All the dirt on the Breeders' Cup
October 28th 2008 06:19
European horses won five of the races on offer at the 25th Breeders’ Cup.
(photo: Chris Carlson/Associated Press)
It was no surprise when St Leger winner Conduit exploded late to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf. After all, it was on the preferred (European) turf surface - and the typical breakneck speed (no need for pacemakers in the US Aidan) allowed the quality of an exceptional English staying horse to shine through.
As it was no shock to see the electrifying performance of brilliant French filly Goldikova as she sprinted away to defeat the best milers. Her brilliant victory further enhancing the greatness of Zarkava who defeated her twice. There was the outsider Muhannak that won the (curiously named - in a European perspective) Marathon, run over (only - for a marathon) 1 1/2 miles.
But it was the feature race of the Breeders’ Cup Classic that sent (shivers through Europe and) shockwaves through the US. Curlin was having his first race start on the new synthetic track - but was still sent out as a seemingly unbeatable favourite.
The broadcaster - with an eye on history - excitedly called Curlin circling the field as they drew to the home turn. The crowd erupted in anticipation. But if you were to look in his slipstream you would have seen Frankie Dettori stalking him on Raven's Pass - and in a winning position to pounce. And if you looked again you would see Henrythenavigator weaving a passage through traffic. Just as soon as Curlin looked likely to win his 2nd Breeders’ Cup Classic the two English horses swept past him on either side.
Brilliant US mare Zenyatta is a champion of the new synthetic surface and has scored eight of her 9 wins on this new track. But the winner of the Sprint on dirt 12 months ago - Midnight Lute - was a brilliant winner on the synthetic surface this year.
The track has been built - and they have come. Next year when the Breeders’ Cup is to be run again at Santa Anita on the synthetic (and turf) track it is to be expected that even more European raiders will travel to chase the rich spoils.
What will the long term response from the US racing authorities be? Will they become (over time and in response) parochial and protective and happily revert to traditional dirt track racing? Over the two days the best horses won - not merely the best ‘dirt’ track horses. The racing made more exciting by the fact that horses can win on the synthetic track from any position in the field - not favour to a ridiculous degree the frontrunners.
And this was the first time in four years that there has not been a casualty at this meeting. Let’s not forget George Washington running in dirt and mud the year before.
The changing of the drug rules (regarding the use of steroids) allows the European stables to believe that the playing field is even now, both on the track, and off. The internationalisation of this meeting will be a boon for US racing - if they embrace the modifications made to reach this point.
As in Australia we now accept (and appreciate) the influx of international horses to compete in our Spring carnival. Already the English stables have won both the Caulfield and Geelong Cups - and a Melbourne Cup victory for the visitors looms likely (logically). At first the influx of overseas horses was not appreciated by (local) trainer or punter alike. But now after semi-regular successes - and some spectacular failures and flops - the grand final of the Melbourne Cup with English, Irish and (this time a sole) French invaders is much anticipated. In fact we feel denied the privilege of hosting the Japanese horses (through quarantine restrictions still in place after EI) - and would love a serious contender from the US.
The US can choose to host a horse racing carnival akin to a football (soccer) World Cup - or a parochial and introspective version of the Baseball World Series. Inclusive, or exclusive. In these days of internet and cable broadcast we are all interested in following the best of our sport from all places around the world. But the invitation needs to be sincere. Something drawn and offered on parchment - and not written in dirt, to be withdrawn again with the scrub of a foot.
“I would normally have run Raven's Pass in the Mile [on grass], but we were tempted to go for the Classic because [the synthetic surface] is a level playing field. It is neither dirt, nor turf. It is fair to both.” - John Gosden, trainer of Raven’s Pass and (Juvenile winner) Donativum.
“It was [like] a turf race,” he said. “It absolutely was the Pro-Ride surface [that beat him].” - Steve Asmussen, trainer of Curlin.
Curlin did beat home the highest ranked turf horse in the world - Aidan O’Brien’s (and Johnny Murtagh’s) preferred Duke Of Marmalade.
Perhaps the US jockeys will just need to modify their style of riding to suit the synthetic track. Frankie Dettori’s rode on Raven’s Pass was textbook perfect.
In 2010 the Breeders’ Cup will return to Churchill Downs - and possibly dirt. That would be such a shame.
For the safety of the horses; for the spectacle of the races; for the sake of competition - the synthetic tracks should be embraced and consolidate and grow this end of year championship between continents.
