Tiago is looking to renew his presence on the Thoroughbred circuit; Commentator represents the senior citizen entourage; Henrythenavigator is cheered by England; and Mambo in Seattle is a youngster on the verge. All are eligible to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic October 25 by being winners this season in "Win and You're In" qualifying races.
"Win and You're In" Best
A victor in a "Win and You're In" race secures eligibility in a corresponding contest on the 14-race card of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled this season for Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California.
The oldest qualifier, seven-year-old gelding Commentator, trained by Nick Zito, won the July 26 Whitney Handicap in a big effort by 4-1/2 lengths and followed it with a tremendous14-length scalding of opponents in the September 20 Massachusetts Handicap, to twice qualify for the BC Classic.
Europe's finest miler, Henrythenavigator, is on board, and Tiago, 2007's accomplished half brother to Kentucky Derby Champion Giacomo (2005), is set to rebound, while Mambo in Seattle, grandson to the fabulous Seattle Slew, looks to slay a giant.
BC Classic Eligibles Big Finishes in 2008:
Anak Nakal, 3, (Victory Gallop--MIsk, by Quiet American) - Kentucky Derby, 3rd; Pennsylvania Derby, 1st.
Big Brown, 3, (Bounday--Mien, by Nureyev) - Florida Derby, 1st; Kentucky Derby, 1st; Preakness Stakes, 1st; Haskell Invitational, 1st; Monmouth Stakes,1st.
Casino Drive, 3, (Mineshaft--Better Than Honour, by Deputy Minister) - Peter Pan Stakes, 1st.
Colonel John, 3, (Tiznow--Sweet Damsel, by Turkoman) - Sham Stakes, 1st; Santa Anita Derby, 1st; Swaps Stakes, 3rd; Travers Stakes, 1st.
Commentator, 7, (Distorted Humor--Outsource, by Storm Bird) - Whitney Handicap, 1st; Massachusetts Handicap, 1st.
Curlin, 4, (Smart Strike--Sherriff's Deputy, by Deputy Minister) - Dubai World Cup Classic, 1st; Stephen Foster Handicap,1st; Man o' War Stakes, 2nd; Woodward Stakes, 1st; Jockey Club Gold Cup, 1st.
Go Between, 5, (Point Given--Mediation, by Caerleon) - Sunshine Millions Classic, 1st; Santa Anita Handicap, 2nd; Ben Ali Stakes, 2nd; Hollywood Gold Cup, 2nd; Pacific Classic, 1st.
Henrythenavigator, 3, (Kingmambo--Sequoyah, by Sadler's Wells) - English Two Thousand Guineas, 1st; Irish Two Thousand Guineas, 1st; St. Jame's Palace Stakes, 1st; Sussex Stakes, 1st.
Mambo in Seattle, 3, (Kingmambo--Weekend in Seattle, by Seattle Slew) - Travers Stakes, 2nd.
Tiago, 4, (Pleasant Tap--Set Them Free, by Stop the Music) - Goodwood Stakes, 2nd.
Well Armed, 5, (Tiznow--Well Dressed, by Notebook) - San Antonio Stakes, 1st; Dubai World Cup Classic, 3rd; Pacific Classic, 2nd; Goodwood Stakes, 1st.
Latest Notes:
Also likely to run in the Classic:
Champs Elysees (GB), 5, (Danehill--Hasili (IRE), by Kahyasi (IRE); trained by Robert J. Frankel, regularly ridden by Ramon Dominguez
Duke of Marmalade (IRE), 4, (Danehill--Love Me True, by Kingmambo); Aidan O'Brien/John Murtagh
Likely cross overs to other races:
Anak Nakal, Commentator, Mambo in Seattle.
Retired:
Big Brown
There's plenty to like about this group's pedigrees and versatility. Sire parentage shows several Horses of the Year, Mineshaft, Point Given, and Tiznow. Also, Tiznow is the only back-to-back (or two-time) winner of the Classic.
