.

[u4ic]

74. Yes, I remember that, too

I like her.

Shame it's going to ESPN now...meaning, I can't get it. x(

[GOPisEvil]

63. OK - I'm picking Choctaw Nation...having not looked at a form.

:P

[Awsi Dooger]

64. My matchup bet was wiped out

I had Borrego to beat Rock Hard Ten. So I get a refund. Looks like I lose $40 overall, juice on the matchups after going 3 out of 6. I've been trying to find a parimutuel bet on the Classic for two hours but I'm going to pass.

[GOPisEvil]

65. Oh well...that cost me only ridicule.

[Awsi Dooger]

66. My mom will be thrilled

She's a huge Jerry Bailey fan. I probably underrated Saint Liam after watching him get beat in person at the Whitney in Saratoga. He's no Ghostzapper but very solid. Looks like I might have been fortunate Rock Hard Ten didn't run. Borrego was nowhere.

[Justpat]

82. I didn't put Saint Liam higher up my list

because I don't like Dutrow. Not a good way to handicap.
I learned my lesson.

And Saint Liam had to break from the outside on the turn
and still won. He was much the best yesterday.

[two gun sid]

75. OK. It's over and I'm poorer. I want everybody's pick for HOY.

Not who you think will win but, who you want to win it. Mine is Afleet Alex.

Thanks to u4ic for starting this thread. I really enjoyed reading all the posts.

[Awsi Dooger]

76. I also pick Afleet Alex

His two performances in the Preakness and Belmont were very memorable and defined horse racing for me this year. Nearly going to his knees in the Preakness before finding his balance and drawing off with ease was one of the most athletic and remarkable efforts in years. Then the swoosh off the turn in the Belmont, open lengths out of nowhere.

Saint Liam is a nice older horse but nothing extraordinary. Perhaps unfair, but I don't give him as much HOY credit as typical for winning the Classic since the field was so underwhelming.

[Justpat]

81. HOY - Saint Liam

Champion three year old - Afleet Alex

[aaronbees]

95. HOY is Saint Liam

Unless Afleet Alex came back and won the Cigar Mile and then, say, shipped west for the Malibu and was completley record-setting brilliant, I think Saint Liam is clearly deserving. Four grade ones and he did the job all year long -- consistent across the country (well, except in Cali). I'm not a fan of Liam, and would love for Alex to win it (for much the same reasons Awsi cited in his post), but the BC Classic winner showed his class all year. Still, I do think the older ranks are a thin bunch, and Alex showed brilliance in his wins.

[jakefrep]

96. Saint Liam...

...this tends to be a "what have you done for me lately" award. My vote would have been for Lost In the Fog had he won.

[u4ic]

80. Arc day at Longchamp

can be viewed here: http://www.francegalop.com/fr/index.asp (click on videos des courses on the top left)

There's no call, it's quite strange just to watch it unfold...the camera angles are often incredible, though. Here are the charts for the day: http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/race_monitor.sd?crs=LON&r_date=2005-10-2&flag=0

To view the menu, click on "par prix".

The Prix de Cadran is 2 1/2 miles!

[two gun sid]

85. Artie Schiller, Starcraft could race again this year....

Lost in the Fog done until 2006.

From Thoroughbred Times:
While the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday at Belmont Park brought to a close many a horses' racing seasons (and in some cases careers), connections of two of the bigger names from the World Thoroughbred Championships indicated that their horses could race again this year.

Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) and contender for champion turf male Artie Schiller could race in the $500,000 Citation Handicap (G1) on November 26 at Hollywood Park. Steve Moyer, assistant to trainer Jimmy Jerkens, said that the four-year-old son of El Prado (Ire) came out of his three-quarter-length victory over Leroidesanimaux (Chi) in fine shape and will receive a short rest before returning to training.

Leroidesanimaux almost assuredly would have clinched an Eclipse Award with a win in the Mile, but trainer Bobby Frankel blamed the horse’s feet for his defeat Saturday. He said Leroidesanimaux could race again, but he would not confirm his participation in any races this year.

Leroidesanimaux won the Citation last year, but Frankel had pointed Mile scratch Three Valleys for that race.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=58645&subsec=2

[Justpat]

87. The owner of Starcraft is a real gambler

He put up $800,000 to enter his horse in the BC only to see
him run up the track.

