On location daily reports from Churchill Downs with
Tom Dawson November 2 - 6
Tom Dawson
-
Owner of
Mirage Media Inc. Free Lance sports Television producer for horseracing and other sports airing on ESPN, ABC &
other networks. Over 500 live remotes produced.
FINAL THOUGHTS - 2010 BREEDERS’
CUP - by Tom Dawson -Blame it on
Blame for spoiling what would have been the biggest
racing celebration ever. But In my opinion, that was the
second best result for the sport. Probably not so for
Mike Smith, who would have had a much easier time has
she lost by 10 lengths. He proceeded to shoulder the
entire fault. ESPN analyst Jerry Bailey would have none
of it, believing Smith played the hand he was dealt.
BREEDERS’ CUP SATURDAY, November 6
AM - by Tom Dawson - Before
we get into Saturday, let’s glance back at Friday’s
action. And I’m not talking about the action between
Calvin Borel and Javier Castellano after the BC
Marathon...
UPDATE
- Jockey Calvin Borel has been fined and
fellow rider Javier Castellano has been
fined and suspended for six days
following a fight in the winner's circle
on Friday at Churchill Downs.
The Kentucky Board of Stewards fined
Borel $5,000 and Castellano $2,500 for
their fight following the conclusion of
the Breeders' Cup Marathon.
Castellano was also banned from riding
Nov. 11-14 and Nov. 16-17 for causing
interference aboard Prince Will I Am
during the race that nearly sent fellow
rider Martin Garcia tumbling and blunted
Borel's momentum aboard A.U. Miner.
The
43-year-old Borel waited
for Castellano after the
Marathon, angry over a
mid-race move in which
Castellano and mount
Prince Will I Am
unwittingly cut off
horses ridden by Borel
and Martin Garcia.
The
move nearly sent Garcia
tumbling to the ground
and blunted Borel's
momentum.
An
inquiry was ordered
shortly after the race
was finished. While
Castellano waited to
talk to track officials,
Borel approached
Castellano and jabbed
his right hand in
Castellano's face.
Castellano took a swing
at Borel.
BREEDERS’ CUP FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5 - AM - by Tom Dawson
- So far the expected inclement weather hasn’t
arrived. The current forecast is for 50ish temperature
with 20% chance of showers. Good for today’s
patrons but maintains the question mark surrounding the
participation of Workforce, favorite for tomorrow’s BC
Turf.
BREEDERS’ CUP THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 - by Tom Dawson
- Seems Like I just got here and
it’s race day already. That’s what happens when there are 14 races to prepare
for rather than focusing on say, the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. Obviously
Zenyatta and the Classic garner the most attention but there are many other
stories, and wagering opportunities. Here are a few of my favorites.
BREEDERS’ CUP WEDNESDAY,
November 3
- by Tom Dawson - Churchill
Downs installed track lighting to allow night racing
during the summer months and to provide the flexibility
of schedule to conclude an afternoon program after dark.
That will happen Friday with the Ladies Classic post set
at 7:30 pm. Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic can also be
pushed later than scheduled if needed without fear of
repeating the scene in 1988. That was the year Alysheba
won the Classic in the rapidly descending darkness that
was broken only by the illuminated finish line.
BREEDERS’ CUP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2
- by Tom Dawson - Shortly after noon
today, the queen arrived at Churchill Downs, complete
with police escort. No, I’m not speaking of the Queen,
who was here for the Kentucky Derby a few years ago.
Today, Zenyatta, the royalty of racing, arrived to hold
court for the final time.
BREEDERS’ CUP GOURMET MENU
- Monday, November 1
- by Tom Dawson
- Breeders’ Cup, which
annually offers the greatest display of racing talent to
gather in one spot, is upon us. If the weather
cooperates, there should be 35,000 to 40,000 on hand
Friday at Churchill Downs, and possibly 75,000 to 80,000
to see Zenyatta and friends on Saturday.
Blame denies Zenyatta in Breeders' Cup Classic
-LOUISVILLE, Ky. – November 6, 2010 - Zenyatta’s bid for racing
immortality fell inches short in the gloaming at Churchill Downs on Saturday,
where Blame held tenaciously through the final furlong to register a
heart-stopping short head victory over the previously undefeated superstar in
the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
>
A note from Mike Smith
Dakota Phone up at wire in Breeders’ Cup Mile -
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – November 6, 2010 - Dakota Phone led at only
one point in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, but it came
at the stage that it mattered – right on the wire.
