Oh What a Tangled Web These BC Races Weave

There are so many Breeders’ Cup races this weekend I didn’t know where to start. I began handicapping last week to get a jump on the 11 races spread over two days beginning Friday at Monmouth Park.

Ah, then the changes began: injuries, withdrawals, switching races, etc. It’s not easy being a horseplayer in the fall when the BC rolls around.

I’ve had some pretty awful years handicapping the event. Several years ago I suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune, selecting only one of eight winners.

My best year came in 1999 when I covered the BC at Gulfstream Park in South Florida, my old stomping grounds. I had several winners, a couple of exactas and a trifecta.

That was then and this is now. So I’m going to concentrate on what I consider the two most competitive races.

There are some so wide open you better hope Lady Luck is in your corner. For instance, the inaugural BC Juvenile Turf at a mile on Friday had the most pre-entries that included four 2-year-olds that never ran on the grass and seven that had three or fewer outings.

I liked Old Man Buck because of his two wins on the grass. But trainer Ken McPeek opted for the Juvenile even though the son of Hold That Tiger ran sixth in his only trip on dirt.

The three top horses, all with turf experience, appear to be:

Bill Mott’s Prussian, undefeated in two routes, boasting the best Brisnet speed figure at the distance.

Michael Maker’s Cherokee Triangle, working well since destroying seven others by more than 10 lengths at 1 1/16 miles at Louisiana Downs.

Todd Pletcher’s The Leopard, impressive winner by nearly three lengths in his turf debut at Belmont Park on Sept. 29.

The deepest field is Saturday’s BC Sprint on Saturday. Eight of the 14 horses have three or more triumphs at six furlongs while nine have won at least once in ’07 at the distance.

Quite a few handicappers believe the post-time favorite will be Bob Baffert’s Midnight Lute off his speedy seven-furlong triumph in 1:21 in Saratoga’s Forego on Sept. 1. However, I’ve found horses that consistently win at six furlongs perform much better.

I like Idiot Proof who zipped six furlongs in 1:07 2/5 beating Greg’s Gold in the Ancient Title at Santa Anita and broke the track record for the same distance in the same time in Monmouth’s Jersey Shore. Completing my trifecta is Smokey Stover, victorious in all five of his outings at six furlongs, including a triumph at the host BC track.

The most anticipated race is the BC Classic featuring six Grade 1 winners. The hottest of five 3-year-olds: Any Given Saturday, who defeated Hard Spun and Preakness winner Curlin in Monmouth’s Haskell.

The top older horse: Lawyer Ron, winning two stakes with the highest speed figure before losing by a neck to Curlin in Belmont’s Jockey Gold Cup.

The winner: Kentucky Derby/Travers/BC Juvenile champ Street Sense, who captured those three stakes after hitting the board in preps on synthetic surfaces.

Friday’s other BC races:

Filly and Mare Sprint at six furlongs: It’s a two-filly battle between 3-year-olds La Traviata, 3 for 3 with a victory at Monmouth, and Dream Rush, 2 for 3 at the distance.

Dirt Mile: Because of Monmouth’s track configuration, the race is a mile and 70 yards. Gottcha Gold, 3-2-0 of 5 in routes at Monmouth, edges Discreet Cat.

Saturday’s other BC races:

Juvenile Fillies at 1 1/16 miles: Spin the guess wheel. Half a dozen can win it: A to the Croft, Cry and Catch Me, Indian Blessing, Proud Spell, Smarty Deb and Zee Zee.

Juvenile at 1 1/16 miles: Champagne champ War Pass is the colt to beat. Pyro and Z Humor, second and third in the same stakes, could get lucky.

Filly and Mare Turf at 1 3/8 miles: Too close to call. The contenders are unbeaten Nashoba’s Key, 7 for 7 (4 for 4 on grass), Honey Ryder, Danzon, Lauhudood and Wait a While. Longshot possibility: Precious Kitten, 3-3-0 of 6 on turf.

Mile Turf: Foreign invader Excellent Art will do well even if showers fall while After Market, Remarkable News and Trippi’s Storm could complete the superfecta.

Distaff at 1 1/8 miles: Unbridled Belle and Ginger Punch fight it out with Indian Vale, 6-1-0 of 7 at the distance.

