How I See the 14 Races of 25th Breeders’ Cup

Posted on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

SBG Global RacebookBy GREG MELIKOV

Here’s the 2008 Breeders’ Cup in a nutshell.

$2 Million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, 1 1/8 miles: Favorites dominate, as 17 of 24 winners were less than 3-1, which probably accounts for the small fields.

$5 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic, 1 1/4 miles: Only four horses scored from posts 1-3, including Ghostzapper on the rail in ‘04 who was only the second wire-to-wire winner since ‘91 when Black Tie Affair triumphed off the longest layoff — 49 days. Outside is the place to be as nine won from posts 10 through 14, including ‘07 champ Curlin from post 11. The early 7-5 favorite breaks from post 9. The son of Smart Strike wins again.

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Breeders’ Cup Contenders October 25: Curlin Draws Post 9 In The 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic

Posted on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

Race horse Curlin drew post position 9 in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic field and was made the 7-5 favorite for the $5-million horse race to be held on October 25 at Santa Anita Park.

With Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown retired and off the Breeders’ Cup Classic contenders list, the Horse of the Year Curlin will defend his title against 11 other race horses hoping to stop Curlin’s bid to be the second consecutive Breeders’ Cup Classic winner.

The 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic field of races horses with jockeys, weight and morning line odds:

  1. SBG Global RacebookGo Between under jockey Garrett Gomez carries 126 lbs. with morning line odds of 8-1
  2. Casino Drive under jockey Victor Espinoza, 121 lbs., 10-1
  3. Tiago under jockey Mike Smith, 126 lbs., 15-1
  4. Duke of Marmalade under jockey John Murtagh, 126 lbs., 10-1
  5. Henrythenavigator under jockey John Velazquez, 121 lbs., 10-1
  6. Smooth Air under jockey Manny Cruz, 121 lbs., 50-1
  7. Student Council under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, 126 lbs., 20-1
  8. Raven’s Pass under jockey Frankie Dettori, 121 lbs., 6-1
  9. Curlin under jockey Robby Albarado, 126 lbs., 7-5
  10. Fairbanks under jockey Richard Migliore, 126 lbs., 10-1
  11. Colonel John under jockey Edgar Prado, 121 lbs., 20-1
  12. Champs Elysees under jockey Alan Garcia, 126 lbs., 15-1

The 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic is race 9 in Oak Tree at Santa Anita’s October 25 race card. Breeders’ Cup Classic Post time is 3:45 pm Pacific.

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Breeders’ Cup Challenge Race Results: Lewis Michael Wins Pat O’Brien Handicap at Del Mar

Posted on Sunday, August 24th, 2008

SBG Global RacebookEastern invaders Lewis Michael and jockey Rene Douglas combined to score a major upset Sunday in the $300,000 Pat O’Brien Handicap (G2) at Del Mar as 2007 Eclipse Award winning-sprinter Midnight Lute, the 4-5 favorite, finished a disappointing 10th in the field of 12 race horses.

Lewis Michael, owned by Frank Calabrese and trained by Wayne Catalano, set a record of 1:21.17 for the Pat O’Brien distance of 7 furlongs over Del Mar’s new Polytrack surface and returned $19.20, $9 and $5.80. Since the Pat O’Brien is a 2008 Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” qualifying race, Lewis Michael earned a spot in the Breeders’ Cup field for the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Sprint which will be renewed Saturday, October 25 at Santa Anita Park.

Rebellion paid $7.20 and $5.40, while Barbecue Eddie returned $5.40 to show.

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Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races at Del Mar August 24: Pacific Classic, Del Mar Mile, Pat O’Brien, Rancho Bernardo Handicap

Posted on Thursday, August 21st, 2008

SBG Global RacebookThe 2008 Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win & You’re In” series of horse races continues at Del Mar August 24, Sunday, with the $1-million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at 1 1/4 miles for 3-year-olds and up, the $400,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap (G2) at 1 mile on turf for 3-year-olds and up; the $300,000 Pat O’Brien Handicap (G2) at 7 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up; and the $200,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) at 6 1/2 furlongs for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares.

Winners of these 4 horse races will automatically become part of the Breeders’ Cup field for the corresponding divisional race in the two-day, fourteen-race, $25-million Breeders’ Cup World Championships, to be held October 24-25 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park.

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Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races at Del Mar: Del Mar Handicap, Pacific Classic, Pat O’Brien, Rancho Bernardo

Posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

SBG Global RacebookThe 2008 Breeders’ Cup Challenge dominates Del Mar this weekend, with six horse races: the August 23 Del Mar Handicap (G2), the August 24 Pacific Classic (G1), Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3), Del Mar Mile Handicap (G2) and the Pat O’Brien Handicap (G2).

With the decision by race horse trainer John Sadler to send Tissy Fit into the Del Mar Handicap (G2), a full field seems likely for Saturday’s 1 3/8-mile race on Del Mar’s Jimmy Durante Turf Course.

While two Saratoga-based Pacific Classic prospects, one at Churchill Downs and one at Del Mar, put in their final serious works for Sunday’s $1-million Pacific Classic (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on the Del Mar main track.

Read full story: "Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races at Del Mar: Del Mar Handicap, Pacific Classic, Pat O’Brien, Rancho Bernardo"...

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