That’s the question everyone in American racing is asking as the countdown to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita next weekend continues and Zenyatta’s racing plans still remain a mystery.
With just over a week left before the richest two-day meet in Thoroughbred racing, unbeaten Zenyatta is cross-entered in both the Ladies’ Classic, which she won last year, and the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which would pit her against male rivals for the first time in her stellar career.
Despite 13 wins from 13 starts, the 3-year-old’s story has been overshadowed by rival runners such as Rachel Alexandra and the two birds, Mine That Bird and Summer Bird.
This is a preview of Will the Filly Take on the Boys in the BC Classic?. Read the full post »
Why do millions of Australians drop everything to watch the Cup? There’s pomp and there’s pageantry, and it goes without saying that the great race is an essential part of the country’s historic legacy. But there’s another reason, and he’s pictured at left: battlers such South Australian trainer Jake Stephens and his vaunted runner Alcopop.
Just three years into his training career, Stephens is now vying for center stage on Cup Day for one of the greatest prizes in Thoroughbred racing with another son of South Australia, the Cups King himself, Bart Cummings.
Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter imposed a 1 kg penalty on Caulfield Cup winner Viewed following his commanding 2¾-length triumph in the 2,400-meter classic. With 58kg, the defending Melbourne Cup champion joins 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient as topweight in the Race That Stops the Nation.
Carpenter described Bart Cummings’s runner in glowing terms when announcing the penalty: “‘The win of Viewed on Saturday confirmed him as one of the great stayers of the modern era.”
Bart Cummings continues to push the limits of the possible. On Saturday, the 81-year-old hoisted his seventh Caulfield Cup courtesy of jockey Brad Rawiller and defending Melbourne Cup champion, Viewed. Better yet Viewed bested another Cummings runner, Roman Emperor. Cummings’s one-two performance marked the second instance Cummings has quinellaed the Caulfield Cup.
Viewed becomes the third Melbourne Cup winner to claim the Caulfield Cup the following year. His decisive 2¾-length victory is certain to attract a penalty from Racing Victoria’s chief handicapper Greg Carpenter.
It’s gratifying to see the accolades continue to pour in about this great horse. I was particularly impressed with the coverage by Racing Post columnist Nancy Sexton, whose article included an excellent rundown on the Gr. 1 winners by Theatrical, including Media Puzzle (pictured above):
First, there was the epic career at the track: 10 wins from 22 starts, nearly $3 million in prize money, and an astonishing six Gr. 1 races in 1987 for Hall of Famer Bill Mott, including the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Hollywood Park.
Then, at stud, Theatrical proved himself yet again for more than two decades. According to BloodHorse.com, he sired 81 stakes winners, including three-time Japanese champion Hishi Amazon, Irish champion 3-year-old male Zagreb, Irish champion filly Theoretically, and French classic winner Madeleine’s Dream. He was also the sire of top North American runners and millionaires Royal Anthem, Geri, Astra, Shakespheare, and Mrs. Lindsay.
Saturday’s victory in the Yalumba Stakes at Caulfield did much, much more than make Whobegotyou the clear favorite for the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 24.
In addition to earning his jockey his 2,000th career victory, the ¾-length margin also netted the 37-year-old his 86th Gr. 1 win. Add to these achievements the fact that it was Damien’s fourth trip to the winner’s circle at the Yalumba Stakes, and there’s no denying that this will go down as one of the more memorable days in his Hall of Fame career.
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC O’KEEFE THE THOROUGHBRED / WINTER 2009
CURRAGH CRONIES: Jimmy Feane (left) and Stan Cosgrove (centre) of Moyglare Stud join Cup-winning trainer Dermot Weld atop the gallops at Ireland’s most famous racecourse.
Have you ever walked into a paddock with a lead rope in your hand only to find out that you were about to be given a lesson in catching the wind? With twists and feints and an occasional burst of speed, a playful horse can turn a 10-second drill into a bullfight, and the only thing that gets gored is your pride.
![09.10.24 JBC [Caulfield Cup]](http://blog.ericokeefe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/09.10.24-JBC-Caulfield-Cup.jpg "09.10.24 JBC [Caulfield Cup]")
