2011 BC Rundown

                                Drosselmeyer

This years Breeders' Cup brought excitement, upsets and continued chaos in the run for Horse of the Year as well as three-year-old champion. The stage was set for Havre De Grace, Flat Out and Game On Dude to take down this years Classic as well as leave Churchill with a lock on the Eclipse Award. All three left with disappointment instead as 14-1 Drosselmeyer came charging down the stretch to edge Game On Dude and capture his first graded stakes win since last years Belmont Stakes. It is now anyone's guess who will claim the award this year.

With Horse of the Year honors up in the air, the three-year-old division isn't any closer to naming a champion after they were outclassed by their older competition in the Classic. If Stay Thirsty, Ruler On Ice or Uncle Mo could have pulled out a victory, they certainly would be be crowned three-year-old champ. Now, Animal Kingdom is back in the picture and could take home the award since none of his foes stepped up and separated themselves in his absence.

The two-year-old champ is down to Hansen and Union Rags, with Hansen most likely leading the race by a nose after that exciting Juvenile race.

As the 2011 racing season comes to a close we are left with more questions than answers. What if Uncle Mo would have had a healthy three-year-old campaign? What if Animal Kingdom wouldn't have gotten clipped at the start of the Belmont? It is going to be interesting to see who claims Horse of the Year honors and who will emerge as three-year-old champion.

Marathon - Afleet Again


*Had Birdrun and Giant Oak as both finished in the money. A.U. Miner pulled up and Meeznah did not take to the dirt well at all. 


Sprint - Amazombie


*Had Amazombie and Jackson Bend as they went 1-3. Euroears and Giant Ryan just didn't fire. 


Dirt Mile - Caleb's Posse


*Hit the exacta with Caleb's Posse and Shackleford. Just missed the Tri as Trappe Shot came in fourth.


Juvenile - Hansen


*Hit the Trifecta with Hansen, Union Rags and Creative Cause. 


Turf Mile - Court Vision


*Had Turallure, Gio Ponti and Goldikova as they all finished 2-3-4. Court Vision spoiled the ex and tri.


Classic - Drosselmeyer


*Had Drosselmeyer. Havre De Grace and Flat Out came up short finishing 4-5. Stay Thirsty couldn't compete.

Post "Super Saturday"

                                                           

 Stay Thirsty                                                                                   Uncle Mo: Kelso


"Super Saturday" set everyone up for a very enticing Breeders Cup next month. Flat Out took the 1 1/4 mile Jockey Club Gold Cup by holding off Drosselmeyer. Game On Dude was able to hold off a late charging eight-year-old, Awesome Gem in the Goodwood. Uncle Mo proved he is back by beating the older horses easily in the Kelso. Havre De Grace, the promising and dangerous filly blew out the rest of the field in the Beldame. Creative Cause beat favored Drill in the Norfolk, most likely setting up a so-called rubber match  in the Breeders Cup Juvenile.

While the Breeders Cup Classic field will begin to form over the next few weeks, it certainly doesn't look promising for this years three-year-old class. Going up against their elders for the first time, Stay Thirsty and Coil both finished third in their races this weekend. They were able to finish in the money but were not a challenge for win or place. Now heading to the Breeders Cup, there will only be more talented horses to contend with. While Stay Thirsty still would have to be considered the favorite for three-year-old champion, he certainly does not have a lock on the award. With the resurgent Uncle Mo, if he chooses to run in the Classic were to somehow upset the expected loaded field, he would be back in the picture for top three-year-old. Don't forget about To Honor and Serve either, who came back from injury to take the Pennsylvania Derby a couple of weeks ago.

As these next few weeks begin to unfold, there certainly will be anticipation leading up to the many showdowns that are going to be watched at Churchill Downs the first weekend in November. In the meantime, check out Keeneland in Lexington, Ky as they open their fall meet this coming weekend.

*Hit the exacta and trifectas dead on in both the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Goodwood this past weekend.

Super Saturday

                                           Stay Thirsty: Top Three-Year-Old

This Saturday might as well be considered the playoffs for the Breeders Cup. We are only one month away from the "Super Bowl of Horse Racing" and this coming weekend brings us some exciting graded stakes races that should give a good preview of what is in store come the first weekend in November. Belmont has a loaded card on Saturday, as well as Santa Anita, as it opens for its fall meet. There are ten graded stakes races that are considered "win and you're in" for the Breeders Cup, if that tells you anything about Saturday's line-up.

The most anticipated race is probably the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. The mile and a quarter race is the biggest prep for the Breeders Cup Classic. Although it will be a rather small field it is loaded with talent. Stay Thirsty gets his first crack at the older horses and is eager to show he belongs. While it will be a tough race for him, he certainly doesn't have to worry about losing any ground to any of the rivals in his division.

The rest of the three-year-old class has chosen to go in different directions to prepare for the Breeders Cup. Uncle Mo, who is still coming back from injury has chosen to run in the Mile, G2 Kelso, also at Belmont. Shackelford, will be competing in the G2 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park. Coil, after his disappointment in the Travers, is heading back to the West Coast for the G1 Goodwood at Santa Anita. Ruler On Ice finished second last weekend in the G2 Pennsylvania Derby to one of the early Derby favorites, To Honor and Serve. It is going to be interesting to see how each of these horses fare and who will eventually meet up in the Breeders Cup Classic.

While the three-year-olds are winding down their season, a new crop of two, soon to be three-year-olds have already begun preparing for their Triple Crown Run. At Santa Anita the G1 Norfolk is another one of those "win and you're in" races for the Breeders Cup Juvenile. These two-year-olds will be tested as they look to go around two turns for the first time. Look for Drill and Creative Cause to give each other a run for their money again as they went 1-2 in the Del Mar Futurity back in September.

*More on the two-year-olds next week as Keeneland opens its fall meet and other top two-year-olds load the gate in the Dixiana Breeders' Futurity.

Exotics:


Jockey Club Gold Cup

1/1a) Flatout/Birdrun 7-5:

Finished 2nd in both the G1 Whitney and Woodward, but was coming on down the stretch. If you have to find a concern about this horse it would be that this is his first race at 1 1/4 mile.

Has traded jabs with Drosselmeyer recently and shown that the distance is certainly not an issue here. With Flatout and Birdrun being paired in the betting, can't go wrong with these two at the window.

5) Drosselmeyer 6-1:
After two disapointing starts following his 2010 Belmont Stakes win, has come back strong trading 1st and 2nd with Birdrun. The win was at 1 1/4 mile.

4) Stay Thirsty 8-5:
On fire the last three races, finishing 2-1-1. Can he continue his torrid pace in his first attempt against the older and more experienced horses.

6) A.U. Miner 10-1:
Using this race as a prep for the Breeders Cup Marathon. Long shot that would not surprise if he snuck in the money. Beat Birdrun last race out in July at 1 1/2 mile.

Goodwood Stakes

8) Game On Dude 5-2
7) Awesome Gem 3-1
2) Coil 4-1