Breeders Cup

[Glimmerglass]

Pre-entries were required Monday and tomorrow they’ll be disclosed. A massive amount of interest comes with the return to a dirt track.

184 horses have been pre-entered - the most ever - compare that to 2009 when just 166 race horses were pre-entered. Sun, sand and beautiful people couldn’t overcome that synthetic track. Further I suspect that the 2010 BC back in Kentucky will be comfortably in the top 5 highest attended BCs

The sometimes fun, interesting and also infuriating and lazy New York Times “The Rail” Blog - returns for the Breeders’ Cup

[Glimmerglass]

And don’t entirely write off D. Wayne Lukas although another almost-upset as almost witness with Decelerator is semingly dubious. Yet he’ll have three long-shots going into the BC …

DRF 10-26-10

D. Wayne Lukas nearly pulled off one of the biggest surprises of his Hall of Fame training career when Decelerator finished second, beaten less than a length by Hilda’s Passion, in the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes last Saturday at Keeneland.

Decelerator was 73-1.

“I made a nice little bet on her because I thought she was coming into the race as good as she could be,” Lukas said early Tuesday outside his Churchill Downs barn. “I bet her win and place, so I guess I did okay.”

Lukas has pre-entered Mine That Bird for the $1 million BC Dirt Mile on Nov. 6.

“I’m trying to draw on 55 years of experience and pull this one out of my hat,” said Lukas, the all-time leading Breeders’ Cup trainer with 18 wins. “I’ve got the horse where we want him, physically. It’s the mental part I’ve been having some trouble with.”

Lukas has two other BC pre-entries: Tidal Pool in the Filly and Mare Sprint and Hamazing Destiny in the Sprint, both of whom also figure as longshots.

[Glimmerglass]

(pdf) full pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup

Next Tuesday will be the cutoff for final entries.

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What is amazing is that like last year there will be a jockey wager for the Breeders’ Cup: Wagering options for 2010

The Breeders’ Cup Jockey Bet. Wagers will be offered on the jockey who has the most wins in the 14 Breeders’ Cup Championships races over the two-day event. The wager will open for advance betting on Thursday, November 4, and will close prior to the running of the Breeders’ Cup Marathon on Friday. A morning line will be published.

I say amazing as Julien Leparoux - fresh off his Keeneland Fall Meet jockey title and also winning the Grade 2 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs this past weekend on the 2-yr old filly Dancinginherdreams - has mounts in 12 of the 14 Breeders’ Cup races.

It’s almost a sucker wager as I cannot see him hitting that much of a dry spell to not win that wager.

[pinkdiamondracing]

I will still be there-- but my 25yr old OTTB Orbit will not be making the trip-- he is fighting a tendon issue, and after being there for morning workouts the last three days and seeing how deep they have the track dug up for Zenyatta, I have decided it is not in his best interest to go work the big days.

I am afraid if I use him, he will bow a tendon and he will have to retire, which is almost certain death for him, as he has to stay busy to be happy. His health and happiness are most important, and there is always next year.

Rest assured though COTH’ers-- whatever pony horse I am sitting on will be sporting glitter on his bum-- it’s my trademark!!!

[Glimmerglass]

Pinkdiamond - sorry to hear that Orbitt won’t be there. Sometimes as you siad these things are just for the best with him not going.

Zenyatta did arrive a short bit ago into Louisville’s airport and received the police escort to the track. (I’m not kidding) Tomorrow she’ll go to the track for her first stroll since last being there for the scracthed effort in the Louisville.

Mike Welsch the top clocker for The Daily Racing Form has been doing his morning work reports and providing the video feedback on youtube. No video of the actual works - see TVG for that footage and their daily panel of experts for feedback.

Youtube: 11-2-10 Clocker Report BC 5 min 22sec

Breeders’ Cup clocker: Pashito the Che worked for the Sprint on Tuesday, and many of the Europeans - including Goldikova - came out for gallops. Also on the track were Red Desire, Blind Luck, Midday, and Evening Jewel.

On Wednesday, Zenyatta and Lookin At Lucky are expected to come on the track at Churchill Downs for the first time, and DRF clocker Mike Welsch will give his report card for Friday’s six Breeders’ Cup races.

As you can tell its COLD in Kentucky. Further it will be damn chilly on Friday and Saturday - especially with the Ladies Classic being after the sunsets and under the lights at CD. So bundle up!

