Breeders Cup Chat : Stardom Bound

Stardom Bound: The Forgotten Superstar

jshandler — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:19:00 GMT

Question: At this time last year, if you had to name the one juvenile filly with the best chance of being a 3-year-old superstar, who would it be?

Chances are, most of you would have chosen champion 2-year-old filly Stardom Bound, not Rachel Alexandra. I know I would have. I was blown away by her spectacular late runs in both the Oak Leaf and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. In fact, of all the great BC race last year, her victory was my favorite. There is something a young horse who can give that kind of late kick.

Stardom Bound, who was sold after the Breeders' Cup and transferred to the barn of Bobby Frankel and then Rick Dutrow Jr., seemed poised for the huge 3-year-old season that most expected after wins in the Feb. 7 Las Virgenes and March 7 Santa Anita Oaks, giving her an incredible five grade I scores in a six-month period. But then she finished a disappointing third in the Ashland and seemed to disappear. With the emergence of Rachel right around that time, Stardom Bound became the forgotten superstar filly.

It might be time to start thinking about the daughter of Tapit once again.

When I talked to Dutrow on Friday, he said the goal is still to make the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. And even though she will have been off for seven months, Dutrow has no problem training the filly right up to the race.

After the Ashland, Stardom Bound's ambitious campaign--in which she raced eight times in an eight and half month period--had finally caught up with her. Dutrow said she was dead tired and needed a lengthy rest. She was turned out for a couple months before returning to training in New York in July.

Dutrow had been very pleased with Stardom Bound's works up until the last few weeks. He said she had a "setback," earlier in the month which caused him to back off a bit. But on Sept. 23, Dutrow liked what he saw when she breezed for the first time in nearly three weeks, a three-furlong move at Aqueduct. He said the next month of works will determine whether or not they go to California.

Here is a little bit of what Dutrow had to say:

"She's doing good right now. She hadn't been clicking on all cylinders, but I really liked the way she moved (on Sept. 23).

"I would love for her to make the Breeders' Cup. Right now, I'm just not sure if she'll be fit enough by then. It's still up in the air. Two months ago, I would have been under the impression that she would be able to do it. I'm just not sure right now.

"It all depends on the next month and how she works. I would have no problem running the filly (off the layoff). If she is ready, I would expect her to run big. She only needs a couple of sharp works to be ready.

"(If we decide to go), I would want to keep her right where she is (at Aqueduct)."

That last comment was in reference to a question I posed about when they would ship her to Santa Anita. Dutrow said, if she goes, she would probably train up to the race at Aqueduct and won't ship to California until the week of the Breeders' Cup.

I hope Stardom Bound makes it. I still think Zenyatta will race in the Ladies Classic, not the Classic, and if other talented females like Music Note, Careless Jewel, Swift Temper, Seventh Street, Life is Sweet, and Icon Project are on board, the Ladies Classic will be quite a race. Stay tuned.

Top 10 Performances of 2008

jshandler — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:56:00 GMT

Although the Eclipse Awards are six weeks away and the best horses in each division will be decided then, I thought it would be a fun to do some voting of our own.

Since I still haven't decided on some of the divisions and I don't expect you guys/gals to do all that research, we'll keep this simple. This is a vote for the Top 10 Performances of 2008. It can be for any division, in any single race.

Obviously, there are many to choose from, that's what makes this so tough and fun. After reading mine, I'd love to see what everyone agrees and disagrees with. Feel free to post your own Top 10.

10. Commentator, Whitney Handicap - This was the highlight of the remarkable gelding's fabulous year. He not only won the event for the second straight year by nearly five lengths, but posted a 120 Beyer, which was by far the highest number of any dirt horse going more than a mile this season. Of course, he also recorded the best Beyer at less than a mile in 2008 as well. Not a bad year for a 7-year-old.

9. Benny The Bull, Dubai Golden Shaheen - All four of Benny's wins came in spectacular, come-from-behind fashion, so it was tough to choose between them. I nearly picked the True North Handicap at Belmont because it looked like he had no chance to win in deep stretch but somehow got up with a devastating late charge. However, you can't overlook his performance in Dubai, which was against better. It was breathtaking.

