HorseRacing Central October 24, 2008

BREEDERS’ CUP SPECIAL

The 25th running of the Breeders’ Cup swings into high gear Saturday from Santa Anita and racing fans everywhere can enter the $100,000 Championship Challenge at no cost by simply registering online at www.hastingsracecourse.com or www.fraserdowns.com

Sponsored by Hastings Racecourse, Fraser Downs Racetrack and TBC Racebooks, the Championship Challenge offers a chance to win the big prize or your share of a guaranteed $6,000 in prizes.

Here’s a breakdown of what you might expect to see develop in the eight key races Saturday:

Turf Sprint (10:50 a.m.)

As you might expect, there’s a ton of speed in this race and the best closer could be FLEETING SPIRIT. The only suggestion here would be to watch the tote board and get a decent price. Two others to consider: SALUTE THE COUNT and GET FUNKY.

Dirt Mile (11:30 a.m.)

SLEW’S TIZZY was off for seven months prior to his convincing score in allowance company. He’ll have to work harder to get the lead this time but is capable of outrunning this group. MAST TRACK and WELL ARMED opted out of the Classic and cutting back in distance.

Turf Mile (12:15 p.m.)

KIP DEVILLE has a big chance to repeat as Turf Mile champion. This race hasn’t come up all that tough with only two Euro-shippers in the starting lineup. Other contenders are the two Euro’s: GOLDIKOVA and U S RANGER.

Juvenile (12:55 p.m.)

Call it a sentimental pick: Seattle-based GALLANT SON trained by Frank Lucarelli. Three main contenders are SQUARE EDDIE, recent winner on the poly in Keeneland, STREET HERO with home court advantage and MIDSHIPMAN.

Juvenile Turf (1:35 p.m.)

This is tough to handicap with many rivals facing each other for the first time. With a dozen 2-year-olds running a mile, NINTH CLIENT will probably bust to the lead without using too much energy and might be tough to catch. This race is wide open.

Sprint (2:15 p.m.)

Only nine starters here and the one to watch might be STREET BOSS after show great improvement in his last three starts and winning two Grade 1 races. FABULOUS STRIKE and Bear Stable’s FATAL BULLET also warrant some serious consideration.

Turf (3:00 p.m.)

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE is capable of grabbing the lead and setting a leisurely tempo. Speed is a very strong asset in many 12-furlong races over the Santa Anita turf course. RED ROCKS and GRAND COUTURIER also must be considered strong contenders.

Classsic (3:45 p.m.)

This is a good opportunity to try beating CURLIN as he struggled to best WANDERING BOY last time and he’s also running on a surface that is new to him. But Curlin is returning to defend the Classic crown he won last year at Monmouth Park and there’ll be a definite proud factor here. CASINO DRIVE is the one that could pull off an upset as did his half-sister RAGS TO RICHES in defeating Curlin in the 2007 Belmont. There will be a strong European contingent in the Classic, including DUKE OF MARMALADE, winner of five Group One races in Europe this year.

All of Saturday’s nine featured races will be televised live on TSN’s normal feed, as well as the normal simulcast outlets at Hastings, Fraser Downs and the 21 other Racebook locations throughout the province.

TWO $100,000 RACES AT HASTINGS

Not to be overlooked by the 25th Breeders’ Cup World Championships, there are back-to-back $100,000 stakes races at Hastings Saturday and Sunday.

The Fantasy for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles goes Saturday with Telford Farms’ P.S. GOOD N READY established as the odds-on choice to win. Sunday is the Ascot Graduation for the colts and geldings at the same distance. The top three finishers from the Jack Diamond Futurity are all entered: ALMOST TIME, GOTTA FIND BUBBA and MILLWRIGHT.