2008 Breeders' Cup Highlights
New Stars Stardom Bound Midshipman Rose; Past Victors Left the Track
Nov 21, 2008
The torch of greatness was passed to juveniles Stardom Bound and Midshipman in the 25th edition of the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita October 24 and 25. Past greats Dreaming of Anna and Val Roayl left the scene of Thoroughbred racing. Four-year-old Zenyatta wowed.
Dreaming of Anna and Raven's Pass Retired
Dreaming of Anna, 2006 Champion Two-Year-Old, was retired to Three Chimneys Farms by owner Frank Calabrese before the Cup races. Former French BC Mile winner (2001) Val Royal died in Brazil, where she had been sent under a breeding lease agreement.
Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin was defeated by the three-year-old youngster Raven's Pass, who has already been retired to hopefully pass along the quickness of greatness he achieved in the Classic and in Europe.
Gomez, Smith and Zenyatta Had "Go" Power
Former jockey Jerry Bailey, who helps ESPN with Thoroughbred racing color analysis, remarked that Garrett Gomez's nickname, "Go-Go", was emblazoned on the back of the jockey's helmet. Gomez should write "To the Bank" on the front, Bailey said, commenting on Gomez's four-win total in the two-day meet.
In describing the pre-race demeanor of the giant four-year-old filly Zenyatta, commentators said she "swells up" at the sight of her competitors in the paddock. "She knows she's got them," Bailey remarked. Her "ease" of run is "amazing", Bailey said, noting that the unbeaten Zenyatta always comes on from last to first in her races.
Jerry and Ann Moss, who own Zenyatta, and her trainer John Shirreffs said their star will be on the track as a five-year-old as long as she is sound because racing fans want to see more of her.
O'Neill, Frankel, Sheppard and Gryder Had Unique Takes
Trainer Doug O'Neill couldn't attend the BC. He was home with the chicken pox. Last year, trainer Robert "Bobby" J. Frankel stayed home by choice to remain near one of his dogs, who was dying.
Forever Together, who surprised with her win in the BC Filly & Mare Turf, has a secret weapon. Trainer Jonathan Sheppard gives his star a pint of Guinnes every morning to break off the filly's over sweating.
Fellow rider Aaron Gryder had some advice for Zenyatta jockey Mike Smith: "Just lean back and let the boat pull you." He referred to Zenyatta's imposing physique. She's plus 17 hands and weighs almost 1,200 pounds.
Smith and Baffert Had Gifts
Smith has another way of speaking about Zenyatta. She is "a gift from God", he said after their Ladies Classic win. "She was there anytime I wanted her." Indeed, Zenyatta came flying to the end with her big ears waving, indicative of her sense of command when she approach's the wire driving away.
On another big subject, trainer Bob Baffert described Midnight Lute as one of the best horses he's ever trained. Lute is dark and large, like Zenyatta, also easily topping 17 hands. "He barely fits in the gate" was how commentators described Lute. He's "a big ol' tank", says jockey Gomez.
Midnight Lute was the only entrant of five able to defend the Cup title he earned last year. He repeated his win in the Sprint like...a big driving tank.
The First Flying Dismount from A Horse
Jockey Frankie Dettori, winning the Juvenile Turf with Donativum and the Classic with Raven's Pass, pleased the crowd twice with his flying dismount. The first jockey to activate the acrobatic departure from a saddle was Angel Cordero -- in Thoroughbred circles. Rider G.R. Carter, Jr., a quarter horse specialist, was the first jockey to develop a back flip dismount.
