Your Breeders' Cup Best and Worst?

[Charismatic1]

People:

From your Breeders' Cup history, which has been your favorite BC and which is your biggest Cup Day nightmare and why? It can be from a fan or wagering perspective.

I've only been celebrating Cup day since 2000, but I'd have to say my nightmare occured in 2002. 2004 and 2005 weren't good either, but 2002 was my first year wagering through the "system" on the races in addition to our points championship at my party. I was shocked to have 3 singles on my Cup card (The Rock, Starine, and Vindication). I figured this allowed me to spread a little. In the first four races, I tried catching some value against Azeri and Storm Flag Flying to play with Rock. Didn't matter when Rock lost. My nightmare occured in the late pick 4. I singled Starine at 13-1 and she banked. Vindication sent me to 6 horses in the Turf. I thought High Chap was real strong, but since I had singled twice, I figured I could spread just in case a horse like Falcon Flight (horse for course) or Denon (lover of the give) surprised. I stood against Golan and With Anticipation (fan, but soft turf was discouraging). The win threw me into the Classic where I had 8 of the 12. The house was going crazy as usual, so I couldn't hear Durkin's call and I figured one of my horses was streaking away because I didn't think three of them had a shot (Dollar Bill, E Dubai, and the winner). I knew Hawk Wing's silks, so I knew he hadn't bit me. Someone finally answered my question right before the wire, "the 2 is Volponi!" I suck, but this didn't help.

My favorite Cup is my first. I had my first racing party and had just my 6 best buds over. I wrote scouting reports for them and we went at it. I won the contest with just 38 points which compared to the next couple years, including the Derby prep-race contests, is embarassing. As a race fan, though, that day was incredible. Excluding the Distaff's 9 runners, every field was 14 full (disregarding scratches). You had big bombs (Spain and Caressing), a moderate favorite (War Chant) and a strong fave (Kona Gold) take titles. Most importantly, the biggest margin of victory was Spain's 1 1/2 length score over Surfside. Practically every race was in the balance with just 25 yards remaining. I watch my tape of this Cup more than any other.