Countdown to the Cup - August 20, 2012

Advisory: This is the 8th of 16 weekly news releases focusing on the horses and races leading to the 29th Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3 at Santa Anita. For more information, please visit www.breederscup.com. The Breeders’ Cup will be televised live on the NBC Sports Network.

TVG PACIFIC CLASSIC AWARDS AUTOMATIC BERTH INTO BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC

The countdown to the November 3 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita officially hits the second half of the season with Sunday’s TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Run at 1 1/4 miles, the $1 million Pacific Classic is the fourth of six “Win and You’re In” races for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and figures to have major ramifications as the road winds to Santa Anita later this fall.

Breeders’ Cup will pay the $150,000 entry fee for the connections to start the Pacific Classic winner in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and provide the stable a $10,000 travel allowance if the race winner was nominated to the Breeders’ Cup by October 22.

Bernie Schiappa, Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Pride and Diamond Pride’s GAME ON DUDE has sat atop the Southern California handicap division for the better part of two years and figures to be a heavy favorite in the Classic for trainer Bob Baffert. The 5-year-old son of 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again already earned an automatic berth into this year’s Classic at Santa Anita when he won Betfair Hollywood Park’s Gold Cup in his last start July 7. Game On Dude, who won Santa Anita’s Big Cap (GI) and Goodwood (GI) last year and was second in last year’s Classic at Churchill Downs, has also won Santa Anita’s San Antonio (GII) in February and Hollywood Park’s Californian (GII) in June and is 8-for-18 lifetime.

While Game On Dude will be surely be favored, contention runs deep, most notably from his former stablemate RICHARD’S KID, who looking for his third lifetime win in Del Mar’s signature race. The 8-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid was sold privately to last week to a group led by Paul Sr., Paul Jr., and Christopher Boghossian’s Triple B Farms. Richard’s Kid, who will now be trained by Doug O’Neill, won the Pacific Classic in 2009 and 2010 and, after a winless two years in Dubai, got back on the beam with a win in Del Mar’s Cougar II (GIII) July 27.

“The plan is to run him in the Pacific Classic, then look at our options concerning the Breeders’ Cup,” Leandro Mora, O’Neill’s assistant, said. “We’ll have to see what happens with possibilities and there could be several ways to go with this horse.”

Donegal Racing’s DULLAHAN will meet older horses for the first time while looking to become the first 3-year-old since Came Home in 2002 to win the Classic. The Dale Romans-trained son of Even The Score was third in the Kentucky Derby but has really made his niche on synthetics, winning Keeneland’s Breeders’ Futurity (GI) last year and Blue Grass (GI) this April.

Jay Em Ess Stable’s RAIL TRIP, who earned an automatic bid into the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile with his win in Del Mar’s San Diego (GII) July 28 and won the Hollywood Gold Cup in 2009 in for trainer Ron Ellis; Harris Farm’s JOHN SCOTT, who was second by a half-length in the San Diego for trainer Carla Gaines; KETTLE CORN, third, beaten just a length in the San Diego for trainer John Sadler; the mare AMANI (CHI), third in her US debut in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic “Win and You’re In” Clement Hirsch (GI) at Del Mar August 4 for trainer Neil Drysdale, would also warrant respect should they start in the Pacific Classic.

In addition to Game on Dude, Stephen Foster Stakes winner Ron the Greek and Whitney Handicap winner Fort Larned are the first three horses to earn automatic berths into this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series.

Del Mar Handicap Offers Automatic Bid into Breeders’ Cup Turf

The “Win and You’re In” action kicks off Saturday with the $200,000 Del Mar Handicap, which will award an automatic berth into the November 3 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita. Run at 1 3/8 miles, the Del Mar Handicap could be led by Brown and Manoogian’s Dhaamer (IRE), who won the Sunset (GIII) at Betfair Hollywood Park in his last start July 15 for trainer Mike Mitchell. Johnston, Johnston and Riggio’s NORVSKY and Albert and Kathleen Mattivi’s BRUSHBURN, the 1-2 finishers of the local California Dreamin July 22, could also start in the Del Mar Handicap.

