Breeders' Cup Wrap: Day Two (Beautiful Bluegrass: Day Four)

Afleet Again
Photo by Mary Cage

Day one of the Breeders’ Cup was over. It was Saturday and nine more championship races would be run. The Marathon kicked off Breeders’ Cup Saturday as 41-1 shot Afleet Again upset the mile and three-quarters race. I stood at the rim of the winner’s circle as the gray son of Afleet Alex entered the winner’s circle, snapping my pictures before the four-year-old gelding headed back to the barns.

After watching the Irish-bred Wrote cross the wire victoriously in the Juvenile Turf, I took a picture of the strikingly beautiful colt in the winner’s circle. Though the colt’s win was spectacular, my mind (and heart) was set on the next race.

Though I want to have a career in the racing business, I am a fan and horse lover first. I care more about the safety of and affection for the horse than anything. In the upcoming race, the Sprint, was one of my personal favorites, Euroears. However, it was not Euroears' day. Rather, the California-bred Amazombie came away with the win.

Euroears
Photo by Mary Cage

The sting of Euroears finishing last was eased slightly by the fact that my favorite jockey, Mike Smith, had pulled off the victory. His win in the Sprint gave him his fourteenth Breeders’ Cup triumph, which put him in second behind Jerry Bailey for the number of Breeders’ Cup wins.

The Turf Sprint, run in a final time of 56.48 for a distance of five furlongs, was won by Regally Ready. He became the only favorite to win on Saturday and gave jockey Corey Nakatani his second Breeders’ Cup victory of the weekend. Again, I stood alongside the winner’s circle as Regally Ready entered the winner’s circle, draped in a purple and gold blanket of flowers.

Next up was one of the Breeders’ Cup races I anticipated the most: the Dirt Mile. Shackleford, a colt I had followed since his maiden, fascinated me as he moved energetically through the post parade. Yet it was the very talented Caleb’s Posse that came away with the win, crossing the finish line four lengths ahead. I recorded him entering the winner’s circle prior to snapping pictures of him inside the winner’s enclosure.

A lily from St. Nicholas
Abbey's blanket of
flowers
Photo by Mary Cage

Then it was time for the Turf, which ended up being one of the most entertaining Breeders’ Cup races. Aidan O’Brien’s son, Joseph O’Brien, became the youngest jockey to ever be victorious in a Breeders’ Cup race when he won by over two lengths aboard St. Nicholas Abbey. At 5’11”, Joseph likely does not have much time left to ride flat races, but no matter how abbreviated his career, he will always have a Breeders’ Cup win under his belt. The race, which was already special, became even more special when I received a white lily that had fallen off of St. Nicholas Abbey’s blanket of flowers. Someday I hope to win an entire Breeders’ Cup blanket of flowers, but I can always look back and remember that I received a flower from one of those blankets.

Hansen
Photo by Mary Cage

When I look back on the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, I smile and chuckle. At the same time, I get an earache. As the horses loaded into the starting gate, a large group of people appeared between our seats and the winner’s circle, standing just behind me. They screamed at the top of their lungs the entire race and by obtaining bits and pieces of their conversation, I realized they were cheering for Hansen. In a thrilling stretch duel, Hansen held off a drifting-out Union Rags. I was slightly upset that the Michael Matz trainee had not gotten up in time, in part because I had met Matz and received his autograph earlier that day, but the joy of the people around me wore off on me. Come to find out, they were part of Hansen’s connections.

As the next race approached, tension rose. Goldikova was going for her fourth straight Mile win. However, it was not meant to be. Court Vision narrowly pulled off a huge upset at 64-1, defeating Turallure by a slim nose. Goldikova crossed the wire in third, but an objection by Patrick Valenzuela aboard Courageous Cat was lodged against Olivier Peslier aboard the great mare. The stewards decided to make no change. The decision must have angered many bettors and connections, but when it was announced that no change would be made, a cheer went up from the crowd. Goldikova had already lost; her fans did not want to see her taken down.

As the sun sank lower and lower, the Classic horses made their way to the saddling paddock. Classy horse after classy horse passed me. My eyes locked on Havre de Grace, Uncle Mo, Flat Out, and Drosselmeyer. I began feeling extremely excited. I was seeking redemption from the year before, when I had witnessed with devastation Zenyatta fall short in the Classic.

Drosselmeyer
Photo: Terri Cage

It worked out beautifully. Drosselmeyer, who I had picked off of looks and class, swept by everyone in late stretch to win. As soon as the striking chestnut finished ahead of every horse, I pumped my fist in the air. I was trembling with bliss. Drosselmeyer had won! Redemption had come for not just me, but for Mike Smith as well. One year after Zenyatta’s heartbreaking loss, Drosselmeyer captured the $5 million race to give Mike Smith and many Zenyatta fans, including me, some consolation. Not only did the copper-colored Thoroughbred gallop into the history books, he galloped into my heart and ran a race that I will never forget and will always hold dear to my heart.

