Who’s In, Who’s Out: Quickie BC Update
By Dana Byerly, Hello Race Fans Co-founder
It’s a relatively quiet racing weekend compared to the last three weeks. Of note is the return of the De Francis Dash to Laurel after a year off, and there are a few graded stakes races at Keeneland.
Much of the news these days is centered around the Breeders’ Cup. Who’s in, who’s out, who’s on the fence and who’s working? Yesterday it was announced that Australian globetrotter So You Think, who most recently ran second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is pointing towards the Breeders’ Cup Classic! Not familiar with So You Think? Here are a couple of races from this year…
2011 Irish Champion Stakes
2011 Prince of Wales Stakes
You probably noticed that we said that he’s pointing to the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is run on dirt, yet these replays are over the turf. Turf horses have done well over the main track at Churchill, in fact you might remember your 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, or the 2010 Kentucky Derby third place finisher, Paddy O’Prado, both widely dismissed as grass horses. Whatever happens, it’s always exciting to see international talent show up to the Breeders’ Cup!
If you’re planning on staying glued to the TV for two days, the broadcast schedule has been announced.
2011 Breeders’ Cup Broadcast Schedule
Fri Nov 4: ESPN2/ESPN3 4pm ET with the Ladies Classic at 7:30pm ET
Sat Nov 5: ABC 2pm ET – 3:30pm ET
Sat Nov 5: ESPN2/ESPN3 3:30pm ET with the Classic at 7pm ET
And if you can’t make it to Churchill but are planning on watching Breeders’ Cup Saturday from your home track, check out this nifty promotion from the Breeders’ Cup for a chance to win up to $500k!
In other Breeders’ Cup news, here’s a quick look at this week’s updates about who’s out, who’s on the fence and who’s recently worked.
Pointing Towards the 2011 Breeders’ Cup
Brilliant Speed: Turf
Out of the 2011 Breeders’ Cup
Awesome Feather: Ladies Classic
Awesome Gem: Classic
Sassy Image: Filly & Mare Sprint
Zazu: Ladies Classic
On the Fence for 2011 Breeder’s Cup
Smiling Tiger: Sprint (it looks like he’s actually out)
Western Aristocrat: Mile
Recent Works for 2011 Breeders’ Cup
Ask the Moon: Ladies Classic
Caleb’s Posse: Dirt Mile or Sprint
Chamberlain Bridge: Turf Sprint
Drill: Juvenile
Flat Out: Classic (from this morning, will probably be more info later)
Game on Dude: Classic
Giant Ryan: Sprint
Jersey Town: Dirt Mile
My Miss Aurelia: Juvenile Fillies (and others!)
State of Play: Juvenile Turf
Stephanie’ Kitten: Juvenile Fillies Turf & Coalport: Juvenile Turf
Take Charge Indy: Juvenile & Rocket Twentyone: Juvenile Fillies
Trinniberg: Juvenile Sprint
Turbulent Descent: Filly & Mare Sprint
Did you Watch Animal Planet’s TV series Jockeys? Aaron Gryder, who now rides at Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco, kicked off the fall meet with four wins on opening day. Not a bad start! And finally, if adorable photos are your thing, be sure to check out this week’s NTRA Photo of the Week of E.P. Taylor winner Miss Keller snuggling with her stuffed bunny… awww.