Goldikova
(photo: Chris Carlson/Associated Press)
It was no surprise when St Leger winner Conduit exploded late to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf. After all, it was on the preferred (European) turf surface - and the typical breakneck speed (no need for pacemakers in the US Aidan) allowed the quality of an exceptional English staying horse to shine through.
As it was no shock to see the electrifying performance of brilliant French filly Goldikova as she sprinted away to defeat the best milers. Her brilliant victory further enhancing the greatness of Zarkava who defeated her twice. There was the outsider Muhannak that won the (curiously named - in a European perspective) Marathon, run over (only - for a marathon) 1 1/2 miles.
But it was the feature race of the Breeders’ Cup Classic that sent (shivers through Europe and) shockwaves through the US. Curlin was having his first race start on the new synthetic track - but was still sent out as a seemingly unbeatable favourite.
The broadcaster - with an eye on history - excitedly called Curlin circling the field as they drew to the home turn. The crowd erupted in anticipation. But if you were to look in his slipstream you would have seen Frankie Dettori stalking him on Raven's Pass - and in a winning position to pounce. And if you looked again you would see Henrythenavigator weaving a passage through traffic. Just as soon as Curlin looked likely to win his 2nd Breeders’ Cup Classic the two English horses swept past him on either side.
Brilliant US mare Zenyatta is a champion of the new synthetic surface and has scored eight of her 9 wins on this new track. But the winner of the Sprint on dirt 12 months ago - Midnight Lute - was a brilliant winner on the synthetic surface this year.
The track has been built - and they have come. Next year when the Breeders’ Cup is to be run again at Santa Anita on the synthetic (and turf) track it is to be expected that even more European raiders will travel to chase the rich spoils.
What will the long term response from the US racing authorities be? Will they become (over time and in response) parochial and protective and happily revert to traditional dirt track racing? Over the two days the best horses won - not merely the best ‘dirt’ track horses. The racing made more exciting by the fact that horses can win on the synthetic track from any position in the field - not favour to a ridiculous degree the frontrunners.
And this was the first time in four years that there has not been a casualty at this meeting. Let’s not forget George Washington running in dirt and mud the year before.
The changing of the drug rules (regarding the use of steroids) allows the European stables to believe that the playing field is even now, both on the track, and off. The internationalisation of this meeting will be a boon for US racing - if they embrace the modifications made to reach this point.
As in Australia we now accept (and appreciate) the influx of international horses to compete in our Spring carnival. Already the English stables have won both the Caulfield and Geelong Cups - and a Melbourne Cup victory for the visitors looms likely (logically). At first the influx of overseas horses was not appreciated by (local) trainer or punter alike. But now after semi-regular successes - and some spectacular failures and flops - the grand final of the Melbourne Cup with English, Irish and (this time a sole) French invaders is much anticipated. In fact we feel denied the privilege of hosting the Japanese horses (through quarantine restrictions still in place after EI) - and would love a serious contender from the US.
The US can choose to host a horse racing carnival akin to a football (soccer) World Cup - or a parochial and introspective version of the Baseball World Series. Inclusive, or exclusive. In these days of internet and cable broadcast we are all interested in following the best of our sport from all places around the world. But the invitation needs to be sincere. Something drawn and offered on parchment - and not written in dirt, to be withdrawn again with the scrub of a foot.
“I would normally have run Raven's Pass in the Mile [on grass], but we were tempted to go for the Classic because [the synthetic surface] is a level playing field. It is neither dirt, nor turf. It is fair to both.” - John Gosden, trainer of Raven’s Pass and (Juvenile winner) Donativum.
“It was [like] a turf race,” he said. “It absolutely was the Pro-Ride surface [that beat him].” - Steve Asmussen, trainer of Curlin.
Curlin did beat home the highest ranked turf horse in the world - Aidan O’Brien’s (and Johnny Murtagh’s) preferred Duke Of Marmalade.
Perhaps the US jockeys will just need to modify their style of riding to suit the synthetic track. Frankie Dettori’s rode on Raven’s Pass was textbook perfect.
In 2010 the Breeders’ Cup will return to Churchill Downs - and possibly dirt. That would be such a shame.
For the safety of the horses; for the spectacle of the races; for the sake of competition - the synthetic tracks should be embraced and consolidate and grow this end of year championship between continents.
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