11/5 (CD): Breeders' Cup Saturday (Final Fields)
 

CLASSIC

1 PRAYER FOR RELIEF Bob Baffert Rafael Bejarano 30-1
2 FLAT OUT Charles Dickey Alex Solis 6-1
3 DROSSELMEYER Bill Mott Mike Smith 15-1
4 RULER ON ICE Kelly Breen Garrett Gomez 30-1
5 SO YOU THINK Aidan O'Brien Ryan Moore 5-1
6 ICE BOX Nick Zito Corey Nakatani 30-1
7 RATTLESNAKE BRIDGE Kiaran McLaughlin Calvin Borel 30-1
8 GAME ON DUDE Bob Baffert Chantal Sutherland 10-1
9 STAY THIRSTY Todd Pletcher Javier Castellano 12-1
10 HAVRE DE GRACE Larry Jones Ramon Dominguez 3-1
11 HEADACHE Mike Maker Paco Lopez 30-1
12 UNCLE MO Todd Pletcher John Velazquez 5-2
13 TO HONOR AND SERVE Bill Mott Jose Lezcano 12-1



MILE

1 GOLDIKOVA Freddy Head Olivier Peslier 7-5
2 ZOFFANY Aidan O'Brien Ryan Moore 20-1
3 COURAGEOUS CAT Bill Mott Patrick Valenzuela 8-1
4 MR. COMMONS John Shirreffs Mike Smith 20-1
5 GIO PONTI Christophe Clement Ramon Dominguez 4-1
6 GET STORMY Tom Bush Garrett Gomez 15-1
7 JERANIMO Mike Pender Martin Garcia 20-1
8 BYWORD Andre Fabre Maxime Guyon 12-1
9 COURT VISION Dale Romans Robby Albarado 30-1
10 SIDNEY'S CANDY Todd Pletcher John Velazquez 15-1
11 STRONG SUIT Richard Hannon Richard Hughes 10-1
12 COMPLIANCE OFFICER Bruce Brown Alex Solis 30-1
13 TURALLURE Charles Lopresti Julien Leparoux 8-1



TURF

1 ST NICHOLAS ABBEY Aidan O'Brien Joseph O'Brien 9-2
2 SARAFINA Alain de Royer-Dupre Christophe Lemaire 5-2
3 DEAN'S KITTEN Mike Maker Ramon Dominguez 10-1
4 STATELY VICTOR Mike Maker Mike Smith 30-1
5 TEAKS NORTH Justin Sallusto Javier Castellano 20-1
6 AWAIT THE DAWN Aidan O'Brien Julien Leparoux 7-2
7 SEA MOON Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore 4-1
8 BRILLIANT SPEED Tom Albertrani John Velazquez 20-1
9 MIDDAY Sir Henry Cecil Tom Queally 4-1



DIRT MILE

1 THE FACTOR Bob Baffert Martin Garcia 7-2
2 SHACKLEFORD Dale Romans Jesus Castanon 7-2
3 TAPIZAR Steve Asmussen Garrett Gomez 20-1
4 TRES BORRACHOS Marty Jones Joel Rosario 30-1
5 WILBURN Steve Asmussen Julien Leparoux 4-1
6 IRREFUTABLE Bob Baffert Rafael Bejarano 12-1
7 JERSEY TOWN Barclay Tagg Cornelio Velasquez 15-1
8 CALEB'S POSSE Donnie Von Hemel Rajiv Maragh 5-1
9 TRAPPE SHOT Kiaran McLaughlin John Velazquez 3-1



JUVENILE

1 TAKE CHARGE INDY Pat Byrne James Graham 30-1
2 DULLAHAN Dale Romans Kent Desormeaux 8-1
3 CRUSADE Aidan O'Brien Julien Leparoux 12-1
4 DRILL Bob Baffert Martin Garcia 8-1
5 HANSEN Mike Maker Ramon Dominguez 10-1
6 PROSPECTIVE Mark Casse Luis Contreras 30-1
7 CREATIVE CAUSE Mike Harrington Joel Rosario 7-2
8 SPEIGHTSCITY Gary Contessa Corey Nakatani 20-1
9 ALPHA Kiaran McLaughlin Garrett Gomez 15-1
10 UNION RAGS Michael Matz Javier Castellano 2-1
11 DADDY LONG LEGS Aidan O'Brien Ryan Moore 12-1
12 FORT LOUDON Stanley Gold Luis Jurado 20-1
13 OPTIMIZER D. Wayne Lukas Robby Albarado 15-1



