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There’s a whole of changes going on for the 24th running of the Breeders’ Cup even before contenders and hopefuls arrive at Monmouth Park.
The inaugural BC Challenge that guaranteed the victorious in 24 qualifying stakes at a half-dozen premier tracks a free pass to seven Breeders’ Cup races didn’t really benefit six winners. That’s because they were among a dozen that earned a million or more in 2007 and would have qualified anyway.
Of the remaining 18 “Win and You’re In” qualifiers, one won’t race because of an injury and several others need owners to fork over a supplemental entry fee of $180,000.
And one is dodging stiff opposition in the headline event.
So far, only Fabulous Strike will miss the festivities because of a lung infection contracted shortly after winning the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont Park on Sept. 30.
He probably would have been one of the favorites in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Of four others that automatically earned a berth in the six-furlong race, Keeneland’s Phoenix Stakes winner Off Duty must rely on his interests to pay a $180,000 supplemental fee.
Others qualifiers in the deep Sprint field are Vanderbilt victor Diabolical at Saratoga on July 28, Pat O’Brien winner Greg’s Gold at Del Mar on Aug. 19 and Ancient Title champ Idiot Proof at Oak Tree (Santa Anita) on Oct. 7.
Several other winners are in if a supplemental payment is made, including Breeders’ Cup Distaff qualifiers Ginger Punch and Tough Tiz’s Sis. However, both are expected to run.
Unbridled Belle, who scored in Belmont’s Beldame on Sept. 30, is one of six millionaires that would have made their respective BC divisions anyway.
One mare that won’t race is Take D’ Tour, who came out of a last-place finish in the Beldame with an injured left foreleg and was retired.
Four millionaires that didn’t need a victory to race in the $5 million BC Classic still triumphed. But Del Mar’s Pacific Classic winner Student Council is opting for the $2.3 million Japan Cup Dirt on Nov. 24.
It appears quite a few others will dodge Saratoga’s Whitney victor Lawyer Ron, Belmont’s Jockey Gold Cup champ Curlin and Oak Tree’s Goodwood winner Tiago.
And don’t forget Kentucky Derby/Travers standout Street Sense, the top money-winning thoroughbred for ‘07 with nearly $3 million in earnings, or Hard Spun, No. 3 on the list behind Curlin, who also captured the Preakness.
And don’t forget Any Given Saturday, who reeled off three consecutive triumphs: the Dwyer, Haskell and Brooklyn. He fell just $5,680 short of banking a million.
Its no wonder the BC Classic most likely have the shortest field of the 11 Breeders’ Cup contests Oct. 26-27 worth $23 million.
However, Lava Man, No. 4 on the money-winning list, won’t make any BC race. Instead, the trailer in the Oak Tree Mile, according to his interests, will be pointed to the $250,000 California Cup Class for state-breds at Santa Anita on Nov. 4. Besides, Lava Man has been ice cold racing out of California.
English Channel, 12th and last millionaire on the list, made the Breeders’ Cup Turf by winning the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont on Sept. 30. He will face two winners of Arlington Million Day Aug. 11: Jambalaya in the showcase race and Shamdinan in the Secretariat.
At least English Channel won’t have to worry about Hirsch runner-up The Tin Man and the game Shakespeare.
“I can’t see (the 9-year-old) going,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “We’ll probably think about the Citation (at Hollywood Park Nov. 23) for him.”
Shakespeare’s comeback from a serious tendon injury was cut short after capturing the Woodbine Mile. He suffered another tear in the tendon of his left foreleg.
“After consulting with the vet we decided we were not going to push on,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “He’s a star – it’s unfortunate. It’s a tough part of the game.”
Greg Melikov has been handicapping and writing about horses for decades. His articles and columns appear in print and on the Internet around the world. Greg is a retired newspaperman who became a racing fan at 13 when he saw 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation, his favorite horse, whip 20 older horses at old Arlington Park.
Greg Melikov has been handicapping and writing about horses for decades. His articles and columns appear in print and on the Internet around the world. Greg is a retired newspaperman who became a racing fan at 13 when he saw 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation, his favorite horse, whip 20 older horses at old Arlington Park.
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