Breeders™ Cup 2004 Wrap-Up

By Devon Ellington

The 2004 Breeders Cup proved a day of excitement and surprises, as the BC always does. While there’s no sure thing in horse racing, there’s even less of it on Breeders Cup Day. Lone Star Park hosted the event well. Except for the continuous microphone problems during the televised coverage, the day progressed smoothly. Rain the night before was a concern, but the day was warm and sunny, and the track progressed from Good in the first race to Fast by the time the Classic went off.

The Distaff: Ashado, Stellar Jayne and Storm Flag Flying were still on the card by race day. I liked the look of Island Fashion, a beautiful gray, and Nebraska Tornado. The latter horse was quite upset on her first dirt race, and had to be blindfolded to load into the gate. I passed on both of them. I bet Ashado and Stellar Jayne across to board, and Storm Flag Flying to show. This was to be Storm Flag Flying’s last race before becoming a brood mare, and, as temperamental as she is, I enjoy her. I also placed an exact box on Ashado and Stellar Jayne. Previously, Stellar Jayne was my choice to win. However, on race day, Ashado seemed readier to rumble. Ashado came through, with a beautiful win. Storm Flag Flying came up for second, and Stellar Jayne flattened to third. I lost the exacta, but won money on Ashado across the board, Storm Flag Flying, and the show for Stellar Jayne. I’m glad I passed on Island Fashion and Nebraska Tornado, who came in fifth and eighth, respectively. This was Todd Pletcher ’s first Breeders Cup win, and a well-deserved one.

Juvenile Fillies: Balleto had yet another jockey change, replacing Aaron Gryder with Jerry Bailey . This is the horse’s fifth jockey change, and that always concerns me. Sense of Style was on Lasix for the first time, which strengthened my resolve on her. Culinary, a gorgeous gray, caught my eye (I have a weakness for grays). I skipped the favorite, Sweet Catomine. I bet Sense of Style across the board, Balleto to place, and Culinary to show. Sweet Catomine, however, ran a brilliant race and deservedly won. She was checked and nearly stopped, yet she stuck out her tongue and passed them all. It was truly a wonderful race by a filly with a lot of heart. Balleto hit second, and Runway Model hit third. Culinary was a disappointing seventh and Sense of Style was an even more disappointing ninth.

Mile: I skipped Domestic Dispute because the horse hung his head and looked so uninterested in the paddock and the post parade, I thought this wouldn’t be a good day for him. Musical Chimes looked good enough for a show bet, and Whipper looked like he could make it to the finish line first. I decided to skip Artie Schiller , the favorite. Six Perfections looked good, but I stayed on the fence too long and missed placing the bet. The long shot Singletary, ridden by David Flores , drew clear after going four wide in the turn for an impressive win. Antonius Pius came in second, and Six Perfections hit the show spot. Serves me right for fence-sitting. Musical Chimes came in sixth and Whipper came in tenth. The favorite, Artie Schiller , came in twelfth, and it wasn’t Domestic Dispute’s day, he came in last.

Sprint: Speightstown remained my favorite, and I bet him to win. Cajun Beat, last year’s sprint winner, earned a show bet from me, as did Midas Eyes. Champali caught my eye in the paddock, and I bet him to place. I considered Clock Stopper, but, ultimately, I felt I was betting against myself, and passed. Speightstown won beautifully, with Kela coming in second and the long shot My Cousin Matt as third. Cajun Beat was fifth, Clock Stopper sixth, and Champali seventh.

Filly and Mare Turf: I misread the jockey for Riskaverse I thought John Velazquez was the rider, but it was Cornelio Velesquez . JV was on a horse named Film Maker. I bet Riskaverse across the board anyway, because I like her. I fell in love with Ouija Board as soon as I saw her, and also bet her across the board, in spite of the fact she was the favorite. She’s absolutely beautiful, with personality to spare. Light Jig was a possibility, but she was so uncomfortable with her bit that I passed. Aubonne was a horse shipped by Federal Express, which didn’t help her, as she came in last. Ouija Board won, followed by Film Maker and Wonder Again. Light Jig was seventh, and it wasn’t Riskaverse’s day, she was eighth.

Juvenile: Roman Ruler , the son of one of my favorite horses, Fusaichi Pegasus, was my favorite in this race, and I bet him across the board. I also bet Afleet Alex across the board. Scandinavia is another son of Fusaichi Pegasus, and I bet him to show. At the last minute, I bet Sun King to show, too, because he looked so good. Roman Ruler acted like his father during the post parade looking around, interested in everything, playing the crowd. He was quite the gentleman loading in, though, and it was all business from there. Unfortunately, he got boxed in with no where to go and ended up fifth. I also believe he was annoyed at his jockey. The horse was boxed in, yet the jockey was tapping him with the stick, although the horse had nowhere to go. By the time the jockey guided RR around the other horses, not only was the horse annoyed, but there wasn’t enough ground to allow him to pass. The winner, Wilko, ran a tremendous race and deserved to win, but Roman Ruler still remains on my list of favorites. Afleet Alex came in second, and Sun King came in third. Scandinavia , unfortunately, was last.

Breeders Cup Turf: Balto Star didn’t run. I bet Kitten’s Joy across the board, and Star Over the Bay to show. Better Talk Now survived an inquiry to remain the winner over Kitten’s Joy, although the horse drifted in and caused all sorts of problems for both Kitten’s Joy and Magistretti. Although everyone was able to avoid a collision and there were no injuries, I disagree with the stewards’ ruling. Kitten’s Joy was second and Powerscourt came in third. Star Over the Bay lead the field well at the beginning, but he used himself up too early and finished last.

Classic: I bet Funny Cide and Ghostzapper across the board, with Perfect Drift to show. I was on the fence about Roses in May, a beautiful horse, and decided to pass. I skipped last year’s winner, Pleasantly Perfect, and skipped Azeri, much as I love her. Ghostzapper ran a tremendous race. In spite of the fact that he never ran past nine furloughs before, when he was pressured, he shifted into a higher gear and took off. There was never any doubt in his mind that he would win, and now there’s no doubt in anyone else’s mind what a good horse he is. He remains undefeated. Roses in May came in second with Pleasantly Perfect third. Perfect Drift managed fourth, with Azeri a respectable fifth. Birdstone, winner of the Belmont and the Travers , came in 8 th. Funny Cide was a disappointing tenth. But even when Funny Cide loses, you can’t help but love him.

All in all, it was an exciting day and has thrown the Eclipse Awards open. Now it’s time to settle in for the winter racing and start looking at the two year olds, all of whom turn three on January 1, 2005 . It’s time to start speculating on who will run in the next Kentucky Derby.

 

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