Thursday, October 23, 2008

Breeders' Cup 2008

The Breeders' Cup meeting takes place at Santa Anita over the next two days, with five races on Friday and nine on Saturday. Times shown below are UK times.

Friday 24th October

20.35 Fillies and Mares Sprint
21.15 Juvenile Fillies Turf
21.55 Juvenile Fillies
22.35 Filly & Mare Turf
23.15 Ladies Classic

Saturday 25th October

18.10 Marathon
18.50 Turf Sprint
19.30 Dirt Mile
20.15 Mile
20.55 Juvenile
21.35 Juvenile Turf
22.15 Sprint
23.00 Turf
23.45 Classic

This week's Weekender incorporates an illuminating guide, describing the Santa Anita course as 'Chester with Polytrack'. The general consensus appears to be that it's a disadvantage to be drawn wide. By far and away the most intriguing race is the Classic, the final race of the whole meeting, where Henrythenavigator, Raven's Pass and Duke Of Marmalade throw down a strong European challenge to American champion Curlin. There are queries about the ten furlong trip for both Henrythenavigator and Raven's Pass; Nick Mordin takes the view Henrythenavigator will stay the better but, barring mishaps, I intend to take a chance on Raven's Pass lasting home, particularly as the early pace is likely to be slow.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good good good......

GeeDee said...

John Gosden's Raven's Pass, sent off a generous-looking 8/1 chance, became the first horse trained in Britain to win the $5 million (£1.3 million) Breeders' Cup Classic. Curlin (6/4f) came to win the race off the home turn but Frankie Dettori tracked the American champion and went on to win emphatically, with Henrythenavigator (11/1) taking second and Curlin fading to finish fourth.