By the Gap

BY THE GAP

NOVEMBER 4, 2006

by Joe Riddell

Churchill Downs will have a fast dirt track (probably a little cuppy) for the
Breeders’ Cup on
Saturday. While they will call the turf firm, it will have a lot of give to it
because of all the recent rains.

RACE 3: JUVENILE FILLIES (G1)

Dreaming of Anna (Rahy), Cotton Blossom (Broken Vow), Octave (Unbridled’s
Song), Bel Air Beauty (Smart Strike) and HER MAJESTY (Giant’s Causeway)
(my choice) are all training well and should handle the cuppy track. Have not
seen Sutra (Meadowlake) and Quick Little Miss (Freud).

RACE 4: JUVENILE (G1)

Street Sense (Street Cry [Ire]), Great Hunter (Aptitude), Circular Quay
(Thunder Gulch), Malt Magic (Cherokee Run) and C P WEST (Came Home) (my
choice) are all training well. I haven’t seen Scat Daddy (Johannesburg), King of
the Roxy (Littleexpectations), Pegasus Wind (Fusaichi Pegasus) or Skip Code (Skip
Away).

RACE 5: FILLY AND MARE TURF (G1)

Two-horse race: OUIJA BOARD (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]) (my choice; looks
fabulous) and Wait a While (Maria’s Mon).

RACE 6: SPRINT (G1)

Henny Hughes (Hennessy) and Bordonaro (Memo [Chi]) are training great and
will handle Churchill’s dirt track. Have not seen Friendly Island (Crafty
Friend), Too Much Bling (Rubiano), War Front (Danzig) or Attila’s Storm (Forest
Wildcat).

RACE 7: MILE (G1)

Sleeping Indian (GB) (Indian Ridge), Rob Roy (Lear Fan), Gorella (Fr) (Grape
Tree Road [GB]) and ECHO OF LIGHT (GB) (Dubai Millennium) (my choice) are
training well. Have not seen Ad Valorem (Danzig) or Super Frolic (Pine Bluff).

RACE 8: DISTAFF (G1)

Pine Island (Arch), Hollywood Story (Wild Rush), Balletto (UAE) (Timber
Country) and FLEET INDIAN (Indian Charlie) (my choice) are training well.
Have not seen Healthy Addiction (Boston Harbor).

RACE 9: TURF (G1)

Cacique (Ire) (Danehill), Hurricane Run (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]) and ENGLISH
CHANNEL(Smart Strike) (my choice) are doing well. Have not seen Go Deputy
(Deputy Minister), Icy Atlantic (Stormy Atlantic) or Scorpion (Ire) (Montjeu
[Ire]).

RACE 10: CLASSIC (G1)

Churchill Downs’ dirt track, when it is dry, tends to be “cuppy” (breaks away
when horses push off). Over 35 years of observation, I have noticed that a
large-hoofed horse handles the track better than a small-hoofed horse. I rate
hooves from 1 (tiny) to 5 (huge). I feel a horse needs at least a 3- to best
handle the surface. Below are my observations.

BERNARDINI (A.P. Indy) is the real deal and should win, but he may not run his
top race because of his smaller hooves. SUN KING (Charismatic) is sitting on a
big race and may spring an upset. Lava Man (Slew City Slew), Suave (A.P. Indy)
and Lawyer Ron (Langfuhr) are looking very good. Disappointed in Invasor’s (Arg)
(Candy Stripes) appearance. I wish I could have seen George Washington (Ire) (Danehill).