8. Proud Spell, Kentucky Oaks - The Larry Jones trainee not only beat a solid field of 3-year-old fillies, she destroyed them. The five-length victory gives her the edge over Music Note for divisional championship honors.

7. Red Giant, Clement Hirsch Turf Championship - Not only did the 4-year-old colt show grit in edging Out of Control by a head, but he set a new North American 1 1/4-mile turf record in 1:57.16, breaking a mark that had stood since 1977. That's impressive. Out of Control's effort should not be overlooked either.

6. Curlin, Dubai World Cup - His 7 3/4-length romp wasn't against the best of fields, but it was still a tremendous effort. It also solidified him as one of the best horses since the turn of the century.

5. Goldikova, Breeders' Cup Mile - The French invader knocked off a talented group of boys, including last year's winner Kip Deville, in spectacular fashion. Her turn of foot in the final sixteenth was eye-popping, and a highlight of the weekend.

4. Midnight Lute, Breeders' Cup Sprint - Speaking of BC highlights, the 5-year-old Real Quiet horse may have provided the weekend's best performance with his amazing 1 3/4-length score, in which he set the BC record of 1:07.77 for six furlongs. It was his second straight BC Sprint win and amazingly, came in only his second start of the year.

3. Stardom Bound, Oak Leaf - Her BC Juvenile Fillies win was great too, but the Oak Leaf was even more dazzling. The Tapit filly rallied from the clouds to mow down rivals in the stretch in a scintillating 3 1/2-length score, doing it in a time of 1:42.44.

2. Zenyatta, Apple Blossom Handicap - It's difficult to choose her best performance of the year since she went undefeated. Obviously, her Ladies Classic triumph was special and locked up divisional honors. But the Apple Blossom was scary good. The 4 1/2-length victory was against a very good group, including champion Ginger Punch, and it proved she was just as good on dirt as synthetics, if not better.

1. Big Brown, Kentucky Derby - Many of us have gone on record as saying Big Brown was not our favorite horse, but you cannot discount what he did in the Derby. It was one of the best performances since Secretariat, considering he did it from the 20-post and in only his fourth career start, and it was so dominating. It may be a long time before we see a 3-year-old do that again under those circumstances.

Some of the great performances I reluctantly left out of my Top 10 were Old Fashioned in the Remsen, Pyro in the Risen Star, Big Brown in the Florida Derby and Preakness, Da' Tara in the Belmont, Raven's Pass in the BC Classic and Eight Belles in the Derby.

Let the debating begin!!

Breeders' Cup Picks - Friday Races

jshandler — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:49:00 GMT

With 14 races to get through in this year's Breeders' Cup there isn't much time for long introductions. There is a lot of information to sort through and it can get overwhelming. So let's get right into the Friday races.

Filly and Mare Sprint

Between Dearest Trickski, Dream Rush, Indyanne and Indian Blessing there is a ton of early pace in this wide-open contest. Each of those aforementioned speedsters could easily wire the field for seven furlongs, but this race may set up better for a stalker or filly coming off the pace.

Zaftig, if she finds the Pro-Ride to her liking, could be tough in here. She won her last two stakes by daylights, including the Acorn (gr. I) this summer. She does enter off a 4 1/2 month layoff, which is not ideal for my liking.

Intangaroo has won three grade I races this year but somehow she still doesn't get the same press as the others. All the early speed in here could set up perfectly for this dead closer, who has won three times on synthetics, twice at Santa Anita and three times at this distance.

Of course, Ventura also deserves much respect. She has been terrific all season and the cutback in distance should suit her just fine. She's also 2-for-3 on synthetics

The Pick: Any of six fillies here could win and it wouldn't surprise me. This is a race where horses who like synthetics should be at a huge advantage, which is the determining factor for me. I settled on Indyanne, Ventura and Intangaroo as my top three. I'll box all three of them in an exacta, but if I have to narrow it down to one as of now (Wednesday), I'll go with Intangaroo. She never gives a bad effort and might have the right running style in this race.

Juvenile Fillies Turf

I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this race, frankly, because it interests me less than any of others this weekend. There really aren't many standouts here, so look for a price.

