Handicapper's Edge

Return to Home Page

Phone: (800)354-9206
edit.staff@brisnet.com

 
 Printer Friendly Page 

Curlin, Zenyatta top Breeders' Cup Pre-Entries

Reigning Horse of the Year CURLIN (Smart Strike) and unbeaten standout ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) top a record 180 pre-entries for the 25th running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships on October 24-25. Seven former or defending champions, along with a strong international contingent from Great Britain, Ireland, France, United Arab Emirates, Japan and Argentina, will be on hand for the 14-race, two-day program that will feature a combined $25.5 million in purses.

This year's Championships, which will be held during the Oak Tree Racing Association meeting at Santa Anita, will be televised live with an unprecedented nine hours of coverage on ABC and ESPN, and to more than 130 countries.

The four-year-old Curlin, already the all-time leading North American racehorse by earnings, will defend his title in the $5 million Classic (G1) over 1 1/4 miles. Last year at Monmouth Park, the Steve Asmussen-trained colt recorded a 4 1/2-length victory in the slop. This year, Curlin will make his first start on a synthetic track over the Pro-Ride at Santa Anita. He will face some of the world's brightest stars, including DUKE OF MARMALADE (Danehill) and HENRYTHENAVIGATOR (Kingmambo) from Ireland; RAVEN'S PASS (Elusive Quality) from Great Britain; and unbeaten Japanese sensation CASINO DRIVE (Mineshaft). Top American challengers will include Pacific Classic (G1) hero GO BETWEEN (Point Given) and Travers S. (G1) winner COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow).

Sixteen horses have been pre-entered to the Classic.

The $2 million Ladies Classic (G1), which received a name change from Distaff this year, highlights Friday's "Ladies Day" program and will feature three-time Grade 1 queen Zenyatta, who will bring a perfect eight-for-eight mark into the 1 1/8-mile event. She'll face seven challengers.

Thirty-five horses from overseas are pre-entered for this year's Breeders' Cup. Irish invader SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (Galileo [Ire]), a dead-heat third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) most recently for Aidan O'Brien, is the top draw in the $3 million Turf (G1). Two former Turf champions, 2004 winner BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man) and 2006 hero RED ROCKS (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]), are also among the 12 pre-entries to the 1 1/2-mile affair.

A maximum of 14 starters are allowed in each of the 14 Breeders' Cup races, with the exception of the Juvenile Turf, Juvenile Fillies Turf and Dirt Mile, which are limited to 12 starters. Breeders' Cup Limited has adopted a field selection system to select runners in the event fields are oversubscribed. The system ranks horses in order of preference based on (1) Breeders' Cup race winners, (2) a point system and (3) the judgment of a panel of racing experts. The Racing Secretaries and Directors Panel will rank all the horses pre-entered in the oversubscribed races. After pre-entry, any vacancies in the fields will be filled by horses in the order of panel preference. There will be up to two also-eligibles for each Championship race.

BREEDERS' CUP PRE-ENTRIES 2008

Friday

LADIES' CLASSIC

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
BEAR NOW   Bear Stables   Reade Baker
CARRIAGE TRAIL   Stuart S. Janney III, Phipps Stable   Shug McGaughey
COCOA BEACH (Chi)   Godolphin Racing LLC   Saeed bin Suroor
GINGER PUNCH   Stronach Stables Inc.   Bobby Frankel
HYSTERICALADY   Rancho San Miguel, Jerry Hollendorfer, George Todaro   Jerry Hollendorfer
MUSIC NOTE   Godolphin Racing LLC   Saeed bin Suroor
SANTA TERESITA   Southern Equine Stables LLC   Eric J. Guillot
ZENYATTA   Mr. & Mrs. Jerome S. Moss   John A. Shirreffs

