On 'Redux' and 'Records'

--Brian DiDonato

Media coverage of Rapid Redux’s win streak highlights a widespread manipulation of fact for the sake of a “good” story, and also demonstrates the necessity for the sport to better define historical periods and class levels and keep better records.

In the week or so leading up to Rapid Redux’s quest for 19 wins in a calendar year at Laurel Tuesday, it was generally accepted by the media that a victory by the 5-year-old would tie him for some sort of record with Hall of Famers Roseben and Citation. That “record” required one to ignore any horse who competed before 1900, and to rule out Camarero’s incredible feats in Puerto Rico in the 1950s because they did not occur in continental North America.

A further wrinkle was added when Doug Salvatore, a sharp horseplayer and contributor to the Erie Times-News, discovered Donald Macdonald, who won 22 races at American tracks in 1913.

We confirmed Donald Macdonald’s record with The Jockey Club, and ran a story in last Saturday’s TDN, but other media outlets ignored this new find--even after Rapid Redux won on Tuesday. A vocal minority continued to point out Donald Macdonald’s exploits, however, and eventually most stories covering Rapid Redux’s record were changed to credit him with tying a “modern era” record held by Citation alone.

From May 5, 1921 edition of Daily Racing Form - "Veteran Stars of the Turf: Groups of the 5-year-old and Over Leaders for the Last 16 Years of American Racing"
http://kdl.kyvl.org/drf/

Of course, this distinction brings up an obvious question--what do we define as the "modern era" in North American horse racing?

The general definition of the term “modern era” is too vague to bring clarity to this situation, and racing itself does not have any set cut-off for what should be considered modern. There have been many benchmarks in the history of American racing--some which occurred before Donald Macdonald (i.e. the introduction of pari-mutuel wagering in 1908) and some that occurred after (i.e. the common use of starting gates around 1940)--but there is no obvious reason to choose one or another... unless you’re looking to make a story seem more interesting or important than it actually is.

It seems that if one wishes to separate Rapid Redux from Donald Macdonald, he must also separate Rapid Redux from Citation. Racing has changed drastically from 1948 to now--to lump Rapid Redux and Citation into the same era would be inaccurate or arbitrary, especially if we are unwilling to also include “The Donald.”

I’d go as far as to say that Rapid Redux holds the “modern era” record--which would probably best be marked by the introduction of the Breeders’ Cup in 1984--(for non-stakes horses) all on his own.

Horse racing is different from other sports because, despite holding races at varying class levels and implementing a grading system, we do not have a designated “major league”--at least not explicitly.

In the eyes of many racing fans and members of the media, when it comes to records involving totals or streaks, a win is a win. But to say that Rapid Redux’s victories, which came against small fields of horses who at one point were dangled by their connections for bargain basement prices, are equal to those of Citation, Cigar, Zenyatta or even Awesome Feather is absurd.

What makes a seasonal or career sports record worthy of celebration is that it is the product of extreme talent or success at the highest level over a significant period of time.

Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18 major championships was achieved by defeating the best golfers of his generation at some of the most challenging venues; Barry Bonds’s home run records (controversies surrounding them not withstanding) came against the best pitchers in the world; and, perhaps most relevant, Cal Ripken, Jr.’s record for consecutive games played was only noteworthy because of the level at which he competed 2,632 times in a row.

Someone who has played in 2,633 men’s league softball games cannot stake claim to Ripken’s record, and nobody mentions Crash Davis in the same breath as Babe Ruth when he breaks the minor league record for career home runs in the 1988 film “Bull Durham.”

Truly important records are only approachable by the absolute best competitors of a given sport. How many thousands of horses over the course of history could win each race that Rapid Redux did if given the same opportunity?

All this isn’t to say that Rapid Redux isn’t a nice enough horse or that what he has accomplished should be completely ignored. He won more times in 2011 than Tizway, Havre de Grace and Drosselmeyer started combined, and he has shipped far more than most stakes horses. Plus, the mainstream publicity he has garnered can’t be bad for racing (nor will it prove to be particularly positive--we have seen that stories of this type have no meaningful impact on the racing economy. The 2011 Breeders’ Cup, the first post-Zenyatta, showed declines in handle despite an additional race.).

