Agree. I liked the change of tracks. Thought it kept things a bit more level.
Well even though many hate the “Win and You’re In” , I am really happy to see Centralintelligence in the Dirt Mile. Love those Smarty Babies. Indian Jones in the Marathon as well. Just really do not like 2 days of racing, I have to work Friday so will miss Day 1
[QUOTE=anon123456;7239474]
Just really do not like 2 days of racing, I have to work Friday so will miss Day 1[/QUOTE]
If it has to be over two days, I have wondered why it’s not Saturday-Sunday instead of Friday-Saturday?
What do people dislike about the Win and You’re In races? Most of the horses that win those were going to run in the Cup anyway. And the winners of those races running rarely, if ever, keeps a horse out of the field who deserved to go. I actually think they are stupid because they are meaningless, but I get the feeling others dislike it for a different reason.
I love the win and you are in now that they actually pay your way. I hate that they did away with the regional program however. They really shot themselves in the foot with that. Most people stopped nominating once they did that.
One reason for few Euro horses is this http://www.ascot.co.uk/qipcomeet/qipco-british-champions-day, where 20 group winning horses ran in one day, on a horse-friendly surface, aka turf, on equal terms with no medications, and with no need to travel across several time zones.
There has been recent comment (e.g. in Horse and Hound) about the retro-steps of going back to dirt and re-introducing lasix in the Breeders Cup.
Last week, not a single USA bred horse won or placed at group level in the UK or Ireland. How times change.
Yesterday was Halloween and soon it will be Thanksgiving, everything has a cycle just as fall turns to winter. And so it is - as expected and like clockwork - today with it being the Breeders’ Cup kickoff that must mean one thing … wait for it … right-on-cue: an anti horse racing article by our good friends of Joe “I hate racing but it’s my beat” Drape at the The Gray Lady. 
Hopefully the LAX shooting didn’t throw off anyone’s BC plans.
The first race of the day (not a Breeders’ Cup race) paid off a tidy $260 exacta for a $2 wager. Paul Redman’s “He’s Had Enough” was in that race and has been dead last most of the race and finished towards the back of the pack.
BC JV Turf … seriously this was the first time ever that Mike Smith rode for Godolphin? No better time to wear the royal blue silks with Outstrip (GB). Also it was worth the effort to ship Outstrip - all by himself! - on their 737 airliner. That’s rock star treatment.
Mike has just won the first two BC races on 2013 confidently no less on European shippers.
Just tried to bet the Distaff/Classic double. One of my favorites, Ron the Greek scratched tomorrow. 
Everyone counting the minutes for Race 11, the 1 1/16 miles stakes for Arabians 3 and up?
This Distaff is making me all jittery! I have a distant connection to Princess so really pulling for her here, but Royal Delta is a beast and Beholder and Close Hatches have been racking up the Grade 1 wins. What a horse race this will be!
Agree - looking forward to the Distaff more than tomorrow’s Classic - also for The Princess - even though I had always loved Royal Delta as well. Excited!
Beholder ran a great race to win! But disappointed for Delta and Princess.
Looks like if you aren’t basically on the lead by the 1/4 pole, you aren’t winning.
The 3 y/o filly championship will be an interesting battle now. Beholder and Princess each have a win over the other in the two top races of the year, and both have 4 Grade 1 wins, including 1 over older mares, and both beat Royal Delta. Will the Distaff push Beholder over the edge? Or will the Oaks give Princess the edge?
Well, I am so happy for Team o’Neill and Goldencents. I’ve been following him for a long long time, and a friend is a huge huge fan so I’m thrilled that he won and made it so special for her. It was a great Dirt Mile win.
Bummer. Again, was worried w/ Castellano aboard, even though he’s her usual jockey. Think he seems to let his emotions get to him in the biggest races - the TC and the BC races when he’s favored. Ramseys are taking him off Bobby’s Kitten for sending him so fast. Have heard him talk about his nerves before. May do best when not expected to, but with so much riding on him, think the horses pick up on his nerves.
Happy for Garry Stevens and Mandella, though. And everyone is safe apparently.
Hope The Princess is back next year!
So happy for Richard Mandella and Spendthrift with Beholder! They represent some of the real class of racing. Glad Stevens has “stayed the course”, doing what he’s best at;) Please Gary, in your next retirement just go back to broadcasting and don’t try to pretend you’re something you’re not:)
On a side note…I just won a horse hair bracelet from a charity auction that was made from Inside Information’s tail. She won the Distaff in 1995, ridden by Mike Smith! She also won the Eclipse award that year for older female. I’ll be sure to wear it for next year’s BC.
[QUOTE=CVPeg;7243607]
Bummer. Again, was worried w/ Castellano aboard, even though he’s her usual jockey. Think he seems to let his emotions get to him in the biggest races - the TC and the BC races when he’s favored. Ramseys are taking him off Bobby’s Kitten for sending him so fast. Have heard him talk about his nerves before. May do best when not expected to, but with so much riding on him, think the horses pick up on his nerves.
![/QUOTE]
Isn’t that the trainer’s decision? That is what bugs me about Ken Ramsey, I really like him overall but he needs to go take his damn trainer’s test if he wants to play trainer.
Well, I suppose I should give a lonely little boost to the Utah racing industry by supporting Chips All In in the Turf Spring.
Well, are these races only on HRTV only until the BC Classic? I don’t mind, but I find no coverage at all till 7 pm central.
