After the Auction: America

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. 

America
Photo by Ciara Bowen

There has been a plethora of racehorses given patriotic names – ones that boast monikers that include “star-spangled,” “freedom,” or “patriot.” But one of my 2012 Keeneland September Yearling Sale selections holds the most simply patriotic name of them all: America.

At the Keeneland September auction, America garnered a lofty final bid of $725,000, but did not reach her reserve. She remained with her famous breeder and owner: Bobby Flay.

Placed in the stable of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, America made her first start at the prestigious Saratoga meet, facing nine others in a mile and one-sixteenth maiden special weight on the turf. However, she offered no serious effort and finished ninth of ten. The runner-up in the race was Kitten Kaboodle, eventual winner of the Jessamine Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland.

A month later, America made the transition to dirt. Going one mile on the dirt at Belmont, America tracked the pace as she raced very wide. After gamely rallying down the homestretch, she drew clear in the final stages to win by 2 ¾ lengths.

America had shown enough promise to be entered in today’s Demoiselle Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct, in which she will face the talented, graded stakes-winning Stopchargingmaria and several other talented fillies.

Pedigree Analysis

America is a daughter of one of the finest stallions in recent Thoroughbred history: A.P. Indy. The son of Seattle Slew has produced nearly 30 grade one winners, including Bernardini, Flashing, Mineshaft, Little Belle, Music Note, and Rags to Riches. The sire of more than 135 stakes winner in total, A.P. Indy was the leading sire in North America on two occasions.

America’s stakes-placed dam, Lacadena, is a daughter of the brilliant European champion Fasliyev. In his young broodmare sire career, the late Fasliyev has produced the dams of the group stakes winners Awesome Planet and Topclas. Fasliyev is a son of the great Nureyev, who is the maternal grandsire of an abundance of grade/group one winners, including Big Brown, Just As Well, Maxios, and West Wind.

Through her dam, America stems from one of the most elite female lines in Thoroughbreds. Her great-granddam is the Reine De Course mare Blush with Pride, the brilliant Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) victress who produced Better Than Honour: the dam of Belmont Stakes (gr. I)) winners Jazil and Rags to Riches, as well as Breeders’ Cup Marathon winner Man of Iron and graded stakes winner Casino Drive. This makes America very similarly bred to Rags to Riches. Like America, Rags to Riches is a daughter of A.P. Indy and a direct descendant of the Blush with Pride line. The fourth dam of America is Best in Show, a Reine De Course mare and the 1982 Broodmare of the Year.

The biggest test of America’s career to date will take place this afternoon, but this is just the beginning. Should America live up to her pedigree and the potential she displayed in her maiden victory, she could become something special.

America
Photo by Ciara Bowen

HRN: Ponies of the Track - Wyatt: The Bridleless Pony

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

Ponies of the Track - Wyatt: The Bridleless Pony

"There are many forgotten heroes at the racetrack of the human variety: grooms, hotwalkers, EMTs, veterinarians, and jockey valets among them. But there are also equine heroes outside of the obvious racehorses: the outrider horses and lead ponies. They are kicked, they are bit, they are slammed into, and they are pushed around. They tolerate the immature two-year-old, the testy mare, and the lazy gelding. Their riders often endure the same difficulties. But these horses also provide guidance and comfort for many racehorses, as well as a best friend for many young children and loyal racetrackers that visit the track.

For racing enthusiasts that frequently watch racing on television or visit the track regularly, a pony horse may become familiar in appearance, but it is rather unusual for a pony horse’s name to be known. The name of the racehorse alongside the pony is in the program, on the television monitor, and in pedigree databases, but the pony is largely anonymous. But for hours upon hours – whether it be in the morning or afternoon – the pony works tirelessly, often encountering unruly racehorses and unpredictable weather. It is time to shine a light upon these hard workers.

Please enjoy my second installment of a new series featuring these horses, called “Ponies of the Track.”

Wyatt: The Bridleless Pony

Not many horses have their own Twitter, but Wyatt does (@BridlelessWyatt). On the popular social media site, his bio reads, 'My official job is chaperone for the racehorses for my mom and dad, my unofficial job is as a celebrity.' . . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

HRN: Ponies of the Track - Cinch: The Perfect Prince

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

Ponies of the Track - Cinch: The Perfect Prince

"It is a normal day at the track. The sun shines down on the crowd, bettors stand in line to place their bets, the smell of hot dogs and lemonade floats through the air, and a group of pony horses and their riders stand along the rail. A small child reaches up to touch one of the horse’s noses, giggling as its whiskers tickle her palm. The rider smiles, telling the child the horse’s name. The horse may not be a grade one-winning Thoroughbred; it may not even be a Thoroughbred. But a new fan has just been made.

