ELMONT, N.Y. - Todd Pletcher, who has saddled three starters in the $1 million Sprint, said the Sprint has often proven to be one of the more difficult races to win on the Breeders' Cup card. And this year's Sprint, Pletcher said, might have the strongest field yet.
"You could argue it's the toughest Sprint, and that it's the toughest race on this year's card," Pletcher said Thursday at his Belmont Park barn.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Only four horses have ever won two Breeders' Cup races, but four more will get a chance to equal that mark this year. Kona Gold, Macho Uno, Spain, and Tiznow - all winners at Churchill Downs one year ago - were among the 104 horses who were pre-entered on Wednesday for the 18th Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Oct. 27 at Belmont Park.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Only four horses have ever won two Breeders' Cup races, but four more will get a chance to equal that mark this year. Kona Gold, Macho Uno, Spain, and Tiznow - all winners at Churchill Downs one year ago - were among the 104 horses who were pre-entered on Wednesday for the 18th Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Oct. 27 at Belmont Park.
ELMONT, N.Y. - The $1 million Breeders' Cup Sprint is usually one of the most popular races on the card with horsemen, and this year was no exception. Once again, the six-furlong Sprint drew an oversubscribed field when pre-entries were announced Wednesday at Belmont Park.
Eighteen of the country's best sprinters, including the defending champion and likely favorite, Kona Gold, were pre-entered, but only 14 will be permitted to face starter Bob Duncan on Oct. 27.
ELMONT, N.Y. - The fewer European hotshots that run in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont Park on Oct. 27, the happier trainer James Toner will be. Toner will saddle the longshot Blazing Fury in the 1 1/2-mile race.
When pre-entries for the Breeders' Cup were announced on Wednesday, two stars campaigned by Godolphin Racing - Fantastic Light and Sakhee - were listed with a first preference in the $4 million Classic. Galileo, the European star 3-year-old, also was pre-entered for the Classic.
BELMONT, N.Y. - For the first time in its brief history, the Filly and Mare Turf field will not be a full one on Breeders' Cup Day. Only 13 horses were pre-entered in the race, including Tranquility Lake whose first preference is the Distaff.
ELMONT, N.Y. - The presence of top milers from Europe, California, and New York did little to scare away the competition for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park on Oct. 27.
At Wednesday's pre-entry stage, 14 horses were named to the field and five were placed on a secondary list and would become eligible if defections occurs. The leading contenders are Noverre from Europe, Val Royal from California, and Affirmed Success from New York.
ELMONT, N.Y. - The $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff on Oct. 27 at Belmont Park will decide championships for both 3-year-old filly and older filly or mare divisions, which is why a near-record field of 13 was pre-entered on Wednesday.
