2004 Breeders' Cup Archive

Please understand that as time goes on some links might become inactive. We have no control over that.

They are listed in chronological order by day/date as they appeared in their various publications with the latest being at the top of the list.

Lone Star Park website

Breeders' Cup seating map [pdf format]

Lone Star weather forecast

BC video replays

>> This year several Eclipse divisions may still be affected by post-Breeders' Cup races
>> Jock Jamie Spencer crowned champion jockey of Irish flat season
>> Kitten's Joy trainer on ride of Powerscourt in BC Turf: "I don't think the jockey (Jamie Spencer) knows how to ride a mile-and-a-half race."
>> Breeders' Cup followup: How they fared and where they are headed
>> Breeders' Cup overnight TV ratings drop to all-time low
>> Siraco: BC was a day for new faces with upsets producing some new champions

Mon 11/1:

>> Ross: BC settles some Eclipse questions, others still in doubt
>> Kerrison: BC stewards set a bad precedent... If this approach holds, look for some rough riding in future Breeders' Cups. Jockeys have nothing to lose
>> Azeri likely to start "a couple more times"
>> Jock Castellano enjoys the day after winning Classic on first BC mount, "I was so excited when I woke up. Everybody's coming up to me to congratulate me, giving me support, making me feel good."
>> Finley's post-BC notes... Run Ghostzapper in Cigar Mile to lock up HOTY... Would Bailey have made a difference on Kitten?... More...
>> Velazquez receives BC's Shoemaker Award
>> West: Races, Lone Star make lasting impressions... DW Lukas, " haven't heard one word of complaint... But I think the thing that really set it apart was the people here. The Texas hospitality was second to none."
>> Breeders' Cup return now in sight... Lone Star Park may be host again and as soon as 2009
>> Ziegel: How Castellano got on 'Zapper... Before the horse's debut, Frankel said Bailey's agent visited the barn and said his jockey was already riding five other horses that day, "and he's not really crazy about (Ghostzapper)." He wanted off and Frankel agreed. "That's how Castellano got on."
>> Pat Chapman thinks Smarty would have made BC Classic a tussle, "I'm sitting there watching that race and wishing Smarty could have been in there. I think they would have run up there together. I don't know who would have won."
>> Rosenblatt: When cooler heads prevail, there’s little doubt that Smarty Jones is more deserving of Horse of the Year
>> Clay recaps with some quick BC notes
>> Craig Dollase a winner despite losing at BC... Gets training assignment for BC Juvie winner, "It sure picked up our day."
>> Fountaine post-BC comments: Many big guns disappointed on Saturday

>> San Diego scribe graded picks
>> Kling looks at Classic and Turf
>> Beyer picks
>> Kristufek picks and plays
>> Rosenblatt selections
>> Stumes comments
>> Zast picks
>> Rees picks and notes
>> McNamara picks
>> Fortus selections and comments
>> Steve Haskin's BC longshots
>> Vegas scribe's picks
>> Daley: F/M Turf, Juv, Turf, Classic
>> Graham Stone -- last year's BC P6 winner with an $8 ticket -- lists his $8 ticket this year: Mile - Artie Schiller; Sprint - Speightstown/Kela; FM Turf - Ouija Board; Juv - Roman Ruler; Turf - Kitten's Joy; Classic - Pleasantly Perfect/Dynever
>> Kling names his contenders for Sprint, F/M Turf, Juv
>> Kling names his contenders for Distaff, Juv Fillies, Mile
>> Philly area scribe gives BC picks
>> Daley analyzes Distaff, Juvenile Fillies, Mile and Sprint
>> LA Daily News Modesti's picks... Plus a partisan cheer: "The 1989 Classic was only the most spectacular example in the Breeders' Cup's 20-year pattern of horses from the West -- from all over the nation and world -- outperforming horses from the East."
>> Kerrison selections: Beyond the Turf and F/M Turf "my idea is to swing for the bleachers and hope to hit a home run."
>> NY Daily News writers face-off with imaginary bankroll wagers
>> Brunker's picks and plays
>> Cronley selections
>> DRF staff selections [pdf format]
>> ...More DRF analysis
>> Neumeier's BC selections
>> Finley's BC selections

