Goldikova Streaks Towards Immortality

How great is Goldikova? Three consecutive wins in the Breeders’ Cup Mile speaks volumes. No horse has ever done it in any BC races, and my guess is it will be a very long time before anyone can match her. Remarkably, this story does not end at three for the fanstistique French mare though. Race fans were thrilled this week with the news that Goldikova will be back in training in 2011. Even better, she will be specifically aimed for Churchill Downs and the Breeders’ Cup Mile again next year. Three Breeders’ Cup victories makes her a legend, a fourth would place her in the realm of the untouchables of sporting lore. Take a look at a list I have compiled (in no particular order) of the dozen greatest streaks in American sports history, and decide for yourself where four consecutive wins at the Breeders’ Cup would place the great Goldikova. *Johnny Vander Meer pitched two straight no-hitters in 1938. *Kelso won five consecutive Jockey Club Gold Cups and Horse of the Year titles from 1960-1964. *The Boston Celtics won eight consecutive NBA titles from 1959-1966. *Cal Ripken Jr. played in 2,632 straight MLB games from 1982-1998. *Byron Nelson had 11 straight golf tournament wins in 1945. *The Philadelphia Flyers completed 35 games without a loss during the 1979 NHL season. *Brett Favre has started at Quarterback in 293 consecutive NFL games and still counting. *UCLA took home the NCAA basketball championship in seven consecutive seasons from 1967-1973. *Alexei Karelin had a 13-year winning streak in Greco-Roman style wrestling. *The Miami Dolphins' completed a perfect NFL season with a 17-0 mark in 1972. *Joe DiMaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive baseball games in 1941. *Zenyatta won the first 19 races of her career from 2007-2010. Photo Courtesy of Reed Palmer Photography

Eclipse Awards … at First Blush

The Breeders’ Cup can make or break a horse’s quest to be named an Eclipse Award winner, and that may be especially true this year. The excitement over the past few days at Churchill Downs not only drew great emotion, it also went a long way in deciding who would be named a champion at year‘s end. With less than two months remaining in the calendar year there are several big races yet to be run. What impact any of those races may have is questionable though, as the Breeders’ Cup appears to have put most of the divisional championships firmly in the grasp of the following ten horses. Two-Year-Old Filly - Awesome Feather left Calder unbeaten and untested, now she is an undefeated Breeders’ Cup champion and has clinched the juvenile filly championship.  As of today, she is owned by Frank Stronach. Two-Year-Old Colt - Uncle Mo is an electrifying and undefeated Breeders’ Cup champion and has sewn up the divisional championship. He also will be a strong Winter book favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Sprint Female Horse - Dubai Majesty was one of many who had credentials to be considered beforehand, but with her impressive win in the Filly & Mare Sprint, she zoomed to the head of the class. Sprint Male Horse - Big Drama may have earned his first grade one victory in the BC Sprint, but the hard knocking Florida bred has been very consistent this year. Saturday’s win should wrap up the award. Turf Female Horse - Goldikova again. The great mare won her third BC Mile, and she did it more impressively than ever. Proviso and the ill-fated Tuscan Evening racked up wins, but no one touches Goldikova in this division. Turf Male Horse - Paddy O’Prado would have been the BC Turf winner if he only ran. Of course, he did not, but with a longshot Turf winner, and Goldikova beating Gio Ponti in the Mile, he may hold on to a slim advantage in an unspectacular division. Three-Year-Old Filly - Blind Luck is this year’s rags to riches to story. The little filly that could fired every time, and her 2nd place finish in the Ladies’ Classic is plenty to solidify her position as the top sophomore filly in America. Three-Year-Old Male Horse - Lookin at Lucky came up a little short in the final furlong of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but in no way tarnished his well earned reputation. Not always the luckiest of runners, Lucky’s four stakes wins, including the Preakness and Haskell, carry the day. Older Female Horse - Zenyatta. No need to say more. Older Male Horse - Blame was able to fulfill the promise so many had seen in the son of Arch for a long time. His win in an epic BC Classic may have been unpopular with many, but he earned it on the track. It took a special horse to finally beat Zenyatta, and his name is Blame. Horse of the Year - Blame was terrific this year and won the Classic, but Zenyatta was one stride short of perfection … I am going to need a little more time before I make a final decision on this one.

Destination Twin Spires

I have arrived. To be back in Louisville again is always special, being under the Twin Spires still gives me goose bumps, and as far covering the Breeders’ Cup for the first time, well suffice it to say, life is good. 14 races jam packed with the finest thoroughbred horses in training, is as good as it gets in this sport. Each of the races offers great interest with divisional titles resting in the balance, but two races in particular headline the show. First comes the Queen. Everyone is abuzz with yesterday’s arrival of Zenyatta. Her finale is set to be the greatest challenge of her historic career, as the great mare shoots for a perfect 20, and a third Breeders’ Cup victory against a strong field of male opponents in the Classic. She is the deserving star of the show, and I can tell you first hand she is receiving a hero’s welcome since arriving to Churchill Downs. As wonderful a story as the Classic may be, of almost equal interest is the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and a good old fashioned showdown between America’s Gio Ponti and France’s Goldikova. ***The remainder of today's column can be found on Youbet.com*** Click Here

