Win and You're In: Breeders' Cup Challenge Series Update: KD Green
The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series presented by America's Best Racing comprises some of the greatest contests from around the globe. The “purple” and “white” honors each winner by waiving the $150k in entry fees, plus it provides a $10k nomination award and $10k travel allowance for horses stabled outside of California to the Breeders' Cup World Championships. As they like to say … “Win and You’re In” …
At HorseRacing.net/us, we will be reporting on those that earn their spot in early November. Not only will we have you covered with all the selections, but our crack analysis team will offer juicy long shots, along with all the stories from Del Mar! Stay tuned …
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Saturday @ Kentucky Downs …
Race 8: Turf, 6½F, Fan Duel Turf Sprint S. (G3), $1 Million, 3+
“Win and You’re In” … Gear Jockey, BC Turf Sprint (G1), $1 Million
There are not a large number of races that are tabbed for entry into the BC Turf Sprint (G1), so when they comes around the connections need to be ready. At Kentucky Downs on Saturday afternoon in a competitive full field Grade 3 Fan Duel Sprint affair, it was Calumet's own homebred, Gear Jockey #4 and jockey Jose Lezcano, who prevailed. Sent off at odds of 5/1, the betting public did not wholly think that the 4-yr-old out of Twirling Candy could rise to the occasion, but he did ... with authority. In the end, he finished more than a second faster than the track record, turning in a time of 1:07.90. Early on after the break, it looked as though Bombard #3 at 6/1 got the jump on the field. Tracked by Diamond Oops #1 at 21/1 the pair tried to wrestle the lead away, but Lezcano was guiding a missile down the lane. With a little less than a furlong to go over the undulating surface, Rusty Arnold's excellent burner got home in fine style. He silenced his critics, and rewarded those who backed him with 13.40 for a $2.00 win bet ... Now, he has stamped his ticket, and will be headed West ... for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1).
Already In: Casa Creed, Dream of Dreams (IRE), and Winter Power (IRE) ...
Races Left: Oct. 3rd Prix de L'Abbaye @Longchamp ...
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Race 9: Turf, 1½, Calumet Turf Cup S. (G2), $1 Million, 3+
“Win and You’re In” … Imperador (ARG), BC Turf (G1), $4 Million
This year's Grade 2 Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs pitted a good group of deep routers against one another. Trainer Mike Maker had a number of entries, but it was Brad Cox's Arklow #5 and Jack Sisterson's Channel Cat #3 who many thought would be there in the end. They had the class and connections to get the job done. However, it was not to be ... Setting the pace early, it was Epic Bromance #10, Big Dreaming #13, and Channel Cat #3 who attempted to control the fractions. Looming past the half-mile were Paulo Lobo's Imperador (ARG) #1, Cox's Arklow #5, and Maker's Glynn County #9. Ranging up on the frontrunners from the 5-path, Lobo's charge looked strong in the fading afternoon, as jockey Joe Talamo kept him on at a steady clip. In the end, it was his decision-making late in the game, to cut the Treasure Beach (GB) runner to the outside, that got him clear. He turned back the late charge of Cox's veteran, winning the day. At a magnificent price, Lobo's entry paid $19.20 for a $2.00 investment ... not a bad return whatsoever. Now, it is on to the Breeders' Cup where the Argentine-raised distance specialist will take on the globe's best in the BC Turf (G1).
Already In: Cool Day (ARG), Love (IRE), Chrono Genesis (JPN), Adayar (IRE), Astronaut, Gufo, and St. Mark's Basilica (FR) ...
Races Left: Sept. 18th Jockey Club Derby Invitational @BEL; Oct. 3rd L'Arc de Triomphe @Longchamp ...
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It’s the Breeders’ Cup … as the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club once again hosts! Enjoy …