There are many forgotten heroes at the racetrack of the human variety: grooms, hotwalkers, EMTs, veterinarians, and jockey valets among them. But there are also equine heroes outside of the obvious racehorses: the outrider horses and lead ponies. They are kicked, they are bit, they are slammed into, and they are pushed around. They tolerate the immature two-year-old, the testy mare, and the lazy gelding. Their riders often endure the same difficulties. But these horses also provide guidance and comfort for many racehorses, as well as a best friend for many young children and loyal racetrackers that visit the track.

For racing enthusiasts that frequently watch racing on television or visit the track regularly, a pony horse may become familiar in appearance, but it is rather unusual for a pony horse’s name to be known. The name of the racehorse alongside the pony is in the program, on the television monitor, and in pedigree databases, but the pony is largely anonymous. But for hours upon hours – whether it be in the morning or afternoon – the pony works tirelessly, often encountering unruly racehorses and unpredictable weather. It is time to shine a light upon these hard workers.

Please enjoy my first installment of a new series featuring these horses, called “Ponies of the Track.”

Cinch: The Perfect Prince

The white and brown pattern of Cinch’s tobiano coat is a contrast to the solid, sleek coats of the Thoroughbreds that travel alongside him. He has become a familiar sight to many Southern California racing fans, as well as any fans that attended or watched the Breeders’ Cup races held at Santa Anita in recent years. The lead pony for such horses as Turf Sprint runner-up Tightend Touchdown and Filly & Mare Sprint third-place finisher Dance Card at this year’s championships, Cinch has become one of the most popular and easily recognizable ponies on the Southern California circuit. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

After the Auction: Streaming

Streaming
Photo by Mary Cage

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. 

UPDATE 12/7/13: Congratulations to Streaming on becoming my
second grade one-winning sale selection with her victory in the Hollywood Starlet (GI)!
UPDATE 2/1/13: Congratulations to Streaming on her second-place finish in the Las Virgenes Stakes (GI)!

Although declared out of the 2012 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Streaming remained on my watch list, as she was one of the horses I selected from the first session of the world’s largest yearling auction. She remained with her breeders, Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and Edward McGhee, and was placed in the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in Southern California.

I was fortunate enough to watch Streaming train one morning at Santa Anita while visiting for the Breeders’ Cup. The filly displayed impressive muscularity and composure for a two-year-old, galloping about the track in an easy manner.

Twelve days later, Streaming made her racing debut at Hollywood Park, facing nine others in a six-furlong maiden special weight over the all-weather track. Sent off as the heavy favorite that only included three fillies with racing experience, Streaming tracked the pace while racing a few paths off the rail. As a quick pace was set, Streaming remained a handful of lengths off the leader as the field continued down the backstretch.

Given room to run, Streaming was guided to the outside of the pacesetters around the far turn, racing very wide as the field swung into the homestretch. Traveling so far to the outside cost Streaming ground at the top of the lane, but once she changed leads, she regained her momentum, growing even with the second choice – Abide in Me – outside the eighth pole. Digging in gamely, Streaming kicked clear, drawing away to score by 1 ½ lengths.

Pedigree Analysis

Streaming is as royally bred as they come. A daughter of two-time leading sire Smart Strike, Streaming is out of a daughter of Storm Cat and the great broodmare Better than Honour. Some of the most legendary sires and dams in Thoroughbred breeding lace just the first five generations of her pedigree alone, including Mr. Prospector, Deputy Minister, Native Dancer, Blushing Groom, Classy ‘N Smart, Terlingua, and Geisha.

As a daughter of Canadian Hall of Famer Smart Strike, Streaming shares her sire with the champions Curlin, English Channel, Lookin At Lucky, My Miss Aurelia, and Soaring Free. Smart Strike is a son of Mr. Prospector, one of the most influential stallions to ever live. The Mr. Prospector sire line has produced an astounding number of champions, including six Horse of the Year honorees in the United States.

Streaming is a daughter of Teeming, who is also the dam of the stakes-winning Cascading and the stakes-placed Distracting. Teeming is a daughter of the Reine de Course broodmare Better than Honour, who was named 2007 Broodmare of the Year. This makes Teeming a half-sister to the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winners Jazil and Rags to Riches, as well as Breeders’ Cup Marathon victor Man of Iron and the graded stakes-winning February Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Casino Drive.