Breeders’ Cup Singles

I am about to offer four fantastic females for the Breeders’ Cup, and Zenyatta is not one of them??? Read on … Pick 3‘s, Pick 4‘s, Pick 6‘s, not to mention trifecta and superfecta keys, it is nice to have a horse, or a few horses, that you can count on to reach the wire first at the Breeders’ Cup. Along those lines, I would like to present to you my Big 4. The four horses that I will have the most confidence in winning out of the 14 race BC smorgasbord. Oddly enough they are all females, and believe it or not, Zenyatta is nowhere to be found on this list. You all know by now that I am predicting a Blame victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, right? The four horses who I consider the closest things to locks, in order are: Midday, Goldikova, Blind Luck, and Winter Memories. Here’s why:   ***The remainder of today's column can be found on Youbet.com*** Click Here

23 Days and Counting … ZATT’s Breeders’ Cup Rankings

MARATHON 1. Bright Horizon 7-2 2. Giant Oak 6-1 3. Eldaafer 6-1 4. Alcomo 8-1 5. A.U. Miner 8-1 JUVENILE FILLIES TURF 1. Winter Memories 2-1 2. White Moonstone 3-1 3. Roxy Gap 6-1 4. New Normal 8-1 5. Together 5-1 FILLY & MARE SPRINT 1. Champagne D’oro 8-1 2. Evening Jewel 4-1 3. Rightly So 5-1 4. Sara Louise 6-1 5. Dubai Majesty 5-1 JUVENILE FILLIES 1. Tell a Kelly 4-1 2. Summer Laugh 8-1 3. Awesome Feather 8-1 4. A Z Warrior 7-2 5. R Heat Lightning 5-1 FILLY & MARE TURF 1. Midday 6-5 2. Red Desire 10-1 3. Éclair de Lune 8-1 4. Hibaayeb 6-1 5. Ave 8-1 LADIES’ CLASSIC 1. Blind Luck 5-2 2. Havre de Grace 5-1 3. Biofuel 12-1 4. Life at Ten 7-2 5. Persistently 12-1 JUVENILE TURF 1. Rogue Romance 5-2 2. Soldat 6-1 3. Formosina 8-1 4. Air Support 8-1 5. Cozy Kitten 6-1 TURF SPRINT 1. Fatal Bullet 8-1 2. Chamberlain Bridge 9-2 3. Rose Catherine 5-1 4. California Flag 4-1 5. Silver Timber 6-1 MILE DIRT 1. Tizway 6-1 2. Here Comes Ben 5-1 3. Crown of Thorns 4-1 4. Warrior’s Reward 10-1 5. Vineyard Haven 6-1 JUVENILE 1. Uncle Mo 3-2 2. Stay Thirsty 15-1* 3. Boys at Tosconova 4-1 4. Jaycito 6-1 5. Pathfork 10-1 MILE 1. Goldikova 6-5 2. Gio Ponti 4-1 3. Violon Sacre 30-1 4. Paco Boy 8-1 5. Sidney’s Candy 8-1 SPRINT 1. Big Drama 9-2 2. Wise Dan 10-1 3. Girolamo 4-1 4. Smiling Tiger 6-1 5. Atta Boy Roy 12-1 TURF 1. Paddy O’Prado 6-1 2. Workforce 3-1 3. Al Khali 12-1 4. Fame and Glory 5-1 5. Behkabad 5-1 CLASSIC 1. Blame 5-1 2. Zenyatta 8-5 3. Quality Road 5-1 4. Lookin at Lucky 4-1 5. Musket Man 20-1

32 Days and Counting … ZATT’s Breeders’ Cup Rankings

MARATHON 1. Temple City 2. A.U. Miner 3. Eldaafer 4. Alcomo 5. Unusual Suspect JUVENILE FILLIES TURF 1. Winter Memories 2. White Moonstone 3. Roxy Gap 4. New Normal 5. Fancy Point FILLY & MARE SPRINT 1. Champagne D’oro 2. Evening Jewel 3. Rightly So 4. Sara Louise 5. Sweet August Moon JUVENILE FILLIES 1. Summer Laugh 2. Tell a Kelly 3. Wonderlandbynight 4. Awesome Feather 5. R Heat Lightning FILLY & MARE TURF 1. Midday 2. Red Desire 3. Éclair de Lune 4. Hibaayeb 5. Ave LADIES’ CLASSIC 1. Blind Luck 2. Havre de Grace 3. Devil May Care 4. Life at Ten 5. Biofuel JUVENILE TURF 1. Rough Sailing 2. Soldat 3. Major Gain 4. Air Support 5. Pluck TURF SPRINT 1. California Flag 2. Chamberlain Bridge 3. Rose Catherine 4. Fatal Bullet 5. Stradivinsky MILE DIRT 1. Musket Man 2. Tizway 3. Here Comes Ben 4. Crown of Thorns 5. Warrior’s Reward JUVENILE 1. Stay Thirsty 2. Boys at Tosconova 3. Uncle Mo 4. Jaycito 5. Pathfork MILE 1. Goldikova 2. Violon Sacre 3. Gio Ponti 4. Sidney’s Candy 5. Paco Boy SPRINT 1. Discreetly Mine 2. Big Drama 3. Atta Boy Roy 4. Girolamo 5. Kinsale King TURF 1. Paddy O’Prado 2. Workforce 3. Al Khali 4. Fame and Glory 5. Bourbon Bay CLASSIC 1. Blame 2. Zenyatta 3. Lookin at Lucky 4. Quality Road 5. Espoir City