Turf at 1 ½ miles: English Channel, 2 for 2 on Monmouth’s grass and last year’s Turf runner-up, battles Irish-bred Dylan Thomas, 3 for 4 at the distance and winner of this year’s L’Arc de Triomphe. Don’t count out Better Talk Now, ’04 winner and ’06 runner-up.

TEXAS GOLD STRIKES NEW HIGH

BetCRIS.com Posts Odds on Ever Growing Oil Prices

October 19, New York – Thus far 2007 has proven that three things are certain in life: death, taxes and escalating crude oil prices.  Oil by-the-barrel prices have climbed to almost $90 a barrel and there seems to be no recession in sight.
Not only are oil prices climbing, but they are in turn causing related products such as gasoline prices to soar.  While stories continue to coat the insides of newspapers regarding crude oil price and the nation speculates, executives at BetCRIS.com posted odds on how high prices can go.

How high will crude oil prices climb in 2007?

Over $95 a barrel - 7/5
Under $95 a barrel - 1/2

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Juvenile Scenarios Read Like The Young and the Restless

Three Breeders’ Cup races for 2-year-olds read like episodes of my wife’s favorite TV soap opera: The Young and the Restless.

The inaugural BC Juvenile Turf at a mile on Oct. 26 for runners no matter their gender is somewhat of a mystery. First, it appears there’s no clear-cut early favorite.

While quite a few candidates recently won, many leading contenders lack points earned by top three finishes in U.S. graded stakes, which will determine half of the 12-horse field automatically gets in.

Then the BC selection committee determines which six horses deserve to start and who makes the alternates list. Complicating matters is a fairly large contingent of foreign invaders.

Sitting in the catbird’s seat is Old Man Buck, who hit the board four consecutive times at longer distances. The well-bred son of Hold That Tiger has back-to-back victories on the grass, including the Cradle Stakes at River Downs on Sept. 3.

He ran third in the Grade 1 Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland at 1 1/16 miles on the Polytrack Oct. 6 despite being carried extremely wide. The winning Wicked Style automatically qualified for the BC Juvenile on Oct. 27.

War Pass also earned a berth in the Juvenile with a victory in the Champagne at Belmont over the one-two finishers in the Hopeful. However, only two winners of the Champagne went on to take the Juvenile: Fly So Free in 1990 and Timber Country in ’94.

Trainer Nick Zito hopes War Pass gives him his first Juvenile championship in five tries. Two of Zito’s Champagne winners didn’t run: Greenwood Lake and Birdstone. Those that did failed to hit the board: The Groom Is Red, sixth, and A P Valentine, fourth.

The Juvenile Fillies has several contenders that recently finished in the money in preps. A to the Croft has a case of seconditis, but trainer Ken McPeek says, “She’s a filly with a lot of class so you’ve got to give her a chance.”

A to the Croft was runner-up in the Spinaway, Adirondack and the Alcibiades, which was won by Country Star. Her trainer Bobby Frankel said, “I think it’s a task.” That’s because Country Star broke her maiden.

Bob Baffert has a pair of fillies coming off victories: Indian Blessing in the Frizette and Cry and Catch Me in the Oak Leaf.

By BookMaker Racebook

Nineteen of 141 BC Horses Entered in 2 Races

Six of the 11 Breeders’ Cup races on Oct. 26-27 attracted more than the maximum allotted starting spots in their respective divisions.

In all, 141 horses were pre-entered while 19 were nominated for two races in case they didn’t realize their first preference.

For instance, 23 juveniles were pre-entered in the inaugural BC Juvenile Turf at a mile on Oct. 26. Since only a dozen can start, two less than the other 10 races, several were pre-entered in the two other juvenile races.

The Juvenile Turf is the second choice for Annie Skates, the only filly in the contest that is open to all 2-year-olds. The daughter of Mr. Greeley is cross-entered in the Juvenile Fillies, one of two hoping to get in.

Shore Do’s first choice is the Juvenile and the son of Include is in if his owners don’t change their mind. Overextended, however, is one of two horses hoping to run on the dirt.

Two others have back-up plans. Old Man Buck and Texas Fever listed the Juvenile as their second preference.

