Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

Jim — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:14:56 GMT

Without any doubt "GOLDIKOVA".

It actually appeared she was noy going to make at the top of the stretch and a bit past it, but, the way she motored down reminded me of Kjell Qvale comment after John Henry defeated Silveyville in the Golden Gate Handicap, his comment was it appeared Silveyville was tied to the rail whith the ease that John Henry went by.

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

Stacy — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 22:39:38 GMT

I too was in Section 122. And it was magical!!

Smarty Jones will be well cared for and loved no matter where he goes. My daughter and I am already planning to go see him in PA.

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

Soldier Course — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:48:14 GMT

Two things about last week have broken my heart:

The roar of the crowd at Churchill Downs during Zenyatta's walkover. It went on forever.

Your photograph of Smarty Jones, above. He looks so sad, like there's something going on that he can't quite understand. There is.

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

VirginiaHorselover — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:03:56 GMT

1. Goldikova by far for me.

@Flora, wonderful point to bring up Goldikova's groom. Such passion and love for the horse. We need more people like that in our sport.

2. Uncle Mo, so impressive. Let's hope he can get the distance for the triple crown races. His pedigree suggests that he cannot. Maybe a wonderful battle between him and Boys at Tosconova in the TC races. Looking forward to see who else emerges in the coming months.

3. The Classic- Zenyatta ever gallant in defeat, Blame so gutsy in the stretch. What a tremendous race. Unlike many, I have the utmost respect for Zenyatta AND Blame. They gave us a show we won't ever forget.

4. Not something from the BC, but something that wasn't. The fact that Rachel Alexandra wasn't there and should have been. It's a Shame she was managed this year in the terrible way she was. Jess Jackson should reflect on this year for along time, so as not to repeat it. Such an amazing filly, don't blame her. She took on any and all comers and won most of the time. She will be sorely missed.

Thanks for reading my 2 cents worth guys. Until next time, may they ALL come home safe.

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

Deb — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:12:20 GMT

I watched all day Saturday the tv with the BC and I could feel the thrill as if I were there!

It was the best......

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

Slew — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:51:44 GMT

I enjoyed every second of the 2010 Breeders Cup, except for the loss of Rough Sailing. (and perhaps the near miss by Zen, who fortunately, in her defeat, proved her mettle.)

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

Scott — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 04:03:36 GMT

Does anyone know what Smarty's stud fee is this 2011 season? Nothing to due with Breeders Cup. It was a great two days of racing.

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

MRO — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:47:34 GMT

I enjoyed the recount of your conversations with Steve Hobby & Cot Campbell. I was also pulling for Telling for a number of reasons. Is Chindi still working as Steve Hobby's stable pony? I absolutely adore that horse and would love an update on how he is doing. Also, I visited with Wallenda at OF last summer. He has turned out to be one of my favorites at the farm, and I'm glad he was brought home safely.

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

Chris and Susan from Philadelphia, PA — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:33:45 GMT

This was our first trip to Kentucky and the Breeder's Cup. It was the best time we've had in many years because we not only went to the Breeder's Cup both days but met Nick Zito, Calvin Borel, D. Wayne Lukas, Carl Nafzger and Pat Day. They were so friendly and went out of their way to make our visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum a memorable one. We had a great time at the "My Derby Event". The next day we were touring the backstretch at Churchill and the museum. Everyone made us feel welcome. We also went to Three Chimney's to see Smarty Jones and Barbaro's Daddy, Dynaformer. What a wonderful trip to horse country. The Breeder's Cup exceeded all our expectations. We won and lost but everyone who attended was a winner. Even though Zenyatta didn't win, she was still a winner to all who saw her race. Mike Smith is such a nice man - signed autographs and made himself available for pictures to all who asked. A class act for sure. The people of Louisville were fantastic and made our visit a dream trip. Thank you to all. Uncle Moe really does look awesome for the next Derby! Also, a special thanks to Big Drama who won the six furlong sprint - we had that ticket!!!

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

brett — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:28:00 GMT

ah goldikova...wow what a mare.. the great ms Z missed by a nose but still great in my eyes ! uncle mo in may ??

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

chicagofan — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 01:59:21 GMT

Thanks for sharing these memories! Some favorite moments this year: Getting to nuzzle "the Queen" on the nose on Sunday morning as she held court behind her barn. Zenyatta's presence is just amazing. Talking to her connections who were the warmest, friendliest ambassadors for the sport you could find. Watching the BC Juvenile warmups from the track kitchen and seeing Uncle Mo look like "all that" and more. Watching Goldikova come to the backside with Freddy Head after her victory, and seeing his huge smile when hearing all the cheers. Seeing Shared Account win after she had looked a little wild and thrown her rider the day before when getting ready to gallop. Getting to feed Unrivaled Belle a mint and spend a little time in her barn the morning after her win. Seeing Blame up close. Most of all, just getting to see so many top notch horses compete and feeling such a warm welcome from those at Churchill Downs, front and back. A BC I will remember forever!

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

RockHardTenGroupie — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:25:36 GMT

In no particular order...

1. Standing ALL day from 11:00AM til the time the Queen arrived, in the SAME SPOT, front row of the paddock, only moving when one of my guy pals held my spot to attend the ladies room.

2. Seeing the AMAZING Goldikova waltz into the paddock like she owned the place. Second to Z, I have never seen a horse with more swagger to her walk. She knew what she was there for and she walked the walk.

3. Remembering how impressive Uncle Mo looked in person, how well built he was for his age.

4. How chipper, upbeat and on the verge of full of himself Mine That Bird was before his final race. You would have thought he was a horse from the Royal Academy's Lippazaner squad with all that impulsion to his trot!

5. Crying in sheer defeat as I realized that at my home track I had the sense of joy ripped from me as quickly as it came with one last leap to the wire. Zenyatta losing was hard to take, but her effort was more than my heart could hold. She was still, in my eyes as I left, tears streaming down... PERFECT.

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

norbrad — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:11:08 GMT

Watching the amazing Goldikova demolish an amazing group of horses, including Gio Ponti, watching the greatest race I have ever seen with Blame digging in to hold off Zenyata, and enjoying the entire day from section 122 at Churchill with my son. It's an event we'll talk about forever.

re: Most Memorable 2010 Breeders' Cup Moments

Flora — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:10:19 GMT

1. Goldikova - what a champion! She blew by her "foes" with such disdain, they looked like rocking horses. It must be depressing to the other jockeys to have this happen over and over.

2. The Battle of The Ages in the Classic. I too keep watching it again and again, begging Zenyatta to get her nose in front....no matter what happens in the HOTY voting, everyone now knows how great she truly is.

3. Chamberlain Bridge and Dakota Phone - wins by two underrated horses that were favorites of mine.

4. Garrett Gomez proving once and for all that jockeys are the toughest (human) athletes on Earth.

5. Goldikova's groom rooting her on in the stretch then going crazy when she won - I never saw a happier man!