Breeder's Cup WeBLOG

It’s still “SUPER SATURDAY,” with no less than eight Grade One Breeders’ Cup prep races on the docket 10/7 at three different racetracks across the country, but a little bit of the mustard is off the hotdog with the news that Whitney winner INVASOR (ARG) will not be on hand for a showdown in the G1 10F Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park against three-year-old sensation BERNARDINI after spiking a temperature last week.


According to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, INVASOR (ARG) had a 103-degree temperature after training hours on Thursday 9/28 which forced the cancellation of a Saturday workout and prompted the decision not to run in the JCGC. At this point, McLaughlin will attempt to train INVASOR (ARG) up to the $5M Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 4. The Uruguayan champion, a perfect 3-for-3 in the United States after winning the Pimlico Special, the Suburban, and the Whitney, would have to be supplemented to the BC at a cost of $750,000.


Tom Albertrani, the trainer of BERNARDINI, had a mixed reaction to the defection of INVASOR (ARG), noting that the showdown would have been a challenge, but that the race appears to be a lot easier with the older horse on the sidelines.


BERNARDINI will face ANDROMEDA’S HERO, AWESOME TWIST, DYLAN THOMAS (IRE), and perhaps even the rabbit SPANISH CHESTNUT in his final prep for the BC Classic. Of those rivals, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor’s DYLAN THOMAS (IRE) is the most interesting, coming into the race off a victory less than a month ago over Filly/Mare Turf division leader OUIJA BOARD (GB) in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.


The “Big Sandy” on Hempstead Turnpike will also feature the G1 Flower Bowl Invitational (F/M, 12F T), the G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (12 F T), the G1 Beldame (F/M 9F), and the G1 Vosburgh (6F).


The Vosburg, the final major prep for the BC Sprint, figures to attract King’s Bishop winner and BC Sprint division leader HENNY HUGHES and defending BC Sprint king SILVER TRAIN. Even a victory by SILVER TRAIN will not be enough to sent him to Churchill Downs, as trainer Richard Dutrow is already on record as saying he will not ship his horse to Kentucky.


At Oak Tree Santa Anita, Big ‘Cap/Hollywood Gold Cup/Pacific Classic champion LAVA MAN is expected to make his last start before shipping east for the BC Classic in the G2 9F Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap. His principal rivals in Arcadia will be 2005 Kentucky Derby winner GIACOMO and 2006 Santa Anita Derby victor BROTHER DEREK. LAVA MAN trainer Doug O’Neill had originally planned to train his “big horse” on the traditional dirt surface of Santa Anita, but changed his mind and kept his stable star with the rest of his horses at Hollywood Park. LAVA MAN worked 6F over the Cushion Track surface in Inglewood last Saturday, with the clockers recording a time of 1:15.60. O’Neill called the work “fantastic.” Meantime trainer Dan Hendricks watched BROTHER DEREK work 5F in 59.40 at Santa Anita Sunday morning, labeling the work “nice and easy.” BROTHER DEREK looks to rebound from a somewhat dismal effort in his return to racing earlier this summer at Del Mar.


Congratulations to Gary Clawson, the week five winner in our Thoroughbred Connection "Road To The Cup" handicapping contest. His entry included the double-digit Hawthorne Gold Cup winner IT'S NO JOKE. The races for week six are already posted on the handicapping contest page and this week's entry code is ARAZI, the 1991 BC Juvenile winner.