The number of individual horses per race averages out to 13.1 compared to 15.1 in ’06, but don’t forget there are three additional races this year.

The Classic on Oct. 27 could have accommodated five more horses. It’s one of five contests that didn’t exceed the limit of 14. Nine were pre-entered, but Diamond Stripes most likely will go in his first choice, the Dirt Mile.

The last time the Classic field numbered eight was in ’89 when Kentucky Derby/Preakness winner Sunday Silence edged Belmont victor Easy Goer by a neck. It was only the third time in its 23-year history that the field was so small.

The last time nine ran was in ’98 when Skip Away destroyed by six lengths a classy group that included Deputy Commander, second; Behrens, seventh; and Belmont winner Touch Gold, ninth and last.

Tiznow was the last of seven 3-year-olds that scored in ’00 in the first of his consecutive Classic victories. The odds favor the younger set this year.

The so-called Scary Six responsible for limiting the field includes five 3-year-olds that shared the limelight during an exciting season.

The most successful are Derby/Travers champ Street Sense and Preakness/Jockey Gold Cup winner Curlin, plus Any Given Saturday, Hard Spun and Tiago. The top dog among older horses is Lawyer Ron.

By BookMaker Racebook

Here are Ins and Outs of the 24th Breeders’ Cup

There’s a whole of changes going on for the 24th running of the Breeders’ Cup even before contenders and hopefuls arrive at Monmouth Park.

The inaugural BC Challenge that guaranteed the victorious in 24 qualifying stakes at a half-dozen premier tracks a free pass to seven BC races didn’t really benefit six winners. That’s because they were among a dozen that earned a million or more in 2007 and would have qualified anyway.

Of the remaining 18 “Win and You’re In” qualifiers, one won’t race because of an injury and several others need owners to fork over a supplemental entry fee of $180,000.

And one is dodging stiff opposition in the headline event.

So far, only Fabulous Strike will miss the festivities because of a lung infection contracted shortly after winning the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont Park on Sept. 30.

He probably would have been one of the favorites in the BC Sprint. Of four others that automatically earned a berth in the six-furlong race, Keeneland’s Phoenix Stakes winner Off Duty must rely on his interests to pay an $180,000 supplemental fee.

Others qualifiers in the deep Sprint field are Vanderbilt victor Diabolical at Saratoga on July 28, Pat O’Brien winner Greg’s Gold at Del Mar on Aug. 19 and Ancient Title champ Idiot Proof at Oak Tree (Santa Anita) on Oct. 7.

Several other winners are in if a supplemental payment is made, including BC Distaff qualifiers Ginger Punch and Tough Tiz’s Sis. However, both are expected to run.

Unbridled Belle, who scored in Belmont’s Beldame on Sept. 30, is one of six millionaires that would have made their respective BC divisions anyway.

One mare that won’t race is Take D’ Tour, who came out of a last-place finish in the Beldame with an injured left foreleg and was retired.

Four millionaires that didn’t need a victory to race in the $5 million BC Classic still triumphed. But Del Mar’s Pacific Classic winner Student Council is opting for the $2.3 million Japan Cup Dirt on Nov. 24.

It appears quite a few others will dodge Saratoga’s Whitney victor Lawyer Ron, Belmont’s Jockey Gold Cup champ Curlin and Oak Tree’s Goodwood winner Tiago.

And don’t forget Kentucky Derby/Travers standout Street Sense, the top money-winning thoroughbred for ’07 with nearly $3 million in earnings, or Hard Spun, No. 3 on the list behind Curlin, who also captured the Preakness.

And don’t forget Any Given Saturday, who reeled off three consecutive triumphs: the Dwyer, Haskell and Brooklyn. He fell just $5,680 short of banking a million.

Its no wonder the Classic most likely have the shortest field of the 11 BC contests Oct. 26-27 worth $23 million.

However, Lava Man, No. 4 on the money-winning list, won’t make any BC race. Instead, the trailer in the Oak Tree Mile, according to his interests, will be pointed to the $250,000 California Cup Class for state-breds at Santa Anita on Nov. 4. Besides, Lava Man has been ice cold racing out of California.