If You Could Pick One Horse …

If you could pick one horse as the most likely to win on Breeders’ Cup weekend, who would it be? The obvious choices that come to mind may be Goldikova or Zenyatta, and seeing how each great mare has won in two consecutive Breeders’ Cups, it would be hard to argue with either. They do have obstacles however, in the form of the two deepest fields of the weekend. The defending Classic winner, Zenyatta, will be facing the best males in the world, and this year she will have to ship in to face them on their surface. Her greatest challenge may come from Blame, who has proven to love the Churchill strip. He is also unbeaten this year and still improving, making him a formidable road block to Zenyatta’s quest for a perfect 20. Meanwhile, Goldikova will no doubt be heavily favored to achieve an unprecedented third consecutive BC Mile victory. Coming off a loss in her latest, Goldikova is an international superstar, but things could be much tougher this time around. Top to bottom the Mile looks like the deepest field, with tigers like, Gio Ponti, Makfi, Court Vision, Sidney’s Candy, and Paco Boy, just to name a few, ready to challenge her supremacy. Last year’s Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra is the likely favorite for the Ladies’ Classic, but sophomore Blind Luck is in the midst of a sparkling season, and should give the 2010 version of Rachel a true test. Paddy O’Prado has become the now horse on American turf, but let’s face it, 12 furlongs on the grass is clearly the Europeans race to lose, whomever their top candidate may be. Discreetly Mine has been the sprinter I have been on all Summer, but the sprint is almost always a race that proves to be a wide open slugfest, rather than a spot for an easily selected winner. Possibly Boys at Tosconova in the Juvenile, or Tell a Kelly in the Juvenile Fillies, have already impressed enough where you think they will roll to victory in the Breeders’ Cup. Maybe, as these are races where the favorites are usually factors, but I would say it is too early to count on such inexperienced youngsters as singles a month and a half out. So where does that leave us? Are there any sure things this year? No sure things, and frankly that is one of the many reasons why I love this game, but there is one horse that stands out in her respective field. A filly who won at the Breeders’ Cup last year, and has improved with age to become a much better horse this year.  Her name is Midday, and I consider her the horse to beat in the BC Filly & Mare Turf by a long way.  Eleven furlongs is a perfect trip for her and Midday is currently on a group 1 roll in Europe. The Breeders’ Cup has been the race her connections have pointed her for since the beginning of her campaign. Unfortunately, some of her toughest competition like Dar Re Mi, Sariska, and the ill-fated Tuscan Evening, will not be at Churchill Downs, making her an even greater threat.  That’s my opinion for the most likely winner at least, I want to know what you think. Who is the one horse you think is most likely to win at the Breeders’ Cup?

Goldilocks and the Three Little Bears, and an Overdose

There were big doings across the pond this morning. An undefeated superstar kept it going in Eastern Europe, while a super mare tasted defeat for the first time in nearly a year. I speak of course of the Hungarian sensation, Overdose, and the two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile champion, Goldikova. Ladies first in this piece, but that was not the case at Deauville today. Goldikova, or Goldilocks as I like to call her, was undoubtedly the lead character going into today’s Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois. But on paper, her supporting cast were clearly no slouches, as there were a trio of hungry bears ready to nip at the heels of the French heroine. Papa bear was played by Paco Boy, who had won 11 of 19 lifetime for trainer Richard Hannon, and had given Goldilocks everything she wanted back in June. He was joined today by his ursidae brothers in three-year-old and 2000 Guineas hero, Makfi, and Fuisse, who entered off a three race winning streak. As the real running began, it would be France’s favorite female who took the lead, and it was the class competition of Paco Boy and Makfi who would be her challenge. But Goldi’s kick would not be up to her normal high standards today. As Goldilocks failed to sustain her acceleration on the soft conditions, it was the youngster who would go on. Makfi delivered an explosive turn of foot to drive between her and Paco Boy and pull clear for an impressive victory. Sent off as the 4-1 third choice, the bay colt ridden by Christophe Soumillon proved that he relished the damp going the most, and finished best by 2 1/2 lengths, with Goldikova out-gaming Paco Boy for second. It was his fourth win in only five lifetime starts, and his second of the group 1 variety. In the end, fans of Goldilocks should not take too much worry from this defeat. One of the bears may have gotten her today, but the Deauville turf was too soft. The grass course at Churchill Downs on November 6, may be just right. Meanwhile, due east from the happenings in France, a national treasure thrilled the home fans today at Kincsem Park in Budapest, Hungary. The result, Overdose winning easily, was no surprise, as he towered over his overmatched Hungarian rivals. The way he won, however offered further prove that the Budapest Bullet may be fully recovered from foot problems that kept him away from the races for well over a year. He is the best horse out of Hungary in more than 130 years, since the great Kincsem completed a perfect 54 for 54 record. In running his own record to a perfect 14 wins in 14 starts, Overdose’s win at about five furlongs was thorough and impressive, rekindling thoughts that this Hungarian sensation, this Budapest Bullet, could be the best sprinter in all the world. For video replays of both races, I invite you to check them out on ZATT International.

