THE BREEDERS' CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Relive highlights from the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships
(Image and Footage : Breeders Cup)

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF RACING
“LET THE GAMES BEGIN”

A loaded field of 16, headed by unbeaten Zenyatta (Street Cry), was pre-entered for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs November 6, it was announced Wednesday.

The defending Classic heroine will face leading older horses Quality Road (Elusive Quality) and Blame (Arch), top three-year-old Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike), and Japanese invader Espoir City (Gold Allure) in the $5million centerpiece.

Turf champion Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) was cross-entered in the Classic and the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, while Goldikova (Anabaa) seeks a remarkable third straight win in the Mile. Workforce (King’s Best), victor of the G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and G1 Epsom Derby, will make the trip across the pond for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Leading two-year-olds Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) and Boys At Tosconova (Officer) are set to do battle in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Blind Luck (Pollard’s Vision) renews her rivalry with Havre de Grace (Saint Liam) in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup champions California Flag (Avenue of Flags) (Turf Sprint), Informed Decision (Monarchos) (F/M Sprint) and Midday (Oasis Dream) (F/M Turf) are back to defend their titles.

A record 184 horses, 26 from overseas, were pre-entered for the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

The 14 races will be televised live on ABC and ESPN.

“The overall depth and quality of this year’s pre-entered fields are higher than at any previous occasion,” said Tom Robbins, Chairman of the Breeders’ Cup Racing Directors/Secretaries Panel. “The international contingent is particularly strong and is bolstered by high ratings for Zenyatta, Workforce and Goldikova.”

Extract from Thoroughbred Daily News