But seemingly serious calls for Rapid Redux to be named Horse of the Year or to receive a special Eclipse Award are extremely misguided and overzealous. He’s a gutsy horse who has managed to buck the trend of runners making fewer and fewer starts per year, but what he has done must be viewed within its context and with a healthy dose of perspective.

Review: HBO's Luck

--Justina Severni

The pilot episode of HBO’s new series “Luck” is exactly what you’d expect of a horse racing drama airing on HBO. The show, created by David Milch, is dramatic, mysterious and shows the seedier side of the sport as well as the people associated with it. From a purely cinematic standpoint, the show looks promising. Its dark tone is conveyed in both the gritty subject matter and the green tinted lens used throughout the pilot to create a grimy distortion of beautiful Santa Anita Park. The acting is solid, and it appears that both Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte will be able to carry the show with their talent and ability to portray powerful, tormented characters. “Luck” doesn’t come off as a television show about horse racing, rather a show that will use horse racing as a vehicle in which to tell the stories of its characters. The racetrack brings together people from diverse backgrounds, providing Milch an easy common tie between plot lines and characters.

As with most dramas, “Luck” is an extremely exaggerated picture of life. The distortion between the price of the Pick 6 ticket and the number of picks was one of the most obvious to those familiar with the sport. Some of the characters such as the wise old trainer, naive youngster and the band of degenerate gamblers, come off as stereotypical, but hopefully they will become more fully formed throughout the season. The shadiness of the characters and actions in “Luck” must be taken by any reasonable viewer with a grain of salt. Its characters and plot lines create good drama, not a realistic portrayal of reality.

Although “Luck” focuses on the uglier side of the sport, I don’t think it will necessarily negatively affect horse racing. I’m sure the cringe inducing breakdown scene won’t send viewers immediately flocking to the track, but the show overall might at least get a wider audience interested in the sport. If the positive cinematic portrayals of racing in “Seabiscuit” and “Secretariat” didn’t encourage viewers to take to the track, that demographic won’t change its opinion based on an HBO show. However, the demographic HBO is most often viewed by, males ages 18-34, might become more interested in racing, or more specifically gambling. Becoming well-versed in handicapping is not as easy as picking up casino games, but portrayals of handicapping/betting in “Luck” might make it seem less intimidating to younger generations. The pilot alone introduced the Pick 6 to many of its viewers.

At this point, with the numerous problems within the industry, simply reminding people that horse racing is still around is helpful. In the state the sport is in, any news is good news. Racing fans can only hope that the goriness of the drama stays off the track (it appears in the preview that the setting will branch out from the track with a shot of a blood drenched boat), that viewers don’t believe the show to be an accurate representation of the industry, and that it at least piques the viewer’s interest in the sport.

Justina Severni is a recent graduate of Trinity College in Hartford. Her interest in horses started when she began riding on at her family farm in Connecticut, and has continued through her years of riding and training. She first experienced the track during a vacation to Saratoga Springs, and her love of horses and the thrill of racing has kept her watching ever since.

Zodiac: The King of Maryland

-Sarah Andrew

No drive to Kentucky is complete without a visit to Zodiac, one of the gamest Thoroughbreds I've ever met.

You can read about Zodiac in my June 2011 post on the TDN blog (click here). The 8-year-old stakes-winning Thoroughbred gelding was placed in the care of Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Woodbine, MD after he and over 50 other horses were seized as a result of a West Virginia cruelty case.

For many months, Zodiac's condition was touch-and-go, from his severely emaciated condition, to the ulcers in his digestive system and eyes, to the fevers, to the lymphangitis. I followed the Days End Notes from the Barn blog every day, smiling with every improvement and wincing with every setback. I visited the farm twice during his most critical times; despite his weakened condition, he always turned his head to greet visitors in his stall.

