GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Speightstown will be favored in Saturday's $1,060,000 Breeders' Cup Sprint, but he has his work cut out for him. He will have to run every step of the way in the six-furlong race after his strategy was decided for him at the draw, when he was assigned post 2 in the field of 13.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - The horses and jockeys and trainers may change from year to year, but one thing about the Breeders' Cup Mile always seems to stay the same: Getting your arms around all the handicapping variables is exceedingly difficult.
Happily for the tens of thousands of racing fans who will be watching and wagering Saturday, the 21st running of the BC Mile is no exception.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Julio Canani's success in the Breeders' Cup has been limited to the grass. That may be about to change.
Canani will send out just his third dirt runner in the Breeders' Cup when he saddles Sweet Catomine in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies. If she runs to her looks - or is able to duplicate her last race - she will be awfully tough to beat.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - For a guy who had never been to Texas in his 75 years, trainer Allen Jerkens was trying to fit right in this week. He went out and bought himself a nice new cowboy hat, then dodged the slings and arrows of fellow trainers over his sartorial choice.
"If I win one on Saturday, I'll wear this cowboy hat the rest of my life," Jerkens said.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Our New Recruit has thrived since traveling halfway around the world in March. He came back from a successful Dubai trip an improved horse, and on Saturday can win the second-richest race of his career in the $1,060,000 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Lone Star Park.
Our New Recruit's biggest win came this spring in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen at Nad al Sheba on the World Cup undercard.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Giving Azeri a chance to run against males is something owner Michael Paulson has desired for more than two years. And even though she was soundly defeated in her one start against males, earlier this year in the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park, Paulson thought there were enough extenuating circumstances in that race to merit giving her another chance in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic at Lone Star Park.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - There has been disappointment aplenty in the racing game for Bill Bianco and David Shimmon, who race as Fog City Stable, which makes them savor all the more an opportunity like Saturday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Lone Star Park.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Thursday morning was far and away the busiest for Breeders' Cup hopefuls, with the entire cast finally on the grounds for Breeders' Cup Day.
While there were no serious workouts by Cup contenders, many blew out for their races, some by design and others perhaps inadvertently, including likely Juvenile favorite Roman Ruler. The morning also gave railbirds their first glance at Funny Cide, who made a great appearance, as well as defending Mile champion Six Perfections.
Lone Star Park
Low 70's
Main track fast, turf soft
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Six Perfections, the reigning Breeders' Cup Mile champion, was to work at least three furlongs Friday morning or risk being scratched by the track stewards before even getting a chance to defend her title.
Texas racing regulations require all horses who have not raced within the last 45 days to have a published workout of at least three furlongs before being allowed to start. Six Perfections has not run since finishing second in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Aug. 15.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Edgar Prado is one of 23 jockeys who have amassed more than $2 million in earnings in the Breeders' Cup. He is the only one of the 23 who has yet to win a Breeders' Cup race.
Prado brings an 0-for-33 record into Saturday's 21st Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Lone Star Park. Prado, one of three jockeys riding in all eight races, has some very live chances to break the skid.