>> Ghostzapper leads them home
>> Jockey Javier Castellano celebrates aboard Ghostzapper
>> Frank Stronach celebrates
>> Thumb's up from Castellano
>> Better Talk Now in the stretch
>> Wilko upsets
>> Dettori is all smiles
>> 'Flying' dismount from Dettori
>> Singletary surges
>> Ashado wins
>> Ouija Board takes the F/M Turf
>> Todd Pletcher celebrates his second BC victory
>> Speightstwon sprints to win
>> Jockey David Flores celebrates his win aboard Singletary
>> Nakatani says Sweet Catomine is 'Number 1"
>> Sweet Catomine tops Juv Fillies
>> Ashado takes BC opener
>> Entrance gate security

>> Distaff: Pletcher gets first BC win with Ashado
>> Juv: Dettori-led Wilko runs past young field at 28-1
>> Juv Fillies: Sweet Catomine overcomes rough trip
>> F/M Turf: Euro-star Ouija Board gets it done
>> Turf: Better Talk Now survives inquiry to upset
>> Mile: Singletary surprises
>> Sprint: Speightstown gives Pletcher two on the day

>> BC P6: Nobody picks 6... 5/6 pays $59K
>> Beyer on Ghostzapper: "Speed handicappers... may declare this to be the fastest single performance by any horse in any race of the Breeders' Cup's 21-year history."
>> The non-DQ in BC turf... From Texas racing rules: Sec. 313.442 (b), "A horse may not interfere with or cause another horse to lose stride, lose ground, or lose position in a part of the race where the horse interfered with loses the opportunity to place where the horse might be reasonably expected to finish."
>> Brunker: Smarty top 3YO... Ghostzapper HOTY
>> Stronach: "If [Ghostzapper]'s sound I mentioned to Bobby, as far as I'm concerned, we will run him next year. But I told Bobby, 'I don't want to ship him away. I don't want to ship him to Japan or Dubai.' He should stay here."
>> Kerrison on Ghostzapper: "In a word, stupendous!"
>> Ziegel: Ghostzapper is now a cinch to be voted Horse of the Year
>> Singletary's win one for the little guys... For every Bob Baffert and Bobby Frankel, there are hundreds of Don Chatloses hoping to catch a break and get a great horse
>> Saratoga influence plays role in BC races Saturday
>> Afternoon marked by plenty of emotional ups and downs
>> Big day for Pletcher
>> The most remarkable day for Canadian-owned horses in the 21-year history of the Breeders' Cup
>> Azeri's gamble doesn't pay off in Classic, "When they took off at the three-eighths pole, she wasn't able to track them down."
>> Nearly $120 mil bet on BC
>> Early review deems event a success at Lone Star

Sat 10/30:

>> Funny Cide comes to rescue... 2003 Ky Derby and Preakness winner could rekindle interest in the sport with BC win
>> Classic should decide who wins Eclipse
>> Delaware-based jocks Dominguez and Rose making BC debuts... Dominguez, "Of course, it is going to be exciting, but you still have to ride like any other race."
>> First BC broadcast attracted Baffert to sport... How is that new career path working out for Bob? Well, he has simply become one of the most recognizable personalities in racing
>> Wilson: Azeri's got no chance. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
>> Moran: With the top horses, jockeys and trainers in one location, no day is more significant to racing
>> Kerrison: Allen and Jimmy Jerkens looking to make historic father-son double in BC
>> Rosenblatt: Plenty of storylines in Classic
>> Pletcher looking for first BC winner
>> Cup, Lone Star officials meet on heightened security
>> Modesti: Pleasantly Perfect the horse to beat
>> Wesch: Texas can root for Classic to be Perfect
>> Utah-based trainer brings rank outside to Twice Unbridled to BC Juvie, "He was a little bit small, but as perfect a little horse as you've ever seen. But Seabiscuit was small, too."
>> Mile: Canani trains both Blackdouwn and Special Ring, "It's going to be a heck of a race."
>> Dettori back to winning ways on track... Jockey had lost desire for sport until faced with new challenges
>> Migliore will ride despite mishap Thursday, "I got hurt once before when I had to ride [Artie Schiller], and I came back the next day and we won the Woodlawn at Pimlico."
>> Ziegel: Listen to him for only a few minutes - which means getting past his fingernail-on-a-blackboard sound of his voice - and it's clear that Ken Ramsey is at Lone Star for only one reason: to lead his horses into the winner's circle as often as he can, once, twice, and maybe three times
>> Chi-town based trainer brings Bare Necessities to Distaff, "It's been very exciting, the hype and all. I'm very honored to be here."
>> New Jersey fertile gournd for 2004 BC entrants... 15 have raced in Garden State

