The 2009 Breeders’ Cup will be run this weekend on Friday November 6th and Saturday November 7th from Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia, Ca. This year’s Cup features races in 14 different divisions over the two day period with 6 races scheduled for Friday and 8 races slated to run on Saturday. The following is a brief description of each race along with some of the horses to keep an eye on.
The Marathon- Friday November 6th Post Time: 3:35 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 1 ¾ Mile Track: Dirt Purse: $500,000
Contenders: Nite Light, Father Time, Mastery
Nite Light was a wire to wire winner in the Group 3 Turfway Park Fall Championship in September earning an automatic spot in this race. In early October he finished second in the Hawthorne Gold Cup.
The Juvenile Fillies Turf – Friday November 6th Post Time: 4:08 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 1 Mile Track: Turf Purse: $1,000,000
Contenders: House of Grace, Lillie Langtry, Lisa’s Kitten
Lisa’s Kitten: In September, she won her first race, a Maiden Special Weight race at Belmont. With a poor start, she rallied from last place with incredible closing speed to pull off the win.
The Juvenile Fillies – Friday November 6th Post Time: 4:45 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 1 1/16 Mile Track: Dirt Purse: $2,000,000
Contenders: Devil May Care, Blind Luck, She Be Wild
Blind Luck earned her automatic bid with a win in the Grade 1 Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita in early October. She has two other first place wins this season in the Starter Allowance at Del Mar and in the Maiden Claiming at Calder.
The Filly and Mare Turf- Friday November 6th Post Time: 5:23 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 1 ¼ Mile Track: Turf Purse: $2,000,000
Contenders: Midday, Magical Fantasy, Pure Clan
Magical Fantasy earned her bid with a win in the Grade 1 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita. She has won her last four starts including another win at Santa Anita in the Santa Barbara Handicap back in April.
The Filly and Mare Sprint- Friday November 6th Post Time: 6:02 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 7 Furlongs Track: Dirt Purse: $1,000,000
Contenders: Informed Decision, Ventura, Seventh Street
Informed Decision earned an automatic bid with a victory in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred of America Stakes at Keeneland a few weeks ago. She has won five of her six starts this season.
The Ladies Classic- Friday November 6th Post Time: 6:45 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 1 1/8 Mile Track: Dirt Purse: $2,000,000
Contenders: Careless Jewel, Music Note, Mushka
Careless Jewel heads into this race with five victories in her last five starts including a win in the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. Many experts believe she will be the horse to beat in the Ladies Classic.
The Juvenile Turf – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 1:45 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 1 Mile Track: Turf Purse: $1,000,000
Contenders: Interactif, Bridgetown, Becky’s Kitten
Interactif in dominating fashion won the Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland to gain his bid and making him an early favorite for this race. In his previous race he won the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga going off at 15-1.
The Turf Sprint – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 2:23 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 6.5 Furlongs Track: Turf Purse: $1,000,000
Contenders: California Flag, Diamondrella, Gotta Have Her
California Flag earned a spot in the Turf Sprint with a win in the Grade 3 Morvich Handicap at Santa Anita. This horse is extremely fast out of the gate and if he gets an early lead he might run away from the field.
The Sprint – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 3:10 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 6 Furlongs Track: Dirt Purse: $2,000,000
Contenders: Zensational, Fatal Bullet, Capt. Candyman Can
Zensational earned is automatic bid with a win in the Grade 1 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar back in early September. He has not raced since, but is considered to be the odds on favorite to win this race.
The Juvenile – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 3:49 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 1 1/16 Mile Track: Dirt Purse: $2,000,000
Contenders: Lookin At Lucky, D’Funnybone, Noble’s Promise
Lookin At Lucky won the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita securing an automatic spot in this race. He has three other victories this season including a win in the Del Mar Futurity at Del Mar in September.
The Mile – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 4:28 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 1 Mile Track: Turf Purse: $2,000,000
Contenders: Cowboy Cal, Zacinto, Courageous Cat
Cowboy Cal earned an automatic bid for the Mile with a win in the Grade 2 Oak Tree Mile at Santa Anita in mid October. He has now won three stakes races in a row at Santa Anita which should make him one of the favorites for this race.
The Dirt Mile – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 5:12 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 1 Mile Track: Dirt Purse: $1,000,000
Contenders: Chocolate Candy, Mambo Meister, Bullsbay
Chocolate Candy had some big wins early in the season at Golden Gate Fields in the California Derby and the El Camino Real Derby. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer believes this horse will be better suited for the Dirt Mile, rather the Classic.
The Turf – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 5:57 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 1 ½ Mile Track: Turf Purse: $3,000,000
Contenders: Precious Passion, Dar Re Mi, Conduit
Precious Passion earned an automatic bid for the Turf by winning the United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park. He will most likely sprint into the lead from the gate and try to win by going wire to wire.
The Classic – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 6:45 P.M. (EST)
Distance: 1 ¼ Mile Track: Dirt Purse: $5,000,000
Contenders: Zenyatta, Mine That Bird, Quality Road
Zenyatta won the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic last year, but opted to run against the boys in this year’s Classic instead of defending her title. The 5 year old is currently undefeated in 13 previous starts, all against fillies and mares.
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