Jay Hovdey

Math is a long way from my strong suit, but some numbers beg to be crunched. Like these: Figures released on a daily basis by Hollywood Park during its November-December meet of 26 days came out to a daily average on-track attendance of 3,332. Okay then, 3,332 times 26, carry the one, sixteen, ummm, lick pencil tip, carry the one again -- that's 86,832 for the meet.

The most frustrating aspect of voting for Eclipse Award champions is being asked to perform the Solomonic task of chosing between a pair of compelling claimants to a title. Voters have had their fill of this the past three years, dealing with the lofty merits of Curlin, Rachel Alexandra and Blame as they related to the undeniable appeal of Zenyatta. By comparison, King Sol had it easy. One of the "mothers" in the question splitting the baby was a fraud and, in his wisdom, he figured it out. He also wrote some songs.

  9:00 a.m. (PDT) Saturday

Because there is very little chance that most of us will ever be lucky enough to be among the inner circle of an  animal that performs at the level of Frankel, who won for the ninth time in nine starts last Saturday in England, I thought it might be fun to hear from someone in the family. In this case it is the racing manager for Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farm, Lord (Teddy) Grimthorpe. At least, that's what it says on his business card.

I realize it is in the interests of all concerned to frame the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5 as the race that will determine the 2011 Horse of the Year. Understandably, this is the talking point emanating from the informational wing of the Breeders' Cup, since such a theme cultivates energetic pre-event chatter and helps sell tickets. It also perpetuates the self-fulfilling mandate of the Breeders' Cup as THE year-end championship event. If winning the Classic does not confer the ultimate award, what does?