[two gun sid]

88. My trainer told me once: " You gotta have confidence in your....

horse". Sorry, ain't no horse been foaled that I'd have that much confidence in.

[Justpat]

89. Same here.

I have only nominated one foal to the Breeders Cup.

If one of mine turn out to be that good, I'd have to
pass on those races.

I remember Sonny Hines had to put up something like 280,000
to put Skip Away in it one year. But he won the Classic and
got it back.

[two gun sid]

90. If one of mine was that good....

it wouldn't be mine for long. The first big shooter that showed up with a fist full of cash would be the new owner. Hell, I'd help 'em load their new horse.

[aaronbees]

92. Would be nice to Starcraft and Afleet Alex...

hook up in the Cigar Mile!

[two gun sid]

94. That would be a good race.

[two gun sid]

86. McDynamo takes record third Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase

From Thoroughbred Times:
Michael Moran’s McDynamo triumphed for a record third time in the $200,000 Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase on Saturday at Moorland Farms in Far Hills, New Jersey.

The eight-year-old son of Dynaformer, who scored his first win in five starts this season, set the tempo in the 2 5/8-mile race over 14 fences and accelerated on the final run down the backstretch under trainer Sanna Hendriks’s stable jockey Jody Petty, winning by nine lengths in 5:46.65.

Reigning champion steeplechaser Hirapour (Ire), the early favorite, was outfinished for second by Three Carat, who finished second to him in the New York Turf Writers Cup steeplechase on September 2 at Saratoga Race Course.

McDynamo, won 2003 Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase in a 15-length romp en route to divisional honors that season. He returned last year, off an 11-month layoff, to win the race by 1 1/2 lengths over Hirapour. With Saturday’s win, he remained unbeaten in five starts at the Far Hills course.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/search/searchdetail.asp?Section=&RecordNo=58403

[u4ic]

99. Makybe Diva wins THIRD straight Melbourne Cup; retired

What a mare!



Minutes after providing Australia with one of its greatest sporting moments with a three-peat win in the $5.1 million (Australian funds) Melbourne Cup (Aust-I), Makybe Diva was retired by her owners Tony and Christine Santic.

In a nation that stops for a horse race, the 7-year-old mare achieved the dream third straight success under Glen Boss.

Soon after the wire, as the record crowd started to celebrate--scenes repeated across the land--caller Greg Miles called it "the greatest Melbourne Cup win ever."

As the legendary Phar Lap's win in depression-ridden 1930, that statement would have been considered sacrilege. Until today, that is

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=30831

[Justpat]

100. Five million dollars. Did these people breed her

or buy her?

[u4ic]

101. They bought her

She's won $11 million US! (and toted 128 lbs in that race)

Here's a bit more on her background: http://stallions.com.au/newsV2/viewFe.asp?ID=511&CID=6

[u4ic]

102. Video link for the Melbourne Cup

http://www.equidaily.com/

[u4ic]

103. Legendary chaser Best Mate dies on racecourse

Triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate has collapsed and died after his run in Tuesday's William Hill Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.

The much-loved horse, trained by Henrietta Knight seemed to be in some distress after being pulled up by jockey Paul Carberry.

But as he was being brought back to the course stables, he collapsed with a suspected heart attack and died


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/4385902.stm

[two gun sid]

104. Career Of A Racing Legend

From Irish-Racing.com:
1st Nov: Best Mate´s story started on January 28, 1995 near Trim in County Meath, Ireland when the mare Katday produced a bay-coloured foal.

Having been sold at the sales at Fairyhouse for Ir2,500 guineas to famed horse dealer Tom Costello, he made his public bow as a four-year-old in a point-to-point at Lismore in February 1999.

The youngster was pulled up that day but he had been spotted by Henrietta Knight and Terry Biddlecombe, who returned the following month to see him win in County Galway and decided they wanted him.

Owner Jim Lewis paid an undisclosed sum and Best Mate was unveiled in a bumper race at Cheltenham that November, where he made a successful debut.

http://www.irish-racing.com/v3news1.htm

So sad about this great Irish horse.