Fri 10/29:

>> Jerry Bailey wins Lone Star's Jock Championship competition, "Tell Ken Ramsey my wrist is fine."
>> Photo: Bailey celebrates jocks competition victory

>> Some splendid horses, like last spring's Smarty guy, develop a passionate following. Others, Pleasantly Perfect, for instance, earn a certain amount of respect. But there is no fan club, no Web site, no bottles of Pleasantly Perfect lager
>> Frankel on Azeri: "She's got no chance. She won't be a factor. She won't hit the board."
>> Lone Star/Breeders' Cup ready to be tested... BC prez, "The track was actually conceived and built with the confidence that it could someday host the Breeders' Cup. So in that regard it may be one of the most aggressive management and ownership teams we've ever done business with"
>> But in the past four weeks, something wonderful has happened. The career of Funny Cide has been resurrected... Tagg, "He's leveled off a little and become more sensible. He is still very strong and a hard horse to gallop, but [Smullen] and I have figured him out."
>> Early reviews positive for Lone Star... "Aidan O'Brien [the top-notch Irish trainer] told me he'd never been happier with the facilities than he is here."
>> Price: Best feature of Breeders' Cup is competition
>> Europeans not as strong this year?
>> Canini eyes Breeders' Mile with welcome double vision
>> Beyer: Scrutiny keeps Cup clean... Breeders' Cup trainers, horses, and vets will be subjected to scrutiny without parallel in America racing... Therefore, it is hard to suppress suspicions when trainers enjoy extraordinary success throughout the year but flop in the Breeders' Cup
>> Transcript: DRF internet chat with Steven Crist, "[Ghostzapper] may well be the fastest horse in the race but I have grave misgivings about him at a mile and a quarter."
>> Transcript: DRF internet chat with pedigree columnist Lauren Stich
>>> Transcript: Tuesday's DRF internet chat with Andy Beyer... "There are a lot of times when we look at exceptional figures, scratch our heads and ask, 'Could this be right?' -- but this was not the case with Ghostzapper's 128. It was cut and dried."
>> Sizing up the storylines in the Classic
>> Baffert likes Roman Ruler... Doesn't like juvie jinx, "The jinx? You mean the Bambino Curse? I think the Boston Red Sox just threw that out."
>> NY Times: Barclay Tagg is infamous for his gloomy, grumpy, pessimistic personality, so his enthusiasm, even giddiness, the other day came as a surprise. It seems that a happy horse can make a happy trainer
>> Luck -- and speed -- important in Sprint, "They all won't get the trip they want. They never do. Position will be everything for a horse."
>> Euro Timeform ratings explained
>> Migliore shaken in Thurs mishap but expect to ride Saturday
>> For some BC provides once in a lifetime experience... Trainer Wayne Catalano, "We're very excited. These are the ultimate races, the ones you come in every day and work very hard to get to."
>> Rees: Closer look a the Euros
>> Japanese shipper Personal Rush is US-bred... Will try Classic after G1 win overseas, "It's a lot to ask a 3-year-old to come from Japan."
>> What Lone Star lacks in tradition, the track makes up for in ambition

BC photo gallery:
Funny Cide 1
Funny Cide 2
Azeri 1
Azeri 2
Pleasantly Perfect
Blackdoun
Powerscourt
Balletto
Storm Flag Flying
Six Perfections

Thurs 10/28:

