Breeders' Cup (BC) Saturday is always one of the most exciting days of the year in thoroughbred racing. This year was no different, wherein 65,000 plus showed up to witness a rollercoaster ride of an afternoon.
Here are some thoughts as to Saturday's events and various pictures I took throughout the day. I was fortunate to be in the paddock for the BC Dirt Mile, one of my favorite races of the year, and on the rail for the BC Marathon and BC Mile for Goldikova's shot at history. I had fun
live-blogging the event for The News all day long, so I didn't get much time to visit, although I caught up with
The Bug Boys Crew, Frank from
That's Amore,
The Turk and Stacy Berge from Thoroughbred Legends Stables.
I missed my flight home on Sunday morning, but was able to get on the next available flight on standby, and as luck would have it, sat next to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin for the ride to Chicago-Midway before heading home to Buffalo. He was extremely nice to me and we shared a few laughs about Saturday's track conditions, Horse of the Year, Sheikh Mo and It's Tricky. Of course, we were off the record, so I'd have to kill you if I told you what he said. The guy is top notch all the way around.
So here are some of my preliminary thoughts before I barrage you with pictures taken with my wife's pink point and shoot.
Best Moment of the Day: When Caleb's Posse flew by me at the rail in the BC Dirt Mile overtaking a game Shackleford in the final furlong. In using an old Joe Hirsch phrase - "He was a bullet on four legs!"
Worst Moment of the Day: Union Rags drifting out in deep stretch after being caught 4-wide and unable to catch Hansen who wired the BC Juvenile. It not only blew up a decent Pick-3 play I had, but our joint Pick-4 ticket. I could punch myself in the face for not including him after touting him in
last weekend's preview article in The News.
Most Disappointing: Uncle Mo stopped right where we thought he would.
Biggest Surprise: Court Vision's win at 64-1 caught more than a few of us off guard. There was more than one person also excited that he was not in the IEAH silks for that one. Afleet Again at 41-1 was a close second.
Funniest Moment of the Day: Jerry Bossert of the NY Daily News saying if Chantal would have nipped Mike Smith, the headline would have been "The Nutcracker."
Most Annoying Moment of the Day: I didn't have one.
Most Enjoyable Moment of the Day: Cashing a nice Pick-3 with Wrote-Amazombie-Regally Ready that paid for a lot of bad betting. If Grand Adventure comes in during the Turf Sprint, we would have been even happier, like $2,300 happier. Just have to remember the old mantra, "first you cash the ticket, then..."
Here are some of my day's activities in pictures....Enjoy:
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| Army sky-diver w/Breeders' Cup Flag |
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| Birdrun - Second in the BC Marathon |
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| Press Box - Top Floor |
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| Bill Mott - Big Weekend! |
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Giant Oak in Paddock before Marathon
(finished third) |
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| The incredible E-Train |
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| Brigantin before Marathon |
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| The Turk and Little Turk |
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| A.U. Miner and Calvin Borel |
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| Cease and Garret Gomez |
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| Afleet Again takes over in BC Marathon |
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| Martin Garcia on The Factor |
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| Baffert saddling The Factor |
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| Jersey Town |
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| BC Dirt Mile winner Caleb's Posse |
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| Trying to rake it in all day |
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| Shack Attack |
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Tapizar before BC Dirt Mile
Gomez up |
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| Tres Borrachos with Rosario up |
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| Wilburn w/JuLep in the irons |
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Irrefutable before Dirt Mile
(Bejarano up) |
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| Jersey Town |
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| Caleb's Posse and Rajiv Maragh |
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| Trappe Shot and Johnny V |
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Gio Ponti in Post Parade
before BC Mile |
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| Gio Ponti heading to the paddock |
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| Goldi heading to the paddock |
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| Team Goldikova |
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| Courageous Cat with P-Val |
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Mr. Commons getting a pat
from Mike Smith |
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Court Vision in the Upset Special
(Robby Albarado with the win) |
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| Turralure was second by a nose |
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Goldi in the Post Parade
before finishing third |
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| Stretch drive in the BC Mile |
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Drosselmeyer and Ruler On Ice
in BC Classic Post Parade |
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| Headache and Uncle Mo (one in the same) |
That's a wrap from Louisville....time for a little break...
1 Comment:
Epic as always. Great coverage Geno and your work in the Buffalo News is top shelf.
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