Tuesday, November 15, 2011

So who's the Horse of the Year?

Drosselmeyer's stunning win in the Breeders' Cup Classic has thrown the Horse of the Year debate into overdrive.
A horse with just one win since the 2010 Belmont Stakes could hardly be expected to contend, much less capture the year-ending showcase. Yet here he was, surging past Game on Dude in the stretch for the upset.

So now, who's the Eclipse Award winner as Horse of the Year? Havre de Grace, the impressive filly who finished fourth in the Classic against the boys after an brilliant season against her own gender? Jim Dandy and Travers winner Stay Thirsty, who was the runner-up in this year's Belmont Stakes?

The Classic race winners aren't in the running this year. Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom got injured. Preakness winner Shackleford was beaten in the Belmont by Ruler on Ice.

With no clear-cut favorite. This race is anybody's guess.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

All eyes on Goldikova in Breeders' Turf Mile

American racing fans got their first look at French mare Goldikova, who was released from the quarantine barn on Tuesday at Churchill Downs. And everyone wanted a look.

The six-year-old, who will vie for an unprecedented fourth-straight win in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Turf Mile on Saturday, had just an easy jog Tuesday at Churchill Downs, but still caused quite a stir. The first three-time winner in the race, Goldikova tops a 13-horse field in the race, which will be shown live on ESPN at 6:07 p.m., just before Uncle Mo leads a strong Breeders' Cup Classic field to the post  at 7 p.m. to close out horse racing's annual season-ending championship showcase.

Goldikova has won three times and finished second twice in five starts this season, and could easily have been 5-0 if not for slim losses in her past two outings back home in France.

Pairing the Turf Mile and Classic together at the end of the 15-race card staged over two days, gives the 28th edition of the Breeders' Cup potentially its most exciting finale ever.