>> If Birdstone wins the Classic and Smarty Jones gets nothing, it will be very hard for those people who really believed in the horse... Trainer Servis, "That would kill me."
>> Brunker: Azeri upset would be one for the ages
>> Joseph: Let the critics beat up on Lukas and Paulson. But instead of taking the easy money, they're shooting for the stars
>> Texas enjoys racing resurgence with Breeders' Cup... Many people, including a surprising number of racing historians, are unaware of what went on in Texas from 1933-37. For that brief time, Texas rated with Kentucky, California and New York among the Sport of Kings' pre-eminent states
>> Juvenile jinx? Baffert, Lukas, Zito say 20-year drought to end
>> Racing's eyes are on Texas... Breeders' Cup brings star status
>> Fortus: Ashado inherits role of Distaff fave... Azeri's absence leaves seven winners of G1 races
>> Owner thrilled with F/M Turf entrant Moscow Burning, "She's our Seabiscuit."
>> Champions galore will line up for the $4 mil BC Classic, several with legitimate chances to stake their claim for HOTY by winning America's richest race
>> Kerrison: Pleasantly Perfect the edge of becoming the richest earner of all time. Now that's a real comeback
>> NY Post's closer look at the Juvenile
>> Owner Ramsey has three entered, "It's been a breakthrough year for us. We're very thankful and appreciative of all the good training, and the good jockeys, and the horses that got us here."
>> Breeders' Cup another step up for Bejarano... Trainers confident of 22YO rider
>> Trainer Jerkens looks to break BC oh-fer
>> Trainer Biancone on Azeri, "I think the shock to people is going to be when she wins. Because I think she is the best."
>> BC could have a profound effect on racing in Virginia, believe it or not
>> NY Daily News BC card rundown
>> Cup draw finally rattles Romans' nerves, "I hadn't been nervous the whole week until they said 'even money.' "
>> Major horse races are tickets to travel for mutuel clerks
>> Lukas versus Baffert isn't quite the Yankees versus the Red Sox. But it is undoubtedly the biggest rivalry in horse racing, and it's overdue at playing Lone Star
>> Several trainers immediately began plotting strategy following Wed's post position draw for the Classic

Wed 10/27:

>>> Azeri to face the boys in BC Classic... Lukas, "We're in Texas and this is Texas hold 'em. We're all in. We're going to the Classic."

>> Kerrison: Azeri in the Classic -- It's a daring gamble but looms a lost cause
>> Finley on Azeri: A Classic mistake?
>> West: Lukas repeatedly has made daring and unorthodox choices, and in doing so, he consistently has given horses the opportunity to achieve greatness. That's what this move is all about
>> Moran: Funny Cide getting his mojo back
>> Funny Cide may strike again in BC Classic
>> Bailey on being replaced on Kitten's Joy, "I'd call it disappointment, not displeasure. [Owner Ken Ramsey] called me up and told me not to be mad. I told him I wasn't mad. I've gotten on a jillion horses myself at the expense of other riders. It's part of the business."
>> Brit scribe describes BC track to hometown readers, "The first striking impression of Lone Star is its very size. Or lack of it. The track is shaped like a bar of soap, and one that has had a few showers at that."
>> ...and another Brit take, "Nothing comes close to the atmosphere and anticipation of the annual pilgrimage to the USA for what they now call The World Thoroughbred Championships."
>> Trainer Bernie Flint -- in hospital last month for four days -- is on upswing with 2YO filly Runway Model live in the Juvie Filly, "I think this filly is going to run pretty well in a $1 million race."
>> Deep-pocket owners Fog City Stable finally have a BC contender, "One unfortunate injury after another prevented us from being in a position that we are with this horse. We've won a lot of graded stakes races but never the one or two that set the standard that we intended to set."
>> NY Post's closer look at F/M Turf
>> Euro trainers look to the sky... Heavy rain at Lone Star Park gives grounds for concern
>> Wednesday works
>> Lukas, "I'm looking forward to running [Azeri] in the Classic. This is for $4 million, and I don't care whoever else shows up. I've trained 16 [Eclipse] champion fillies and mares. She's going to take this race to her competition. She never has a bad day, just good days and better days."
>> Juvenile Jinx: Is it really a hoax?... Some say race still can lead to success
>> Japanese invader Personal Rush gets grand tour of Lone Star