In November 2010, he took his first walk without the sling (video).

In May 2011, he put on a show for me in his paddock, leaping and playing with wild abandon.

In December 2011, I planned a quick trip to Kentucky, and of course, stopped to visit my friend Zodiac on my way. Gone was the brittle coat and gaunt frame. Before me stood a handsome chestnut, full of life and basking in the attention of the volunteers at the rescue.

He no longer stood meekly for photos, but instead tossed his head impatiently if I took too long setting up my shots.

His coat glowed, eyes full of life, and he carried himself with pride. During our session, he posed this way and that; it is such a joy to photograph a horse like Zodiac.

I wasn't sure if "Zody" would appreciate wearing a wreath and Santa hat for his Christmas photo, but he handled his new attire with aplomb, carrying the pine wreath like a blanket of roses. I should have known that the "Miracle Horse" would not disappoint me.

Although his racing days are over, Zodiac continues to earn money and gain loyal fans. A recent calendar contest raised over $15,000 for the rescue, and my photo of Zodiac was selected for the cover. You can learn more about the efforts of Days End Farm Horse Rescue at this link or by visiting their page on Facebook.

Second Chances...

--Steve Sherack

TDN’s Racing Editor Steve Sherack reveals three more maidens to keep an eye on this winter in his latest installment of Second Chances. Click here to view previous entries.

James Hirschmann III and B J Wright’s BOAT TRIP (c, 2, Harlan’s Holiday--Turning Wheel {GSW-Fr, $142,092}, by Seeking The Gold), a $100,000 OBSMAR purchase, has gained valuable racing experience during his first two trips to post for conditioner Michael Pender in Southern California.

Co-owned and trained by the red-hot connections of GI Hollywood Derby and GII Oak Tree Derby upsetter Ultimate Eagle (Mizzen Mast) and the classy GII Citation H. winner Jeranimo (Congaree), the bay debuted with a close fifth at 95-1 after enduring a wide trip in a key race at Santa Anita Nov. 5 (TDN Video).

The form for that heat has held up quite well with the first three finishers already returning with big efforts, led by the top two Hodge (City Place) and Brother Francis (Lion Heart) resurfacing with placings in the GIII Hollywood Prevue S. Nov. 24; third-place finisher Bling Cha Bling (Too Much Bling) switched to grass to earn his diploma in style at Hollywood Dec. 10. 

Backed at 15-1 in his second career start in Inglewood Nov. 27 (TDN Video), Boat Trip was closer to the pace after being dealt a more favorable inside draw. Under a nice hold in third through a sharp opening quarter in :21.98, the half-brother to G3 UAE 2000 Guineas third Rallying Cry (War Chant) was guided out three wide on the turn for home, and kept on coming in the stretch to complete the trifecta, only 3/4 of a length behind $825,000 OBSAPR topper Macho Rocket (Macho Uno).

The final time for the six-furlong affair was 1:10.06. Boat Trip, bred in Kentucky by Galleria Bloodstock and Samac, received a 75 Beyer Speed Figure.

“It’s the perfect prototypical progression of a racehorse,” explained Pender, who maintains a select 20-horse string. “He seems to be taking everything in stride and he’s really starting to come around now. He’s our big horse for next year.”

Pender added that Boat Trip could re-appear in a mile dirt race at Santa Anita Dec. 29. He has returned to the worktab with a five-furlong move in 1:01.40 at Hollywood Park Dec. 7.

The well-bred SIR BOND (c, 2, Street Sense--Emmaus, by Silver Deputy), out of an unraced daughter of the bluehen mare La Affirmed (Affirmed), appears poised for bigger and better things following an encouraging debut second behind the talented Hierro (Hard Spun) (Sept. 8 Second Chances graduate) at Churchill Downs Nov. 9 (TDN Video).