Drosselmeyer and Mike Smith after winning the Classic
Video by Mary Cage

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Breeders' Cup Wrap: Day One (Beautiful Bluegrass: Day Three)

The track was very wet as the horses exercised over it early in the morning, jogging clockwise and galloping counter-clockwise. The Twin Spires loomed nearby as Breeders’ Cup horses made their final preparations over the track on Friday morning. I watched in awe of the famous Thoroughbreds until it was time to leave.

We weren’t going very far, though. We were soon in the Kentucky Derby Museum for the Zenyatta Luncheon. My excitement grew as I waited for the great mare’s connections to arrive and before long, I turned to see my favorite jockey, Mike Smith, standing just a few yards away. Finally, I would get to meet him in person.

I walked up to him, two Blood-Horse magazines with Zenyatta on the cover and a Sharpie in hand. After snapping a picture for him and his grandmother, he signed my magazines and I gave him a big hug, a gigantic grin stretching across my face and tears of joys filling my eyes. I never imagined I would get to receive an autograph and hug from Mike Smith.

My autographed Blood-Horse magazines
Photo by Mary Cage

Not long after I met Mike Smith, trainer John Shirreffs appeared. He kindly signed my Blood-Horse magazines and when I complimented him on Zenyatta, he simply said, “She’s just amazing, isn’t she?”

I later received autographs from Ann and Jerry Moss, as well as from Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs. I was breathless the entire time. I’d dreamed of meeting Zenyatta’s connections, but I never imagined it would happen. Needless to say, I was on cloud nine.

Then it was time for the race card on the first day of Breeders’ Cup 2011 to get underway. My family and I headed to our seats, ready to watch some incredible racing. As we emerged from under the grandstand, I caught my breath. Straight across from me was the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle and just to my left was the main winner’s circle. As we were seated, I glanced behind me and looked up, only to be left even more breathless. It was one of the best views I’d ever seen. The Twin Spires were just above me.

After four non-Breeders’ Cup races, it was time for the Breeders’ Cup to begin. The first race of the world championships was one I was looking forward to the most: the inaugural running of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint. The heavy favorite in the race was my favorite two-year-old, Secret Circle.

Secret Circle in the
post parade for
the Juvenile Sprint
Photo by Mary Cage

I had followed the colt since his maiden (Juvenile Spotlight: Secret Circle) and was looking forward to seeing him in person. Despite not handling the track that was labeled ‘good’ very well, Secret Circle defeated Shumoos by a length. I stood along the rail for the race, as well as while the bay colt entered the winner’s circle. It was thrilling to be so close to my favorite colt as he won the first Breeders’ Cup race of 2011.

In the next race, talented turf fillies took the stage in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. In that race, Stephanie’s Kitten got up in late stretch under John Velazquez to pass Stopshoppingmaria. I again watched from the edge of the winner’s circle, smiling as I saw the joyous celebration of the winning filly’s connections.

As the upcoming race, the Filly & Mare Sprint, approached, many thought it would be Turbulent Descent’s for the taking. However, it was Musical Romance that received the blanket of flowers. I had considered picking the Calder-based filly, but I guess the star potential of the other fillies got to me. Though it was surprising that Turbulent Descent finished fifth, it didn’t shock me at all that the 20-1 shot pulled off the upset.

With the next race came the appearance of a superstar. My Miss Aurelia, a filly I had followed since before her maiden race, defeated a talented field by three lengths. I already knew My Miss Aurelia would make a big impression, but after watching her win the Juvenile Fillies, I felt that she will become something very special.

The Filly & Mare Turf was quite similar to last year, resulting in a longshot taking the race. Perfect Shirl, under John Velazquez, held off several other females as the horses headed towards the wire to score the upset.

Royal Delta winning the Ladies' Classic
Photo: Terri Cage

Then it was time for Friday’s headliner. As the sun sank beyond the horizon and the bright lights shone down on Churchill, the field for the Ladies’ Classic headed towards the paddock. I stood along the rail, just a few feet from the classy fillies and mares that passed by me: Miss Match, Pachattack, It’s Tricky, Satans Quick Chick, Ask the Moon, Royal Delta, Ultra Blend, Plum Pretty, and Super Espresso.

In one of the most incredible racing moments I’ve witnessed in person, I stood along the rail near the finish line as Royal Delta easily swept past the other fillies and mares to win by 2 ½ lengths. It was one of the most effortless races of the weekend. I continued to stand at my spot along the rail, watching as the classy filly entered the winner’s circle just a few feet from me. Like many of the moments I had spent in Kentucky, the experience of being so close to Royal Delta before, during, and after the race was breathtaking.

Royal Delta after winning the Ladies' Classic

Video by Mary Cage

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Beautiful Bluegrass: Day Two

I wrote this on the Thursday and Friday before the Breeders' Cup. It was the second full day of my trip. Due to being busy with the happenings of my trip, I was unable to post it until Saturday. Nothing was changed on Saturday. Enjoy.

It was still dark outside as we headed toward the track. The early morning air was crisp and the bright lights were shining down on the track. Suddenly, we came around a bend and my breath was whisked away.