Ballerina and Personal Ensign Sandwich Big Weekend at Saratoga

While Saturday’s $1 million Travers (GI) for 3-year-olds will occupy center stage at Saratoga, the “Win and You’re In” action takes place Friday and Sunday, respectively, with the Ballerina (GI) and Personal Ensign (GI) both offering guaranteed berths into Breeders’ Cup races Friday, November 2 at Santa Anita.
The $500,000 Ballerina, run at seven furlongs, will award the winner a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint while the $600,000 Personal Ensign, run at 1 1/8 miles, will award a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic.

Besilu Stable’s ROYAL DELTA, the reigning 3-year-old filly champion and Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic winner looms an imposing favorite in the Personal Ensign for trainer Bill Mott. The 4-year-old daughter of Empire Maker won the local Alabama (GI) last year and already secured a Ladies’ Classic berth with her win in Delaware Park’s Del Cap in her last start July 21, where she defeated potential Personal Ensign rival TIZ MIZ SUE by a neck. Royal Delta has won 2-of-4 this year, including Churchill’s Fleur de Lis (GII) in June and 7-of-12 lifetime.

Cresra’s homebred Tiz Miz Sue was a game second to Royal Delta and has been fine form all season for trainer Steve Hobby. The 5-year-old daughter of two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow won Oaklawn Park’s Azeri (GIII) in March, has placed in all six starts this year, was third in last year’s Personal Ensign and has won 6-of-26 lifetime.

Godolphin Racing’s IT’S TRICKY, undefeated in three starts this year, also warrants a long look for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The 4-year-old daughter of Mineshaft won the track and distance Coaching Club American Oaks (GI) last year and is 8-for-12 lifetime.

While the Ballerina doesn’t have the star power of the Personal Ensign, it does figure to be a compelling race that will be led by Susan Magnier’s TURBULENT DESCENT, who was fifth as the favorite in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Churchill. The 4-year-old daughter of Congrats has won multiple grade I’s in a 7-for-11 career, including the local Test over seven furlongs for trainer Eric Guillot but was sold privately and sent to trainer Todd Pletcher after winning her seasonal debut in Betfair Hollywood Park’s Desert Stormer June 17.

GEM Racing’s NICHOLE H, second in Calder’s Princess Rooney (GI) in her last start July 7 for trainer Mike Hushion; Robert Manfuso’s ISLAND BOUND, a fast-closing second for trainer Ian Wilkes in the Honorable Miss (GII), the local prep and DERWIN’S STAR, who won Belmont Park’s Bed O’ Roses (GIII) in July for trainer Steve Klesaris could also start in the Ballerina.

The 1 1/4-mile Travers figures to help define a 3-year-old division looking that is looking for someone to join Haskell winner PAYNTER as a potential suitor to Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I’LL HAVE ANOTHER and Belmont winner UNION RAGS, who were both retired in the past few months.

Godolphin’s ALPHA, Steven Miles’ NECK ‘N NECK and Arnold Zetcher’s LIAISON, the 1-2-3 runners in the July 28 Jim Dandy (GII), the local prep; Green Smith’s NONIOS, second to Paynter in the July 29 Haskell at Monmouth Park and Magnolia Racing Stable’s STREET LIFE, who won the local Curlin July 27 all deserve consideration should they start in the Travers.

Frankel Stretches out in the Juddmonte International

Having conquered and dominated everything in his path up to one-mile, Juddmonte Farms’s superstar FRANKEL (GB) will stretch out for the first time in Wednesday’s $1,123,750 Juddmonte International (GI), which headlines the action at York’s Ebor Festival, which also includes Friday’s “Win and You’re In” Coolmore Nunthorpe for the Breeders’ Cup Turf sprint.

Frankel, a homebred son of Galileo (IRE), has barely broken a sweat while racking up a perfect 12-for-12 record over the past three seasons for trainer Sir Henry Cecil. Frankel has won eight group I’s in his distinguished career and his 6-length triumph in the Sussex at Glorious Goodwood in his last start August 1 was the largest in the race in over 60 years. The group I list also includes the Dewhurst at Newmarket as a 2-year-old and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot, Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II at Ascot as a 3-year-old. This year the 4-year-old son of Galileo (IRE) came back in Newbury’s Lockhinge in May and then won the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot in his last start June 19.