SPRINT

1 EUROEARS Bob Baffert Rafael Bejarano 4-1
2 GIANT RYAN Bisnath Parbhoo Cornelio Velasquez 8-1
3 AIKENITE Todd Pletcher Javier Castellano 8-1
4 HAMAZING DESTINY D. Wayne Lukas Robby Albarado 10-1
5 JACKSON BEND Nick Zito Corey Nakatani 7-2
6 FORCE FREEZE Peter Walder John Velazquez 10-1
7 AMAZOMBIE Bill Spawr Mike Smith 5-1
8 BIG DRAMA David Fawkes Ramon Dominguez 5-2
9 APRIORITY David Fawkes Joel Rosario 30-1



JUVENILE TURF

1 GUNG HO Mike Maker Mike Smith 20-1
2 FANTASTIC SONG Chad Brown Javier Castellano 20-1
3 SHKSPEARE SHALIYAH Doodnauth Shivmangal Alex Solis 15-1
4 FARRAAJ Roger Varian Neil Callan 15-1
5 WROTE Aidan O'Brien Ryan Moore 12-1
6 COALPORT Wayne Catalano Junior Alvarado 15-1
7 CASPAR NETSCHER Alan McCabe Kieran Fallon 6-1
8 MAJESTIC CITY Peter Miller Garrett Gomez 4-1
9 DADDY NOSE BEST Steve Asmussen Julien Leparoux 30-1
10 ANIMAL SPIRITS Al Stall Jr. Robby Albarado 8-1
11 EXCAPER Ian Black Emma-Jayne Wilson 30-1
12 LUCKY CHAPPY Graham Motion Joel Rosario 10-1
13 FINALE Todd Pletcher John Velazquez 5-1
14 STATE OF PLAY Graham Motion Ramon Dominguez 5-1
Also-Eligibles
15 TEQUILA FACTOR Wayne Catalano Rafael Bejarano 30-1



TURF SPRINT

1 GRAND ADVENTURE Mark Frostad Javier Castellano 20-1
2 HOLIDAY FOR KITTEN Wesley Ward Joel Rosario 30-1
3 BROKEN DREAMS Tom Proctor Garrett Gomez 20-1
4 PERFECT OFFICER Michael Pino Kendrick Carmouche 12-1
5 GREAT ATTACK Wesley Ward Jeffrey Sanchez 20-1
6 CALIFORNIA FLAG Brian Koriner Patrick Valenzuela 15-1
7 HOOFIT Graham Motion Edgar Prado 15-1
8 REGALLY READY Steve Asmussen Corey Nakatani 3-1
9 RAPPORT Ronny Werner Brian Hernandez Jr. 30-1
10 HAVELOCK Darrin Miller Robby Albarado 9-2
11 COUNTRY DAY Stephen Margolis James Graham 20-1
12 CAMP VICTORY Mike Mitchell Julien Leparoux 12-1
13 CARACORTADO Michael Machowsky Joseph Talamo 4-1
14 CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE Bret Calhoun Jamie Theriot 5-1



MARATHON

1 BIRDRUN Bill Mott John Velazquez 7-2
2 BARYSHNIKOV Mike Maker Mike Smith 12-1
3 MEEZNAH David Lanigan Tom Queally 12-1
4 PLEASANT PRINCE Wesley Ward Joel Rosario 12-1
5 GIANT OAK Chris Block Shaun Bridgmohan 9-2
6 BRIGANTIN Andre Fabre Julien Leparoux 8-1
7 HARRISON'S CAVE Aidan O'Brien Ryan Moore 30-1
8 AFLEET AGAIN Robert Reid Jr. Cornelio Velasquez 30-1
9 CEASE Al Stall Jr. Garrett Gomez 6-1
10 ELDAAFER Diane Alvarado Javier Castellano 10-1
11 A. U. MINER Clark Hanna Calvin Borel 3-1

I have to think with those three in the Marathon that ESPN is making a huge mistake not televising this race. I hope they reconsider.

fwiw, Holiday for Kitten is trained by Wes Ward, not Maker.

Does anyone know if he has been supplemented yet?

