The Breeders Cup is over. We did pick better Friday than Saturday. Obviously we didn't have the pick 6 or we would be writing this from Hawaii. We were really rooting for Zenyatta. Blame had a good trip and Zenyatta really didn't. It seemed that she really didn't get a hold of the track the first quarter and dropped out the farthest I have ever seen a horse of this caliber, losing contact with the field. To make the run she made, was remarkable. Just a shame she couldn't get up in time to win. Still a great race and one we will be talking about for years to come.

 

We have done pretty well since the Breeders Cup at the Churchill meet. We have ran two and won two. WHISTLIN' JEAN an Indiana Bred 3 yr. old filly won a $50,000 claimer and paid $55 to win.(by Pure Prize out of Just A Broad)

 

Today we won a 3 yr. old maiden special with RIGAMARO, who is a Kentucky Homebred.(by Stormy Atlantic out of Dearfriendofours) She paid $9.40 for the win. She was making her 10th start and hit the board almost every time in her previous starts. Some may call her a professional maiden, but she has gotten beat by some pretty good horses. A couple have been stakes winners and/or graded stakes placed. This took the stable to 40 wins this year. A new milestone.

 

The sales seem to be going well. They seem to be up a little from last year, which is good. There are some racing aged prospects that are coming up in the sale which should be a reasonable buy for continued racing. Looking for some fresh horses to finish the year and take on to Oaklawn for the winter.

Carry over is 3.2 million for the pick six. I don't know if you should be handicapping today's program (which is as you all know is not easy) or tomorrows. If it is not hit today, it will be 8 to 10 million tomorrow as there will be twice as many people there today.

 

The pick six is the 6th thru the 11th, does not include the sprint. CROWN OF THORNS has scratched from the dirt mile. If Zenyatta gets beat the pick six could very well get carried over. Even if she wins that could happen.

 

There was no jockey yesterday that had more than one win. It was nice to see AWESOME FEATHERS win. It was the rider, owner and breeders first time running and winning in a Breeder Cup race. Its good to spread it around. Good to see Bobby Flay win as he is good for the game of racing.

 

The weather will be clear and cold today, but the sun will be shining. High of 47. Good Luck to all.

We got through election day and are so glad to see all the signs being removed from the edges of every road in the state, not to mention the absence of the endless commercials.

 

The Breeders Cup begins tomorrow. A couple of very interesting things going into tomorrow. Remember, Churchill has had only an inch to an inch and a quarter of rain (which was last weekend) since about August 19th or 20th. So to say we are dry is an understatement. The track superintendent has had to do all the watering artificially, which is not the same as mother nature. The Churchill track is usually slower in the fall than in the spring anyway, mainly due to weather conditions. The track is in good condition, but it might be a little cuppier and some horses will probably not like it. The grass course does have a sprinkler system and is very green and looks great. But, it is still dry and very hard. He does keep the grass longer in the fall because of the lack of growth this time of year compared to the spring. The Europeans are already whining about it, because they are use to softer turf. Tomorrow night we have a whopping 30% chance of showers/and or snow showers with a low of 36 degrees which will also effect the amount of water that will be put on the tracks. Saturday night we are suppose to get to a low of 28, which as you know is below freezing. Usually the track doesn't freeze until 26 or 27 degrees depending on wind chill and moisture in the track. But the Classic is ran at 6:45 p.m., so the track could change a little as the sun sets.  I do think Butch Lear and his crew do an exceptional job and will do an exceptional job. Just a little something you should all think about in your handicapping, but remember the weathermen are not always that accurate.

 

I do think the fields are very good, very deep and very hard to handicap so there will be some very big payoffs. I do think racing will get some much needed media exposure, but we need to have no accidents and we need Zenyatta to win.

 

The Breeders Cup starts at 4:00 PM and ends at 7:30 PM with the Ladies Classic. Here are a few of my picks for Fridays card.

For The Marathon I give you ATONED as a long shot and A.U.MINER to win, which is doing exceptionally well this week. She is trained by a young guy (Clark Hanna) that has worked his way around here for years.

The Breeders Cup Juvenile Filly Turf: WINTER MEMORIES (chalk)  MORE THAN REAL as the long shot, owned by Chef Bobby Flay

The Filly and Mares Sprint 7/8ths: Because it is 7/8ths, I am going with CHAMPAGNE D'ORO with RIGHTLY SO as a back up.

The Juvenile Fillies- Dirt: DELIGHTFUL MARY to hit the board (as we own a share in Limehouse) and one of the TAPIT fillies to win it. It is kind of hard to handicap as some of these babies have never run on real dirt.

The Breeders Cup Filly Turf Mile and 3/8ths: It is awfully hard to bet against MIDDAY, so I won't. As a back up I will pick ECLAIR DE LUNE.

The Ladies Classic: We have to root for BLIND LUCK (since we own a share in Pollards Vision) and she is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer who is way past due being in the Hall of Fame. Back up is UNRIVALED BELLE

 

Good Luck and may the horse be with you

Churchill opened today. Great card and great weather. As you all know I think it is a great place to claim horses, in case to want to start or restock your stable. Keeneland will also have its mixed sale that begins on November 8th and runs through the 21st. There are alot of racing age horses in this sale as well as mares and foals. I plan on going to Oaklawn Park for the winter which has a very good purse and race schedule, as well as weather.

 

Churchill will host the Breeders Cup this coming weekend. We are all looking forward to seeing Zenyatta and other stars of the equine world. I will try and put forth a few picks prior to Friday.