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For horse racing fans, Breeders' Cup pre-entries day always has that Christmas morning feel. I like the Kentucky Derby as much as anyone, but as a fan and especially as an avid bettor, having two days of top-quality racing and 15 chances of taking down huge pools, is much more appealing. No matter what the quality of the pre-entries, it's an ...

No trainer in the history of horse racing has won more races at Churchill Downs than Bill Mott. Over a career that has spanned more than 40 years, Mott has won 640 races under the Twin Spires, including two of his six Breeders' Cup victories (Escena 1998 Distaff and Unrivaled Belle 2010 Ladies Classic). Though Mott's stable is considerably ...

Breeders' Cup pre-entries will be taken next week and final entries will be drawn just two weeks from now. Here's a look at the potential top 5 in some of the major races, with an educated guess at morning-line odds. Classic Havre de Grace and Uncle Mo gave the Classic a much-needed shot in the arm. Havre de Grace (4-1): Might be cross-entered ...

Last week a columnist for the Daily Racing Form wrote in no uncertain terms that the race for Horse of the Year is over. He said that no matter what happens in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Havre de Grace will claim the award based on what she has accomplished already this year--five graded wins including defeating males in the Woodward. The ...

For more than nine months the handicap division in Thoroughbred racing was about as exciting as the NHL in October. None of the supposedly top horses could string together consecutive grade I wins, leaving the Breeders' Cup Classic looking decidedly uninteresting. Within a span of a couple weeks, all that has changed. Suddenly, the Classic ...

The Breeders' Cup is still five weeks away, but this feels like a championship weekend. In total, there are 24 graded races including 10 grade I's. Ten of them are at Belmont, seven more at Santa Anita. Are you ready? Obviously there are Breeders' Cup implications with many of these races and this weekend will go a long way in helping sort out ...

There was no doubt that Big Drama was the best sprinter in the country when last season ended. Despite getting most of 2011 off, he might be even better by the time he defends his title in this year's Breeders' Cup. ''I think he's a better horse now,'' said trainer David Fawkes. ''He's grown more and filled out more. I think he's more mature ...

The rivalry between Blind Luck and Havre de Grace might have to wait until November or beyond for its next chapter, but that doesn't mean the female handicap division isn't getting exciting. On Friday, Bill Mott said that he is considering the Oct. 1 Beldame (gr. I) for star 3-year-old filly Royal Delta, though he won't make any decision for at ...

With less than two months until the Breeders' Cup, here is a quick ranking of the leaders in some of the divisions. It's unclear what race some of the top contenders will point for, so here is a general breakdown of horses that have had at least one start in North America. Handicap Males 1. Tizway--A clear leader now. JCGC win would make him BC ...

With her comfortable win against males in last weekend's Woodward, Havre de Grace confirmed her connections' belief that she is on a Horse of the Year path, and took a major step toward a berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic. All that lies between a chance at making it happen is a good showing in the Oct. 1 Beldame, which should set the filly up for ...