It is 11 15
A M (Eastern time) in New Jersey on Friday as I type this report. The first
Breeders’ Cup race will be run in a little over five hours.
I was
reading the Star-Ledger (a New Jersey newspaper) this morning. I came
across some BC trivia. I want to share it with you.
Miesque's
Approval in 2006 and Cardmania in 1993 were seven when they won. That is
the oldest (horse) to win a BC.
Inside
Information won by thirteen and one half lengths in the 1995 Distaff. That
is the widest winning margin.
What is the
narrowest margin? Alphabet Soup by a nose over Louis Quatorze in the 1996
Classic.
The oldest
to run in the BC. John's Call and Bet On Sunshine were nine.
Post-two,
with 23 wins, is the most productive draw.
Post-13 has
only two winners.
The
shortest-priced winner was Cigar in 1995. He returned $3.40.
Arcangues,
in 1993, paid $133.60, the highest dividend.
Favorites
have won 36.1% of the time. It is the typical number. Public choices have
won 61 of the 169 BC races.
I
acknowledge I got this information from the Star Ledger.
The BC
races are carried by ESPN. ESPN is an affiliate of ABC, owned by the Walt
Disney company.
I wish to
point out that all betting in the US is in the tote. In addition to mutuel
tellers, there are screen activated betting machines. Monmouth Park is
ready for the two days. There are extra tellers.
Any Given
Saturday, winner of the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth in early August,
is the choice of a number of pundits. In England, Any Given Saturday is the
favourite.
Dylan
Thomas is even money and less in the British market.
Passage Of
Time is gaining a following the BC Distaff. She won the Musidora at York
under testing conditions. The prospect of soft grass, many believe, will
enhance her prospects. Sir Henry Cecil has been talking with confidence.
I had a
word with Kent Desormeaux. Thursday evening. He rides Bill Mott's Prussian
in Friday's Juvenile Turf. Asked what he thought of Prussian, he told me,
'He's multi-talented. Big chance."
Jim
Gluckson, Director of Media Relations, expressed disappointment with the
turnout at Thursday's trainer-jockey meeting. "I have no enforcement power.
Basketball and football press conferences are mandatory for the players.
Todd Pletcher was cooperative. Aidan O'Brien and others were just too
busy."
I agree
wholeheartedly. What was advertised as a wide-ranging conference was
nothing more than a pitiful exercise in information-gathering. Most of the
leading lights stayed away. This is an international event. Press, from all
over, has assembled in New Jersey. The professionals owe the public and
need to take scheduled conferences seriously.
There was a
party Thursday evening hosted by Grey Goose Vodka. It was a grand affair.
There was entertainment. It was a 'thank you' salute to the world press
from Monmouth Park and BC Limited.
In England,
Jamie Spencer had four wins at Wolverhampton. Seb Sanders rode at Brighton
and drew a blank. They are now tied. Jamie Spencer is now 2-5 to win the
riding title. Seb Sanders has gone up to 7-4.