Tues 10/26:

>> Plonk: 'Formulating' Breeders' Cup opinions
>> McNamara: Horse-by-horse comments
>> Some of the sport's biggest names are taking aim at eight races worth $14 mil. Some, such as Baffert, are less loaded than in other years
>> Kling names his contenders for Distaff, Juv Fillies, Mile
>> Flashback to 2003: Confidence restored to BC P6 wager as partners split $2 mil prize after cashing an $8 ticket
>> Jerry Bailey lost mount on Kitten's Joy but "one thing's for certain, he'll be doing more riding than watching when Saturday's Super Bowl of horse racing takes center stage."
>> Profile: Virgin Island native jock Kerwin John hopes participation in high-profile BC will help career, "I'm hoping just being in the Breeders' Cup will get me more recognition."
>> "Little Man is ready to go," said Birdstone's trainer, Nick Zito
>> Beware of trainer Allen Jerkens, "I've never even been in the money [in a BC race]," he said. Winning "would be the frosting on the cake."
>> Kerrison: A three-year-old named Kitten's Joy, is a monster
>> Monday work tab
>> Jerry Bailey a 'go': "If any of [my BC mounts] get beat it won't be because I'm not ready."
>> Big BC day for jock Nakatani -- riding in all BC races -- can cap 2004 season, one filled with some controversy
>> Small field expected for Juvie... The 'jinx' has acquired a reputation scarier than just about anything that will show up at your doorstep Halloween night begging for a sugar rush
>> Sarafan, Stay Forever out
>> Breeder battles cancer but finds solace in success of Afleet Alex
>> Cup runneth away, not over, for trainer Frankel... Trainer has just two wins in showcase event, none in the Classic
>> Brit comments on how each race shapes up
>> Longtime friends making first foray to BC with theri horse Mr O'Brien, "This horse has earned the money to go. He's earned the right. I think he's competitive with all the turf horses in America that I know of."
>> Kitten's Joy produced from mare who overcame adversity
>> Baker's dozen for Classic?
>> Biancone says low number of Europeans related to quality

Sun-Mon 10/24-5:

>>> Historical stats to ponder
>>> Quick glance at BC Classic field and stats
>>> Quick glance at BC Turf field and stats
>>> Closer look at Sunday works by BC hopefuls
>>> Romans happy with works by Roses in May, Kitten's Joy
>>> Texas expecting big return from BC... "In the next 10 years, horse racing and breeding is going to absolutely take off in the state of Texas. We see the Breeders' Cup serving as a catalyst."
>>> Profile: The BC committee has stretched its policy of encouraging outback tracks to the limit in nominating Lone Star as a suitable venue, but if characters as richly drawn as trainer Bubba Cascio come as part of the package, the rewards are far greater than the risks
>>> Texas writer gives some insight into the world of wagering prior to the BC... It's time for Horse Racing 101
>>> Churchill-based trainers hold strong hand in BC races
>>> Trainer Biancone is on a BC oh-fer -- but has the experience that counts, "If you go back through 20 years of history, you could write a book about how many good horses have been unlucky... Get a good horse and make him peak. But the luck [you can't control]."
>>> Ready's Gal out of Juv Filly
>>> Closer look at NBC's TV work at the BC... Producer, "This is the hardest show I do all year; there's no doubt about it."
>>> Lone Star will feature the first temporary suites in BC history... "First of all, this market is the largest penthouse suite market in major-league sports... There's the desire of this sports community to be treated in a VIP fashion. We knew that demand was there for this Breeders' Cup."
>>> Local writer gives tips for those planning to attend Lone Star Saturday
>>> Brunker: BC could be a fillies' affair... Azeri, Ouija Board figure to make impressions
>>> Foreign horses will go it alone at Lone Star... Visitors to track from outside US land in quarantine barn
>>> Price: High (and low) marks from past Breeders' Cups
>>> Price: A closer look at the BC fields and races
>>> National Museum of Racing hosts panel discussion looking at BC
>>> Owner once again putting up big supplemental fee to give Perfect Drift a third chance at BC glory
>>> Pro football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary's namesake shoots for BC Mile
>>> Ramsey has overhauled his horse operation and changed big-time trainers in the name of victory
>>> Top moments in Lone Star history
>>> Breeders' Cup evolution: Racing through history. Looking back at 20 years of world-class competition
>>> West: Breeders' Cup impression will be lasting... Early returns suggest first-time visitors like what they see
>>> Birdstone gets first feel of Lone Star
>>> Pleasantly Perfect looks tip-top
>>> Breeders' Cup thrilled to be in Texas... BC prez, "Our original mission was to build awareness and promote the well-being of the sport. So obtaining a high profile in major marketplaces like Dallas-Fort Worth fits into our mission."
>>> Profile: Trainer Dale Romans has reached the top at age 38... "It's gone way beyond what I would have expected."
>>> Look out, Texas, here come the Ramseys... Ky mavericks have three solid contenders
>>> Jocks set for Thursday's International Jockey Championship at Lone Star
>>> NY Post scribe says Birdstone, "has the potential to light up the skies like a new star in the firmament."