Ten Matchups I Need to See

Quality Road vs. Blame - 2010 offers the best older male set we have had in America in years, and Quality Road and Blame sit proudly on top of the division. The good news: we are only 48 hours away from seeing this clash of titans. Throw in Musket Man, and the Whitney is the race of the year so far. Let’s get it on! Devil May Care vs. Blind Luck - The best two sophomore fillies, one based in the West, the other in the East, missed out on a meeting in the Kentucky Oaks when Devil May Care ran in the Derby. The two giants in the division, with seven graded stakes wins this year between them, are on a collision course for the August 21 Alabama. I can’t wait. Vineyard Haven vs. Discreetly Mine - Yes I know there are at least a dozen interesting sprinters tearing up tracks around the country, but after their recent monster performances at the Spa, these are the two that I want to see face off. With Discreetly Mine likely to run against three-year-olds next out, Belmont’s Vosburgh might be the setting for this showdown. Tuscan Evening vs. Proviso - I am not sure this one will happen, but the records of these two distaff turfers in 2010 is sterling. Mott says the Beverly D against Tuscan Evening is a possibility, which would make the Arlington affair the premier event for girls on the green, and one that would likely decide the Eclipse Award a few months early. Boys at Tosconova vs. Kantharos - It is awfully early to start jumping on the juvenile bandwagons, but these two colts have been so impressive in their first two starts that I would love to see them race soon, even if they are not the best at the end of the year as the distances get longer. How about a showdown closing day at Saratoga in the Hopeful? Lookin at Lucky vs. Rail Trip - This seems like a strange request, but they are two of the best horses in America, and they both have something to prove before the Breeders’ Cup. Can Rail trip excel on dirt? Can Lookin at Lucky handle older horses? Maybe, just maybe, we can answer these questions simultaneously in the September 4, Woodward. Goldikova vs. Canford Cliffs - I venture outside of the borders of the United States for this one. Goldikova is an all-time great and the unquestioned top miler in the world. Canford Cliffs is the upstart on a roll, with three straight major wins. Let’s see the best run again the best; Canford Cliffs is eligible to give Goldi a run for her money. Gio Ponti vs. Paddy O’Prado - Another example of the reigning turf kingpin taking on the new challenger. I have a ton of respect for Gio Ponti, but in this case I am siding with the young gun. Both horses will run on Arlington Million Day, but in different races. The Turf Classic, in the Fall, may be the opportunity for youth to be served. Exhi vs. A Little Warm vs. Trappe Shot - While Lookin at Lucky has taken over the division, I believe it is in the non-Triple Crown participants that will provide him the stiffest competition the rest of the way out. In Exhi, A Little Warm, and Trappe Shot, you have three young colts who are becoming very good. Let’s hope all three put on a show in the Travers. Rachel Alexandra vs. Zenyatta - You didn’t think I would leave this one off the list now did you? Two supreme queens. Two first ballot Hall of Famers. Two of the best I have ever seen. A win would cement the victor’s place in history, a defeat would take nothing away from the loser’s spectacular career. A meeting would be nothing short of the greatest matchup between female horses in the history of racing.

Hall of Fame … Yes or No?

Entry into Racing’s Hall of Fame is the ultimate honor a Thoroughbred horse can achieve. As a racing fan, I always enjoy thinking about who may, or may not, become Hall of Famers. There is a five year waiting period after retirement, but let’s jump the gun and take a look at the cases for our current stars. Gio Ponti has work to do. He has the advantage of being an Eclipse winner in both the older male and turf divisions, but if his career ended today, I believe the answer would be no. Another Arlington Million victory, or a first BC win would make the consistent, multiple grade 1 winner hard to turn away from the Hall’s front door. ***The remainder of today's column can be found on Youbet.com*** Click Here

Bold, if not Controversial, Predictions

Prediction #1 – The three-year-old male division remains undecided until the Eclipse Awards announcement in January. In the end, the winner of the race with the strongest field of the season, takes home the hardware. The race is the August 28 Travers, and the winner is Exhi. Prediction #2 – Rachel Alexandra will hustle out on the track and into the starting gate at the last second, before easily winning Saratoga‘s Ruffian Stakes. When her connections were asked why she almost missed the race, they explained that Jess Jackson had not decided where she would run until three minutes before post time. ***The remainder of today's column can be found on Youbet.com*** Click Here

Vacation Over … What’s Next?