The Pick: Both Saucey Evening and Sugar Mom are interesting here. Saucey Evening broke her maiden on the turf and has been in California since her victory in the Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies on the Santa Anita Pro-Ride. She gets Garrett Gomez and will be coming from off the pace. Graham Motion is a plus too. I also like Sugar Mom, a Wayne Catalano Arlington shipper who will be making her turf debut. She has won three straight though and at odds of 10-1 or more, she's worth a shot.

Juvenile Fillies

Any analysis of this race has to start with Stardom Bound, who looked absolutely sensational is winning both the Debutante and Oak Leaf. The huge moves she made in both races are just not seen very often from 2-year-old fillies. The fact that she won on the Pro-Ride at the same distance as this race makes her even more appealing. Quite frankly, I'm surprised she is only 2-1 on the morning line.

Who can beat Stardom Bound? Well, C.S. Silk's romp in the Arlington-Washington Lassie makes her a big factor and she will likely be the pace here. Sky Diva's Frizette victory was equally impressive and she has worked very well on the synthetics. Dream Empress, the Alcibiades winner, also has a nice score at this distance over the Polytrack. I know from talking to D. Wayne Lukas that he is confident on Be Smart, so she is worth a look at a big price. I can't see any others being serious factors.

The Pick: You guys know me by now, I'm not a chalk player. But in this case I can't pick against Stardom Bound. I've talked to trainer Chris Paasch and he says this filly hasn't even scratched the surface yet. She will be making her last start for Paasch before entering the Keeneland November sale (can't wait to see how much she fetches there), and her closing style should set her up perfect in here. Hopefully she is somewhere around 9-5, which in this case is plenty good enough for me.

Filly and Mare Turf

Wait a While was installed the lukewarm 3-1 favorite based on winning three of her last four, but there are plenty of ways to go here. Mauralakana has been terrific all season, Dynaforce was exceptional in the Flower Bowl and Forever Together has a pair of grade I scores in her last three. Throw in remarkably consistent Pure Clan, and European invaders Halfway to Heaven, Visit and Folk Opera, and you have the makings of a wide-open affair.

The Pick: I am a big Mauralakana fan, but I think the long campaign has worn her out a little and will pass. I also think Dynaforce is a small step below these. I'm going to take the hardest look at Forever Together, who has put up some big speed figures for red-hot Jonathan Sheppard. My biggest concern with her is handling the 10 furlongs, which she has never tried before. I think she will be fine with it. Folk Opera and Pure Clan, also at big prices, are appealing as well. Although I haven't made up my mind completely in this one, I lean towards those three. I also want to see the final price on Halfway to Heaven, who makes his U.S. debut for Aidan O'Brien. Anything over 5-1 would be appetizing.

Ladies Classic

Can Zenyatta make it 9-for-9? Out here, the overwhelming majority of the people I've run into think it's a foregone conclusion. There really isn't much reason to think the super filly can't get it done. She has accepted every challenge, including taking down Ginger Punch and Hystericalady. Her finishing kick is what separates her most of the time.

All that being acknowledged, she is not a sure thing in my book. The horses who can beat her? Well, my choice is Godolphin's Cocoa Beach, who is no slouch herself. The daughter of Doneraile Court has is 8-1-1 lifetime and has won three of four starts at this distance. Talking with my buddy John Pricci at Equiform, he says her speed numbers from Dubai are comparable to some of Zenyatta's best and her work over the Pro-Ride was excellent, maybe the most impressive all week. I think this filly is really coming into her own right now and she might be primed for a big upset.

The Pick: Zenyatta is a must use in all exotics and pick 4's without a doubt. But from a win bet standpoint, I won't use her at that price. I am going to place my win bet on Cocoa Beach and also play exactas with those two, Carriage Trail and Hystericalady.

Who does everyone else like? I'll be back on Thursday and Friday with the Saturday races. Good luck!!

Division Rankings With Two Weeks and Counting

jshandler — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:23:00 GMT

With less than two weeks to go until the World Championships, now is a good time to look at some of the top contenders in each division. Obviously, there will be plenty of surprises when the pre-entries come out Thursday, so this is just a rough draft, if you will.

Right now, the biggest question marks are which Europeans will come over, and what races will they enter. Because of the synthetic surface, some which may have pointed to the Mile or Turf in years past may try the Classic. We’ll have to wait and see.