Goldikova wins third straight BC Mile -
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - November 6, 2010 - Goldikova a made history
Saturday at Churchill Downs, becoming the first horse to win three Breeders' Cup
races after surging through the stretch to a convincing 1 3/4-length victory
over two-time Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti in the $2 million Breeders' Cup
Mile.
Uncle Mo dominates Breeders’ Cup Juvenile -
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - November 6, 2010 - Jump to User Comments Uncle
Mo proved himself the best 2-year-old male in the land and certainly clinched a
divisional Eclipse Award with an overwhelming victory in Saturday’s $2 million
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs.
Chamberlain Bridge flies late in Turf Sprint
- LOUISVILLE, Ky. - November 6, 2010 - Chamberlain Bridge missed
a scheduled workout last weekend because of an abscessed hoof, but he did not
miss the mark in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Saturday. He closed
furiously when guided to the center of the track and easily ran past
pace-setting Central City to win by 1 1/2 lengths.
Big Drama wires in Breeders' Cup Sprint -
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - November 6, 2010
-Trainer David Fawkes did his homework. Jockey Eibar Coa followed his
instructions perfectly. And Big Drama did the rest.
Pluck rallies from last in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
- LOUISVILLE, Ky. – November 6, 2010 - Pluck, last of 12 turning
for home, unleashed a furious run down the center of the course to post an
emphatic victory under jockey Garrett Gomez in $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Turf, the first of the eight BC events Saturday at Churchill Downs.
DAY 1 Wrap -
Breeders’ Cup Friday Attendance and Handle Up -
LOUISVILLE, KY – November 5, 2010 - Attendance for
Breeders’ Cup Championship Friday at Churchill Downs increased by 10.5 percent
over Championship Friday last year at Santa Anita Park as 41,614 were on hand
today for the 10-race card that included six Breeders’ Cup World Championships
races and finished under the lights. Attendance on Championship Friday in 2009
was 37,651.
Unrivaled Belle doesn't have to
settle for second best in Ladies' Classic
- LOUISVILLE, Ky. - November 5. 2010 -
Unrivaled Belle, a runner-up in three consecutive Grade
1 races, finally broke through under the bright lights
of Churchill Downs and in the biggest Grade 1 of
Breeders’ Cup Friday, rolling to a clear-cut victory in
the $2 million Ladies’ Classic.
Shared Account surprises in Filly
and Mare Turf - LOUISVILLE,
Ky. November 5, 2010 - Shared Account registered the
biggest shocker on a day full of Breeders' Cup surprises
Friday at Churchill Downs, returning $94 after slipping
up the hedge to out game defending champion and 4-5
favorite Midday in the $2 million Filly and Mare Turf.
Awesome Feather stays perfect in
Juvenile Fillies -
LOUISVILLE, Ky. November 5, 2010 -– Awesome Feather
entered Friday’s Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Fillies with a reputation as the best
2-year-old filly in Florida. She exited the race with a
new title – that being the best 2-year-old filly in
America.
Dubai Majesty reaffirms affinity
for Churchill in Filly and Mare Sprint -
LOUISVILLE, Ky. November 5, 2010 - – In
the days before the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes,
it appeared unlikely Dubai Majesty would wind up being
supplemented for a $90,000 fee to the $1 million
Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs.
Flay is the owner of More Than Real, who registered a
decisive two-length victory over even-money favorite
Winter Memories in the one-mile Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Kathmanblu rallied to finish a head farther back in
third.
Eldaafer pulls away in Breeders’
Cup Marathon - LOUISVILLE,
Ky. November 5, 2010 -– Since its inception two years
ago, the Breeders’ Cup Marathon has been criticized as
being a yawner of a race, a lengthy contest that lacked
the purse, prestige, and drama of other Breeders’ Cup
events.
Hollywood Park places large "Good Luck, Zenyatta"
sign on rooftop
In support of Zenyatta’s
attempt for a 20th consecutive victory in
Saturday’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic,
Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif., has
placed a 20’ x 150’ sign on its rooftop that
reads, “Good Luck, Zenyatta!” The sign will
be in full view of airplanes flying into and
out of nearby Los Angeles International
Airport.
“We, like so many others
here in Southern California, are fiercely
proud of Zenyatta, and this is just one
small way for us to share that pride,” said
Jack Liebau, President of Hollywood Park.
"Zenyatta is a
once-in-a-lifetime Champion bidding to
accomplish something no Thoroughbred in
modern history has achieved," said Alex
Waldrop, President and CEO of the NTRA. "We
wish her the best of luck in her quest for
perfection."