FILLY & MARE TURF

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
COMMUNIQUE   G. Watts Humphrey Jr.   George R. Arnold II
DYNAFORCE   Dr. John A. Chandler   Bill Mott
FOLK OPERA (Ire)   Godolphin Racing LLC, Lessee   Saeed bin Suroor
FOREVER TOGETHER   Augustin Stables   Jonathan E. Sheppard
GOLDIKOVA (Ire)   Wertheimer et Frere   Freddy Head
HALFWAY TO HEAVEN (Ire)   Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs. John Magnier   Aidan P. O'Brien
MAURALAKANA (Fr)   Robert Scarborough   Christophe Clement
PRECIOUS KITTEN   Lael Stable   Bobby Frankel
PURE CLAN   Lewis G. Lakin, IEAH Stables, Pegasus Holding Group Stables   Robert E. Holthus
SEALY HILL   Melnyk Racing Stables Inc.   Mark E. Casse
VACARE   Jon & Sarah Kelly, Don & Joan Cimpl, Jim & Joan Wiltz   Christophe Clement
VISIT (GB)   Juddmonte Farms   Sir Michael R. Stoute
WAIT A WHILE   Arindel Farm   Todd A. Pletcher
*Precious Kitten has first preference in the Mile
*Goldikova (Ire) has first preference in the Mile

JUVENILE FILLIES

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
BE SMART   Thomas Van Meter II, Ken Meng   D. Wayne Lukas
C. S. SILK   William Pacella, George Bonomo, Fred Barbara   Dale L. Romans
DOREMIFASOLLATIDO   Susan Moore & M and M Thoroughbred Partners   James A. Jerkens
DREAM EXPRESS   Livin' the Dream Racing LLC   Kenneth G. McPeek
EMMY DARLING   Ike W. Thrash   John W. Sadler
EVITA ARGENTINA   Halo Farms, Three Sisters Thoroughbreds   John W. Sadler
PALACIO DE AMOR   Myung Kwon Cho   Myung Kwon Cho
PERSISTENTLY   Phipps Stable   Shug McGaughey
PURSUIT OF GLORY (Ire)   Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier   David Wachman
RENDA   Richard G. Rowan   Juan Arias
SAUCEY EVENING   George Strawbridge Jr.   Jonathan E. Sheppard
SKY DIVA   Puglisi Racing   Steve B. Klesaris
STARDOM BOUND   Charles Cono   Christopher S. Paasch
VAN LEAR ROSE   Kingview Farms   Catherine M. Day Phillips
    Also-eligibles (listed in order of preference)    
BLACK MAGIC MAMA   J. Paul Reddam, Dennis O'Neill   Doug F. O'Neill
DAVE'S REVENGE   David Rippey   Robert B. Hess Jr.
*Black Magic Mama has second preference in the Juvenile Fillies Turf
*Dave's Revenge has first preference in the Juvenile Fillies Turf
*Emmy Darling has first preference in the Juvenile Fillies Turf
*Evita Argentina has second preference in the Juvenile Fillies Turf
*Renda has first preference in the Juvenile Fillies Turf
*Saucey Evening has first preference in the Juvenile Fillies Turf
*Dream Empress has second preference in the Juvenile Fillies Turf

FILLY & MARE SPRINT

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
DREAM RUSH   Minor Stables LLC   W.T. Phipps II
INDIAN BLESSING   Patti & Hal Earnhardt   Bob Baffert
LA TEE   Susasn & Allen Branch   Mark Glatt
LADY SPRINTER   Dama Group   Juan J. Reviriego
MAGNIFICIENCE   John Sikura, Irwin Molasky, Tom Lenner & Bruce Headley   Bruce Headley
MIRACULOUS MISS   Puglisi Racing & Steve Klesaris   Steve B. Klesaris
TIZ ELEMENTAL   Mr. and Mrs. Warren Williamson   Carla Gaines
TIZZY'S TUNE   Arnold B. Zetcher   Ronald L. McAnally
VENTURA   Juddmonte Farms   Bobby Frankel
ZAFTIG   Susan and John Moore   James A. Jerkens
PSALM (Ire)   Mrs. John Magnier   Aidan P. O'Brien
DEAREST TRICKSKI   Tom Mankiewicz   John W. Sadler
INDYANNE   David & Jill Heerensperger   Greg Gilchrist
INTANGAROO   Thomas Grether Farms Inc.   Gary L. Sherlock
    Also-eligibles (listed in order of preference)    
JAZZY (Arg)   Team Valor International, Des Scott, Robert Muir   Mark A. Hennig
*Indian Blessing has second preference in the Sprint
*Ventura has second preference in the Mile