English Channel, 12th and last millionaire on the list, made the BC Turf by winning the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont on Sept. 30. He will face two winners of Arlington Million Day Aug. 11: Jambalaya in the showcase race and Shamdinan in the Secretariat.

At least English Channel won’t have to worry about Hirsch runner-up The Tin Man and the game Shakespeare.

“I can’t see (the 9-year-old) going,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “We’ll probably think about the Citation (at Hollywood Park Nov. 23) for him.”

Shakespeare’s comeback from a serious tendon injury was cut short after capturing the Woodbine Mile. He suffered another tear in the tendon of his left foreleg.

“After consulting with the vet we decided we were not going to push on,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “He’s a star – it’s unfortunate. It’s a tough part of the game.”

By BookMaKer Racebook

BELMONT PARK

Winaway: Broke last, moved up to third more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide into stretch, bumped repeatedly and was nosed out for place at six furlongs on Oct. 13; ran final quarter in 23 2/5.

Rewrite: Broke alertly, taken back to fifth, raced 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, blocked in upper stretch, steadied in traffic during the drive and finished gamely once clear second by a neck at a mile on the turf Sept. 29; ran final half in 46 2/5.

Trouble Maker: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to sixth entering stretch, caught in traffic, rallied when clear making up 1 ½ lengths and finished well in fourth beaten a head, a half-length and a neck at six furlongs on the inner turf course Sept. 20; ran final quarter in 22 1/5. (Broke last, trailed by more than 4 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced inside to third in stretch, altered course outside and finished second by 1 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on the turf Oct. 14.

Spurred: Broke next to last, raced sixth more than 12 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, came wide for the drive, worked his way through traffic in stretch from fifth, struck by rival jockey’s whip, made up four lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a head at 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf course Sept. 16; ran final three furlongs in 35 2/5.

Keen Irish: Raced 10th more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to last after six furlongs, advanced to sixth in stretch, altered course, finished well outside making up 4 ½ lengths and finished third beaten two necks at 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf on Sept. 8.

CALDER

All Hail Stormy: Broke last awkwardly, raced six lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, angled wide for stretch run, rallied to make up more than three lengths and finished second by 1 ½ lengths at five furlongs on a sealed sloppy surfaces Oct. 13.

Cozzi Capital: Broke 11th from post 9, taken up after bumping with rival on first turn causing jockey to briefly lose left iron, raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, saved ground entering far turn, steadied, swung out for stretch run and rallied from fifth to gain third by two lengths at 7 ½ furlongs on a good turf course on Sept. 29. (Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied outside leaders for the drive, gained the lead in deep stretch and won by a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on a yielding turf course on Oct. 13.)

Mr Guska: Bumped and checked between rivals at break, trailed by more than six lengths after three-eights of a mile, closed well from sixth in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a length and a neck at five furlongs on the turf Sept. 16.

Ed the Boxer: Trailed by 18 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced from eighth to sixth in stretch, closed well to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and gained second by a half-length at a mile on Sept. 1.

On Lake: Checked at start, trailed early, raced 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced from fifth to fourth in stretch, closed well to make up more than three lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 25.

DELAWARE PARK

Saint Bonaventure: Broke last, race third early, dropped to fifth 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied outside from fourth in stretch, made up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on a wet fast surface Sept. 22.

Brae Prospect: Tracked pace 3 ½ lengths behind if fourth after a half-mile, fanned four wide on far turn, advanced to third in stretch and surged to win by a head in final strides at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 26. (Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth and last after a half-mile, advanced to fifth in stretch and finished third at a mile and 70 yards on Oct. 7.)

Taven’s First Book: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied to second in stretch and lost by a head at 5 ½ furlongs a wet fast surface Sept. 11. (Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, slipped through along rail to gain a short lead inside the final furlong and was edged in the final strides by a head at six furlongs on Sept. 26.)

Tootsnmoneybags: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out wide rallying into stretch a half-length back in second and drew off by 2 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on Sept. 2. (Broke last, trailed early, raced 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, fanned five wide in upper stretch to fifth and finished willingly to gain second by a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 2.)