Given a 9-1 chance, the Jerry Durant colorbearer was away from the stalls awkwardly and trailed the field of 10 through an opening quarter in :23.19. He began to pick up the pace with an eye-catching wide rally on the turn for home and finished with interest to report home a clear-cut second, 5 1/4 lengths behind the aforementioned “TDN Rising Star.”

The final time for seven furlongs was 1:23 3/5. Sir Bond, a $260,000 KEEAPR graduate, earned a solid 74 Beyer. The half-brother to MGSW Wiseman’s Ferry (Hennessy) was bred in Kentucky by Nursery Place and Robert T. Manfuso.

Under the watchful eye of veteran trainer Neil Howard, Sir Bond has remained busy on the worktab since his unveiling. He has posted four subsequent workouts, most recently covering four furlongs in :50 at Fair Grounds Dec. 11.

TREASURED UP (f, 2, Medaglia d’Oro--Melisma, by Well Decorated), a $450,000 FTSAUG yearling acquisition by Spendthrift Farm, rounds out the lot.

Backed at 5-2 to get it right at first asking in an 11-horse field beneath the lights at Turfway Park Dec. 3 (TDN Video), the dark bay reported home a respectable second, beaten three lengths.

Ridden along early to chase in third through an opening quarter in :22.45 over the tricky Polytrack, the half-sister to millionaire Choctaw Nation (Louis Quatorze) stayed one-paced after switching to her right lead in the stretch while chasing the wire-to-wire winner to the finish. She earned a 64 Beyer.

Trained by Al Stall Jr., a change in surface to dirt (likely to come at Fair Grounds) and some added distance should help do the trick from this pricey filly. She was bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Farm.

Bienvenue, Peb!

--suefinley

   Sometimes, when the economic news in our industry is bad, and the PR is bad, and I'm having a bad day at the TDN offices, I find it helpful to take a deep breath, close my eyes, and remember what it was that I initially loved about this industry so much, anyway.

   For me, the same few things usually come to mind. The joy of going to Belmont Park as a teenager with eight hard-earned dollars, and coming home with twelve. I picture the Affirmed-Alydar Belmont. Steve Cauthen. An afternoon spent by the Saratoga paddock. And stopping on the way to high school to buy the Daily Racing Form and seeing what Peb had drawn for that day's Equine Comedy.

   When I was about 16, I took a tour of the Saratoga backstretch in one of those trams you always see trolling around at the Spa. The highlight of it, for me, was the book of Peb's sketches they gave you at the end of it. I can still see it to this day; printed in landscape, with a brown glossy cover, full of sketches that brought the horses to life.

   I've always humanized animals in my mind's eye; have always imagined what they were thinking and feeling, pictured them as ironic, funny, sarcastic. Steve Crist used to tease me, and say, `You know what they're thinking, Sue? `Da dum dum dum. Da dum dum dum.'

   But Peb? Peb got it. Peb knew what horses were secretly thinking, and it was way more clever than I had even imagined. We were kindred spirits, I felt (only he was really talented, and I was, well, not.)

   Adding to my love of Peb was the fact that I was (and am) a total Francophile. My dad was a French teacher, and I studied the language all through grammar school and high school, and, having no chance to actually be sent to France on my dad's high school teacher's salary, settled for making it my major in college.

Peb: a self-portrait.    http://www.pebsite.com/



   But two years in a row, I had an exchange student from France, Sophie, and if she had very little interest in learning English, I was more than happy to speak French with her all day long, copying her accent and learning idiomatic expressions. It was the peak of my French abilities in life, and it was good timing, too.

   She loved the racetrack, and we spent a couple of weeks at Saratoga, where one day, we happened to walk past Peb and his son, Remi, who were, naturally, speaking French with one another. Sophie turned and replied to something Remi had said, and we all struck up a conversation in French. Near the end of our chat, Peb turned to me and asked, "When are you going back home to France?" I said, "I'm not from France. I'm from Connecticut." He was somewhat confused and said, "But you live now in France?" I told him I had never even been to France, but had learned the language in school. He genuinely appeared shocked that it wasn't my native language. To this day, I think it's the nicest compliment anyone has ever paid me. (Hearing me speak now, he probably wonders how he ever made such a mistake.)

