TURF DIARY
OCTOBER 6, 2005
by Jennifer Caldwell
The last major turf preps for Breeders’ Cup Day took place over the weekend,
so I’m going to jump right in.
Perhaps the most anticipated match-up didn’t take place due to the retirement
of Kitten’s Joy
before he could attempt a title defense in Saturday’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
Invitational S. (G1) at Belmont Park. I think it’s safe to say many
have been eagerly awaiting the time when last year’s champion met up with
SHAKESPEARE (Theatrical [Ire]) and ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart Strike) but, alas, it
was not meant to be.
However, even without Kitten’s Joy, Shakespeare and English Channel made the
Hirsch an exciting preview of what could happen on October 29. The two were
never far apart, with English Channel enjoying a slight advantage in third over
his rival. As the field reached the 10-furlong point, English Channel was up by
a head on Shakespeare, but the immortal poet would not be denied. Bobbing back
and forth throughout the stretch, Shakespeare wrote his name in the history
books yet again, taking the Hirsch by a head and extending his perfect record to
five wins.
Both colts were game throughout the race and English Channel picked up only
his third loss from eight career starts. He has the advantage of experience and
youth, while Shakespeare has the talent and heart of a champion. The Breeders’
Cup Turf (G1) should prove to be one of the most exciting races on championship
day.
FOURTY NINERS SON (Distorted Humor) proved his close third in the Arlington
Million (G1) in August was no fluke with a nice score in Sunday’s Clement
L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S. (G1) at Santa Anita. Trained by Neil Drysdale, the four-year-old colt saved ground before coming out four wide in midstretch of the 1 1/4-mile event. The wire was closing fast and Whilly (Ire)
(Sri Pekan) had the lead, but the bay colt drifted in, causing Sweet Return (GB)
(Elmaamul) to steady. Whilly lost the advantage and could never reclaim it as
Fourty Niners Son pulled away under Corey Nakatani for the length win. Alex
Solis, aboard Sweet Return, lodged an objection against Whilly and, after a
stewards inquiry, the second-place finisher was bumped down to fifth, giving
Leprechaun Kid (Alphabet Soup) a Grade 1 second to add to his resume.
Fourty Niners Son earned his first stakes victory in the Clement L. Hirsch,
but has been biding his time, recording game placings in big races this year.
FUNFAIR (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) provided a slight upset in the Kelso Breeders’
Cup H. (G2) back at Belmont on Sunday, holding off multiple Grade 2 hero ARTIE
SCHILLER (El Prado [Ire]) by a head at the wire while earning a 106 BRIS Speed
rating. The H. Graham Motion charge has done nothing but improve since shipping
to the United States during the summer and is undefeated stateside from three
starts now. Funfair has proven himself at the top level and will likely be tough in the
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).
Artie Schiller was sent off the 6-5 favorite against nine rivals in the
Kelso, but ran second throughout. The bay four-year-old has posted nothing but
triple-digit Speed ratings since last summer and was making only his second
start at a mile this year on Sunday. He was also giving the winner eight pounds,
so ignore at your own peril on Breeders’ Cup Day.
SPRUCE RUN (Repriced) was another upset winner, this time in the September 24
Robert F. Carey Memorial H. (G3) at Hawthorne, and is feasible for the Mile
after the neck victory. The chestnut horse earned a 105 Speed figure for holding
off Fort Prado (El Prado [Ire]) in that mile test, so keep an eye on him no
matter where he shows up next.
Overseas on Sunday, HURRICANE RUN (Montjeu [Ire]) recorded a three-length
score in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) at Longchamp in France. The Andre
Fabre-trained sophomore closed from the back of the field under Kieren Fallon in
the about 1 1/2-mile event, running down the leader in the stretch. Though
Hurricane Run wasn’t supposed to be that far back, his devastating turn of foot
proved to be the downfall of his rivals and he could do so again if he goes in the Turf.