Large Breeders Cup fields expected - By Tom Krish
Posted on - 24 Oct 2014
Large Breeders' Cup fields expected
By Tom Krish
There are 201 pre-entered horses for the 14 Breeders’ Cup races to be held at Sana Anita on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1, 2014. There is a significant European presence. The fields are large.
There are ten races on Friday and the first race is at 11 25 AM Pacific Tine. The first Breeders’ Cup race (Juvenile turf) will be at 2 25 PM. The last BC race will be the Distaff at 4 35 PM.
There will be a 12-race card on Saturday. The first race will be run at 10 15 A M. The first BC race is the Juvenile Fillies at 12 05 PM. The curtain comes down at 5 35 PM with the running of the five million-dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic.
There is a limit of 14 horses in the BC races with the exception of the BC Dirt Mile that has a 12-horse limit. Odds on favorites will be a rare commodity. In addition to physical endurance, managing 22 races over two days with a million betting options, you’ll need financial stamina of a high order. I pick a bet or two and enjoy the racing. BC races are difficult to handicap.
The Racing Post Trophy (Group I ) will be run at Doncaster on Saturday. It is for two year-olds and is the final Group I contest in the British flat season. Aidan O’Brien’s Elm Park, winner of the Royal Lodge, is the 18/10 favorite. William Buick will ride Elm Park. Trainer O’Brien’s other runner, Jacobean, a 7/2 chance, will be handled by ColmO’Donoghue.
The race for the English riding title is over. Richard Hughes is the champion three years in a row. He had a winner at Newmarket the other day and that gave him a six-point lead over Ryan Moore. With jockey Moore not riding in Britain during the rest of the season, Hughes has been handed over the title.
I spoke to Hughes on Thursday. “I have ridden 151 winners from 900 rides. With the Dubai injury, I started behind and was 25 behind Ryan at one point. It was quite difficult. I am relieved that the chase is over. I will be at Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup. I may have two or three rides. The best among them is Toronado. Will be riding in Dubai in the winter. Whenever I am wanted in India, I will go. I will continue to ride in Britain.”
There was an email from Mr Dhunjibhoy. “Zervan will be our primary jockey. When there is a need to bring in jockey Hughes, I have asked him to be available,” he has said.
Ryan Moore rides Adelaide, an Aidan O’Brien trainee, in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Australia on Saturday. Moore will be in action at Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup races.
Rajiv Maragh will not be at Santa Anita. Rajiv would have ridden Main Sequence in the BC Turf. Jockey Maragh was in a spill at Belmont Park when riding Wicked Strong in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. “ I know by the way I feel that I’m not going to be ready. I will not be at my best. I do not want to jeopardize my health or my horses’ chances. I am going to do what is right and get back in top shape before I start back,” Rajiv said in a statement.
Nelson Bunker Hunt is a name that was feared in the 60s, the 70s and the 80s. A Texas oil tycoon, he, at one time, owned 600 racehorses.
Mr Hunt won the Eclipse award for top breeder in 1967, 1985 and 1987. His Empery won the Epsom Derby with Lester Piggott in 1976.That was jockey Piggott’s seventh win in the British Classic. Hunt owned Vaguely Noble (sire of Empery), Dahlia, Yputh, Exceller, Dahar, Glorious Song and Estrapade. Vaguely Noble won the Arc de Triomphe in 1968. Vaguely Noble also sired Dahlia.
Bunker Hunt tried to monopolize the silver market and his scheme failed. His fortunes plummeted when the silver market began collapsing. Hunt died on October 21. He was 88.