   So imagine my delight to be told by my co-publisher, Barry Weisbord, a few months ago that Peb was interested in working with the TDN, and I was to bring that to fruition. In case you missed it, his take on the Arizona symposium, his first sketch in the TDN, is on page 6 in the Wednesday, Dec. 7 edition.



Eric Beitia rode Salduci to Pierre Bellocq Jr.'s first win as a
trainer, but his real victory was being sketched by Peb.
Peb's other son, Remi, is holding the horse,
with Peb to his left.



   Talking to him and working out the details over the past few months has been nothing short of one of the greatest privileges I've ever had in racing. In one of our earliest conversations, I told him that when I was 17 or so, I had a friend, Eric Beitia, who had come from a poor childhood in Panama to try to make it in New York. He was having some success as an apprentice at Aqueduct, and one day, after he was done riding, I handed him the Daily Racing Form with a sketch that Peb had drawn of him. He sat in the stands for the longest time, staring at the picture, and he finally said that this--being sketched by Peb--much more than any individual victory, was how he knew he had finally made it.

   Peb was moved by the story; Eric was tragically killed a few years later by a hitchhiker looking to steal his car, and Peb told me that he had done the sketch when Eric had ridden Salduci for his son, Pierre, giving him his first win as a trainer. He sent me the win photo.

   Racing's troubles are well-documented. But it has its marvelous aspects, as well. And if you're making a list of things that are great about racing, in my mind, Peb sits comfortably near the top of that list. At 84 years old, he's a treasure.

   The TDN is immeasurably proud to bring our audience his work, and I am personally honored to have a small role in letting the imaginations of his horses be heard once again.

It's Never Too Early to Have a Derby Horse

--Brian DiDonato

With the 2011 racing season mostly wrapped up, it’s time to shift focus back to the soon-to-be 3-year-olds who will find their way onto the Triple Crown trail. The Derby horse profile is pretty well-established at this point. You’re generally looking for an individual with 2-year-old foundation--but not too much--who gives the impression that he still has room to improve and mature in the coming year. A stout pedigree is a must, and the more under-the-radar at this point, the better for bragging rights and future wagers.

With all that in mind, my early, sure to change six times (it already has once) Derby horse is GII Remsen S. fourth-place finisher Done Talking (Broken Vow).

Owned by Midlantic-based Skeedattle Stable and trained by Hamilton Smith, the bay is out of the Dixieland Band mare Dixie Talking, who was a Maryland-bred stakes winner going long at two in 2004 and a winner of the seven-furlong GIII Cicada S. the following season in her final of four career starts. Dixie Talking, who also produced a 2-year-old stakes winner of last year, is out of Gin Talking (Allen’s Prospect), a four-time stakes winner at nine furlongs who annexed the 2000 GIII Anne Arundel S. by four lengths. She was also second in a 10-furlong handicap.

Done Talking’s sire, Broken Vow (Unbridled), was a MGSW at 1 1/8 miles and Grade I-placed at 1 1/4 miles. His top earner to date is Unbridled Belle, a pure router who was a GSW and MGISP at 1 1/4 miles and a GISW at 1 1/8 miles. His other top progeny include Sassy Image, a MGISW sprinter this year who proved she could handle a route of ground when taking the GIII Pocahontas S. and GII Golden Rod S. in 2009; GISW sprinter/miler Cotton Blossom; MGSW turf router Interactif, who was second in the 10-furlong GII Virginia Derby; GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. winner Private Vow; Canadian MGSW Matt’s Broken Vow, winner of the 1 3/8-mile Canadian Derby; and, most recently, this past Saturday’s winner of the nine-furlong GIII Fred W. Hooper H. at Calder, Jimanator.

Done Talking’s pedigree suggests he should have no problem with Classic distances, and his performance on the track further supports that notion.