HAWTHORNE

Dangerous Summer: Off slowly, trailed in ninth more than 15 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced five wide to fifth in stretch, closed fast to make up four lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on the turf Oct. 13; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.

Smilin’ Del: Trailer early, advanced to seventh more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, carried out on turn, rallied from sixth to make up four lengths in stretch and finished third at six furlongs on Sept. 29; ran final half at 24 2/5.

Jazzy Gallop: Broke next to last, raced eighth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out on turn, advanced to sixth in stretch, made up more than 3 ½ lengths and ran second beaten 1 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 22. (Raced more than 10 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, dropped to ninth after six furlongs, rallied five wide to third in stretch, made up nearly 3 ½ lengths and was nosed out at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Oct. 8.)

Class Ack: Raced eighth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to ninth after six furlongs, circled field seven wide to fifth in stretch, made up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 21. (Broke last, trailed after six furlongs, advanced from ninth to fourth in stretch, closed willingly four wide to make up four lengths and finished a half-length behind the runner-up at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 5.)

Appeal With Zeal: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied in upper stretch, rallied through traffic from fifth to second, made up more than four lengths and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on Aug. 29 at Arlington Park; ran final quarter in 24 4/5. (Raced third early, dropped to sixth more than two lengths back, wore down rivals entering stretch and drew off by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Sept. 21.)

KEENELAND

Les Grands Trois: Steadied at start, bumped around in tight quarters, raced sixth more than four lengths after a half-mile, circled rivals seven wide into the lane, made up more than two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at about seven furlongs on Oct. 13.

Court Vision: Sluggish at start, trailed early, moved to sixth more than 5 ½ lengths after a half-mile, closed from fourth on outside making up more than five lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Sept. 7 at Turfway Park; ran final quarter in 24 2/5. (Raced three lengths back in fourth after a half-mile, advanced when asked to third in stretch and drew clear by 1 ¾ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 6.)

LAUREL PARK

Carl’s Start: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied inside rivals in stretch, made up five lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 29.

Shankara: Broke last from the outside No. 13 post, raced 11th more than 10 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to eighth extremely wide in stretch, made up more than 6 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a nose and 1 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 29.

Gussie’s Secret: Broke awkwardly, trailed by 13 lengths after a half-mile, came wide into stretch, closed well from fifth to make up seven lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and a neck at seven furlongs on Sept. 13. (Broke 12th and last, trailed by more than 16 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced to 10th in stretch and gained third by a neck at a mile on a mile.)

LOUISIANA DOWNS

Rowdy Money: Raced seven lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out a bit for drive, closed well to make up 4 ¾ lengths in stretch and gained second by a half-length at six furlongs on Aug. 26.

Feisty Commander: Raced eighth more than 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced five wide to fourth in stretch, closed well to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Aug. 24.

Eccentric Girl: Led by a half-length after a quarter-mile, increased margin to 3 ½ lengths in stretch and hung on by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 23. (Broke well, set pace along rail, led by a length after a half-mile, steadily drew clear in stretch and won by 3 ¾ lengths ridden out at seven furlongs off the turf Sept. 13.)

Invading Deputy: Raced five wide into first turn as fog clouds view and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths in rainy conditions on a sloppy surface at a mile and 70 yards on Sept. 2. (Raced sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, advanced three wide turning for home and drew clear by 4 ½ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Sept. 29.)

Sammy Van Ammy: Raced five lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, dropped to eighth after six furlongs, blocked along inside in upper stretch, angled out, closed fast to make up more than two lengths and gained second by a nose at a mile on a good turf course Aug. 19; ran final quarter in 23 4/5 at Monmouth. (Pressed pace early, was in front by a length after a half-mile, led by 1 ½ lengths after six furlongs, weakened in stretch and finished third at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 22.)

OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA

Indian Sun: Broke slowly 11th and last, moved to 10th more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, came out four wide into the stretch in eighth, closed willingly to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at about 6 ½ furlongs on the turf Oct. 13.

Tent: Broke last, raced 10th more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung six wide to seventh in stretch, finished well to make up more than three lengths and ran third beaten a neck and a nose at a mile on the turf Sept. 29; ran final quarter in 23 2/5.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

White Russian: Raced more than five lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, launched drive leaving turn from fourth, made up more than 2 ¾ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten three-quarter of a length at six furlongs on Oct. 9.

