ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - The field for Saturday's $2.4 million Breeders' Cup Turf at Arlington Park has everything but numbers.
High Chaparral, the winner of the English and Irish derbies, will be a strong favorite in a field of eight that includes major stakes winners from California, Canada, England, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - It's a little misleading to bill the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf as a battle between Europeans and Americans, since 10 of the 12 horses in the race were Europeans at one time or another.
But there are European expatriates like Golden Apples, and then there are European invaders like Banks Hill, and a rematch between these two alone gives the Filly and Mare Turf special cachet even on a blockbuster Breeders' Cup program.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Trainers may fall on both sides of the issue of whether it was a good decision to increase the distance of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile to nine furlongs. But, most trainers agree on how important the break will be in determining the outcome.
There is about a 150-yard run to the first turn, and with 14 young, immature horses in the field, many horsemen will be holding their breath in the early stages of the race.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Her regal bloodlines, top-flight connections, and, most importantly, her immense talent will make Storm Flag Flying one of the shortest-priced favorites on Saturday's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships card at Arlington Park.
Still, there are several obstacles Storm Flag Flying must overcome before she is able to win the $1 million Juvenile Fillies, and join her mother (My Flag) and grandmother (Personal Ensign) as Breeders' Cup champions.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Kona Gold, the veteran sprinter, is a throwback to a bygone era in racing.
At a time when some stars have careers that barely last a year, the 8-year-old Kona Gold will be making a record fifth appearance in the Breeders' Cup, Saturday at Arlington Park.
For Kona Gold, Breeders' Cup Day has been all about the $1 million Sprint. He finished third in 1998 at Churchill Downs, second in 1999 at Gulfstream Park, won the race in 2000 at Churchill Downs, and finished seventh last year at Belmont Park.
Ivanavinalot, the dominant Florida-bred juvenile filly, on Thursday was withdrawn from Saturday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies because of a temperature and a high blood count, owner Gil Campbell said.
That reduced the field for the $1 million Juvenile Fillies to 10.
According to Campbell, Ivanavinalot developed a temperature Wednesday morning and a blood test confirmed that her white blood count was high.
"You don't even think about going," Campbell said. "We'll give her antibiotics and treat her. We'll give her 30 days off. The year's over."
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Last week, it seemed as though trainer Aidan O'Brien were leaning toward running both Rock of Gibraltar and Hawk Wing in Saturday's $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Arlington Park. But earlier this week, O'Brien started to backpedal, and on Wednesday he entered Rock of Gibraltar in the Mile along with stablemate Landseer, leaving Hawk Wing as the lone representative in the Classic for the superstar Irish trainer.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Breeders' Cup Day figures to get off to a fast start Saturday at Arlington Park. Azeri and Imperial Gesture, the two quickest fillies in the $2 million Distaff, on Wednesday drew post positions alongside one another for the day's first Breeders' Cup race, which seemingly insures a spirited duel from the time the starting gate opens.
Azeri drew post 4, with Imperial Gesture just to her outside. Six others, as expected, entered the Distaff, whose 1 1/8 miles make up one lap of Arlington's main track.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Aidan O'Brien probably figured that one in the hand was better than four in the bush. After saying a week ago that he was leaning toward running Rock of Gibraltar in the Breeders' Cup Classic, O'Brien ultimately settled on the BC Mile.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Gulch broke from post 10 when he gave trainer D. Wayne Lukas his only Breeders' Cup Sprint victory in 1988. On Saturday, Lukas is hoping history will repeat itself when likely favorite Orientate breaks from post 10 in the $1 million NAPA Breeders' Cup Sprint.
A field of 13, which includes three fillies and mares, was drawn Wednesday for the six-furlong Sprint. This is the first time the race did not lure a full field since the 1996 edition at Woodbine.
