We were at the barns by 6:00 a.m. Friday and delighted to find our hosts stabled in the same barn with Curlin, Street Sense, Lady Joanne and Tiago. Before the morning was up, we caught glimpses of several more BC entrants and hit the track kitchen at the same time an effervescent Larry Jones was having his coffee and donuts. If you have ever wondered what the outside of a horse does for the inside of a man; one glance of Mr. Jones would answer your question.  A Breeders’ Cup Classic win would have added to his year, but nothing could take away from the joy he has experienced training his gutsy performer, Hard Spun.

We were trackside when the European horses tested the turf. The concern with the course reminded me of once hearing that when Monmouth conducted research for their original turf installation they sought advice from people at The Curragh. The response was given with typical Irish wit: “It’s easy; you plant grass and water it for 300 years.” With the Breeders’ Cup in sight, a new turf course was installed at Monmouth in 2006; the shallow rooted grass was ill equipped to handle the deluge which hammered down through the week-end. In Europe, the major courses are all turf but their age, size and seasonal racing better equips them to withstand inclement conditions and in extreme situations they have been known to postpone racing cards.

The Monmouth turf was worse than yielding; it was a slippery sea of mud. The European horses floundered on it and were blanked on the sloppy main track too, handing the European’s their first BC shut-out since ’98. If the Breeders’ Cup is to be regarded as a true test of international champions “The Turf” offered must be considered.

The attendance on Saturday was 41,781. The only lesser attended Breeders’ Cup was the ’95 running at Belmont. On Friday, 28,000 braved the blowing rain.  The overall BC handle was down over 16 percent from last year.  When you look at the expense and effort Monmouth put forth, you have to wonder if anything other than the excitement was worthwhile for them. They cannot be held accountable for the weather and with better conditions attendance would have been greater, but other problems would have compounded in kind. Because Monmouth had experienced big crowds for the Haskell, they thought they were prepared but they were not. A high percentage of Haskell attendees know the area but a great number in this crowd were dependent on arranged transportation which fell short. Owners, trainers and jockeys required a level of hosting Monmouth was not positioned to deliver.

When people ask: “Should Saratoga host a Breeders’ Cup?”, the answer may lie in the Monmouth experience. Their dedicated effort could not overcome a facility which was not adequate.  

None of this takes away from the formful performances from most. Division champions sealed their bids last Saturday and Curlin will become the first 3-year-old since Counterpoint to go from maiden to “Horse of the Year” in the same year.

If you were a regular at Saratoga you saw the Filly and Mare Sprint winner Maryfield win the Ballerina; the Juvenile Turf winner, Nownownow win the With Anticipation; Corinthian was fourth in the Woodward but returned to the winner’s circle in the Dirt Mile.  Baffert’s Indian Blessing was impressive in her Saratoga maiden win, added Belmont’s Frizette and came home an easy winner in the Juvenile Fillies. Zito’s Saratoga- based War Pass won two at the meet added Belmont’s Champagne and left Nick feeling bubbly after running away with the Juvenile. Midnight Lute won the Forego before giving Baffert his second Saturday Cup victory in the Sprint.

The Distaff winner, Ginger Punch, won the Go for Wand and English Channel was awesome in Belmont’s Turf Classic after his second place finish in our Sword Dancer. Pletcher looked relieved to leave his Breeders’ Cup duck behind.  (It is a metaphorical tradition to give a trainer a duck at the end of a winless meet). Pletcher’s duck was last sighted happily swimming in a puddle on the turf course! Powerful Classic-winner Curlin trained on the Oklahoma track during the summer and Saratogians knew his competitors; Hard Spun, Street Sense and Lawyer Ron well.

Oklahoma-bred, Kip Deville won the Turf Mile to become the second ever OK-bred to win a Breeders’ Cup race. Lady’s Secret was the first.

The 24th Breeders’ Cup truly was a showcase for American horses.  Every possible division champion was there except the great 3-year-old filly Rags to Riches. 

- Until The Eclipse

Marilyn Lane