Dolphin Star: Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, dropped to ninth after six furlongs, closed fast to make up more than five lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a nose at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Sept. 25.

RETAMA PARK

Go Leroy Go: Broke in air last, raced seventh more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced on turn to fourth in stretch and rallied inside to gain second by a head at six furlongs on Sept. 21.

By BookMaKer Racebook

BOOKMAKER.COM SPONSORS WORLD POKER SHOWDOWN

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BC Question: To Supplement or Not to Supplement

You have a thoroughbred that’s in good form, but isn’t eligible for the Breeders’ Cup. Do you fork over big bucks to supplement your horse or forget about the sweet reward.

Nowadays supplemental fees are considerably lower than they were more than two decades ago. So do you take a chance? In other words, what are odds that you’ll win more than you lose?

I checked out an informative racing article and chart on About.com and learned which gambles in the past 23 years paid off.

For example, six outstanding horses that hit the board in the BC Classic from the inaugural in 1984 to 2001 came out way ahead. Tiznow, supplemented for $360,000 in ’00, banked $2,438,800 for the top return on investment. The following year, he repeated and earned $2,080,000.

Skip Away banked $2,888,000 after his owner plunked down $480,000 in ’97. Wild Again didn’t disappoint when $480,000 put him in the ’84 Classic – the victory was worth $1,350,000.

In ’00, a record 16 supplemental starters were entered. The good news: Four horses that cost $980,000 to run returned a total of $3,444,400 for a profit of $2,464,400.

The not-so-good news: A total of $1,780,000 got the others into a half-dozen BC races to win $108,329. The ugly: Total losses were $1,671,680.

One horse that will be supplemented in the BC Filly & Mare Turf is Lahudood, the $44.40 upset winner in Belmont’s Flower Bowl on Sept. 29. The fee for the 4-year-old filly: $180,000.

In the Filly & Mare Turf, a half-dozen runners entered from ’99 to ’04 at a total cost of $470,000 did quite well, earning $2,526,800 for a profit of $2,056,000. One of the biggest winners: Ouija Board that turned $90,000 into $733,000 for a net return of $643,000.

During 11 other times when eight different fillies or mares ran, it cost $1.1 million in supplemental fees. The ugly results: $187,000 for a net loss of $912,400.

We won’t know the supplemented horses until BC week. Stay tuned!

By BookMaKer Racebook

Winning Derby Trainer Heads Hall of Fame Inductees

Two-time winning Kentucky Derby trainer Carl Nafzger will be among the inductees installed by the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame on Saturday at Retama Park.

Native Texans Nafzger and horseman Preston Carter, born in Plainview and Weatherford, respectively, will be honored along with scores of past historic tracks throughout the Lone Star State.

Nafzger grew up on a Texas farm near Olton and was fascinated by bulls raised by his father. That led to rodeo competition. He went to the national finals three straight years starting in 1963 when he was the third leading bull rider in the world.

“I had quite a bit of success on the tour during the ’60s,” he said. “It was quite a grind. I traveled about 80,000 miles a year and worked about 10 months a year, day and night. I loved the rodeo, but it just gets to a point where you can’t do it anymore.”

So Nafzger turned to thoroughbreds and obtained his trainer’s license in ’68, the same year he and his wife Wanda were married in Cheyenne Wyo. “We did all our own work,” he recalled. “We groomed our own and I exercised and shod my own racehorses.”

He hopes to duplicate the success of ’90 when Unbridled won the Kentucky Derby and later captured the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Nafzger’s Street Sense his half way there after the triumph this year at Churchill Downs. Next stop: Monmouth Park and the 24th BC Classic.

Preston, a world-class polo player in the late ’70s, has owned thoroughbreds and quarter horses. He remains active in the cutting horse industry.

A key figure behind successful Texas legislation restoring pari-mutuel wagering in ’87, Preston formed a partnership of horse owners, Lone Star Jockey Club, which was awarded a license in ’92 to build a racetrack in Grand Prairie. He sold his interest just before Lone Star Park opened five years later.