Streaming’s broodmare sire is the legendary stallion Storm Cat. Not only was Storm Cat an outstanding sire of racehorses and sires, but he has also proven to be a terrific sire of broodmares, as he is the damsire of many brilliant horses, including the champions Folklore and Speightstown, as well as a multitude of grade one winners, such as Dialed In, Sky Mesa, and Sidney’s Candy.

Streaming could become something special. Having made quite the early impression in pedigree, appearance, and racing performance, Streaming holds plentiful promise. Could she become my next sale selection to win a grade one?

Miss Fifty: One Year Together

If you do not know Miss Fifty’s special story, please read my article on BloodHorse.com here.

Winter has arrived early this year. Icicles hang from the fence as a cold north wind slices through the air. I trudge over the grass in my backyard as I make my way from my house to my barn. Opening the small door on the side of the barn, I am greeted by the shrill whinny of a small, chestnut Thoroughbred. Under the yellow tint of the lights, her coat gleams like copper – a sight far more brilliant than most of the sights outside.

The copper shine comes from the coat of Miss Fifty, a five-year-old daughter of Johannesburg. She lifts her head high as I approach her stall, sticking her nose through the bars to greet me as she gazes at me with kind eyes. I place my hand upon her face as we greet each other. It is a tender moment between a girl and her horse.

And then Miss Fifty begins weaving. She lowers her head as she splays her front legs and begins to sway from side to side. With a sigh and a bit of a grin, I withdraw my hand and shake my head. Along my journey with Miss Fifty, much has changed. But some things never change.

Miss Fifty
Photo by Mary Cage

Over a year ago, I was in California for my third Breeders’ Cup. Meanwhile, my dad led an injured, lanky Thoroughbred out of our horse trailer and into our barn. He sent me a photo of her in her new stall and I immediately called him, asking about my new horse.

But I wasn’t calling to ask him about her characteristics. I already knew much about Fifty, having met her before her racing career – which I loyally followed – ever began. Instead, I was calling to ask how she was settling in.

“Well, she’s doing that weaving thing,” my dad responded.

Days later, I returned home after an incredible Breeders’ Cup. I immediately went into the barn, where my eyes took in the sight of Miss Fifty for the first time in two years. The last time I had seen her, she was at Churchill Downs. Now, she was in my barn. Entering her stall, I placed my hand on her face, gazing at her. All I could think was, “Who’d have known. . .?”

Miss Fifty
Photo by Mary Cage

My year with Miss Fifty as my own horse has been full of ups and downs, but no matter what, I always stop and think about how amazing it is to have her in my barn. If someone had told me as she was breezing down the stretch of Lone Star Park for the 2010 Fasig-Tipton Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale that she would be someday mine, I would laugh. When she dashed to victory at Churchill Downs in July 2011 prior to being claimed for the first time, I would have shook my head at the thought that I would ever see her again. But now I see her every day.

Unfortunately, Miss Fifty’s racing career came to a sooner end than expected when she fractured the two proximal sesamoids in her right foreleg. Due to this injury, she was placed on stall rest for nearly seven months. These months were incredibly frustrating, as Fifty simply wanted nothing more than to leave her stall. At times, I would grow not only frustrated – for her sake – that she could not escape the barn, but I would also occasionally become irritated by her, as she was difficult and sometimes dangerous to handle due to her pent-up energy. Despite this, however, my heart went out to her and I ached for her to be happier.

An April 2013 vet appointment offered the option of hand-walking Miss Fifty. At first, I was thrilled that Fifty now had an opportunity to be out of the barn. However, the fresh air of the outside world was overwhelming for her and she still wanted the one thing she had not experienced in a very long time: freedom. She remained very difficult to handle and, as a result, the amount of times she was able to be hand-walked vastly diminished.

A month later, however, came the greatest news surrounding Miss Fifty that I have received since she became mine. She had healed enough that she could finally be turned out. Since May, Fifty has enjoyed spending time in a small pen, where she can kick up her heels, enjoy the fresh air, feel the coolness of light rain upon her back, and absorb the sights and sounds of “the outside world.” At times, weather impedes her turnout time, forcing her to stay in her stall, but Fifty is a much happier horse now that she is able to enjoy being turned out.

As a result, she has become much easier to handle. It has become evident that Fifty is the type of horse that loves to please people. Although she still weaves and at times can be overly energetic, she has learned to listen and strives to be on her best behavior.

