ELMONT, N Y - Wednesday's weather made it seem like this year's Breeders' Cup was back at Gulfstream Park, not Belmont Park, with unseasonably mild temperatures in the high 60's during training hours, providing perfect conditions on the main track.
The turf course was a bit dry and on the loose side when opening several minutes after the renovation break.
ELMONT, N.Y. - With Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Day quickly approaching, Bobby Frankel's six entries have stolen much of the attention usually reserved for Bob Baffert on the week of a big race. However, Baffert has quietly arrived on the backstretch at Belmont Park with a strong contingent of his own, and likes the chances of all three of his three runners.
ELMONT, N. Y. - Bobby Frankel says he won't admit he's jinxed in the Breeders' Cup until he goes 0-for-6 in Saturday's World Thoroughbred Championships at Belmont Park.
But Frankel surely wasn't feeling like a lucky guy after Wednesday's post position draw for all eight Breeders' Cup races.
Though he entered six horses, three of whom were pegged the morning line favorite in their race, a noticeably miffed Frankel walked out of the ceremonies saying, "I got only one good draw."
ELMONT, N.Y. - The complexion of the two most important Breeders' Cup races underwent a dramatic change Wednesday morning as trainer Saeed bin Suroor announced that Arc de Triomphe winner Sakhee will run in Saturday's $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic on the dirt and Fantastic Light will start in the $2 million Turf.
"We like to surprise people," bin Suroor said.
ELMONT, N.Y. - What a difference four days makes. Last Friday, neither Fantastic Light nor Sakhee, the two European stars that Godolphin Racing has pre-entered in Saturday's $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Belmont Park, acquitted themselves well in workouts on the main track.
But on Tuesday, Fantastic Light glided over the sandy surface in an effort that seemed far more encouraging for a horse trying to take on the best main-track runners in the United States.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Twice this year, Fleet Renee seemed poised to take over the leadership of the nation's 3-year-old filly division. Twice, she failed to follow through after major victories. On Saturday, she will try again, in what will be the most important and, perhaps, the final start of her career, the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff at Belmont Park.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Decision time has arrived for Team Godolphin after their European star, Sakhee, worked on the main track Tuesday.
Following a convincing six-length win in the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Oct. 7, Sakhee is considered a heavy favorite for Saturday's $2 million Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont Park, but is also pre-entered for the $4 million Classic.
Godolphin also has Fantastic Light in the Classic and Turf, but he is expected to start in the Classic.
ELMONT, N.Y. - There will be no better-bred horse on the World Thoroughbred Championships card than Sophisticat.
A daughter of 1985 Juvenile runner-up Storm Cat out of the mare Serena's Song, Sophisticat brought $3.4 million at the 2000 Keeneland July yearling sales. Serena's Song, the champion 3-year-old of 1995, won 17 graded stakes and more than
ELMONT, N.Y. - When Adam Richey and Jim Strode purchased seven yearlings from the 2000 Keeneland September sale, they knew they wouldn't be keeping them all.
"That was too many for us," said Richey, who along with Strode spent a modest $167,000 for their seven yearlings.
ELMONT, N.Y. - A different training routine on Tuesday for Affirmed Success has trainer Richard Schosberg eager for Saturday's $1 million Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park.
One of the leading contenders for the Mile, Affirmed Success worked a half-mile on turf in 47.80 seconds as timed by official clockers.