Seven days in Maryland over and out. I had more than my fill of crabs, the boardwalk, and sand in my…well you get the idea. Candie, Kendra and I did have a great time, and who knows, maybe we will make it back to Ocean City, Maryland sometime down the road. We decided on Maryland in the first place strictly to visit Pimlico, and a couple of days there was an experience that I will not soon forget. The pilgrimage to Pimlico and the Preakness was something I needed to do. Would I recommend the Baltimore oval as a racetrack destination? Maybe. It is different than any other racetrack I have ever been to, and as you know, I have been to a lot. A city track that is either old, or steeped in tradition, depending on your point-of-view, I will say that Pimlico puts on a good show for the Preakness. The traditionalist side in me hopes that Maryland never loses the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown. Heading back to Chicagoland on a jet plane, or actually a Mazda 5, in our case, I got to thinking about what is on the horizon for us horse racing fans. That is what I do after all, as the mile markers whiz by. Maryland to Delaware, back into Maryland, to Pennslylvania, to Ohio, to Indiana, and finally home in Illinois. Of course I’m going to think about the horses at least a little. Here’s what I was thinking about. The queen of the turf mile, Goldikova, returns on Sunday in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp, and she should have her hands full with the classy filly, Stacelita. Eight days after that, the Met Mile will be the third race of 2010 for Quality Road. In case you missed it, his last race in the Donn Handicap was one of the most impressive performances seen so far in the 21st century. Keeping my attention at Belmont Park, the Test of Champions, will be run six days later. While this year’s Belmont Stakes does not boast a list of big names, it is still a Classic, and one that I am salivating over as a betting race. One week later, Zenyatta the great, puts her unblemished record on the line in the Vanity at Hollywood Park, and that same weekend I will be road tripping to Louisville for a sure to be interesting Stephen Foster Handicap. Finally the first half of June may include the next race for my favorite horse Rachel Alexandra, and who knows, maybe it will be the race where we see the real Rachel. Am I deflated by another year without a Triple Crown winner? Nope, not me.

One Courageous Cat

My favorite turf horse returned today at Gulfstream Park and earned a hard fought victory in the Grade 3 Canadian Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park. His name is Courageous Cat, and he certainly lives up to his name. Last seen in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, where he ran second to the great French mare Goldikova, Courageous Cat showed no ill effects from the three and a half month layoff. He stalked a fast pace, as he normally does, pounced as the field straightened out and was very game in holding off a spirited rally by longshot Cherokee Artist to win by a head. A good enough return race for the Bill Mott trainee until you consider the final time. The one mile race on the lawn was run in 1:31.58. Horses simply can not run a flat mile much faster than that, and in fact, the race was less than one fifth of a second behind the world record for the distance. The Gulfstream Park turf course is playing fast, but for a return race, and one in which he was giving the field weight, it was most impressive. Coglianese Photo I first time I saw this colt, was last Summer at Belmont Park, where I was impressed with both his physical look, as well as his quick burst of speed. Courageous Cat is an attractive bay with three white stockings and a long white blaze that stretches all the way down his nose. What I saw that first day, when he broke his maiden on the grass, was a horse who could run fast early and then explode into another gear to put his competition away. He was placed directly into stakes races after the maiden score, and he continued to impress. He won an overnight stake at Belmont, shading 1:40 for a 1 1/16 in the process, before easily annexing the Grade 2 Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga. That day he ran 1:45.90 for the nine furlongs. His three race skein was broken in the Grade 1 Jamaica, where he steadied, when the real running began and was beaten by the classy Take the Points by ¾ of a length. In that defeat, he showed a lot of heart as he re-rallied, after he looked like he was out of the race. On Breeders’ Cup Day, Courageous Cat made a name for himself. He knocked on the door of stardom when he surged to the lead at the eighth pole before succumbing to the irresistible rush of Goldikova. Ignored that afternoon at nearly 23-1, he was the best performing of my longshot selections in the BC races, and I will be a fan of his for the duration. Ridden for the second consecutive time by Garrett Gomez, today’s victory was Courageous Cat’s fourth win in seven career starts on the grass. It marked his third stakes win and second graded stakes tally. So far, so good for the impeccably bred son of Storm Cat and Tranquility Lake. A homebred for Pam and Martin Wygod, Courageous Cat is very lightly raced and still on the improve. If he remains healthy, he will give the American side a wonderful opportunity to reclaim the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs. A task made all the taller by the fact that the two-time defending champion Goldikova is preparing to begin her five-year-old season and another raid on our Breeders’ Cup. Can he beat her? Only time will tell, but now a year older and with more experience there for the offing, I think he just may be the horse to take down the French Superstar. He has courage, and he has speed. He is…One Courageous Cat.