But most of all, as Miss Fifty has healed and grown to be calmer, the sweetness that made me fall in love with her at the two-year-old sale more than three and a half years ago has returned. Her lips wiggle when I scratch her favorite spot: just along the crest of her neck. Her liquid brown eyes stare softly into mine when I stroke her face. She stares at me fixedly and whinnies when I exit the tack room, as she knows that is where the treats are stored.

It has been a blessing to call Fifty mine for the past year. Never will I take her for granted. Each day, I thank God that her journey led her into my barn. What the remainder of our journey together holds is a mystery, but each day, I will be grateful for having such a special horse in my life. Thank you, Miss Fifty. I love you.

Of course, I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone that has made this journey possible, especially Dolphus Morrison, Lon Wiggins, and Nate Vrable. Without your help and generosity, this fantastic mare would not be in my barn. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Please enjoy these videos of Miss Fifty enjoying turnout time, as well as the three previous updates I have posted about her.

Miss Fifty kicking up her heels, November 2013: http://instagram.com/p/goOlssl10Z/

Miss Fifty being curious during turnout time, November 2013: http://instagram.com/p/gwu5C0iVeO/

Miss Fifty enjoying turnout time, October 2013: http://instagram.com/p/fVsuVGl15f/

Miss Fifty: Update Three

Miss Fifty: Update Two

Miss Fifty: Update One

HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Mucho Macho Man's Classic

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Mucho Macho Man's Classic

"Please enjoy the final installment of my '2013 Breeders’ Cup Highlights' series, which features the greatest personal moments of my Breeders’ Cup experience.

Highlight Seven: Mucho Macho Man’s Classic

Less than five weeks remain until Christmas. Cheesy, made-for-TV Christmas films are already playing, interrupted by commercials displaying festive scenes to the sound of Christmas jingles. Stores are lavishly embellished with Christmas decorations and Christmas parades are just around the corner. 

But before Christmas rolls around, families will sit around a table abounding with mouth-watering foods. Thanksgiving is not just a "kick-off" for Christmas. It is a time to enjoy the presence of family and friends, a time to give thanks. This Thanksgiving, I will certainly be giving thanks for my incredible experience at this year's Breeders' Cup. From the beginning to the end, my time spent at my fourth Breeders' Cup was full of thrills, delights, and moments to forever cherish. Among those moments was a perfect ending: the Classic. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Mary Cage Published in Southern Racehorse Magazine

Today, my first-ever magazine article was published in the November/December edition of Southern Racehorse Magazine. A new but flourishing publication focused on the Thoroughbred industry in southern states such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, Southern Racehorse has a bright future ahead. It is an honor to have my first magazine article published in this magazine.

I would like to extend my thanks to Ken Carson, the General Manager of Valor Farm, and to Denis Blake, the Editor/Publisher of Southern Racehorse, for this opportunity.

Check out the article, titled "A Young Fan's Perspective," on page 20 of the digital edition: http://issuu.com/southernracehorse/docs/novemberdecember2013

HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Groupie Doll and Mizdirection

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Groupie Doll and Mizdirection

"An abundance of past Breeders’ Cup champions returned to the championships in 2013. Whereas some were abandoning the juvenile division to seek victory against older horses, many were seeking defenses of their titles. Five of these horses were successful in their repeat attempts: Wise Dan in the Mile, Mizdirection in the Turf Sprint, Groupie Doll in the Filly & Mare Sprint, and Beholder and Secret Circle in their advancement from the juvenile ranks to the Distaff and Sprint, respectively. These repeat winners were among the most popular of Breeders’ Cup weekend, but two of them were also some of the most bittersweet moments of the championships.

Both Groupie Doll and Mizdirection, the American female sprinting stars, were slated to sell just days after their Breeders’ Cup efforts. No longer would they be with their popular connections – Buff Bradley and Jim Rome’s Jungle Racing, respectively. These Breeders’ Cup title defenses would serve as likely their last starts for these connections. This, combined with seeking repeat victories on racing’s biggest stage, made the pressure high as the fantastic mares went to post. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Secret Circle

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Secret Circle

"The heat was blistering, but the air conditioning and shelter of the house offered relief from the scorching July sun. I focused my eyes on the television screen, which displayed TVG’s coverage of the third race at Del Mar on Saturday, July 23, 2011 – a maiden special weight for two-year-olds going five and one-half furlongs. As soon as the juveniles broke from the gate, my eyes focused on an eye-catching bay colt carrying the famous red and yellow silks of Mike Pegram and partners. As soon as Trevor Denman called out the colt’s name – Secret Circle – I knew I would not soon forget it. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Outstrip

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Outstrip

"Please enjoy the fourth installment of my “2013 Breeders’ Cup Highlights” series, which features the greatest personal moments of my Breeders’ Cup experience.