Be sure to check in all next week when I’ll analyze each division in-depth and later in the week, give out selections.

Friday, Oct. 24 races

Filly and Mare Sprint: Shaping up to be a deep and talented group.

1. Indian Blessing – Champion gets slight edge based on class edge, but she is by no means a shoe in. Is there any possibility she tries the boys?

2. Indyanne – TCA was very impressive considering splits she ran and what she had left in final sixteenth.

3. Intangaroo – Won three G1’s this year and nobody seems to know.

Watch out for: Lady Sprinter – A perfect 8-for-8 on dirt in Argentina; Will make U.S. debut in BC.

Juvenile Filly Turf: Doesn’t look all that intriguing now that European star Rainbow View is being pointed towards the Juvenile Fillies. We’ll see how it shakes out.

1. Maram – Miss Grillo winner looks as good as any right now.

2. C Karma – Never been off the board in five starts. Natalma winner makes first start outside of Woodbine.

3. Freedom Rings – Runner-up in a pair of stakes events.

Juvenile Fillies: Addition of European star would add a lot of intrigue.

1. Stardom Bound – Debutante and Oak Leaf wins were awesome.

1A. Rainbow View – Perfect 4-for-4 in England. If she runs, it could turn into a great stretch duel.

3. Sky Diva – Looks like the best on East Coast.

Watch out for Be Smart: Smarty Jones filly was second to Dream Empress in Alcibiades but has a lot of talent.

Filly and Mare Turf: No overwhelming favorite at this point. Betting should be wide-open.

1. Mauralakana – Beaten last out but tough to argue with the year she’s had. Tries every time.

2. Wait a While – Form as a good as anyone right now.

3. Black Mamba – New Zealand-bred has never been off the board.

Watch out for: Ventura – Has kind of fallen off the radar since Woodbine Mile. I wouldn’t forget about her.

Ladies Classic: Might be the most anticipated race all weekend, even without Proud Spell. Should be special.

1. Zenyatta – Still perfect and gets the stay home. Could be Horse of the Year if everything falls right.

2. Music Note – Will have to beat older horses, but she has talent to do it.

3. Hystericalady – Was soundly beaten by Zenyata and synthetic is not her best surface, but I still like her here.

3A. Ginger Punch – Still the champ.

Watch out for: Carriage Trail – Stakes record in Spinster while drifting badly. Is she set up to bounce? Time will tell.

Saturday, Oct. 25 races

Marathon: A shame Evening Attire was retired. He would have added a lot to this event. With only a few preps for this division, we know little at this point. My guess is we’ll see a few Europeans enter, which should spice things up.

1. Delightful Kiss – I guess you have to give him the early edge based on Fall Championship and All American Stakes, both on artificial surfaces.

2. Big Booster – One of two probables for Mike Mitchell. Has won two in a row and is plenty fresh.

3. Dominican – Darrin Miller has not yet committed to sending last year’s Blue Grass winner.

Watch out for: Frost Giant – IEAH is now saying Suburban winner might be entered. One European name to keep in mind is Sixtees Icon.

Turf Sprint: Really won’t know too much until Thursday.

1. Mr. Nightlinger – One thing we do know is he’ll be the favorite. Enters on five-race win streak.

2. True to Tradition – Nearctic and Turf Monster winner in good form for Scott Lake.

3. Diabolical – Last year’s Vanderbilt winner ran a good one two weeks ago at Ascot.

Watch Out for: Salute the Count – Won at Saratoga last month and 8-year-old Dutrow trainee is always in the mix.

Dirt Mile: Looks like California horses have the edge here.

1. Well Armed – Seems that Eoin Harty is leaning towards Mile instead of Classic. Will be tough if that is the case.

2. Surf Cat – The old man always gives his best. Cutback could be to his liking.

3. Tale of Ekati – Ran a career-best 104 Beyer in Jerome. Could be the best spot for the 3-year-old.

Watch out for: Albertus Maximus – Improving colt set one-mile Del Mar track record this year.

Mile: Looks like some of the top Europeans are leaning towards the Classic. We’ll have to wait and see.