D. GRENING: Compliance Officer (B. Brown) a BC Mile pre-entrant..

With the possible exceptions of the Juvie and Juvie Turf races (which I admittedly don't follow as closely), I don't see how anyone can complain about the composition of the fields of these races. It looks like it'll be a great day.

From the Racing Post regarding the Coolmore contingent:

St Nicholas Abbey also features in the Turf, while Zoffany is entered in the Mile and Misty For Me in the Filly & Mare Turf. Harrisons Cave is in the Marathon, and Daddylonglegs has entries for the Juvenile Turf - along with Learn and Wrote - and the Juvenile, which also features Crusade. Finally, Up and Homecoming Queen both are entered in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Juvenile Fillies.

That's in addition to So You Think and Await The Dawn in the Classic.

Cease has a lot of upside still and I dont see any killers in the Marathon. He feels like a likely winner to me.

The French horse listed in the probables owns wins ranging from 10f all the way to 20f, most in group company.

Steve here's an Update on where the Casse horses were entered

Prospective----Juvie
Northern Passion----Juv Fillies and Juv Fillies turf
Spirited Miss-------Juv Fillies Turf
Sky High Lady----Juv Fillies
and Take Hailstone out of the Turf

Sad part is Marathon might have more entries than Dirt Mile (which shouldn't be a G1, but that's a story for later) based on Byk's early contenders list.

I think it is safe to say, the Sprint and Dirt Mile are really gonna take away from each other this year.

I was a fan of them adding a Dirt Mile and in past years hasn't really effected the Sprint or Classic, IMO.

Factor going in Dirt Mile, per TVG research.

DRF: Smiling Tiger and Unzip Me, California-based sprinters who finished third in Breeders’ Cup races at Churchill Downs in 2010, will not be making return engagements for Breeders’ Cup races in Kentucky on Nov. 5, their respective trainers said.

Yeah, Brad Free tweeted yesterday that 'The Factor was a standout in the Dirt Mile.' :wf

That's kind of a bold statement by Brad Free. With the relatively fresh run-off Tapizar and Shackleford in there, he won't be having an easy time of it like he did at Oaklawn. Even Tres Borrachos, who had settled in his summer starts, suddenly reverted back to his frontrunning ways when going at it with Game On Dude in the fast-paced Goodwood.

In another post I questioned the connections of Jackson Bend and Trappe Shot for not targeting the Sprint, but they might get a better setup here.

BradFree1 Brad Free
Twirling Candy’s retirement makes #TheFactor a virtual standout in the BC Dirt Mile, though he also will pre-enter the BC Sprint.

Brad Free tweet from Monday, October 24.

Insanity. I thought he made that statement because up to that point, he hadn't considered The Factor as a possible starter in the Dirt Mile, and perhaps thought he was a better fit in the race compared to the Sprint.

If the reason is simply because the great Twirling Candy retired, then his opinion loses a lot of mustard. One look at the Beyers of Trappe Shot and Jackson Bend compared to those of Twirling Candy tells you that.

Actually, all this really signals is that The Factor, with but a single impressive performance in the last 6 months (over polytrack no less) sandwiched between some high profile flops, is the heir-apparent to Twirling Candy's coveted Token Overrated California Horse title.

Zensational would have kicked his ass.

Rule was also pre entered in the Dirt Mile. More Front Speed if he goes

Just saw a FB post that Tizway was out due to injury.

Pletcher's 11 runners..

Juvenile Sprint: Hunt Crossing
Juvenile Fillies: Stopshoppingmaria
Juvenile Fillies Turf: Sweet Cat
F&M Sprint: Her Smile
Distaff: Super Espresso

Juvenile Turf: Finale
Dirt Mile: Rule
Mile: Sidney’s Candy
Sprint/Dirt Mile: Aikenite
Classic: Uncle Mo; Stay Thirsty

Kind of hard to fathom but team Todd could esaily be shutout this year. There is not a single name on that list that is a likely winner.

Paul

Other then Uncle Mo I strongly agree with you.

Sydneys Candy could make some noise in the Mile.

Tizway not running is a good thing.

He seemed pretty iffy as it was. They must have suspected something was wrong with him for awhile now.

It was kind of odd that he hadn't breezed after his big work 2 weeks ago. James Bond suggested he would work again around Oct. 20.

