Wed, 10/02/2024 - 12:00

Breeders' Cup Juvenile: Chancer McPatrick, Ferocious on course for rematch

Barbara D. Livingston
Chancer McPatrick is on course to meet Ferocious again in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Chancer McPatrick and Ferocious, the one-two finishers in last month’s Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, have gone in different directions, but hope to find their way back toward a rematch in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Wed, 10/02/2024 - 11:50

Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf: War Like Goddess gets the added distance she requires

Barbara D. Livingston
With the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf coming at 1 3/8 miles, War Like Goddess will get the added ground she's been looking for.

In 2022, the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf was contested at 1 3/16 miles. Last year’s edition covered 1 1/4 miles.

That’s too short for War Like Goddess, who opted instead to face males at 1 1/2 miles in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Third in the 2022 Turf at Keeneland, the English Channel mare placed seventh last year at Santa Anita.

Wed, 10/02/2024 - 11:40

Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint: Brown eyes fourth win against deep cast

Susie Raisher/NYRA
Ways and Means, trained by Chad Brown, wins the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom last Sunday at Aqueduct.

The Filly and Mare Sprint is shaping up as one of the more competitive races on the two-day Breeders’ Cup extravaganza at Del Mar.

Trainer Chad Brown has won the seven-furlong event three times, including the last two with Goodnight Olive, and has a prime contender in Ways and Means.

The 3-year-old captured her last three starts by a combined 14 3/4 lengths and had no problems besting elders in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom last Sunday at Aqueduct.

Wed, 10/02/2024 - 11:35

Breeders' Cup Distaff: McPeek looks to cap big year with elusive BC win

Barbara D. Livingston
Thorpedo Anna (left), winning the Cotillion, could be trainer Kenny McPeek’s best chance to win a Breeders’ Cup race. The trainer is 0 for 37, but has hit the board with 17 of those BC starters.

Trainer Kenny McPeek has been trying forever to win a Breeders’ Cup race, which is longer than it took his 3-year-old filly Thorpedo Anna to secure a clear path in her final prep.

The filly finally got there in the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes, her fifth consecutive graded victory against fillies. As for McPeek, whose first Breeders’ Cup starter was in 1994, he has started 37 runners in the BC and still seeks his first win. It could happen Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Wed, 10/02/2024 - 10:30

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf: Home team has numbers, but Euros have strength

Coady Media
May Day Ready goes into Friday's Jessamine off this victory in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies Turf.

For an international race, American stables have dominated the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, winning 11 of 14 runnings since its inception in 2008.

This Friday and Sunday, three stakes at Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Santa Anita will help determine the depth of the U.S.-based team for the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

The home team may need strength in numbers.

Wed, 10/02/2024 - 10:15

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies: Three major preps will set the table

Barbara D. Livingston
Immersive captured the Grade 1 Spinaway at 12-1 odds. She goes Friday in the Alcibiades at Keeneland.

The pecking order for the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 1 at Del Mar could be sorted out this weekend with three Win and You’re In challenge races for the division.

The Alcibiades on Friday at Keeneland is led by top prospect Immersive, while the Frizette on Saturday at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet lured North America’s fastest 2-year-old filly on Beyer Speed Figures in Senza Parole. The Oak Leaf on Saturday at Santa Anita was expected to draw Tenma, an unbeaten Grade 1 winner for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Wed, 10/02/2024 - 10:15

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Cogburn, Euro shipper Bradsell unbeaten this year

Cogburn works at SAR Aug 12 2024
Barbara D. Livingston
Cogburn, trained by Steve Asmussen, is untested in three starts this year, winning by a combined nine lengths.

The Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint is shaping up as an international clash worthy of the event’s “World Championships” moniker.

On one side of the Atlantic reigns Cogburn, who has been untouchable in the United States this year, including a record-smashing performance in the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes. From the other side of the ocean comes Bradsell, unbeaten in three 2024 starts, including a pair of Group 1 races. They are expected to converge in the five-furlong race, which typically draws a large field.

Sun, 09/29/2024 - 18:57

Far Bridge likely top North American challenge to Europeans in BC Turf

Barbara D. Livingston
Far Bridge earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on Saturday.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - By virtue of his victory in Saturday’s Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct, Far Bridge likely stamped himself as North America’s top threat in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

Sun, 09/29/2024 - 18:51

Mufasa likely heading to BC Dirt Mile, trainer says

Barbara D. Livingston
Mufasa was given a 97 Beyer Speed Figure for Saturday's win in the Vosburgh Stakes.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Mufasa, winner of Saturday’s Grade 3 Vosburgh Stakes at Aqueduct, will likely be pointed to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile rather than the $2 million Sprint, trainer Ignacio Correas said Sunday. Both races are scheduled for Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Correas said it is likely Mufasa will be pre-entered in both races.

Sun, 09/29/2024 - 18:38

Tapit Trice, with Woodward triumph, back in BC Classic picture

Barbara D. Livingston
Tapit Trice (3) was given a 98 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory in the Woodward on Saturday.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Tapit Trice began his 4-year-old campaign with a performance that signaled he could be a factor in the older male dirt division. Then came the Jockey Club Gold Cup in which, after sitting what appeared to be a beautiful trip, he didn’t go on and finished a disappointing fourth.