It seems that most every year, people at some point criticize the 3-year-old crop without knowing what history has in store for it and what gems lie hidden beneath the surface. If any crop seemed destined for anonymity and being deemed inconsequential it was the crop of 2013, the crop that has now written its own chapter in the annals of the sport....
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Included are all races except for the Classic, which will have a column of its own. Also check the final column for any changes and updates based on late defections and final observations from the morning’s activities....
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The analysis of Friday's and Saturday's races will touch on favorites and longshots, but the emphasis is on value, so I'll be looking mainly for price horses who could be worth a straight win bet....
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The Breeders’ Cup is always looking to make changes in order to improve the event. It started back when the Filly and Mare Turf was added. Some of the changes since have been good and some bad. For years, I have been an advocate for an all juvenile day on Friday, promoting it by saying, “Come see next year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks horses.” So, I was thrilled to see Breeders’ Cup make the...
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There are few things more exciting in horse racing than rivalries and epic showdowns to decide championships. But when these rivalries or showdowns have an East vs. West storyline, it makes it all the more intriguing....
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As always I am focusing on longshots and value and who might sneak into the exotics at a big price. So let's cut right to chase....
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This has to be one of the deepest contingents of European invaders, with a number of proven contenders, such as Highland Reel, Ribchester, Ulysses, Churchill, Marsha, Queen’s Trust, Rhododendron, and Roly Poly; and top-class juveniles Mendelssohn, Happily, Masar, James Garfield, U.S. Ranger, and Beckford.
But the European danger does not end there. There actually are a number of live longshots who could very well be sitting on a huge upset, based on the fact that they have underachieved on soft going, but love it firm. ...
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In the case of Gunnevera, he has one main weapon, and that is a wicked turn of foot and an explosive move on the far turn. As powerful a weapon as that can be, it is not meant to be sustained over a distance of ground. Gunnevera's move is so quick and powerful and is made so early, he can sustain it for about a quarter of a mile, perhaps a bit farther. ...
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Once upon a time, not too long ago, Thoroughbred trainers considered prep races, well, prep races; short for prepare. As in prepare your horse for the ultimate goal. As in have him or her primed, fit, and sharp for their big test, which in the case of the Breeders' Cup, often determines the Eclipse Award winners....
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We have entered a new era on the Triple Crown trail, where many trainers now plan only two preps for the Kentucky Derby. It has proven successful over the past decade, so more and more trainers are adopting that philosophy....
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Whether or not you consider California Chrome, Songbird, Tepin, Lady Eli, and Found great horses, there is no arguing that greatness lives in all of them, whether they were defeated in the Breeders’ Cup or not....
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How is a California-bred filly, who died in 2005, the star of the 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic?...
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In the world of Thoroughbred racing, Aidan O'Brien can be called the modern day Alexander the Great and his four-legged Ballydoyle bruisers the Macedonian army....
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We tend to forget or simply overlook those hard-knocking, consistent horses, who do not possess the talent of the major stars, but still show up every time, competing at the highest level. These horses always give their all, bringing home checks race after race, while quietly amassing millions of dollars....
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At 2 a.m Sunday morning, America turned the clocks back an hour. Approximately eight hours earlier, the Thoroughbred racing world turned the clocks back 40, 50, 60 years, back to the Golden Era of the sport when there were Triple Crown winners who would go on to earn their place among the truly greats....
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This is going to be short and hopefully sweet....
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There will be several longshots that come in, some at huge prices. The toughest past of the Breeders' Cup is finding them among the morass of top-class horses who will be competing. ...
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Now that entries have been drawn, let's get the final Breeders' Cup Classic analysis in the books and then go over the rest of the Breeders' Cup card later in the week and look for longshot specials to keep an eye on.
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He's reliable, he's honest, he loves a mile and a quarter, and he consistently runs fast speed figures. But is Tonalist good enough to win the Breeders' Cup Classic...away from Belmont Park?...
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Well, all the preps are over, and now comes the waiting; first for the pre-entries, then the entries to determine the starting fields. ...
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Let’s start by saying that this year’s Breeders’ Cup is one of the toughest to handicap in many years, with deep, wide-open fields, none of which, except perhaps one, have a clear-cut favorite that stands far above the others....
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We all know that speed kills, but speed often can be a self destructive weapon. One fast gun is deadly; two fast guns can blow up in your face....
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There are so many different aspects to this year's Breeders' Cup Classic and so many little tidbits surrounding the participants, it is time to share some of them. So, we now present, "Everything you always wanted to know about the 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic but were afraid to ask." No need to be afraid. That's what we're here for – to enlighten and confuse and to tell you more about the Classic than you care to know....
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For all those with aspirations of winning either Horse of the Year or the older male title or the turf male title, there is a force out there even stronger than Eric Guillot's voodoo dolls. It is the curse of Wise Dan....
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Although Super Saturday in New York and California had several twists that no one was expecting, it did help clarify the Breeders' Cup picture to some extent, but also raised questions as well....
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