1. Kip Deville – Willing to excuse his Woodbine Mile. Last year’s winner has to get benefit of the doubt.

2. Goldikova – According to DRF, talented filly will try Mile instead of Filly and Mare Turf. She’s won consecutive group I mile events in France.

3. Thorn Song – Probably won’t have it as easy as he did at Keeneland.

Watch out for: Spirit One – If speedy Arlington Million winner enters, could ruin things for Thorn Song.

Juvenile: You have to assume that Vineyard Haven is not going. With Charitable Man out and Run Away and Hide a likely defection, things seem wide-open.

1. Square Eddie – Impressive Futurity winner on top right now by default.

2. Munnings – Second in Champagne, but likely to improve.

3. Street Hero – Norfolk winner never off the board in five starts.

Watch Out for: Midshipman – Second in Norfolk. Can’t discount a Baffert 2-year-old. Also, Pioneerof the Nile, who will likely move off the turf, could be an upset possibility for Bill Mott if he draws in.

Juvenile Turf: Another one where we won’t know too much until entry time.

1. Grand Adventure – I was impressed with gutsy Summer victory.

2. Bittel Road – Undefeated and looking good for Pletcher.

3. Jukebox Jury – Irish colt rallied from last in Royal Lodge.

Watch out for: Skipadate – Tough luck so far, but he has talent. Also, Duke of Homberg, a winner in France, could improve off fourth-place Pilgrim, which was his U.S. debut.

Sprint: Injuries to Benny the Bull, Abraaj and Bustin Stones have opened the division up.

1. Fabulous Strike – Is fast as lighting and has a ton of heart. Will he like the Pro-Ride?

2. Street Boss – Likely favorite has been tremendous this year.

3. Cost of Freedom – Ancient Title winner has won three straight.

Watch out for: Midnight Lute – Baffert says last year’s Sprint winner is ready to roll.

Turf: As always, Europeans will play a big part here although we still don’t know who is coming, let alone who will opt for the Mile. In the U.S., there isn’t a lot separating top few.

1. Grand Couturier – Couldn’t be coming into the race any better.

2. Red Rocks – The 2006 winner will come in with 3 ½ months rest.

3. Red Giant – Set North American turf record for 10 furlongs in Clement Hirsch. Can’t disregard.

Watch out for: All of the Europeans. Henrythenavigator and Raven’s Pass seem to be pointing towards Classic, but there is still Soldier of Fortune and Eagle Mountain. Also, I haven’t heard about Archipenko yet. Duke of Marmalade is definitely coming, but will it be for the Classic or Turf?

Classic: Full picture won’t be complete until we know for sure about Curlin, and which Europeans will enter.

1. Curlin – Will have another work on Pro-Ride Monday. You would think connections should be able to tell us by then.

2. Big Brown – Continues to work on grass. Looking forward to seeing him at Santa Anita.

3. Go Between – Might be the best of the West.

Watch out for: Colonel John, Casino Drive, Student Council and at the risk of being repetitive, any European.

Q&A With Stardom Bound Trainer Chris Paasch

jshandler — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:55:00 GMT

One of the great things about the Breeders' Cup is the feel-good stories surrounding the connections of the horses. As with all sports, these compelling stories are what draw us in. They make us root for our favorite athletes.

Although Stardom Bound will certainly not be an underdog in the Juvenile Fillies - more likely, she'll be the favorite - the story around her connections will have many people rooting for the daughter of Tapit when she goes to post Oct. 24.

Stardom Bound was picked out of the OBS 2-year-old select sale this March by trainer Chris Paasch for $375,000. Paasch, a second-generation horseman who has been training since 1980, bought the good-looking filly for owner Charles Cono, a retired California real estate magnate. Since then, Stardom Bound has won the Del Mar Debutante and Oak Leaf Stakes, both grade I events, in eye-popping fashion. With a devastating late kick, the gray filly displayed two of the most impressive moves you will ever see by a 2-year-old. She is a certified superstar. Has there ever been a more aptly-named horse?

What makes Stardom Bound's story compelling are Paasch and Cono, who have both battled illness and will be dissolving their racing partnership before the end of year.

In the mid-1990s, Paasch was diagnosed with a rare, leukemia-like illness and was forced to take a leave of absence from training. Although he resumed training earlier this decade, Paasch did so on a limited basis. He only trains horses for Cono and has less than 20 in training. Paasch lives in California and keeps his horses at Hollywood Park.