Rachel, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Ventura, and Vodka

2009 will forever be known as the Year of the Filly and the Mare. The final year of the century’s opening decade has included the greatest string of performances by the female set in the history of racing. Today in Japan, it was more of the same, as Vodka won a thrilling edition of the Japan Cup. Yet another example of female domination that has been visible everywhere you look this year. Rachel Alexandra has proven to be the best three-year-old of either gender in America. Her undefeated season included historic wins in the Preakness, Haskell, and Woodward. In each of those races she bested a loaded field of males and in the Haskell she defeated the soon to be champion three-year-old colt, Summer Bird, by an eye-catching six lengths. Zenyatta, the five-year-old supermare, became racing’s Queen, by capping her season with an impressive score in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The win likely ended the career, of the daughter of Street Cry, in spectacular and perfect fashion. Her 14 for 14 career record will go down in the annals of racing. Goldikova proved once again that she is the finest miler in the world as she repeated her smashing success of last year in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The French mare reportedly will come back for one more year and try to become the first ever three-time Breeders’ Cup champion. If anyone can give Goldikova a run for her money at a mile, it very could well be a mare, not a male. Ventura’s win in the Woodbine Mile was the most impressive middle distance turf race run in North America, save Goldikova in the Breeders’ Cup. Yesterday Ventura put a gold stamp on her marvelous career with an impressive win in the Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park. Today in one of the world’s richest races, girl power was in full force once again. The wonderful five-year-old mare, Vodka surged in mid-stretch and then held off a furious rally by her younger male opponent Oken Bruce Lee and won Japan’s most prestigious race. Great success is nothing new for the daughter of Tanino Gimlet. In 2006, Vodka was the champion juvenile filly in Japan. The following year she became the first filly to win the Japanese Derby in 64 years. In 2008, Vodka was named Japan’s Horse of the Year, a title she very well may defend after yesterday’s stirring victory. Sent off as the favorite in front of nearly 100,000 fans, many whom were there to root on the mare they adore, Vodka needed every ounce of her talent and courage to get the job done. Vodka stalked the early pace and waited patiently to make her move until mid-stretch. She displayed an explosive turn of foot and opened up a quick daylight lead and the race was hers to win. Distance loving Oken Bruce Lee, the second choice in the 18-horse field, suddenly appeared in the middle of the track and it was soon clear that Japan’s heroine would be in for an immense struggle. Oken Bruce Lee was flying and gaining on Vodka with every powerful stride. As they hit the wire, it was too close to call. Vodka and her younger male counterpart and everyone watching would have to wait for the photo decision. It was Vodka, by a desperate nose. The Japan Cup was the biggest of her seven grade 1 wins and the great mare has now won 10 of her 25 races, a record that was compiled against the best Japan racing has to offer, including consistently running against the males. For her career, Vodka has now won more than $13 million, with approximately $2.8 million coming from today’s victory. The win was sweet redemption for Vodka who was 4th and 3rd in the previous two runnings of the Japan Cup. This is most likely her final race, leaving a tremendous void for the Japanese race fans. Her popularity is to such a point that there is serious talk that Vodka will replace Sake as the national drink in Japan. Today we do what we have been doing all year long … raise your glass with me to toast Vodka and all the wonderful female champions of 2009.

Extolling European Excellence

Last night at the Claridge Hotel in London, England, the highest honors in European Racing were presented. The 19th annual Cartier Racing Awards celebrated seven outstanding horses in eight divisions and one person for their accomplishments in one of the finest years for European Thoroughbreds in recent memory. Here are the worthy recipients: Horse Of The Year & Three-Year-Old Colt - Sea The Stars In 2009 Sea the Stars completed one of the greatest seasons of racing ever witnessed by racefans. The three-year-old son of top sire Cape Cross and champion mare Urban Sea was undefeated in six starts, but that only tells a small part of his story. His six performances were all in Group 1 races and each of the races are among the most prestigious and important races on the continent. Making this season of perfection even more impressive was the way he won each race. Never fully extended, every time Sea The Stars hit the wire, fans were left to wonder just how much more this horse had in his enormous tank. Older Horse - Goldikova A four-year-old bay filly by Anabaa out of Born Gold, Goldikova proved her greatness on both sides of the Atlantic again in 2009. Proving to be the most outstanding miler in the world, she had overpowering victories in England, France, and America. Her second straight victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile placed her in very select company. Goldikova raised her record to 10 wins and 2 seconds in 12 starts at the one mile distance, including eight in a row, with her four wins at the distance this year. If she stays in training in 2010, Goldikova will try to stamp herself as the greatest miler in modern racing. Three-Year-Old Filly - Sariska Completing the English Oaks and Irish Oaks double is a special accomplishment and it was enough for Sariska, a three-year-old bay filly by Pivotal out of Maycocks Bay, to claim top honors in Europe this year. The Oaks double completed a three racing winning streak and propelled her to stardom. While Sariska finished her 3 for 6 season with two losses, they did little to diminish her stature. First running a game 2nd to the top older mare, Dar Re Mi, in the Yorkshire Oaks and then giving the older males a run for their money with a highly competitive 3rd in the Champion Stakes where she finished ahead of the Irish Derby winner Fame and Glory. Two-Year-Old Colt - St Nicholas Abbey The champion juvenile colt in Europe this year also looks to be the most promising for the classics of 2010. In only three races, St Nicholas Abbey, a two-year-old bay colt by Montjeu out of Leaping Water, went from Maiden winner to champion. His win in the Group 2 Juddmonte Beresford Stakes in Ireland and then a most impressive win in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy in England, was easily enough to annex the Cartier Award and also make him a clear Winter favorite for next year’s Epsom Derby. Bred for distance, the Irish bred runner is expected to relish the longer going of next year’s key races. Two-Year-Old Filly - Special Duty Special Duty, a two-year-old chestnut filly by Hennessy out of Quest to Peak, won England’s Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes in impressive fashion capping a consistent season that saw her run first or second in each of her four races. The win at Newmarket directly proceeded a narrow defeat in her home nation of France in the Group 1 Prix Morny against the boys. Before that she had defeated the highly regarded Siyouni in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin. Off these impressive results, the Criquette Head-Maarek trained filly has been installed as the early favorite for next Spring’s 1000 Guineas. Stayer - Yeats An eight-year-old bay colt by Sadler’s Wells out of Lyndonville, Yeats has proven that he is as exceptional as a stayer in his career longevity as he is in his staying power in Europe longest races. His convincing win in the continent’s most important distance race, Ascot’s 2 ½ mile Gold Cup, was incredibly his fourth consecutive in the prestigious race. Yeats became the first horse in history to win the Gold Cup a fourth time in the long and storied history of the race. Once a favorite for the Epsom Derby before meeting a setback just days before the race, Yeats has endured in his remarkable career. Sprinter - Fleeting Spirit A four-year-old bay filly by Invincible Spirit out of Millennium Tale, Fleeting Spirit only won once in her five starts this year, but her smashing triumph in the Group 1 July Cup was enough to carry the day. The July Cup win was considered the best European sprint race run in 2009. She also finished a competitive 2nd in her other three races in Europe, all of which were important Group 1 sprints. She finished the year with an out of the money performance in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, but her consistent form in the top sprints in Europe made her a champion. Award of Merit - John Oxx A special 18-member Cartier Jury awarded, Sea The Stars' trainer, John Oxx, the Cartier Award of Merit 2009 for his lifetime of training achievements and for doing more than any other horseperson for the good of European racing this year. Highly respected throughout the sport, Oxx enjoyed his greatest season to date in this his 30th year of training. Oxx, an Irishman, is very involved in many facets in the well being of racing in Ireland. Before Sea The Stars, Oxx trained many top horses in Europe, including the 2000 Arc winner and champion Sinndar and the 1995 Breeders‘ Cup Mile winner and champion filly, Ridgewood Pearl.