While Frankel will be an overwhelming favorite, the International figures to offer a stern test as waiting in the wings is Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor’s defending Breeders’ Cup Turf winner ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (IRE). The 5-year-old son of Montjeu (IRE), trained by Aidan O’Brien, has won 7-of-15 lifetime and added Epsom’s Coronation Cup in June to his group/grade I resume. Juddmonte will also start TWICE OVER (GB), who has had a sterling career, winning 12-of-32 starts, including the International last year.

Friday’s $387,500 Nunthorpe, run at five furlongs, figures to have an overflow field that could have major implications on the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint November 3 at Santa Anita. Among the early nominations are Juddmonte’s BATED BREATH (GB), who won the Temple (GII) at Haydock in May for trainer Roger Charlton and Mrs. S. Power’s SOLE POWER, who won the Temple last year and has finished on the board in several group I’s for trainer Edward Lynom.

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News and Notes

Acclamation to Miss Pacific Classic, Still Eyeing Breeders’ Cup

Peter and Mary Hilvers and Bud and Judy Johnston’s, the defending TVG Pacific Classic winner, will be forced to miss Saturday’s “Win and You’re In” race with what co-owner Bud Johnston termed a “mild strain” of a ligament in the area of the left front pastern. The 6-year-old son of Unusual Heat, trained by Don Warren, has been one of California’s top handicap stars the past two years and is on a seven-race graded stakes winning streak.

In addition to last year’s Pacific Classic, Acclamation has won Charles Whittingham (GI) at Betfair Hollywood Park in 2011 and 2012 and Del Mar’s Eddie Read (GI) in 2011 and 2012 as well and is 11-for-30 lifetime. Johnston indicated the strain is not serious and Acclamation still has his sights set on Santa Anita, in either the Breeders' Cup Turf or Classic November 3.

“We’ve been very fortunate with him and we were really looking forward to the race,” Johnston said. “But we’re hoping that maybe we can meet those guys (Pacific Classic rivals) in the Breeders’ Cup.”

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“They Said It”

“Running down the lane green on her wrong lead, think a lot of that was just inexperience. We were testing her in a graded race to see if she might be a Breeders’ Cup type horse. It looks like she’s getting closer now.”

-Trainer Carla Gaines commenting on Winding Way’s victory in Sunday’s Racho Bernardo Stakes
at Del Mar

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COUNTOWN TO THE BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

A listing of the upcoming major stakes races this weekend:

BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC

August 25 – $1 million Travers at Saratoga. Run at 1 1/4 miles for 3yos.

August 26 – $1 million TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Run at 1 1/4 miles for 3yos & up.

BREEDERS CUP LADIES’ CLASSIC

August 26 – $600,000 Personal Ensign at Saratoga. Run at 1 1/8 miles for fillies & mares.

BREEDERS’ CUP TURF

August 22 – $1,123,750 Juddmonte International at York. Run at about 10 furlongs on the turf for 3yos & up.

August 25 – $200,000 Del Mar Handicap at Del Mar. Run at 1 3/8 miles on the turf for 3yos & up.

BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF

August 23 – $480,500 Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York. Run at 1 1/2 miles on the turf for 3yo fillies.

August 25 – $150,000 Ontario Colleen at Woodbine, Run at 1-mile on the turf for 3yo fillies.

August 25 – $250,000 Ballston Spa at Saratoga. Run at 1 1/16 miles on the turf for fillies & mares.

BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT

August 25 – $500,000 King’s Bishop at Saratoga. Run at seven furlongs for 3yos.

August 26 – $250,000 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar. Run at seven furlongs for 3yos & up.

BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT

August 24 – $500,000 Ballerina at Saratoga. Run at seven furlongs for fillies & mares.

August 25 – $500,000 Test at Saratoga. Run at seven furlongs for 3yo fillies.

BREEDERS’ CUP DIRT MILE

August 26 – $200,000 Del Mar Mile at Del Mar. Run at 1-mile for 3yos & up.

BREEDERS’ CUP TURF SPRINT

August 26 – $200,000 Play the King at Woodbine. Run at seven furlongs on the turf for 3yos & up.

BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF

August 24 – $387,500 Coolmore Nunthorpe at York. Run at five furlongs on the turf for 2yos & up.

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MAJOR STAKES RECAP AUGUST 18-19

A review of the major global races in the corresponding Breeders’ Cup divisions from last week. The top Breeders’ Cup Points' leaders and Breeders’ Cup Challenge winners by division are listed at the end of each section. Breeders’ Cup Point earners are limited to horses who finish first, second or third in Graded Stakes races. Horses based outside of the U.S., who have not won a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, are selected into World Championships races by the Breeders’ Cup Racing Directors/Secretaries Panel at the Pre-Entry stage, Oct. 22. Juvenile standings will begin in September. An asterisk in the points section denotes a foreign contender. A complete Breeders’ Cup Points list is available at: https://members.breederscup.com/championships/pointsleaderboard.aspx

Countdown to Breeders’ Cup Classic – Burning Sands Stable’s SAN PABLO scored his first graded stakes win with a 3 1/2-length win over TOBY’S CORNER in Monmouth Park’s $150,500 Iselin (GIII). Chris Decarlo rode the winner for trainer Todd Pletcher, guiding the 4-year-old son of Jump Start to his seventh win from 12 lifetime starts. San Pablo won a pair of stakes over Aqueduct’s inner dirt this winter and won the Birdstone at Saratoga August 2 before descending on the Jersey Shore and making amends for a fourth-place finish in the Monmouth Cup (GII) in July.

Breeders’ Cup Classic – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders: https://members.breederscup.com/championships/pointsleaderboard.aspx

Contender Profiles: http://www.breederscup.com/contenders/119

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Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic – Godolphin Racing’s homebred QUESTING (GB) ran the field off their feet early in Saratoga’s Alabama (GI) and drew off late to a 9-length win over IN LINGERIE. Irad Ortiz sent the 3-year-old daughter of Hard Spun to the front immediately and the pair never looked back for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Questing’s win put her in contention for divisional honors as she also boasts a win in Saratoga’s Coaching Club American Oaks (GI) in her last start July 21. Questing began her career in Europe and won 1-of-4 starts for trainer John Gosden. She made her final start as a 2-year-old and for Gosden with a fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Churchill Downs and made her debut for McLaughlin in March, running fourth in an optional claimer at Gulfstream Park. Questing followed that up with a fifth against similar at Belmont in May, prompting McLaughlin to try her on the main track there, where she dominated an optional claimer in fast time in June. The Alabama was her fourth win from nine career starts and she could run next in Parx Racing’s Cotillion (GII) September 22 as a final prep for the November 2 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic at Santa Anita. Favored GRACE HALL, who was second in the Juvenile Fillies last year, never fired and finished a well-beaten fifth. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbJees8uOiU

Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders: https://members.breederscup.com/championships/pointsleaderboard.aspx

Contender Profiles: http://www.breederscup.com/contenders/126

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Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Turf – Priscilla Vaccarezza’s LITTLE MIKE led every step of the way to capture the Arlington Million (GI) by 1 1/2 lengths over AFSARE (GB) and secure a berth in the November 3 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita in the process. Under the enhanced conditions of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge, Little Mike will have his entry fees to the Turf paid for and his connections will receive a $10,000 travel allowance. Ramon Dominguez rode the 5-year-old son of Spanish Steps for trainer Dale Romans and guided the speedster to his 11th win in 19 career starts. Little Mike won a pair of grade III’s at Gulfstream Park in 2011, the Canadian Turf and Appleton, but has taken his game to another level in 2012. He won the Sunshine Millions turf at Gulfstream in January then won the Turf Classic (GI) at Churchill Downs in May. Romans was non-committal about Like Mike’s next start but did indicate he’ll have either the Breeders’ Cup Mile or Breeders’ Cup Turf as his main fall objective. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91I3IVnt_Hs