Cono, who is 85-years old and in failing health, has said he will sell all of his horses by the end of the year, including Stardom Bound, who will be offered at the Fasig-Tipton November select breeding stock sale. One can only imagine how much she will command on the open market.

Paasch and Cono have never won a Breeders' Cup. For both of them it would be a dream come true - and a storybook ending if Stardom Bound can capture the Juvenile Fillies. With less than three weeks until the big day, I caught up with Paasch for a short Q&A.

JS: When you first saw Stardom Bound at the 2-year-old sale, what attracted you to her?

CP: I buy most of my horses from 2-year-old sales. I've never been one to buy solely on pedigree, so I guess it was the way she moved on the track that I liked.

JS: Did you know right away that she was special?

CP: We pretty much knew from the start. I let all my horses cool out after the sale, but once we got her with the other horses we could see what we had. It's always easy to spot class.

JS: You entered her in the Debutante even though she was still a maiden. Did you have any doubts she could compete at that level?

CP: I think anyone who watched her maiden race could see she should have won. And in the Sorrento (where she finished second), she kind of broke in the air and scraped the gate coming out. But after the way she finished I knew right then. I was still a little apprehensive about putting her in the Debutante, but my wife Bonnie told me to trust my instincts and go for it.

JS: The Debutante was impressive, but it was the Oak Leaf that really got everyone talking about Stardom Bound. Did she surprise you with what she did?

CP: As good as she was in the Debutante, she didn't change leads. She was still green. So we spent the next few weeks working with her on changing leads and helping her learn to pay attention to the rider. We were real patient with her. Even though the final work before the Oak Leaf wasn't what many thought it should be, she really sparkled. I knew she was going to run big.

I've watched a lot of 2-year-olds, and what really amazed me about the Oak Leaf is the way she finished. Most 2-year-olds lose interest when they are taken five- or six-wide. She kept getting stronger.

JS: Have you ever seen a turn of foot like that from a 2-year-old filly?

CP: When (jockey) Mike Smith got off her after the Oak Leaf, he said, "Chris, I haven't even asked her yet." She still hasn't shown her best, I think. Mike never drew the whip to her. If you look at the replays, he just gives her a slap on the shoulder to change leads and she takes off.

JS: I saw a quote where Smith called Stardom Bound his "Baby Zenyatta." Did he come up with that?

CP: I nicknamed her that after the Debutante. I call her ZJ now, Zenyatta Junior. I mean no disrespect to Mr. (John) Shirreffs (trainer) or Mr. (Jerome) Moss (owner) with that. She has a long way to go before she gets to Zenyatta's level. We can only hope she does.

JS: How will you train her up to the Breeders' Cup?

CP: We'll work her five-eighths Saturday (Oct. 11) and then again the following Saturday (Oct. 18), We're not going to be trying for any bullet works - maybe 1:01 or something like that. Then we'll let her gallop out three-quarters the week of. She's very fit already.

JS: How excited are you about the prospects of taking a favorite into the Breeders' Cup?

CP: It is very exciting. As you know, she will be sold at the Fasig-Tipton sale next month, so this will be our last race with her. Mr. Cono can't get to the races anymore and has decided to sell his stable. It was nice for him to be able to see her run in the Oak Leaf; it was his first time at the races in more than a year.

I'm going to retire after we sell off the horses and our breeding stock. I also have a couple 2-year-olds that we'll sell after they're done training.

JS: How is your health?

CP: I'm doing OK. I have some lingering problems.

JS: What are you going to do after you retire?

CP: We bought a property in Oregon and we'll spend a lot of time out there. But I'd like to stay in the business by working with a client who wants me to pick out horses for them at sales. That will keep me hands-on in the business I love.

JS: What would it mean to go out with a Breeders' Cup win?

CP: Words can't describe what it would mean to me and for Mr. Cono. I've had a filly run third in the Kentucky Oaks (Collect Call, 2001) and if you asked me to vote between winning the Kentucky Derby or Oaks, or a Breeders' Cup race, I'd say a Breeders' Cup race 99 percent of the time. For me, winning the Breeders' Cup has always been the bar I've set for myself.