Churchill Downs
Photo by Mary Cage

Before me was the clubhouse turn of Churchill Downs, the turn where many famous Kentucky Derby pictures have been taken. The majestic presence of the Twin Spires, lit in purple in honor of the Breeders’ Cup, loomed over the track. Over the dirt surface, Throughbreds jogged or galloped past, their snorts in sync with their strides. I was left absolutely breathless.

Horse after horse went by, many sporting Breeders’ Cup saddle towels. I read off the names as the classy horses went by. To name just a few, there was My Gi Gi, Brilliant Speed, Dean’s Kitten, Hoofit, Super Espresso, Rattlesnake Bridge, Giant Oak, Coalport, Midday, Irish Gypsy, Up, Misty For Me, Drosselmeyer, Jackson Bend, Big Drama, Euroears, and Get Stormy.

Of those, my personal favorite Euroears looked the best. When he came into my view, it was the first time in over a year I had seen him. I screeched his name and he pricked his ears, looking at me as his exercise rider smiled. Even without my bias towards him, he would have looked the best. He is still as beautiful as I remember him and his muscle tone is absolutely incredible.

Also, Classic contender and 2010 Belmont Stakes (GI) winner Drosselmeyer looked tremendous. He was composed and traveled over the track very well. Other horses that looked spectacular include Coalport, Jackson Bend, Big Drama, and Get Stormy.

We had to leave the track earlier than I wanted to, but I didn’t mind too much. We were headed to one of my favorite farms, Taylor Made. Driving into a beautiful sunrise, we arrived at the gorgeous farm and headed to the stallion barns. As we stepped into the first barn, we observed the striking Old Fashioned receiving a bath while a damp Northern Afleet nibbled at hay in his stall.

As we headed to the next stallion barn, I spotted a horse I had followed since his maiden: the brilliant Eskendereya. We walked up to the radiant chestnut, visiting with him. He was quite feisty, as he had just been bathed and wanted to be turned out, likely to roll in some mud to ruin his cleanliness.

Half Ours
Photo by Mary Cage

We then loved on the tremendous sire Unbridled’s Song before walking out to a lush paddock that held his son, Half Ours, who had been galloping friskily around his paddock when we arrived. He spotted us and eagerly jogged up to the fence, sticking his head between the boards. I reached up and stroked his face affectionately and the eight-year-old stood calmly, enjoying the attention. Unlike most stallions, he wasn’t nippy at all and was extremely quiet. After visiting with us for a bit, the beautiful dappled gray turned and walked a few yards away, raising his head and gazing into the distance. It was a beautiful sight to end a beautiful tour.

We then drove to Keeneland to see a specific horse that Taylor Made is consigning: Blind Luck. My heart was thudding with excitement as we grew closer to the magnificent racetrack. I was about to see one of my favorite racehorses of all time, who I had followed very closely since her fourth start. We strolled through the barn I knew she would be stabled in and I began to grow extremely anxious. We had walked by nearly every stall and I still had not spotted her. My mom told me to relax and reminded me that there were still a few stalls left. Sure enough, the champion filly was in the very last stall on the row we were walking along.

Blind Luck
Photo by Mary Cage

I caught my breath as I spotted the chestnut. My heart was racing and I literally felt breathless. Over and over, I told my mom I couldn’t breathe, despite the fact that I must have been grinning from ear to ear. Blind Luck was causing me to hyperventilate. I was starstruck.

I stood by her stall for a long time, tickling her nose and just drooling over her. It felt like I was dreaming. Suddenly, they pulled the six-time grade one winner out of her stall. I stood back and watched, still feeling breathless. I watched her for a long while, taking photographs and continuing to be starstruck.

After staying for quite some time, we left Keeneland and after we stopped for a bite to eat, we headed back to Taylor Made. It was time to see Pepper’s Pride. We saw her last year, but I was extremely excited about seeing her again.

Pepper's Pride
Photo by Mary Cage

We followed longtime Taylor Made resident and employee Levi Dunlap up to one of several broodmare barns. In the pouring rain, we headed into the barn and there she was, standing in the aisle. Her bay colt gleamed, her black legs sparkling clean. She gazed at us with her bright eyes, neighing whenever she heard another horse.

After visiting with Pepper’s Pride for quite some time, stroking her soft coat and feeding her peppermints, Levi Dunlap drove my mother and me up to another broodmare barn to visit a mare we had known for a long time: Hotlantic. The daughter of Stormy Atlantic had been trained by friends of ours, Dallas and Donna Keen. We had seen the gorgeous bay race many times and knew she was at Taylor Made. Dunlap was nice enough to let us visit her.

Hotlantic
Photo by Mary Cage

After driving through the beautiful farm, we arrived at the barn in which Hotlantic resided. She was standing quietly in the aisle, being held by a groom. She still looked as stunning as she always has. I took a picture of her on my phone, sending it to Donna, who was thrilled that we were visiting Hotlantic. She told me to scratch her on the withers, so I walked up to the stakes-winning mare and did so, smiling as the seven-year-old relished the attention.

We then headed to the Kentucky Horse Park for a different part of the horse world: a horse show. We watched a hunter class at the Alltech National Horse Show, enjoying watching the talented horses. It was definitely different than watching racehorses, but I always enjoy watching horses try their hardest while doing what they love.

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