Zenyatta makes history

The Breeders' Cup Classic this year ended with the most exciting race I have ever seen. Zenyatta made history by being the first filly or mare to win the Classic since it has been run. Zenyatta made a stunning run from last to first. She was able to keep gaining on horses in the stretch run and finished strongly. She beat well accomplished male horses from this country and several from other parts of the world. She has now won all of her 14 career starts.

Breeders' Cup Classic

Oak Tree at Santa Anita (race 9)
The Breeders' Cup Classic will have a field of 13 this year. It is a very competitive race. Zenyatta may become the first filly or mare ever to win this. Some horses to consider:

Colonel John: He ran a 106 Beyer in his last race. He has already won on this track multiple times. He seems to be in top form. He should be able to handle this distance of 1 1/4 miles. If he runs near the middle-back, he can make a big close in the stretch. He will need to run another big race to win this.

Zenyatta: Has not lost a race yet. She is 13 for 13. She has never raced though at 1 1/4 miles. She is a big closer that runs near last early on. This is a good position to be in for this longer race distance. She has run triple digit Beyers near 108 and she loves this track. She may have to be under the whip in the stretch to defeat these top males.

Summer Bird: He has turned into some horse. I don't think he will do as well on this track though. Being a front runner may not be the best place to be in here either. He has a chance though if he likes the track.

Gio Ponti: This great turf horse has a chance here. He will have to run a big race like the others in order to win. His running style fits well for this race.

Einstein: This 7 year old can still run some big races. Tough race last time makes it unlikely though he will put in another big effort in this competitive field. Still may do well.

Quality Road: Very fast horse. Front running style, long distance, and new track surface though make it unlikely he will win this race.

Rip Van Winkle: Very good turf horse. Most of his wins though are in small fields. Distance may be a problem for him. He may like this track, but others in here will probably do better.

Richard's Kid: He has done well in his last two starts. He seems slightly below this field though overall.

This is a very tough race for all of these horses. When everything is considered, Zenyatta and Colonel John seem to have the best chances of winning this race. It will probably come down to who gets the best trip and who has the most kick this Saturday. Zenyatta will have to work for it this time I think. Colonel John needs another big effort and a good trip to win. Both of them seem capable of doing it.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Oak Tree at Santa Anita (race 5)
Lookin at Lucky will face his toughest test this Saturday in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Some horses to consider:

Lookin at Lucky: He reminds me of Pioneerof the Nile. He has almost the same running style also. Looking at Lucky is 4 for 4 so far and has already won on this track and distance. He has a very far outside 13 post though in this race.

Noble's Promise: Won his last three starts in big fields. Him and D' Funnybone though will both be out in front.

D'Funnybone: Won his last two starts. All his races so far are sprints. I don't think he will like this track as much as the dirt tracks he has raced on.

Aikenite: He is 1 for 3 so far. He has speed as a late runner and may get up. Outside chance.

The outside post of Lookin at Lucky I don't think will be that much of a problem for him. I think he can handle this field even with the wide post position, though he may have to work a little in the stretch. He looked great in the workout I have seen of him.

Breeders' Cup race times

Here are the times for the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The races at are Santa Anita in California. I adjusted the times for EST time.

November 6th races

Marathon 3:35 PM
Juvenile Fillies Turf 4:08 PM
Juvenile Fillies 4:45 PM
Filly & Mare Turf 5:23 PM
Filly & Mare Sprint 6:02 PM
Ladies' Classic 6:45 PM

November 7th races

Juvenile Turf 1:45 PM
Turf Sprint 2:23 PM
Sprint 3:10 PM
Juvenile 3:49 PM
Mile 4:28 PM
Dirt Mile 5:12 PM
Turf 5:57 PM
Classic 6:45 PM

Breeders' Cup Juvenile preview

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile is a chance to see the possible best 3 yr olds next year. My early favorite is Lookin at Lucky.

Lookin at Lucky really stands out here. He reminds me of Pioneerof the Nile. He has almost the same running style also. Looking at Lucky is 4 for 4 so far and has already won on this track and distance. He definitely looks like a Kentucky Derby horse.

Breeders' Cup Classic preview

The Breeders' Cup Classic this year will be an exciting race. It looks like it will be a big field with very talented horses. My early favorites are Colonel John and Zenyatta.

Colonel John was my Kentucky Derby pick in 2008. He ran a 106 Beyer in his last race, but amazingly he still lost by a neck. He has already won on this track multiple times. He seems to be in his best form ever. He should be able to handle this distance of 1 1/4 miles. If he runs near the middle-back, he can make a big close in the stretch. He will need to run a big race to win.

Zenyatta has not lost a race yet. She is 13 for 13. If she does race in the Classic, she will face males for the first time. She has also never raced at 1 1/4 miles yet. She is a big closer that runs near last early on. This is a good positon to be in for this longer race distance. She has run triple digit Beyers near 108 and she loves this track. She will have to run big in order to defeat these top males.

Zenyatta wins 13 races in a row

Zenyatta has now won 13 races in a row. She has never lost a race in her career. Her lifetime earnings are almost $3 million. Zenyatta did her usual dance before the race yesterday. When the race started, she was near the back of the field, her usual running style, and made her move on the final turn, passing the other horses in the stretch run.

Saturday horse races

Saturday has some big horse races. Two major ones are at Oak Tree at Santa Anita.

Colonel John will be racing in race 7. This will be a fun race to watch. The field is very good. This race can go to many horses. He will need a big effort tomorrow to win. Colonel John had some traffic trouble in his last race.

Zenyatta will be racing in race 8. Zenyatta has won all of her career starts. This will be 13 wins if she wins again tomorrow. Zenyatta comes from the back of the field in her races. She dances in the post parade. Be sure to see her before the race.

Lookin at Lucky

Lookin at Lucky will be racing tomorrow at Oak Tree at Santa Anita in race 8. So far his record is 3 for 3. He has already won a G1 race at only 2 years old. He will have to try his first route tomorrow. He has good comments for his past races. Gamely is something you want to see in a young horse. Depending on how he does tomorrow and the rest of the year, Lookin at Lucky is a potential Derby horse in 2010.

Rutherienne wins

Rutherienne won by a nose yesterday. Quiet Meadow gave her some fight in the stretch. Rutherienne is a tough horse though and this race showed it.

Rutherienne racing tomorrow

Rutherienne is racing tomorrow at Belmont Park in race 4. The race is one mile on the turf. Two other 5 year olds are in the race with her. The other four horses are 4 year olds. She is a fun horse to watch. She has a big close. Rutherienne now has over $1.2 million in career earnings.

Pacific Classic

Colonel John had some tough luck yesterday in the Pacific Classic. Near the final turn, he got blocked in behind some tiring horses. He didn't really get going until well into the stretch. By then it was far too late to have a chance at winning. He still only lost by three lengths; coming in fifth in a field of 12 horses.

Colonel John racing today

Colonel John will be racing in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar today. This race is worth $1 million. Colonel John will have some tough competition in here. If he wins this race, he should be over the $2 million mark in career earnings.