Curlin vs. Big Brown - Let the Countdown Begin

jshandler — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:33:00 GMT

Well, race fans...it looks like we're going to get our wish. After all the talking, hoping, and back-and-forth between Jess Jackson and Mike Iavarone, the showdown of the year is now very likely. Curlin vs. Big Brown. For all the marbles.

After Curlin's record-breaking victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Jess Jackson confirmed that Curlin would be shipping to California on Monday to prepare for his Breeders' Cup Classic defense - Pro-Ride and all. Give Jackson credit for changing his mind. Even though he is not excited about the artificial surface, he knows the best horse in the world belongs at the Breeders' Cup and it will be great for the sport. He also knew he had to be there to have any chance at Horse of the Year honors. Kudos Jess.

As we touched on before, this could wind up being the deepest Classic in history. In addition to Curlin and Big Brown, the probables are littered with superstars - Commentator, Well Armed, Go Between, Casino Drive, Duke of Marmalade, Henrythenavigator, New Approach, Pyro, Student Council and a few more. If even 75% of these horses go to post it will be one of the most anticipated races in recent memory. And a great thing for the industry.

There is plenty of time to analyze the Classic, but before we do that let's take a look back at a super weekend of racing. I came away very impressed with a number of horses. All those who continue to complain about the Pro-Ride, stop your negativety. This is going to a great Breeders' Cup.

First of all, Curlin's Gold Cup win was solid. He didn't have a perfect trip but still found enough to run down Wanderin Boy in the stretch - bad conditions and all. I thought Wanderin Boy would run a big race and he did. Curlin was just too much. And on to California he goes.

Goodwood - Well Armed showed me a lot. He held off three very good horses in the stretch and defeated a talented field. Give Aaron Gryder credit for a perfect stalking trip. That was probably the difference for Well Armed. Because of his closing kick and preference for the artificial surfaces he will have to be respected in the Classic.

Lady's Secret - What can you say about Zenyata other than she is spectactular? She only beat three but it was the way she did it. She went wide on the turn and went by like Hystericalady like she was standing still. In case you haven't noticed, Hystericalady is a pretty good mare. Nobody is supposed to go by her like that. I know her connections have said she will go to the Distaff, but wouldn't it be exciting if she ran against the boys in the Classic? That would make an already great race the most anticipated showdown in...well, maybe ever.

Flower Bowl - Speaking of defeating good females, how about Dynaforce repelling Mauralakana? She finally put it all together. It looked like Mauralakana was going to go right by Dyanforce around the turn but she was turned back emphatically. Dynaforce might be getting good at the right time. She will be a definite factor in the Filly & Mare Turf.

Vosburgh - Take nothing away from Black Seventeen. He ran a great race and surprised many. But I came away very impressed with Fabulous Strike in a losing effort. He ran a :21.75 quarter and :44.31 half in the slop while being pressed the whole way by J Be K and First Defence. Then he still has enough to fight Black Seventeen tooth and nail in the final furlong. It was a gritty effort. Despite all his physical problems and lack of seasoning over the past year, if he gets into the BC Sprint Fabulous Strike will be a huge factor.

Oak Leaf - This was perhaps the most impressive performance of the day. If you haven't watched the replay of what Stardom Bound did, do yourself a favor and take a look. She breaks slowly, is next to last in a full field of 12 after a half-mile and comes about 10-wide into the lane. That explosion she showed in the stretch is very rare, especially from a 2-year-old filly. She is special and will be the probable favorite in the BC Juvenile Fillies. Mike Smith called her his "baby Zenyata." Watch out.

Turf Classic - Grand Couturier took advantage of very slow splits, but still had to come wide into the stretch. When he did, it was a thing of beauty. He showed a powerful turn of foot to lock up his second consecutive grade I win. He proved he can win away from Saratoga. He is for real.

Clement Hirsch - No way I could leave off a horse that set a new world record, and that's exactly what Red Giant did. His time of 1:57.16 broke a record that had stood for more than 17 years. Talk about impressive. Out of Control wasn't half bad in second either. The BC Turf should be one heck of a race too.

I'd like to hear who you thought was impressive on Saturday.