Sat 10/23:

>>> Neumeier: Ouija Board will win BC Turf... But will trainer, owner run English filly against males?
>>> Closer look at Turf and Classic
>>> Fountaine: Closer look at the Distaff
>>> Juvenile Fillies update: Two out, two in
>>> Balto Star out

Fri 10/22:

MSNBC's Brunker mentions some worthwhile websites for finding Breeders' Cup info [and the nod to equidaily.com is appreciated!]

Kling: Myth busted!... The curse of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile is a myth. It is science fiction - without any science. Belief in the jinx is the thoroughbred racing equivalent of belonging to the Flat Earth Society. The facts prove it.

Modesti: How have horses done in the Breeders' Cup races the past 20 years after layoffs of two months or more? Pretty well

Brit bookmakers leaning towards Kitten's Joy

Funny Cide: From darling, to discard, back to darling again

Afleet Alex 'having a ball' in Texas

Thurs 10/21:

>>> Breeders' Cup pre-entries lists
>>> Rosenblatt: A closer look at BC with pre-entries lists known... "The Classic is shaping up to be a doozy of a race."

Owner Ken Ramsey should appreciate Texas... He's the t-bred owner equivalent of an oil wildcatter, challenging conventional rules with a common-sense wisdom, daring fate and never afraid of failure

West: Naysayers will be proven wrong... They fear their preconception that the best racing, if only for a day, has to be confined to NY or Ky or California will come crashing down. And it will, on Oct 30

Gary Stevens to bypass Breeders' Cup due to insurance concerns

Azeri team still undecided on which BC race to enter, "It's not an easy decision and not one that will be taken lightly," he said. "We're going to do it like making love to a porcupine: carefully."

Lone Star to boost insurance coverage for BC jocks, "It's been a cooperative decision between the NTRA, Breeders' Cup and Lone Star Park."

West: All year-end title contenders expected in Texas save for two and, "Smarty Jones, who has been retired, and Pico Central, who has become unforgivably coy, may have surrendered their claims."

Breeders' Cup steeplechase: Transcript of national teleconference with Bill Gallo, Sanna Hendricks [McDynamo], Ricky Hendricks [Tres Touche], Neil Morris [Sur La Tete], and Matthew Mc Carron [Hirapour]

Mandella, Whitney have no concern over layoffs

Dettori booked for three BC mounts

Wed 10/20:

Europe will have a maximum of 12 runners at next week's BC

West: If the Breeders' Cup is going to continue call itself the World T-bred Championships, it clearly must meet the international challenge by increasing purses and trying to decrease costs

Azeri sharp in first work since Overbrook Spinster

Tues 10/19:

Biancone trainees arrive at Lone Star

Paulson assures he'll 'do right' by Azeri

Blackdoun supplemented to Mile after 'super' work

Internet scribe shares pens ' An Early Look at Breeder's Cup XXI':
> Part 1
> Part 2

Mon 10/18:

The Ouija Board points to 'yes'... "She definitely runs in America," although which Breeders' Cup race is still undecided

