It's not Alabama-LSU, and certainly not Patriots-Dolphins, but the Breeder's Cup races to be telecast Friday and Saturday afternoons on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC are well worth watching.
I'm preaching to the converted by saying this to fans of thoroughbred racing, so it's in hopes of finding converts to what, these days, is a vastly underappreciated sport that I encourage people to tune in and watch at least some of the Breeders Cup races, which are being contested, for the second straight year, at Santa Anita.
The Arcadia, California, track -- it's near L.A., not far from Pasadena -- calls itself "the great race place," and anyone who's ever been there knows that label is justified. There has been great racing at Santa Anita since it opened in 1934. WIth the San Gabriel Mountains as a backdrop, the track seems like a Hollywood set for a movie about horse racing.
The marquee event is the Classic, to be run Saturday at 6:45 (ESPN) over 1-1/4 miles on Santa Anita's synthetic "Pro-Ride" surface for a purse of $5 million. The big story line for the race is whether undefeated Zenyatta, a 5-year-old mare who's never raced against males, can become the first female to win the Classic and, by doing so, improve her career record to 14 wins in as many starts.
It's unfortunate that Rachel Alexandra, the 3-year-old, super-filly who not only won the Preakness, but then beat older horses in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga this summer -- becoming the first filly ever to beat older males in a two-turn, Grade I dirt race -- is not competing in the Breeder's Cup.
But she's already clinched Horse of the Year honors, and, while she won eight races this year on seven different tracks, her owner, wine magnate Jess Jackson, wants her to run only on natural dirt, not artificial surfaces.
Despite Rachel's absence, there is an abundance of talent entered this weekend, with six races on tap this afternoon (starting at 3:30), and eight more tomorrow (beginning at 1:45).
There will be no shortage of interesting story angles involving the horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners, and the races are sure to be thrilling.
Try it! You'll like it!
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Hi Jim , your father must be proud of the writer you have become. He was my grammar & jr high school
athletic director and was a super guy.I am wondering why no library in RI has your new book "Then Belichick Said to Brady." as I am a senior citizen on a fixed budget.I would like to comment on your great improvement in your recent articles.
In the past I some times felt that you were to critical or negative in some of your writings. I hate to say this but you were about 1% of Michael Felgers terrible style.God Bless and continue you great writings. Pete Pashnik
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