JUVENILE FILLIES TURF

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
BEYOND OUR REACH (Ire)   Jake Ballis, Richard I. Lewis, Reagan Swinbank   Tom Stack
C KARMA   Pamela F. Edel   Gregory DeGannes
CONSEQUENCE   Phipps Stable   Shug McGaughey
DREAM EXPRESS   Livin' the Dream Racing LLC   Kenneth G. McPeek
EMMY DARLING   Ike W. Thrash   John W. Sadler
EVITA ARGENTINA   Halo Farms, Three Sisters Thoroughbreds   John W. Sadler
FREEDOM RINGS   Michael & Lynn Shanley   David Donk
HEART SHAPED   Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, Mrs. Maxwell Moran   Aidan P. O'Brien
LARAGH   IEAH Stables, Tochin & Pegasus Holding Group Stables   John P. Terranova II
MARAM   Karen N. Woods, Saud bin Khaled   Chad C. Brown
OUI SAY OUI (Ire)   IEAH Stables   Tom Stack
RENDA   Richard G. Rowan   Juan Arias
    Also-eligibles (listed in order of preference)    
SUGAR MOM   Frank C. Calabrese Stable   Wayne M. Catalano
SAUCEY EVENING   George Strawbridge Jr.   Jonathan E. Sheppard
BLACK MAGIC MAMBO   J. Paul Reddam, Dennis O'Neill   Doug F. O'Neill
APRIL RIDE (GB)   Forging Oaks LLC   James M. Cassidy
INTERNALLYFLAWLESS   Charles E. Fipke   Bob Baffert
DAVE'S REVENGE   David Rippey   Robert B. Hess Jr.
DANCING DAISY   William Bloom   David Donk
ATKA   Mike Harrington   Mike Harrington
SCREEN GEM   Krikorian Stables LLC   Tim Yakteen

Saturday

CLASSIC

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
CASINO DRIVE   Hidetoshi Yamamoto   Kazuo Fujisawa
CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB)   Juddmonte Farms   Bobby Frankel
COLONEL JOHN   WinStar Farm LLC   Eoin G. Harty
CURLIN   Stonestreet Stables et al   Steven M. Asmussen
DUKE OF MARMALADE (Ire)   Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor   Aidan P. O'Brien
GO BETWEEN   Peter Vegso   Bill Mott
HENRYTHENAVIGATOR   Mrs. John Magnier   Aidan P. O'Brien
MAST TRACK   Bobby Frankel   Bobby Frankel
PYRO   Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC   Steven M. Asmussen
RAVEN'S PASS   H.R.H Princess Haya of Jordan   John H.M. Gosden
SMOOTH AIR   Mount Joy Stable Inc.   Ben F. Stutts Jr.
STUDENT COUNCIL   Millennium Farms   Steven M. Asmussen
TIAGO   Mr. & Mrs. Jerome S. Moss   John A. Shirreffs
WELL ARMED   WinStar Farm LLC   Eoin G. Harty
    Also-eligibles (listed in order of preference)    
FAIRBANKS   Team Valor International   Todd A. Pletcher
AWESOME GEM   West Point Thoroughbreds, Inc.   Craig Dollase
*Awesome Gem has second preference in the Mile
*Casino Drive has second preference in the Marathon
*Fairbanks has first preference in the Marathon
*Mast Track has second preference in the Dirt Mile
*Pyro has second preference in the Dirt Mile
*Raven's Pass has second preference in the Mile
*Well Armed has first preference in the Dirt Mile