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Turf – Phipps Stable’s homebred POINT OF ENTRY continued his ascent in the turf division with a powerful 5-length win over AL KHALI in Saratoga’s $600,000 Sword Dancer (GI). Under a patient John Velazquez, Point Of Entry secured his second straight grade I, adding to a resume that already included Belmont Park’s Man o’ War in his last start July 14 for trainer Shug McGaughey. The 4-year-old son of Dynaformer got rolling at Keeneland, winning an allowance race and the Elkhorn (GII) in April before breaking through at racing’s top level at Belmont. Point Of Entry has now won 6-of-13 lifetime and will run next in Belmont’s Turf Classic (GI) September 29 as a final prep for the November 3 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita. The Turf Classic is a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw-28f57ulA

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Turf – The Aga Khan’s BAYRIR (FR) ventured outside his native France for the first time and captured Arlington Park’s Secretariat by 1 1/4 lengths over FINNEGANS WAKE. Jockey Christophe Lemaire and trainer Alain De Royer-Dupre teamed up for the win with the 3-year-old son of Medicean (GB), who won for the fourth time in five career starts. Bayrir won his career debut at Maisons-Laffitte in May and had steadily risen up the class ladder, winning the Ridgway at Saint-Cloud in May and Eugene Adam (GII) in his last start at Maisons-Laffitte July 22 before heading to Arlington. Race favorite SILVER MAX, bidding for his seventh straight win, set the early pace before tiring en route to a fifth-place finish. Video: http://tinyurl.com/d2l2eyk

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Turf – Stella Perdomo’s FORTE DEI MARMI rolled home late under Alex Solis to win Woodbine’s Sky Classic (GII) by three quarters of a length over STORMY LORD for newly elected Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield. The 6-year-old son of Selkirk had won just a Keeneland allowance race in four starts this year but broke through for his first career graded stakes win. Forte Dei Marmi, who started his career in Europe with trainer Luca Cumani before coming to Attfield after running 10th in last year’s Woodbine Mile, has now won 7-of-23 lifetime starts and could run next in Woodbine’s Northern Dancer (GI), September 16. Video: http://tinyurl.com/cafupcy

Breeders’ Cup Turf - Breeders’ Cup Challenge Winners (BCC) and Points Leaders: https://members.breederscup.com/championships/pointsleaderboard.aspx

Contender Profiles: http://www.breederscup.com/contenders/122

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Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Andrew Stone’s I’M A DREAMER (IRE) held off a furious late charge from MARKETING MIX to win Arlington Park’s $750,000 Beverly D. (GI) by a head and secure an automatic starting berth into the November 2 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita in the process. Under the enhanced conditions of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge, the Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees to the Filly & Mare Turf for I’m A Dreamer and her connections will receive a $20,000 travel allowance if she is nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by Oct. 22. Hayley Turner, who hadn’t ridden I’m A Dreamer in over two years, was back aboard for trainer David Simcock and guided the 5-year-old daughter of Noverre to her first win since Newmarket’s Dahlia (GIII) in April 2011. I’m A Dreamer made amends for her previous North American start, when she finished second by a head in Woodbine’s “Win and You’re In” E.P. Taylor (GI) last October and has now won 5-of-14 lifetime starts. Simcock didn’t mention a next possible start for I’m A Dreamer, but the E.P. Taylor October 14 would be a logical goal. KAPITALE (GER), who finished fourth, will remain in North America and be pointed to Woodbine’s Canadian (GII) September 16, with the hopes of starting in the Filly & Mare Turf later this fall. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJhCytVlAdY

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Anamoine Ltd’.s SNOW FAIRY (IRE) added to her impressive resume with a three-quarter-length win over IZZI TOP (GB) in Deauville’s $324,000 Prix Jean Romanet. Ryan Moore was rode the winner for trainer Ed Dunlop, guiding the 5-year-old daughter of Intikhab to her eighth win in 20 lifetime starts. Snow Fairy has distinguished herself at racing’s highest level throughout her four seasons of racing, winning six group I’s, including the Epson Oaks, Irish Oaks at the Curragh, Queen Elizabeth II at Kyoto and Hong Kong Cup over males at Sha Tin in 2010 and Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 to go with the Romanet. Dunlop indicated Snow Fairy would run next in Irish Champion (GI) at Leopardstown September 8. The Irish Champion is a “Win and You’re In” race for the November 3 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dPbL-RsDHk