The Fantastic Fours - Take 2

One week from Day 1. Breeders’ Cup is so close, I can smell the sweet fragrance of the Fall championship racing of my youth. It is true what they say, olfactory receptors can snap you back into distant memories more acutely than any of the other senses. The smell of the Autumn air fires millions of neurons, making me instantly happy and thinking horses. The early homework has been done. I have tore into the pre-entry past performances with all the voracity of a rottweiler with a new chew toy. Listed below are my top four choices for each Breeders’ Cup race…I have included the fourth horse especially for all my friends who like a little action in the superfecta. MARATHON 1. Cloudy’s Knight - Oh what a story this would be! His last race was super. 2. Mastery - European youngster is a classy sort who loves the distance. 3. Nite Light - Will be joined on the front end by Black Astor. 4. Father Time - Not quite as good as Mastery in England. JUVENILE FILLIES TURF 1. Smart Seattle - Motion charge is primed to return to the winner’s circle. 2. Lillie Langtry - Euro shipper has great form in England and Ireland. 3. House of Grace - Beware the undefeated filly down the lane. 4. Hatheer - Should appreciate the return to turf. FILLY & MARE SPRINT 1. Ventura - Defending champ’s in fine fettle and is strictly the one to beat. 2. Informed Decision - Hard to ignore her 6 for 6 record on synthetics. 3. Evita Argentina - Her last effort was not the real Evita Argentina. 4. Seventh Street - Classy filly drops down in distance; beware. JUVENILE FILLIES 1. Blind Luck - Unheralded filly does nothing wrong; closing in on an Eclipse. 2. Beautician - Trip at Keeneland was a nightmare; gets another chance. 3. Always a Princess - Off the pace & more experienced, she’ll be a handful. 4. Devil May Care - Undefeated Pletcher filly has talent. FILLY & MARE TURF 1. Pure Clan - Quality filly is versatile; ready to pull of a West Coast upset 2. Magical Fantasy - Streaking filly is a threat to defend her home turf. 3. Forever Together - Defending champ should appreciate return to firm. 4. Midday - Classy 3-year-old shoulders European flag. LADIES’ CLASSIC 1. Careless Jewel - Speed to burn; Can they catch her? 2. Music Note - A monster at three, she is rounding back into scary form. 3. Proviso - First performance on synthetic puts her in with a chance. 4. Lethal Heat - Beware the game California bred. JUVENILE TURF 1. Interactif - The most promising U.S. turf juvenile in years should win this. 2. Pounced - Gosden colt may be the European’s top threat. 3. Buzzword - Experienced juvenile carries the Godolphin silks. 4. Viscount Nelson - Bred to be a champion, but may prefer a softer turf. TURF SPRINT 1. Diamondrella - Might be just the mare to nail the boys going down the hill. 2. California Flag - Speed is always dangerous on this course. 3. Silver Timber - Getting better with each start; streaks down the stretch. 4. Yankee Ingenuity - Longshot play may love the firm Santa Anita turf. MILE DIRT 1. Mastercraftsman - Too much class to ignore. 2. Chocolate Candy - I’ll try this guy one more time at juicy odds. 3. Midshipman - Returns to the scene of his biggest triumph; dangerous. 4. Crown of Thorns - One mile distance should benefit this Mandella charge. JUVENILE 1. Lookin at Lucky - Does what he has to do; the best juvenile in the country. 2. Aikenite - Getting better with each run; Lucky’s #1 threat. 3. Pulsion - Long winded son of Include should be up for a share. 4. Eskendereya - Steps up in class, but this one is very intriguing. MILE 1. Godilkova - Champion filly looks to join Miesque as female Mile repeaters. 2. Court Vision - Dutrow says he has him figured out…maybe so. 3. Justenuffhumor - Will firm turf bring back his best stuff? 4. Cowboy Cal - Is never easy to run by this salty son of Giant’s Causeway. SPRINT 1. Gayego - Godolphin has this talented colt ready to roll, all systems go. 2. Capt. Candyman Can - Can not deny this honest sprinter’s consistent rush. 3. Zensational - Grade 1 talent finally faces the acid test. 4. Fatal Bullet - Speedy Canadian loves the synthetics. TURF 1. Presious Passion - America’s best hope will lead them on a merry chase. 2. Conduit - Returning champ will be tough to deny in the lane. 3. Spanish Moon - Sir Michael Stoute has this horse fresh and ready. 4. Dar Re Mi - Would not be a surprise if the filly proved best in here. CLASSIC 1. Rip Van Winkle - The 2nd best colt in the world should love 1 ¼ on Pro-Ride. 2. Einstein - A very tough customer and he likes this surface. 3. Gio Ponti - Probably not his best surface, but still a big threat at 1 ¼. 4. Colonel John - It is put up or shut up time; ready to bring his best?

