Amateurcapper

The Breeders' Cup Classic was a race for the ages, a true clash of the titans. If only BIG BROWN could have been healthy enough to join the party...

The race featured bids by nearly every compelling entrant. In the end, it was analysis of class and form cycle that won out.

First of all regarding CURLIN, North America's richest racehorse, many thanks to JESS JACKSON and STEVE ASMUSSEN for bringing him. He looked the picture of health despite a challenging two years of racing and you should both be commended for your sportsmanship. The big boy showed up, to he best of his ability at this stage of the year and his career. He got to the lead at the head of the stretch but the trip to Dubai finally took its toll and there were younger, fresher challengers from abroad down the stretch this time around. CURLIN was beaten by a 3y.o., like a younger, more resilient version of himself demolished the Classic field last year. The Dubai World Cup was the CURLIN camp's goal this year. Mission accomplished. He returned to race in the U.S. earlier than many expected to beat up on a very mediocre handicap division depleted by early retirement (STREET SENSE and HARD SPUN would have been fellow 4 y.o.'s, and BERNARDINI would have been a 5 y.o.). Don't diminish his year or career. CURLIN is truly one of the all-time great racehorses.

RAVEN'S PASS peaked at the right time and showed that a Euro miler on turf can get 1 ¼ miles on a flat course, over a synthetic main track. This was just his second G.1 win, taking the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot four weeks ago while notching his first win over HENRYTHENAVIGATOR. ELUSIVE QUALITY has now sired two sons who are enduring legacies to the sport. Anyone remember SMARTY JONES, one length from the TRIPLE CROWN??? It was great to see JOHN GOSDEN win the second of two Breeders' Cup races on the day where he was a fixture on the backstretch more than 20 years ago. I still remember mammoth BATES MOTEL thundering down the Santa Anita homestretch to win the 1983 Big ‘Cap en route to Champion Older Male honors. He was one of many Southern California handicap stars who bridged the gap in my horse racing education from AFFIRMED to the inaugural Breeders' Cup in 1984. Thanks for the memories (and two more winning wagers)! Does anyone think that RAVEN'S PASS will be back for round two next year, if he comes to it the right way???

HENRYTHENAVIGATOR was gallant in defeat and continued a subplot where the SHEIKH MOHAMMAD GODOLOPHIN/DARLEY juggernaut, this time with his wife HRH PRINCESS HAYA OF JORDAN as the lead owner, defeated MRS. JOHN MAGNIER part of the COOLMORE group from Ireland for the second time on the day. HENRY accomplished most of his connections' yearly goals in Europe. His terrific year, like CURLIN's accomplishments, were not unblemished but no less magnificent. Four straight G.1 wins to begin the year, final tally standing at 7-4-2-0 for over $2.1 million. If he never races again, his second career at stud for this son of KINGMAMBO out of G.1 winner and Irish Champion Juvenile Filly SEQUOYAH (by SADLER'S WELLS) is assured and his offspring will be much anticipated. I'd love to see HENRY return to take on RAVEN'S PASS in next year's renewal.

TIAGO taking 3^rd from CURLIN points out three things. First, it's so very important to have a race over the Pro-ride. TIAGO parlayed a late-running 2^nd in the G.1 Goodwood into a $500k payday pushing his yearly earnings over the $1 million mark for the second straight year. Second, CURLIN was not himself as TIAGO hadn't been closer than 5 ½ lengths to the defending HOY in his two prior races. And lastly, this ½ brother to GIACOMO is a trier. I would not be shocked to see the son of PLEASANT TAP stay in training for another shot at the CLASSIC at the OAK TREE MEETING at SANTA ANITA PARK at age 5, considered the peak of physical maturity in a racehorse.

When was the last time that the top three finishers in the BC Classic returned the following year? With Pro-ride and Santa Anita getting the Breeders' Cup in back-to-back years, it's most likely to happen in 2009.

COLONEL JOHN made a forward move in defeat. His wide run around the turn was reminiscent of the one he produced in the Kentucky Derby, this time from closer range and without a bad break. My blog's mascot hasn't been himself since the Kentucky Derby and won the G.1 Travers on class alone. WINSTAR FARMS and trainer EOIN HARTY have been handling the son of TIZNOW with kid gloves just to get him to the race. For that reason, no way did I want any of the 10-1 he went to post at with more accomplished runners at higher prices. I am going on record by saying COLONEL JOHN will be a monster next year as a 4 y.o., it's in his genes. There's no way we lose him to the breeding shed just yet. Despite being a multiple G.1 winner on synthetic and dirt, he still has much to prove before he starts dating. He reportedly gets very light between races and taking the next few months off for him to mature will be key. I see CJ being turned out on the farm for a month and going back into training some time in December. Look for him in the Strub S. in February as a prep for the Santa Anita H. His damsire TURKOMAN reached his peak on the track at age 4, when he was voted Champion Older Male. His sire won the 2^nd of his back-to-back BC Classics at age 4.

DUKE OF MARMALADE was the victim of a long, hard campaign and continued the downward trend in his form cycle that started with a dull 7^th in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He ran like a horse that wanted to get the race over with so he could get back home. DUKE was classy enough to make the lead at the mile mark, but watching JOHN MURTAGH scrubbing for his life without a response everyone knew his result would not be fitting for such a wonderful horse. Fairly well played at 9-1, there was much respect for DUKE who'd started the year with a remarkable five straight G.1 wins. Watch out for little DUKEs running long on the grass in Europe in three years.

Unexpectedly, CASINO DRIVE was put on the lead setting fractions much faster than his prep race 13 days earlier. He just wasn't seasoned enough but went to post the co-fourth choice anyway. Writing this colt off for next year's Classic would be a big mistake if he can put a full campaign together. Does anyone think it's possible that his Japanese connections will leave him here a la FUSAO SEKIGUCHI with FUSAICHI PEGASUS to win the Kentucky Derby? COLONEL JOHN, CASINO DRIVE, and TIAGO to headline Santa Anita's handicap division in the upcoming winter meeting? Perchance to dream...