After finishing up well to be third sprinting on debut at Delaware in August, Done Talking filled the same slot, beaten eight lengths by a runaway winner who set an average pace on a loose lead, trying an extended mile Sept. 10 (video). He traveled greenly for much of that race, found himself in tight several times, and never gave the impression that he would hit the board before figuring it all out far too late and running on for a piece.

Backed down to 4-5 when returning in a similar spot Oct. 18, Done Talking finally broke through despite another eventful trip (video). Last from the gate, he was guided to the rail by Rosie Napravnik and briefly moved up to travel in a perfect stalking position in third. He got a bit keen at that point, however, and Napravnik wrangled him back to last behind a pace that was absurdly slow--21 points below par early on the Moss Pace Figure scale. It appeared on the far turn as if Done Talking was floundering a bit, but he tipped out as they straightened and, after a brief bobble, leveled off nicely to score geared down by 1 3/4 lengths.

Done Talking overcame a similarly slow pace to take a one-mile allowance at Parx Nov. 7 by the same margin in his final prep for the Remsen (video). Odds-on choice Yourhonorandglory (Lawyer Ron), who was coming off a 7 3/4-length graduation tally, controlled the pace and opened up a three-length advantage turning for home, but he could not hold off the resolute rally of Done Talking, who came home a full second faster than the chalk. Yourhonorandglory did appear to be struggling with the trip late, but he returned to score as the 3-2 choice going slightly farther back at Parx Monday, earning a 78 Beyer.

Let go at 21-1 in the Remsen, Done Talking again found himself too far back off glacial early splits--this time 11 points below par according to Moss (video). Still in dead last at the head of the lane while full of run, he weaved his way through horses to come up just a length short. The bay covered his final furlong in :11.97--very fast for a 2-year-old going nine furlongs for the first time--and significantly quicker than winner O’Prado Again (El Prado {Ire})’s come-home time of :12.32.

Done Talking earned a 78 Beyer Speed Figure for his Remsen--certainly nothing off the charts--but he has gotten progressively faster in each of his races despite
less-than-perfect set-ups/trips. There’s no reason he can’t continue to improve and get faster, plus it’s not like this year’s 2-year-olds have been running many big figures. He’s a progressive sort that should appreciate 10 furlongs--now he just needs to earn his way into the starting gate for the first Saturday in May.

Win or Lose; it's still the Breeders' Cup

by Christina Bossinakis

   I arrived in Louisville early Thursday morning, and was promptly greeted by gloom and torrential rains that were making their way through the area. After a brief visit to the Churchill Downs press box, I headed over to check into my hotel and ready for the evenings festivities. On my dance card was a cocktail party hosted by celebrity chef Bobby Flay and TDN Publisher Barry Weisbord. Upon arrival, guests were greeted with a refreshing Vodka-based cocktail (Grey Goose, of course). Held in a local airport hangar (I know it sounds odd, but one would never know where they actually were once inside), the event featured live music in addition to an international panel of chefs (reportedly hand picked by Mr. Flay), who were offering delectable creations from 15 countries. With tremendous flags arranged in a cubic shape hanging from above, each mini stage was adorned with white lights and linens, making it resemble something right off the planet Krypton (yes, I’m referring to Superman’s birthplace). Each station presented food from a particular country on one side of the platform, while the opposing side offered a corresponding cocktail meant to compliment the fare. I must admit, I’ve been to quite a few pre-race press parties along the way, but this definitely was the most novel and inspired. Many industry notables were on the scene and Bobby, who was in fine form, was as good a host as one could ask for.

