Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Bernardini and Lava Man Top Odds To Win Breeders Cup Classic; Flower Alley Excluded

Bernardini and Lava Man gain top odds to win $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic race, which will run on Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs.

Bernardini comes with a gleaming record of six straight wins-- including the Preakness Stakes, Travers Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He was made the early 8-5 favorite for the BC Classic.

Lava Man, on the other hand holds 7-for-7 record this year in California — was the 6-1 third choice behind unbeaten Discreet Cat, at 7-2 after surprisingly being pre-entered by owner Sheik Mohammed.

Here are other 2006 Breeders' Cup World Thorughbred Championship Updates:

  • Last year's BC Classic 2nd placer, Flower Alley, was excluded from this year's race and placed on the also-eligible list. Meaning he will not be eligible to compete unless another horse is withdrawn from the field before entries are taken Nov. 1.
  • His trainer Todd Pletcher called NTRA's decision "a joke."
  • Meanwhile, Pletcher has made another record by pre-entering 18 Breeders’ Cup starters all in stride. Pletcher is expected to have at least one starter in seven of the eight championship day races, with the lone exception the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
  • Scat Daddy pulled a three-quarter-length victory on Oct. 21 at the 135th running of the $400,000 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park. Earning him a spot in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

, , ,, , , ,

posted by Seabiscuit Schmiscuit @ 8:08 PM   0 comments

Monday, October 16, 2006

Flower Alley & George Washington, Breeders Cup Classic Contenders

NEW YORK (AP) -- Bernardini will have plenty of competition when the leading Horse of the Year contender enters the starting gate for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs.
Flower Alley, second in last year's Breeders Cup Classic, will be back for another try, trainer Todd Pletcher's assistant Mike McCarthy said Monday from The Downs.

Also headed to the 1-mile Classic is Europe's leading miler, George Washington, trainer Aidan O'Brien told The Independent.

The Classic field is limited to 14 starters, but more are being considered for the richest race in North America, which raised its' purse from $4 million last year.

The 4-year-old Flower Alley finished seventh in the Whitney and the Woodward this year, but won the Jim Dandy and the Travers at Saratoga last year before his runner-up finish to Saint Liam in the 2005 Classic.

George Washington was bred by Gretchen and Roy Jackson, the owners of injured Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.

Bernardini, the expected favorite, takes a six-race winning streak into the Classic, including victories in the Preakness, the Travers and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. There were only six horses in the Travers, and four in the Gold Cup.

Other horses with Classic plans include: Lava Man, winner of seven in a row; Invasor, winner in eight of nine career starts; Santa Anita Derby winner Brother Derek; Super Derby winner Strong Contender; 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo; and Andromeda's Hero, David Junior, Lawyer Ron, Perfect Drift, Premium Tap, Suave, Sun King and Super Frolic.

 See other 2006 Breeders Cup Contenders >>

, , ,, , , ,


posted by Seabiscuit Schmiscuit @ 7:21 PM   0 comments

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Bernardini Eyeing 2006 Breeders Cup Classic Title

Heavy favorite Bernardini cruised to a strong victory at Saturday's Jockey Gold Cup at Belmont Park. Up next: the 2006 Breeders Cup Classic on Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs.

If Bernardini wins BC Classic, it's certain that he will be awarded Horse of the Year as well.

“I’ve got a fresh horse for the Breeders’ Cup now,” says trainer Tom Albertrani after the Gold Cup win. “He does things so easily, I don’t know if anyone can give him the kind of race where he has to fight.”

Bernardini could face-off against Lava Man in the $5 million BC Classic — 7-for-7 this year after Saturday’s win in the Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Santa Anita.

Bernardini earned $450,000 for the win, boosting his bankroll to $2,060,480 for Darley Stable, owned by Dubai’s Sheik Mohammed.

2006 Breeders Cup Classic Horse Contenders >>

2006 Breeders Cup Classic Odds >>

, , ,, , , ,

posted by Seabiscuit Schmiscuit @ 7:05 PM   0 comments

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Jazil To Skip Breeders' Cup Race

Belmont Stakes winner Jazil is skipping the 2006 Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4, despite recovering from his bruised bone injury in the right hind leg and recently returning to training.

His trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin said, that the Breeders Cup Classic is too close for Jazil's next start and they are now looking at the Dubai World Cup next year.

"He's galloping every day, doing great and we hope to work him in the near future," said McLaughlin.

Jazil, owned by Dubai's Sheik Hamdan's Shadwell Stable, finished fourth in the Preakness Stakes before winning the Belmont on June 10 in his last race. After injuring his right cannon bone in mid-July, Jazil missed the Travers Stakes.

See other Horse Contenders for the Breeders Cup 2006 @ Churchill Downs >>

, , ,, , , ,

posted by Seabiscuit Schmiscuit @ 6:59 PM   0 comments