TURF

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
BETTER TALK NOW   Bushwood Stables   Graham Motion
CONDUIT (Ire)   Ballymacoll Stud Farm Ltd.   Sir Michael R. Stoute
DANCING FOREVER   Phipps Stable   Shug McGaughey
EAGLE MOUNTAIN (GB)   Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum   Mike F. de Kock
GRAND COUTURIER (GB)   Marc Keller   Robert Ribaudo
OUT OF CONTROL (Brz)   Stud TNT   Bobby Frankel
RED GIANT   Peachtree Stable   Todd A. Pletcher
RED ROCK CANYON (Ire)   Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith & Mrs. David Nagle   Aidan P. O'Brien
RED ROCKS (Ire)   J. Paul Reddam   Mark A. Hennig
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (Ire)   Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor   Aidan P. O'Brien
SPRING HOUSE   R.D. Hubbard   Julio C. Canani
WINCHESTER   Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone   Dermot K. Weld
*Spring House has second preference in the Marathon

MILE

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
AWESOME GEM   West Point Thoroughbreds Inc.   Craig Dollase
BOLD CHIEFTAIN   Bill Morey, Ken Robinson, Ernie Langbein Trust, Dwaine Hall   William J. Morey Jr.
DAYTONA   Skyline Stables & Partners   Dan L. Hendricks
GOLDIKOVA (Ire)   Wertheimer et Frere   Freddy Head
KIP DEVILLE   IEAH Stables, A. Cohen, Pegasus, Roberts, S. Cohen   Richard E. Dutrow Jr.
LORD ADMIRAL   Dr. Michael V. O'Brien   Charles O'Brien
PRECIOUS KITTEN   Lael Stable   Bobby Frankel
RAVEN'S PASS   H.R.H Princess Haya of Jordan   John H.M. Gosden
SHAKIS (Ire)   Shadwell Stable   Kiaran P. McLaughlin
THORN SONG   Zayat Stables LLC   Dale L. Romans
US RANGER   Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Joseph Allen   Aidan P. O'Brien
VENTURA   Juddmonte Farms   Bobby Frankel
WAR MONGER   Peter Vegso   Bill Mott
WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire)   Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLC   John W. Sadler
*Awesome Gem has first preference in the Classic
*Lord Admiral has second preference in the Dirt Mile
*Precious Kitten has second preference in the Filly & Mare Turf
*Ventura has first preference in the Filly & Mare Sprint
*Goldikova (IRE) has second preference in the Filly & Mare Turf
*Raven's Pass has first preference in the Classic

SPRINT

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
BLACK SEVENTEEN   Wind River Stables, Julie Berta, Janet Lyons & Brian Koriner   Brian J. Koriner
COST OF FREEDOM   Gary & Cecil Barber   John W. Sadler
FABULOUS STRIKE   Tea Party Stable Inc.   Todd M. Beattie
FATAL BULLET   Bear Stables   Reade Baker
FIRST DEFENCE   Juddmonte Farms   Bobby Frankel
IN SUMMATION   Waterford Stable   Christophe Clement
INDIAN BLESSING   Patti & Hal Earnhardt   Bob Baffert
J BE K   Zayat Stables LLC   Steven M. Asmussen
LEWIS MICHAEL   Frank C. Calabrese Stable   Wayne M. Catalano
MIDNIGHT LUTE   Watson & Weitman Performance LLC, Michael E. Pegram   Bob Baffert
SING BABY SING   Tom R. Durant   Jack A. Bruner
STREET BOSS   Bruce Headley, Marsha Naify, Simon Yu   Bruce Headley
TROPIC STORM   West Point Thoroughbreds Inc.   Craig Dollase
*First Defence has second preference in the Dirt Mile
*Indian Blessing has first preference in the Filly & Mare Sprint
*Tropic Storm has first preference in the Turf Sprint
*Lewis Michael has first preference in the Dirt Mile