Highlight Four: The Juvenile Turf

The second race of the 2013 Breeders’ Cup, the Juvenile Turf proved itself as one of the most exciting races for me personally. The first three finishers were my top three selections, crossing the wire in the same order in which I had predicted. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Beholder's Distaff

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Beholder's Distaff

"Please enjoy the third installment of my “2013 Breeders’ Cup Highlights” series, which features the greatest personal moments of my Breeders’ Cup experience.

Highlight Three: Distaff

The Monday before the thirtieth Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I), I spoke to Fred Mitchell, whose family’s Clarkland Farm bred, raised, and sold Beholder – one of the contenders in the star-studded Distaff. As I listened to him speak proudly of the three-year-old filly, telling stories about the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) champion, I could not think of a more deserving Distaff victress. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

HRN: Gary Stevens Donates $5,000 to Remember Me Rescue

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

Gary Stevens Donates $5,000 to Remember Me Rescue

"To the delight of racing enthusiasts, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens announced his comeback in January of 2013. One of the most-well known jockeys in the sport of horse racing, the Idaho native had not competed in a race since 2005 and although he was now nearly 50 years old, he would return to the saddle. It did not take long for him to prove that he had made a brilliant decision, as Stevens has won some of the nation’s most important races – including the Preakness Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Distaff, and Breeders’ Cup Classic – during his first year back in the saddle.

Stevens’ comeback has been dubbed one of the greatest in the history of sports. But Stevens’ greatness extends beyond his talent and success on the back of racehorses. Stevens is a kind-hearted man whose generosity is as remarkable as his skill.

This kindness has been reflected in Stevens’ breathtaking donation of $5,000 to Remember Me Rescue, a Texas-based rescue and retraining center for off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Since being founded by Dallas and Donna Keen in 2008, the program has placed more than 350 retired racehorses in new homes. All along the way, Remember Me Rescue has been supported by Stevens. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Morning Works

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Morning Works

"Please enjoy the second installment of my “2013 Breeders’ Cup Highlights” series, which features the greatest personal moments of my Breeders’ Cup experience.

Highlight Two: Morning Works

My teeth chattering as I walked toward the grandstand in the dark, I immediately grabbed a delicious hot chocolate at Clocker’s Corner before heading to my favorite spot along the rail – near the gap and right by the far turn. I desperately clung to the cup holding my hot chocolate, relishing the warmth it brought to my hands as I gazed across the dimly lit track as Thoroughbreds stood in the chute, jogged by along the outside rail, galloped down the center of the track, or breezed down the inside fence. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Wise Dan

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Wise Dan

"I can close my eyes and see the San Gabriel Mountains. With them as a backdrop, I can place several memories from my time spent at the Breeders’ Cup in front of them: Wise Dan grazing, the sky lightening as horses exercised on the track in the morning, horses racing down the backstretch, and winners and losers galloping past the stands as they receive applause from the crowd no matter where they finished.

The 2013 Breeders’ Cup was one of the greatest experiences of my life – perhaps even the most amazing to date. I have now been to four Breeders’ Cups and the moments from this year’s championships that are now fond memories place this Breeders’ Cup as the most wondrous experience I have ever had at the racetrack. I have since returned home and must focus my attention on homework rather than a track program and top-class Thoroughbreds, but my mind tends to wander to the many great personal moments that occurred at the Breeders’ Cup.

There are too many amazing moments from my 2013 Breeders’ Cup experience to describe in one post, so please enjoy my series highlighting these moments, one by one, over the next several days. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup: Possible Friday Long Shots

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup: Possible Friday Long Shots

"The Breeders’ Cup is notorious for producing numerous upset winners. Each year, racing fans and handicaps must “expect the unexpected.” From the 53-1 Lashkari in the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Turf to the 17-1 upsets by Calidoscopio and Little Mike at last year’s Breeders’ Cup, longshot winners are all but guaranteed at the two-day championships.

Are you searching for some possible longshot plays for today’s Breeders’ Cup Friday races? I chose at least one horse from each race worth a look that was given morning line odds of at least 8-1, giving you plenty of options to choose from. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.