   After a couple of cocktails, a group of us headed over to the renowned Louisville-area French restaurant, Le Relais. Among those in the party were CHRB Chairman Keith Brackpool, Coolmore’s inimitable Richard Henry, Bo Derek (looking great, but minus the braids--sorry guys), Bloodstock agent Patrick Lawley-Waklin, who has been associated with such powerhouses as Sam-Son Farms and the Evans family, and the connections of Miss Match, who was slated to run in Friday’s GI Ladies' Classic. The mare, who won last March’s GI Santa Margarita S., was represented by trainer Neil Drysdale, his wife Shawn Dugan (who gets a special shout out as an entertainment director extraordinaire), in addition to the Australian contingent--the mare’s owner Matthew Cloros and Arrowfield’s Jon Freyer, who secured the filly for Cloros before her Grade I score (insert applause here). An amusing side note: Having called North America my home since birth, and having visited Australia only once, I had never laid eyes upon the Sydney-based owner of the mare, so I had always imagined somebody born in the era of the second World War. In fact, Matt is a young entrepreneur (he is the master behind the ultra- successful Australian company Redback Boots), and who, I’m told, is quite attractive (that’s an affirmative ladies). But back to the restaurant. Although a little tricky to find--as Mr. Henry might attest--the venue’s food and wine definitely lived up to all the hype. But in my mind, my dinner company was, without a doubt, the best feature of the evening. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by an amazingly accomplished group of people that are not only razor sharp and seriously passionate about our sport, but who are also as down to earth and fun as anybody you’re ever going to meet. Good times.

   With Thursday’s rains having passed through, Friday dawned dry, albeit cloudy. It was just a typical fall day in Kentucky, cool but not frigid. By the time the first Breeders’ Cup race of the afternoon went off, however, the sun had broken through and warmed things up considerably. Stationed in the Turf Club with many of the principals from the night before, we were greeted by a good day of racing, punctuated by a seriously impressive performance by Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton’s My Miss Aurelia. It represented a bit of a full-circle moment for me since I was actually at Keeneland and covered the story for the TDN when she sold as a yearling for $550,000 in 2010. Even though I don’t have a vested interest in these horses, I always find myself so appreciative of watching them grow and develop into top shelf performers, and even more so, when they become champions. My Miss Aurelia’s performance definitely made it difficult to vote for anybody else at the end of the year, that’s for sure.

Left to right: Reiley McDonald, Patrick Lawley-Wakelin, Shawn Dugan, Jon Freyer,
Matt Cloros & Christina Bossinakis

   While everybody in the Miss Match camp was having a good old time early in the card, it became increasingly evident as the anticipation and nervousness began to mount as the final Breeders’ Cup race of the day approached. Even with the sun’s appearance earlier, the track still retained a lot of moisture in it by the time the Ladies’ Classic went off. In the moments leading up to the race, the excitement among the Argentine-bred’s connections was palpable. While horses had shown they could come from off the pace during the day, Miss Match--a well-reputed closer--seemed like she might belie her 8-1 odds. As it turned out, she didn’t have the cleanest of trips and took more than her fair share of mud in her face, prompting a mud-caked Garrett Gomez to conclude that she had no way of seeing through the all the muck and mire. It is my understanding that the mare will head to the breeding shed next season, and she has certainly done enough to warrant it. One side note: you can often gage the merits of a person by the way they handle victory as well as defeat, and the 6-year-old’s connections, above all her owner, showed exemplary class after a pretty tough result. While things might not have gone quite as planned for some of the other participants in the race as well, the connections of Royal Delta were certainly rewarded generously, which continued into this week when she brought $8.5 million at the Keeneland November sale. It reminds me of earlier telecasts of Wide World of Sports that kicked off with the phrase ‘The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.’ I guess if you’ve been in this game long enough, you have experienced both in good measure.

   Following the race, the Miss Match team lingered for another drink (or maybe it was two?) before adjourning to a very enjoyable dinner. I must admit, the whole experience underscored something that I’ve known for some time but sometimes forget. There is so much time, not to mention a boatload of preparation, put in to get a horse to a Breeders’ Cup race, so it goes without saying that losing is a real drag (I actually had another word in mind here). But for so many that devote heaps of energy and resources to the game, it is obvious that people’s love of the sport and, simply being part of a great day of racing like the Breeders’ Cup, makes it all worth it, win or lose.