JUVENILE

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
AZUL LEON   Joseph LaCombe Stable Inc.   Doug F. O'Neill
BELIEVE IN HOPE   Jay Em Ess Stable   Ronald W. Ellis
BUSHRANGER (Ire)   Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor   David Wachman
CORONET OF A BARON   Darley Stable   Eoin G. Harty
ELUSIVE BLUFF   Southern Equine Stables LLC   Eric J. Guillot
MIDSHIPMAN   Darley Stable   Bob Baffert
MINE THAT BIRD   Double Eagle Farm   Richard E. Mandella
MUNNINGS   Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs. John Magnier   Todd A. Pletcher
PIONEEROF THE NILE   Zayat Stables LLC   Bill Mott
SILENT VALOR   Let's Go Stable   Todd A. Pletcher
SQUARE EDDIE   J. Paul Reddam   Doug F. O'Neill
STREET HERO   Myung Kwon Cho   Myung Kwon Cho
TERRAIN   Adele Dilschneider   Albert M. Stall Jr.
WEST SIDE BERNIE   George & Lori Hall   Kelly J. Breen
    Also-eligibles (listed in order of preference)    
GALLANT SON   C&D Randall   Frank Lucarelli
FORTY THIEVES   Puglisi Racing   Steve B. Klesaris
*Coronet of a Baron has second preference in the Juvenile Turf
*Elusive Bluff has second preference in the Juvenile Turf
*Gallant Son has second preference in the Juvenile Turf
*Mine That Bird has second preference in the Juvenile Turf

DIRT MILE

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
ALBERTUS MAXIMUS   Brandon Chase, Marianne Chase   Vladimir Cerin
FIRST DEFENCE   Juddmonte Farms   Bobby Frankel
JONESBORO   Michael Langford   Randy L. Morse
LEWIS MICHAEL   Frank C. Calabrese Stable   Wayne M. Catalano
LORD ADMIRAL   Dr. Michael V. O'Brien   Charles O'Brien
MAST TRACK   Bobby Frankel   Bobby Frankel
MY PAL CHARLIE   B. Wayne Hughes Sr.   Albert M. Stall Jr.
PYRO   Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC   Steven M. Asmussen
REBELLION (GB)   Hickory Tree Stable   H. Graham Motion
SURF CAT   Aase Headley, Marsha Naify   Bruce Headley
TWO STEP SALSA   Everest Stables Inc.   Julio C. Canani
WELL ARMED   WinStar Farm LLC   Eoin G. Harty
    Also-eligibles (listed in order of preference)    
SLEW'S TIZNOW   Joseph LaCombe Stable Inc.   Doug F. O'Neill
SLEW'S TIZZY   Joseph LaCombe Stable, Inc.   Doug F. O'Neill
*First Defence has first preference in the Sprint
*Lewis Michael has second preference in the Sprint
*Lord Admiral has first preference in the Mile
*Mast Track has first preference in the Classic
*Pyro has first preference in the Classic
*Rebellion (GB) has second preference in the Turf Sprint
*Slew's Tizzy has first preference in the Turf Sprint
*Jonesboro has second preference in the Marathon
*Well Armed has second preference in the Classic

TURF SPRINT

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
CALIFORNIA FLAG   Hi Card Ranch   Brian J. Koriner
DIABOLICAL   Darley Stable   Saeed bin Suroor
FLEETING SPIRIT (Ire)   The Searchers   Jeremy Noseda
GET FUNKY   Keith Abrahams   John W. Sadler
HEROS REWARD   Rob Ry Farm, Jayne Marie Slysz   Dale Capuano
IDIOT PROOF   Martin J. and Pam Wygod   Clifford W. Sise Jr.
MR. NIGHTLINGER   Martin Racing Stables, Carl R. Moore   William B. Calhoun
ONE UNION   Herman Sarkowsky   Richard E. Mandella
ONLY ANSWER   Wertheimer et Frere   Andre Fabre
REBELLION (GB)   Hickory Tree Stable   H. Graham Motion
ROUSE THE CAT   Raymond Pennington III   Ollie L. Figgins III
SALUTE THE COUNT   Michael Dubb, Robert Joscelyn   Richard E. Dutrow Jr.
TROPIC STORM   West Point Thoroughbreds Inc.   Craig Dollase
TRUE TO TRADITION   Ben Mondello   Scott A. Lake
    Also-eligibles (listed in order of preference)    
DESERT CODE   Tarabilla Farms   David E. Hofmans
STORM TREASURE   Mike McCarty   Steven M. Asmussen
EATON'S GIFT   Zayat Stables LLC   Dale L. Romans
DOPPIO   Keith Brackpool   Carla Gaines
SLEW'S TIZZY   Joseph LaCombe Stable Inc.   Doug F. O'Neill
*Rebellion (GB) has first preference in the Dirt Mile
*Slew's Tizzy has second preference in the Dirt Mile
*Tropic Storm has second preference in the Sprint

