Some Fighting Words

After his win in the Shoemaker Mile aboard 2009 BC Mile runner up Courageous Cat, jockey Patrick Valenzuela threw down the gaulent to the Europeans. Primarly three time defending champion Goldikova.

Here is what he said from the DRF:

“I can almost guarantee he’ll win the Breeders’ Cup Mile, even if they bring that filly over.”

Really PVal? Really? Now of course Valenzuela has had his issues along the years and did ride Sunday Silence to a win in the Classic. Still, calling out Goldikova when she is (sadly) not even the best miler in Europe anymore? That's distrespect to Frankel and Canford Cliffs, the later who just defeated Goldi at Royal Ascot and the former who is undefeated in his career.

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Never the less, I think those words will come back to haunt him. What if somehow (and at this point I find it doubtful) that Gio Ponti finds his form? While the 3yo's on dirt stink, there are some pretty good ones who have found a home on the grass including SA Derby winner Midnight Interlude. Don't forget about Sidney's Candy (although he's going for a dirt campagin to start off with out east), and others who might pop up throughout the year. Sure Animal Kingdom is out for the year and Soldat probley won't be ready for the Mile, but heck there could even be another filly in the race if Summer Soiree continues her love of the turf.

Lets just hope PVal didn't curse CC.

Breeder's Cup Preview: Marathon, Turf and Dirt Mile

Welcome to the Breeder's Cup Preview for the next three weeks I'll be previewing every Breeder's Cup race. Today I will be previewing the Marathon, and both the Turf and "Dirt" Mile.

Marathon
With Yeats wrapping up his career in France earlier this month, the top horse in the Marathon appears to be Nite Light. The son of Thunder Gulch out of KY Oaks winner Lite Light, he has the pedigree to go at least a mile and half (which was the orginal distance of this race). The question is can he now go the new distance of a mile and 3/8th? I'm not sure if he can get it done, but I hope so. While Yeats won't be coming, another Coolmore colt maybe coming. This perticler colt happens to be the half brother to two G1 winners who where pretty big in the years that they won their G1's. Man of Iron who is by Giant's Causeway is a half brother to 06 Belmont winner Jazil, G2 winner and G1 placed Casino Drive and 07 KY Oaks and Belmont winner Rags to Riches. Now the question will be will he come over. It also appears that Georgieland who for years chased Yeats in the Ascot Gold Cup could be coming over.

Dirt Mile
Techinally this race is on ProRide, and will be at a mile and 70 yards (next year it will be at mile when the BC is at Churchill). However, it has some interesting prospects as these are horses who any other year would be in the Classic. Field is still taking shape, but Regal Ransom if he goes should be the favorite, I wouldn't be suprised though if he goes in the Classic and Godolphin is repasented by possibly Midshipman? The surface would not be a problem as he won the BC Juvi (as a member of Darley after he was privatly bought with the rest of the Stonerside operation except for the stallions and Cowboy Cal) over this surface last year. If he is recovered from his injury I wouldn't be suprised if Whitney winner and 3rd place finisher in the Woodward Bullsbay goes here instead of the Classic.

Turf Mile
Techinally this is just called the Mile, but our purposes I'm calling it the Turf Mile. Normally this div. would be lead by Mastercraftsman, but he's going to the Classic. You're probley thinking why not Goldikova, she did win uber impressive last year? In all honestly I think she's very vurnerable this year, and the horse who could beat her is the full brother to the sire of last year's runner up. Court Vision won the Shadwell Mile last time up for his first win this season, I'm not a huge IEAH fan or Rick Dutrow fan, but the trainer change is what this son of Gulch needed (BTW his brother is Kipling the sire of 07 BC Mile winner and last year's runner up Kip Deville). Also possible is IEAH's newest aquistion Diamonrella who should love the distance, but she could also go in the Turf Sprint or the F/M Turf the day before. Look out for Cowboy Cal who a prep on the SA course and Justenuffhumor who is a 1/2 brother to BC Juvy Fillies winner Dreaming of Anna and stakes winner Lewis Michael.

Tomorrow, the Filly and Mare Sprint, Sprint and Turf Sprint.