10/27/2003

On Ladies Day at BC XX the cream comes to the top

They say that the cream always comes to the top. So Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup was a perfect example.

It was a veritable ‘Tour de Mandella’ as the Californian trainer won 50% of the races and saddled the first two home in the Juvenile. And the Niarchos family won their 5th . BC Mile with a homebred. Remarkable achievements.

On the day….our highlight was HALFBRIDLED, who looks like the next Ruffian. She had to run 100 yards further than her rivals, yet still destroyed them. And the good news is that, because she’s trained by such an excellent horseman for such considerate owners (the Wertheimer family), she’s not likely to be abused. So look out for her to run her unbeaten streak to a record.

SIX PERFECTIONS was another super filly (love her big ears) who benefited from a great ride from Jerry Bailey…..which was something she’s not always enjoyed this year. And, seeing her beat this star-studded field, its hard to believe that she got beat in both the English and Irish Guineas!

ISLINGTON and HIGH CHAPARRAL were magnificent, and wonderful testimonies to the skill of their respective handlers, Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien, who had targeted these races all year long, and brought their charges to post with plenty of gas left in the tank.

Otherwise….the main thing was that no horses got seriously hurt on this great day of racing at sunny Santa Anita. And we’ll always remember BC XX because of Julie Krone and Halfbridled. Indeed, maybe they are the superstars that racing has been looking for?

Next…….Who are the champions of 2003?