MARATHON

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
ADD HEAT   Auerbach & Abrams & Wilson   Barry Abrams
BIG BOOSTER   Scott Anastasi, Wayne Anastasi, Jimmy Ukegawa   Mike  R. Mitchell
BOOYAH   Lathrop G. Hoffman   Jerry M. Fanning
CASINO DRIVE   Hidetoshi Yamamoto   Kazuo Fujisawa
CEDAR MOUNTAIN (Ire)   Augustin Stables   Neil D. Drysdale
CHURCH SERVICE   Robert Tjosvold, Dan Capen   Mike  R. Mitchell
DELIGHTFUL KISS   Hobeau Farm Ltd.   Pete Anderson
FAIRBANKS   Team Valor International   Todd A. Pletcher
JONESBORO   Michael Langford   Randy L. Morse
KING OF ROME   Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor   Aidan P. O'Brien
MUHANNAK (Ire)   Richard Pegum   Ralph M. Beckett
SIXTIES ICON (GB)   Mrs. Susan Roy   Jeremy Noseda
SPRING HOUSE   R.D. Hubbard   Julio C. Canani
ZAPPA   Gary & Cecil Barber   John W. Sadler
*Casino Drive has first preference in the Classic
*Fairbanks has second preference in the Classic
*Jonesboro has first preference in the Dirt Mile
*Spring House has first preference in the Turf

JUVENILE TURF

HORSE   OWNER   TRAINER
BITTEL ROAD   James T. Scatuorchio, John Iracane   Todd A. Pletcher
CITY STYLE   Darley Stable   Cheryl Asmussen
CORONET OF A BARON   Darley Stable   Eoin G. Harty
DEL CONTE   Watson, Weitman Performances LLC   Bob Baffert
ELUSIVE BLUFF   Southern Equine Stables LLC   Eric J. Guillot
GRAND ADVENTURE   Sam-Son Farm   Mark R. Frostad
MINE THAT BIRD   Double Eagle Farm   Richard E. Mandella
NINTH CLIENT   Marylou Whitney   D. Wayne Lukas
PADDY THE PRO (Ire)   David Bienstock, Paul Mandabach, Charles Winner   Patrick Gallagher
RELATIVELY READY   Charles K. Marquis, John T Behrendt & William Bloom   David Donk
SKIPADATE   Heiligbrodt Racing Stable   Mark E. Casse
WESTPHALIA (Ire)   Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs. John Magnier   Aidan P. O'Brien
    Also-eligibles (listed in order of preference)    
DONATIVUM (GB)   H.R.H Princess Haya of Jordan   John H.M. Gosden
VAQUERO   Roger S Braugh Jr.   Michael Leah
GALLANT SON   C&D Randall   Frank Lucarelli
STAR OF DAVID   Zayat Stables LLC   Steven M. Asmussen
BOURBON BAY   David & Jill Heerensperger   Neil D. Drysdale
ORTHODOX   John & Kim Glenney   John Glenney
MARK S THE COOLER   J. Paul Reddam   Doug F. O'Neill
*Coronet of a Baron has first preference in the Juvenile
*Gallant Son has first preference in the Juvenile
*Mine That Bird has first preference in the Juvenile
*Elusive Bluff has first preference in the Juvenile


 


Send this article to a friend