Sun 10/17:

Top Brit jock Dettori set to pilot Japanese 3YO in BC Classic

'Happy Handicapper' looks at five 'road warriors' who shouldn't mind shipping and stepping onto new surface on Breeders' Cup day

Sat 10/16:

Bailey to ride Balletto in Juvenile Fillies if she starts

Closer look at likely fields with comments

Closer look at F/M Turf and Juvie

Pleasantly Perfect 'never better' after big drill

Fri 10/15:

Pico Central to skip Breeders’ Cup Sprint, point to Cigar Mile

Neumeier: Azeri adds salsa if her camp decide to run her in BC Classic... Paulsen, Lukas face dilemma in deciding whether to try great mare against males

Closer look at the money that drives the BC

Price: If BC history repeats, no matter how much of a lead-pipe cinch Frankel's horses appear, do yourself a favor. Avoid them like the plague

Lukas leaning towards Distaff for Azeri... "Look, I want to win a Breeders' Cup race. I don't feel you should go in the Classic unless you have the edge."

Thurs 10/14:

No Texas for Arc winner Bago... "We have decided to bypass the Breeders' Cup as Bago will stay in training as a four-year-old."

Siraco: A look at those who made an impact over the weekend to push into the Breeders' Cup fields

SoCal horses prep for Breeders' Cup

Wed 10/13:

Funny Cide works Wed... "Barclay said keep him relaxed and work in 59 and four and gallop out in 12 and four."

Strong field for BC Steeplechase

Tues 10/12:

West: Why are some Euros passing on the Breeders' Cup? It could be for the oldest of reasons: money. Racing has become increasingly international, and in recent years, Japan and Hong Kong have started offering purses that rival those of the Breeders' Cup

Aidan O'Brien has yet to make any decision regarding which race Powerscourt will contest at this year's Breeders' Cup

>>> Ramsey: "This is a huge race for us. This is for the championship, for all the marbles. In other words, this is for the gold. I just couldn't make the decision that a 90% Jerry Bailey could outride a 100% Velazquez."
>>> Jock Jerry Bailey ready to return... Voices displeasure at replacement on BC Turf hopeful, "The most disappointing thing was Ken Ramsey not letting me ride Kitten's Joy back. You find out through good times and bad times who's loyal in this game."
>>> From the 'What Goes Around... Dept': 2003 Preakness... [Pat] Valenzuela was scheduled to ride in the Preakness until being replaced on Ten Cents a Shine by Jerry Bailey, who became available when the handlers of Empire Maker decided to skip the race... Owner of Ten Cents a Shine? Ken Ramsey... P Val, "It's unfortunate that I had to be put in a spot where I don't get to ride in the Preakness. It's one of the biggest races in the history of racing. But Jerry Bailey is a great jockey, Wayne Lukas is a great trainer and Mr. (Ken) Ramsey is a great owner. I wish them all the best."

Monday 10/11:

BC : Racing's world championships will draw the best horses in training -- from this year's Triple Crown spoiler Birdstone, to last year's Ky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide, to 2002 HOTY Azeri

Ouija Board still a 'maybe'... "We'll be making some decisions in the very near future."

>>> Rosenblatt: Three weeks before the Breeders' Cup, and it's still tough to tell the players without a racing scorecard

Prior to Monday 10/11:

>>> Finley: More and more, the BC Juvenile looks like a race on the road to nowhere
>>> How the BC fields are shaping up

>>> Pico Central has plane reservation, but will he go to BC Sprint?... Trainer, "He probably goes to the track Friday or Saturday, and then I'm going to watch him for a few days."
>>> Indrisano: This is the last big weekend for prep races before the BC and the 2Yos will take center stage
>>> Lone Star/BC: A brief primer on what to expect regarding the dirt and turf compositions and configurations as they relate to each of the eight Breeders' Cup races
>>> West: Euros in it for long run... They'll come from far and wide for shot at Breeders' Cup glory
>>> Price: Eclipse voters shouldn't be swayed by Euros BC races... "The spirit of the competition seems to urge a vote for a horse that's been here all year, and there are plenty to choose from."

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