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Hronis Racing’s heavily favored LADY SHAMROCK held off longshot STORMY LUCY for a half-length win in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (GI).
Mike Smith rode Lady Of Shamrock, a 3-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy trained by John Sadler who won for the sixth time in 10 career starts. She won the Providencia (GIII) at Santa Anita in April and the American Oaks (GI) at Betfair Hollywood Park in her last start July 14. Sadler indicated Lady Of Shamrock will ship to Keeneland for her next start, the Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup (GI) October 13. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-vSKpy9GjQ

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s STEPHANIE’S KITTEN overcame another troubled trip to run down CENTRE COURT and win Saratoga’s $200,000 Lake Placid (GII) by a half-length for trainer Wayne Catalano. John Velazquez found a seam late aboard the 3-year-old daughter of Kitten’s Joy and Stephanie’s Kitten surged nearing the line to reverse a traffic laden fourth-place finish to Centre Court in Saratoga’s Lake George (GII) July 25. Stephanie’s Kitten was a star as a 2-year-old, winning the Alcibiades (GI) at Keeneland and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs. She finished third in Keeneland’s Ashland (GI) in her seasonal debut in April and won Churchill’s Edgewood in May before heading to Saratoga. Now 5-for-9 lifetime, Stephanie’s Kitten has Catalano thinking big later this fall. "I think we'll go to the Queen Elizabeth II (GI, October 13 at Keeneland) and the Breeders' Cup (Filly & Mare Turf, November 2 at Santa Anita), Catalano said. “I'll talk to Mr. Ramsey. We mapped out a little plan; hopefully it all works out." Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q9zvGSVkeA

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders: https://members.breederscup.com/championships/pointsleaderboard.aspx

Contender Profiles: http://www.breederscup.com/contenders/127

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Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – Spendthrift Farm’s homebred WINDING WAY remained undefeated in three starts with a half-length win over SUGARINTHEMORNING in Del Mar’s $150,000 Rancho Bernardo (GII). Carla Gaines trained the winner, a 3-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon who was ridden by Rafael Bejarano. Winding Way won her career debut at Betfair Hollywood Park in June then headed to Del Mar to win an optional claimer in her last start July 21. Though lightly raced and still learning, Winding Way has shown considerable talent in her brief career, which prompted Gaines to try the Rancho Bernardo and start down the path she hopes with lead to the November 2 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint later this fall. “Running down the lane green on her wrong lead. I think a lot of that was just inexperience,” Gaines said. “We were testing her in a graded race to see if she might be a Breeders’ Cup type horse. It looks like she’s getting closer now.” Video: http://tinyurl.com/d4385v9

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – Breeders’ Cup Challenge Winners and Points Leaders: https://members.breederscup.com/championships/pointsleaderboard.aspx

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Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – North American Thoroughbred Horse Company’s TAYLOR SAID won his sixth straight with a head win over WINNING MACHINE in Emerald Downs’ $200,000 Longacres Mile (GIII). Mario Gutierrez rode the winner for trainer Michael Puhich and guided the 4-year-old son of Stephanotis to his seventh win in 10 lifetime starts. Taylor Said won four stakes at Hastings this year, most recently their Classic August 6 and could be poised to tackle stiffer stakes foes in his next start. Video: http://tinyurl.com/cjzsz73

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – Breeders’ Cup Challenge Winners and Points Leaders: https://members.breederscup.com/championships/pointsleaderboard.aspx

Contender Profiles: http://www.breederscup.com/contenders/123

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Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf – Julie Deadman and Steven Barrow’s RECKLESS ABANDON (GB) remained undefeated in four starts with a three-quarter-length win over GEORGE VANCOUVER in Deauville’s $453,600 Prix Morny (GI). The 2-year-old son of Exchange Rate, ridden by Gerald Mosse and trained by Clive Cox, broke his maiden at Doncaster in May, won the Norfolk (GII) at Royal Ascot in June and Robert Papin (GII) at Maissons-Laffitte. Cox indicated Reckless Abandon will start next in Newmarket’s Dewhurst (GI) October 13.

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About Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2012 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 15 races and purses totaling more than $25 million will be held Nov. 2-3 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and will be televised live by NBC. The $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic will be shown live and in primetime on NBC from 8-9 p.m. ET. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.