Bonne Journée Mes Amis

Aujourd'hui, nous allons discuter des grandes courses de ce week-end en France. Le Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe est l'une des courses les plus importantes au monde et se déroulera dimanche à Longchamp…the author now shifts effortlessly into the English language for the benefit of many of his readers…In the Arc, Sea the Stars will be an overwhelming favorite to add this most prestigious race to his effulgent string of accomplishments. The 3-year-old son of Cape Cross out of the amazing mare Urban Sea, is 5 for 5 this year and each of his wins was in Group 1 company. This indubitably will be Sea the Stars’ sternest test yet, though as he travels to France for the first time to take on an international field of worthy candidates. Sea the Stars has proven to be a true champion and is certainly the horse to beat, however this particular racing blogger believes that if he is to lose, Sunday may be the day. A full field of 19 horses could in itself be the downfall of the champion. He will be the horse that all the other jockeys are watching and traffic should be a major factor. If there is indeed an upset, I believe Conduit is the horse with the greatest chance to be the culprit. Last year Conduit improved dramatically and by the Fall, he was one of the best turf horses in the world. His impressive victories in the St. Ledger and Breeders’ Cup Turf proved the now 4-year-old son of Dalakhani is built for a distance. This year his trainer Sir Michael Stoute has raced Conduit lightly, a plan designed specifically to have him peeking in October and November for his most important races. He has only contested three races in 2009, but is improving with each start. Sea the Stars thrashed him two starts ago, but that was a few furlongs shorter than Conduit prefers. In his last start, he delivered a strong stretch run to win the prestigious King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Stoute is having another huge year and is very keen on his charges form. Conduit is my pick and will also be a legitimate threat in five weeks to defend his BC Turf title. On an Arc side note, I will rooting for the English mare Dar Re Mi to run a big race after a horrific decision was rendered by the French stewards to take her down last time in the Prix Vermeille and put up the French heroine Stacelita. It would be fitting if she had the last laugh in France’s most important race. The weekend kicks off at Longchamp with an appearance by the unquestioned top miler in the world, Goldikova. The 4-year-old daughter of Anabaa is ready to show off her brilliant turn of foot in the 7 furlong Prix de la Foret. This is a distance unfamiliar to Goldikova, but it likely will be no problem for the brilliant mare to shorten up, as she looks for her fourth straight win and her eighth in nine starts. This race should prime Goldikova’s speed well for a raid of California as she seeks back to back wins in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Also on Saturday, my almost pari-mutual hero, Stotsfold runs his first race since the Arlington Million. He runs in the Group 2 Prix Dollar, and my main interest in the race is to see how the horse, who almost brought me beaucoup wagering dollars, does in his next start. In the Million, he was long odds and I had him along with Gio Ponti boxed in the top two spots on my superfecta ticket. Early in the stretch, it was a matter of 1st or 2nd, 50 yards from the wire, I was begging for him to hold 2nd. At the wire, he was nailed by the classy Just as Well for 2nd. No large superfecta for yours truly. C’est la vie!

GOLDEN - kova

Uh-oh. Right after I did some serious Euro-Trashing. France's Goldikova, the glorious female turf miler, ran what may have been her best race to date. She trounced a full field of Group I winners in winning the Prix Jacques le Marois today at Deauville in France. Winning by six lengths, Goldikova flashed her amazing turn of foot to leave the boys in her dust. Final time for the Group I race was a brilliant 133.50 as the 4-year-old daughter of Anabaa prepares for her ultimate gooal, defending her title in the Breeder's Cup Mile.