But all of Bond's plans for this horse fell through quickly after the Whitney. I remember after that race, Bond got on his high horse and boasted that he had a huge advantage over the other guys because his horse was sound (the horse was heel nerved reportedly). He even had his whole training schedule leading up to the JCGC already mapped out supposedly. Of course, within 2 weeks, the horse missed his first work back and eventually missed the JCGC altogether with a fever or whatever.

Mr. Commons might be 2010 Courageous Cat all over again. Up and coming 3yr old, lots of room to improve still and sitting on a career top. Im not sure he's good enough to win, but who knows.

I hope you're right. Courageous Cat didn't run in the 2010 BC.

Mr. Common's been poorly spotted throughout his career. It was one thing to try for the Triple Crown races, but once he was back on turf where he belonged, they still can't take the obvious path (Del Mar Derby, Oak Tree Derby, etc.). Courageous Cat wasn't losing to second tier older horses before the 2009 BC. Not since Island Fashion and Toccet has a horse been campaigned so illogically.

Then again, Mike Smith claims he's as good as Lure, and Lure did get beat in the Kelso prior to his wire job in '92 at GP. Of course, Arazi was the favorite, and 3yos took the first 3 spots (the great Paradise Creek and classic winner Brief Truce rounded out the trifecta).

His 3yr old year, sorry the year was wrong. Mike Smiths ride on Mr. Commons 2 back was a joke. Wide the entire way, with a premature move. The entire time the chalk is riding the rail

I liked Lure in the Cup in 1992, but it sure helped that Roman Envoy was not supplemented to the Mile.

Wide the whole way? There were all of 6 horses in the race. He sat 2 off the rail throughout until making his bid, which wasn't early, on the far turn. The winner went even wider. He simply wasn't good enough.

The odds of him getting a better trip in a 14-horse field versus better horses are not good.

Paradise Creek was something like 24-1. I think he might have been part of the mutual field the following year, too.

I just watched it on Calracing to be sure. Are we both talking about the August 27th race at Del Mar, if we are I strongly disagree with you.

Sounds good to me.

What part don't you agree with? That the winner went wider into the stretch or that there were only 6 horses in the race?

I suppose since he lost the race by a nose, any trouble could be regarded as "significant", but in the end, was it enough to justify Mr. Commons finishing in a 4-horse blanket finish with the likes of Calmonico and Victory Pete, when we're talking about his chances in the BC Mile?

You said the winner went even wider. Not wider into the stretch, big difference. The winner hugged the rail the entire race, until tipping out for the stretch run. Wish there was trakus. As for the entire trip... When is it good to be wide with no cover the entire way around the track in an 8f turf race? He was 3-4 wide into the first turn, he was at least that wide into the lane as well. As for the move, if it was not premature Im not sure what a premature move is then. Not to mention he broke dead last and was ahead of the chalk going into the first turn. It was a classic Mike Smith wide, no cover because I think Im on the best horse trip. Like I said earlier Im not sure about him in the BC he just reminds me a lot of Courageous Cat coming in as a 3yr old. He ran a career top and a fine second to Goldikova.

There is.

From the head on, Caracortado stayed one extra path off the rail. He basically drafted in behind Mr. Commons.

3-wide is a big deal? Caracortado had no cover.

He started to advance into to the far turn. His strongest bid was entering the stretch. At no point until maybe the 1/16th pole did he even make the lead. It's not like he went all in at the 1/2, opened up on the field, and wilted. He followed Victory Pete's bid for the lead.

Not sure it's Smith's fault that the colt broke flat footed. Obviously he has a bit of tactical speed, and Smith had to pass 2 horses on the turn once the horse got in stride. He went a little wide (3 wide) as a result.

Courageous Cat, who broke his maiden in June at 3, nearly tied to course records in 3 subsequent races leading up to the BC. His only loss was an odd run in the Jamaica, where he set the early pace, ended up stalking, fell back on the turn, then rerallied. Meanwhile, Mr. Commons has a listed stakes win to his credit and a bunch of defeats that counter any notion that he is a top class horse at this point. He'll be lucky to emulate Navesink (2001) or Walkslikeaduck (2000).

Mm. Botti and Tree win the award for most miles accumulated this year out of the probable runners...

Hope they do well. :)

Serious work posted by Euroears. :eek:

Not that I expected him to win a BC race, but what happened to Coil?