Monthly Archives: November 2009

OK, you’ve seen Rachel Alexandra destroy members of her own 3-year-old filly class, watched her beat the 3-year-old boys and older males while attracting all sorts of attention to the sport . You’ve also watched Zenyatta, unbeaten in her career, … Continue reading →

Breeders’ Cup XXVI brought 58,845 to Santa Anita, the Great Race Place, last Saturday to watch the greatest filly/mare I’ve seen run in my lifetime, and I’ve been going to the races since 1973. Yes, Zenyatta put on quite a … Continue reading →

Talk about a show stopper, well, Zenyatta not only hogged the stage on Breeders’ Cup XXVI weekend at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree meet, she also overshadowed so many other great accomplishments and storylines the 14 World Championship races produced. Now, … Continue reading →

What an electric moment, one frozen in time for even the most casual of horse racing fan to cherish the rest of their life. From the time Zenyatta was being saddled in the paddock, to when she did that little … Continue reading →

Is it possible that Santa Anita could surpass all expectations and come close to or exceed 60,000 in on-track attendance today during day two of Breeders’ Cup XXVI during the Oak Tree meet? Let’s do the math: Last year on … Continue reading →

A lot of notable highlights from today’s first day of Breeders’ Cup XXVI at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree meet, though I still don’t like the two-day format. I’d like to see them go back to one day and cut back … Continue reading →

Those who’ve been accusing the Zenyatta camp of staying home, protecting their mare’s perfect record and ducking probable Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, perhaps better think again. Apparently, Rachel Alexandra’s connections felt more compelled to face older males than … Continue reading →

There were six favorites listed at 8-5 or lower when Santa Anita oddsmaker Jon White’s Breeders’ Cup morning lines were announced in conjunction with the post-position draw on Tuesday. The heaviest favorite? Mastercraftsman, at 6-5 in the $1 million Dirt … Continue reading →

Trainer John Shirreffs has no doubt which of Zenyatta’s 13 victories was most impressive. He doesn’t even hesitate before naming the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park in April 2008. She blew away Brownie Points and Eclipse Award winner Apple … Continue reading →

Like most of us, former jockey Jerry Bailey, the all-time leading Breeders’ Cup winner with 15 victories, is disappointed Rachel Alexandra is not at Santa Anita this week to prepare for the $5 million Classic. Yet Bailey is not ready … Continue reading →