Nafzger and Preston will attend the ceremony. Tommy Azopardi, executive director of the Texas Horsemen’s Partnership for more than a decade, will represent historic tracks that include Alamo Downs, which operated from ’33 to ’37, in San Antonio.

The area did without a track until ’95, when Retama opened a short gallop from the northwest city limits in Selma.

Some of the honored tracks date back more than 70 years, including Arlington Downs, between Dallas and Fort Worth, and Epsom Downs in Houston.

The annual Hall of Fame gala, which attracts racing interests from throughout Texas, is staged to raise money for a museum and Walk of Fame at Retama.

“We’ve collected $260,000 and another $278,000 has been pledged,” said Sharolyn Grammer, Hall of Fame administrative director.

“The Walk of Fame would go up first,” she pointed out. “It will be in front of the grandstand near the paddock. Alongside will be (upright) panels honoring inductees (dating back to ’99).”

The special evening of racing will feature a half-dozen stakes worth $480,000, including a pair of six-furlong contests with purses of $125,000 each for 2-year-olds of each gender.

By BookMaKer Racebook

How Monmouth Played in 2007 Dirt, Turf Routes

Nine of the 11 Breeders’ Cup races during the two-day $23 million spectacular that begins Oct. 26 at Monmouth Park are routes, including four on the turf.

During this year’s regular 62nd meeting, the longer contests weren’t dominated by speed like sprints, but front-runners did well.

In 80 races at one mile, victorious wire-to-wire horses numbered 25 percent. Winners leading at every call of 78 contests at a mile and 70 yards did better — 35 percent.

“I don’t know how much the summer condition plays in October because we have never run this late on this strip in a year,” said Paul Grimm, editor of the Oceanport Racing Report www.oceanportracingreport.com. “I’m not aware whether the track management will alter the main track to add dirt or not.

“If the track becomes deeper I would have to think that would negate some speed, but we will have to wait and see. The earlier cards (Wednesday and Thursday) during the special four-day meet (Oct. 24-27) before Friday and Saturday should give us an indication.”

As for the turf course, “it was redone in ’06,” Grimm pointed out. “A new drainage system and base with new sod was installed along with a new innovative five-furlong turf chute. Depending on who you talk to the grass does or doesn’t drain any better, but the strip is seven furlongs and the turns are tight.”

More inside information: “I have been through all the charts for 2007,” he said. “In mile grass races, outside posts are at a big disadvantage. There were a couple of new course records at this meet (including 1 3/8 miles, the BC Filly and Mare Turf distance on Oct. 27), but most were broken last year as the new grass was faster than the old surface.

“Although when they run the Monmouth meet the heat can tend to bake the course. It gets very firm if we don’t get rain, but will play more honest than the dirt as far as speed is concerned.

“The grass held up extremely well and stayed green all summer. They managed to use the entire course with the portable rail so it did not get abused and was actually in very good condition at the end of the meet although we did finish a few weeks earlier this year.”

Grimm ought to know. “I have worked on this course when I was a college student so I have a pretty good feel for its condition.”

During this year’s meeting, only 17 percent of winners in 108 turf routes led from start to finish. The best place to be: inside.

“English Channel and Better Talk Now have been successful over this course and the American contingent will probably have an advantage here especially if the turf is firm,” Grimm said.

On July 7, English Channel won the Grade 1 United Nations at 1 3/8 miles on the grass by a length over Honey Ryder while Better Talk Now finished third another two lengths back in third.

Honey Ryder most likely will go in the BC Filly & Turf. Top contenders in the 1 ½-mile BC Turf are English Channel, 2 for 2 at Monmouth, and Better Talk Now, 1-1-1 in 4 outings at the track.

Two other likely contenders have hit the board on the Monmouth grass: Red Giant, winner by a nose in the one-mile Restoration Stakes on June 17, and 9-year-old The Tin Man, second in a race several years back.

“Monmouth will use the one mile dirt course and the seven-eighths grass course for Breeders’ Cup racing,” he added. “I don’t expect to see the five-furlong turf chute used on BC days, but maybe on Wednesday and Thursday.”

There were only 21 sprints on the grass during the regular meeting, with 33 percent of winners leading all the way.

By BookMaKer Racebook