Bob Hill
Staff writer
Tracksideview.com

Where the View Is From Makes a Difference

The last time I attended the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs I sat in the cheap seats and experienced the crush of the crowd in the bowels of the ancient venue.  The wonderful upgrades to the historic Twin Spires facility create a spectacular atmosphere for those who can afford suites and boxes but have had little impact on the throngs who congregate in the bleachers…

Bob Hill
Staff writer
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mike Smith is brave enough to get aboard thoroughbred race horses almost every day of his life.  It is dangerous business that requires athleticism, strength, courage and skill.  When he broke into tears in the press room following the heart stopping Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs he shed tears for all of us who love the sport he represents.  He realized how close he had been to being part…

(Edited Keeneland Association Inc. report)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Goldikova’s owners, Alain and Gerard Wertheimer said at Keeneland Monday that 5-year-old old race mare would remain in training in 2011 and return to defend her Breeders’ Cup Mile title. Goldikova would be seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory in the Grade 1 race in 2011.

“That’s the only real objective that she has,” said Alain Wertheimer of the Breeders’ Cup four-peat, who also bred the mare along with his brother.

“We…

Bob Hill
Staff writer
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Brain Meehan put the blinkers on Dangerous Midge for his run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, and the four-year-old son of Lion Heart rewarded his trainer with his second Breeders’ Cup victory. 

The Kentucky-bred colt is out of the mare Adored Slew by Seattle Slew and is owned by Iraj Parvisi.  The winner was ridden by Frankie Dettori who won his tenth Breeders’ Cup race.

Using a stalking running…

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Dakota Phone broke dead last and was 15 lengths behind the leaders as the field hit the main track in Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Saturday at Churchill Downs. Unfazed, Dakota Phone and jockey Joel Rosario settled into stride and watched as murderous fractions unfolded in the race.

Hurricane Ike and Morning Line flew through the quarter and half-mile in 22.41 and 44.94. Hurricane Ike was done at six furlongs in…

Bob Hill
Staff writer
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Goldikova dominated an impressive field of turf milers in winning her third straight Breeders’ Cup Mile Saturday at Churchill Downs.  The Irish-bred daughter of Anabaa out of the Blushing Groom mare Born Gold, owned by Wertheimer and Frere, displayed her amazing turn of foot at the top of the stretch, bringing the Churchill Downs crowd to their feet as they cheered the popular favorite on to a 2 length victory…

Bob Hill
Staff writer
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – They say that good things come to those who wait.  On Friday, trainer Bret Calhoun and jockey Jamie Theriot each won their first Breeders’ Cup race when Theriot guided Dubai Majesty to victory in the Filly and Mare Sprint.  On Saturday, they teamed up for a second BC title, this time with six-year-old Chamberlain Bridge in the Turf Sprint. 

The winner is owned by Carl R. Moore Management LLC.  He…

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Big Drama was the first out of the gate in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and was never headed as he ran away to a length-and-half victory in the six-furlong race Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The 4-year-old son of Montbrook set fractions of 21.34 and 44.55 for the half-mile with Cash Refund, Atta Boy Roy and Smiling Tiger giving chase. Big Drama opened his margin to more than two lengths rounding…

Bob Hill
Staff writer
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Pluck, a two-year old son of More Than Ready out of the Fort Wood (SAF) mare Secret Heart, showed explosive turn of foot down the lane in the one mile Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on his way to a 1 length victory Saturday at Churchill Downs. 

Bred and owned by Team Valor International, Pluck became the second offspring of More Than Ready to win a Juvenile Turf race in the…

Tracksideview.com and Churchill Downs report

Two scratches were announced Saturday morning at Churchill Downs. Trainer Michael Stoute told officials that Workforce, the morning-line favorite in the Emirates Airline Turf (GIT), would not run in the race. Stoute had been considering withdrawing the Gran Prix de l’Arc (FrI) winner for days because of the firm condition of the turf course. Stoute confirmed that to Breeders’ Cup officials about 9:30 a.m.

“The ground has not gone our way. There has been no…