Breeders’ Cup 2011: Saturday News and Notes
Less than a week to go before the 2011 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs, which means it’s time for final preparations and decisions as to which races some of the contenders will ultimately enter. Below is a summary of the news and notes for Saturday, Oct. 29th.
- The connections of Winchester, one of the contenders for the Turf, decided that the colt will not run at the Breeders’ Cup. Trainer Christophe Clement stated that the colt didn’t scope well following his work this morning at Belmont Park, and that neither him nor the owner were comfortable running in the Turf. Winchester was 4th in last year’s Turf.
- Cozi Rosie, a contender for the Filly & Mare Turf, has sustained a minor injury and will not travel to Kentucky this week.
- Leading Horse of the Year candidate Havre de Grace will officially by-pass the Ladies’ Classic to take on the boys in the Classic. She was cross-entered in both races but was widely expected to run against the colts. Today, trainer Larry Jones confirmed those plans.
- Defending Turf Sprint Champion Chamberlain Bridge worked a half-mile in 50.60 seconds over the Churchill Downs turf course on Saturday morning.
- Aruna, the recent winner of the Spinster Stakes at Keeneland, is cross-entered in both the Ladies’ Classic and the Filly & Mare Turf. The filly has never run over a dirt in her career (all of her starts have come over turf or synthetic surfaces), and trainer Graham Motion is leaning towards having her start in the Filly & Mare Turff following this morning’s work over the Churchill Downs main track.
- Dullahan, winner of the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland over the Polytrack, will run in the Juvenile at the Breeders’ Cup, not the Juvenile Turf. Dullahan is a half-brother to 2009 Kentucky Derby champion Mine That Bird.
The post position draw for the 2011 Breeders’ Cup will take place on Monday, Oct. 31st at 1pm Eastern. You can follow the draw at SB Nation’s horse racing community, And Down The Stretch They Come. If you’re new to the Breeders’ Cup and want to know more about the event, check out A Beginner’s Guide to the Breeders’ Cup.
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