[Glimmerglass]

Here is ESPN’s newly released BC promo featuring Zenyatta

Also the BC provided this Times Square footage with the Zenyatta promos - and yes that is the Naked Cowgirl. I believe she is facing a lawsuit from the Naked Cowboy who has been doing that trademark thing for a while.

[Glimmerglass]

LIVE

Currently on-going live: Breeders’ Cup position selection (until 2:15pm EST)

Did you really think it was done like they featured in Dreamer? Come on

[Glimmerglass]

By the way if you’re driving down I-95 today you might pass a BC entry taking long way to Churchill

Etched is taking the scenic route to Churchill Downs and the Classic, being shipped by van from his Greentree Training Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin decided it was the best mode of transportation for the “difficult” Classic contender.

“It would have been a four-hour ride to Long Island, another hour at the airport and then the flight,” McLaughlin said. “He can be a bit difficult and he’s a very large horse, so it’s just better for him to head down there on a van.”

McLaughlin estimated that Etched will arrive at Churchill Downs at 5 or 6 a.m. Wednesday after being loaded onto the van at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Oh and while Zenyatta got the police escort from the airport she wasn’t alone on the Tex Sutton flight from California. It was packed with BC entries: Zenyatta, Lookin At Lucky, A Z Warrior, Gabby’s Golden Gal, Champ Pegasus, Crown of Thorns, Awesome Gem, Tropic Storm, Unzip Me, Jaycito, and J P’s Gusto.

PVal by the way will be riding in the BC with at least one mount

[MimsEppi]

I am going to crap a brick

I will be there Friday and Saturday, section 300… Right where she starts her epic run to the front… Oh dear lord I cannot wait!

[Glimmerglass]

The Breeders’ Cup Classic Field 2010 with 12-entries

PP. Horse. ML Odds from Mike B

1. Quality Road: 5-1
2. Paddy O’Prado: 15-1
3. Haynesfield: 12-1
4. First Dude: 15-1
5. Blame: 9-2
6. Fly Down: 15-1
7. Musket Man: 20-1
8. Zenyatta: 8-5
9. Pleasant Prince: 30-1 (contrary to this headline!)
10. Etched: 30-1
11. Espoir City (JPN): 20-1
12. Lookin At Lucky: 6-1

Goldikova btw has morning line odds of 6-5
Mine that Bird in the Dirt Mile at 20-1
Winchester in the relatively thin Turf Mile (just 8 entries) is listed at 8-1

[Glimmerglass]

So the full entries (for the BC-designed races): DRF - Breeders’ Cup entries: PP. Horse. Trainer. Jockey. Odds

Equibase hasn’t released the full entires for all the day’s card with Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs

The free past performances will likely be available soon.

As cited before PVal (Patrick Valenzuela) is re-appearing in a BC for the first time in many moons! He has two mounts Quick Enough (PP #8, Turf Sprint) and J P’s Gusto (PP #4, Juvenile)

It’s a shame that the Euros have sent so few runners over this year. Perhaps its the dirt but the money is still there if they were interested …

[nelson]

We are going and I am so excited! We’ll be in section 121 and plan to dress up. Can’t wait to see the Queen in person.

[Laurierace]

I can’t procrastinate much longer. I have to figure out what in the heck to wear to the Breeder’s cup. It sounds like its supposed to be stinking cold so I need something warm that doesn’t look like barn clothes. Not sure that is possible with my current wardrobe.

[NMK]

LR–I hear ya, high of 51 Sat. BRRRR. Ok so I bought a pink and turquoise scarf, in her honor, and I hope they keep me warm too.

Nancy

[Laurierace]

Good idea about the scarf. That should help and look stylish. I am wondering if I have the butt to pull off one of those sweater dress/tights things. Or should I say small enough butt?

[Laurierace]

Well I got the sweater dress and the boots but the tights are way too short. Unless I can find the whole thing it won’t work. Maybe back to the drawing board.

[NMK]

LR–I know how you feel. Good thing we’re driving, otherwise the luggage would be obscene for the amount of time there.

At least it does not look like rain–that would be awful. It looks like perfect weather for racing.

Nancy

[system]

Would love to go one of these BiG races, but I will be cheering at home… Go Zenyatta!!

[nickers1]

Anyone know the post time for Zenyatta’s race? Or any approximation of it? Is it noon or 5’ oclock? I slipped up and booked a tour of a winery with friends that day, and I can NOT miss this race!!

I am hoping I wont have to try and watch it on my phone. My friends just roll their eyes when they hear horses!!