Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

Julie L. — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:44:39 GMT

Yes, the 1987 Classic with Ferdinand and Alysheba, I was there and it was as great there as it sounded, I was six months pregnant with our youngest son, jumping up and down, screaming for Alysheba as my husband yelled even harder for Ferdinand. It was the most thrilling race I have ever seen and then to wait through that photo finish, by a whisker Ferdinand defeated my beloved Alysheba but the excitement was unbeatable.

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

Pulpit68 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:19:04 GMT

Sunday Silence in 1989 holding off Easy Goer. They could have run around again and Sunday would not have let Easy by him. I had to wait nearly six months for the race so Sunday could vindicate himself after the Belmont, but it was worth it!

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

Mike Banks — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:51:47 GMT

How can you make Personal Ensign's

1988 Breeders Cup Distaff

Second Runner-up? To me that was the best Breeders Cup race EVER.

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

KM — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:38:45 GMT

WHAT A GREAT ARTICLE...THANKS....BLOODHORSE....

THE BEST!

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

barb — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:01:13 GMT

Wild Again's Classic never lost it's magic. What a game horse he was. RIP

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

GeeGees — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 13:05:38 GMT

truly some awesome races the one i will always remember is the turf at the big a in 1985 when the filly pebbles came to the forfront also her stablemate who travelled with her (his name escapes me) even the years with heartbreak had some memorable moments may there be many more to come.

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

Mel — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:51:14 GMT

This years' Classic was a real upset, but I did get to witness greatness when Curlin walked onto the track. His acceleration rounding the turn for home was incredible. But what impressed me most was how he walked off the track after the race - still a champ of the people.

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

ron dowdy — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:41:55 GMT

Becky thank you for reviving those memories.. some great great races!

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

Aluminaut — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:10:07 GMT

About time someone mentioned Great Communicator's Turf. He just wouldn't quit. Even though he was not my choice I was so impressed.

I was at Santa Anita the day we lost him. Hind leg on the backstretch turning for home, if I remember correctly. He was still a winner in the race before his last.

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

Rod — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:44:01 GMT

Wow, surprised there aren't more posts here. It's so hard to choose which 3 races, but off the top of my head, I'd have to say:

1) 2001 Classic - such an emotional time for our country, and I'll never forget Tom Durkin's voice quivering as he said "Tiznow wins it for America" - just an unbelievable effort from the horse considering that he'd had somewhat mixed results that year; 2) 1989 Classic: ...and Sunday Silence holds on...the curtain call on one of the great rivalries of the 80s; 3) 1990 BC Distaff - although tragedy struck this race with the breakdown of Go for Wand, I'll always remember the camera shots all before that fateful moment in the race - the champion older mare - then a 6YO and arguably starting to lose a step - and the champion 3YO filly eyeballing each other, neither one wanting to back down around the turn and into the stretch - the epitome of what it means to be a champion racehorse.

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

da3hoss — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:52:03 GMT

Of course I'm all choked up with memories of great race horses, their victories, the agony of losing so many on the track and of course, our beloved Ferdinand, who did for his "lesser" racing brothers and sisters what Barbaro did for laminitis, and Eight Belles is doing for racing "clean", he, with the memory of Exceller, too, created an awareness of the fate of the no longer wanted Thoroughbred.

Ferdidnand indeed, a gift to the racing world.

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

A Canuck's Comment — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:06:10 GMT

I can't believe that there have been so few comments on this wonderful post. The memories, good and bad, were wonderful to re-experience. I know the whereabouts of Cigar, Alysheba, our Canadian With Approval (in Britain at wonderful Lanwades Stud) for example. So, where are "the others". We know that some of the great ones in the piece are gone. In a way, this once again, brings them to the forefront to which they deserve. Where are the others?

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

Abbie Knowles — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:28:57 GMT

Cigar will always be my number one with A P Indy at Number two in The Classic then Tiznow in third. Three very special horses. Cigar was one of a kind and truly exceptional. That BC Classic was his twelfth win in a year and most of those races were top ones. Few horses run in twelve top races a year let alone win them! He was indeed the incredible, invincible, unbeatable CIGAR!!! As it was said about him in the promotional video about him "there never has been lightning quite like Cigar." Sadly he never was able to reproduce but that just makes him even more unique! Cigar I will never forget you! Thanks for the memories!

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

Whatever — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:23:43 GMT

Will never forget Theatrical refusing to let Trempolino get past him; that was a great race.

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

gammyp6 — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 02:20:54 GMT

Becky is so right. Ferdinand will always be the one.

re: Breeders' Cup Winners of the Past

Luvthehorses — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:33:22 GMT

Thanks for this article.

It was a real joy to read.