Monday, November 05 2012

RHYTHM OF LIGHT TAKES GRADE II GOLDIKOVA

ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2012)—In a racing first, English-bred Rhythm of Light, who won the Group II International Istanbul Trophy in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sept. 1, shipped to Santa Anita and won her U.S. debut on Sunday, the Grade II Goldikova Stakes for fillies and mares at one mile on turf as Santa Anita’s 24-day Autumn Meet drew to a close.

GOLDIKOVA STAKES QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

GARRETT GOMEZ, RHYTHM OF LIGHT, WINNER: “She always travels really well. She did everything like a class filly should, and she proved she was today. She was absolutely perfect about everything and traveled the last six furlongs exactly the way I wanted her to. She was never too keen or too much off the bridle and raced beautiful the whole time. When I asked her to pick up, she picked up great and came home nice. I didn’t have to ask her for too much.”

Breeders’ Cup Odds & Ends

Smith Takes Lead in Breeders’ Cup Victories

With his winning ride aboard Besilu Stable’s 4-year-old filly Royal Delta for trainer Bill Mott in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic Friday at Santa Anita, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith became the all-time leading rider of Breeders’ Cup winners with his 16th score, breaking out of a 15-15 tie with retired Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey.

Breeders’ Cup 2012 Winners Come From Near & Far

Stamping an exclamation point as a truly “global” event on the 15 races worth more than $25 million of the 29th Breeders’ Cup World Championships Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita was the remarkable diversity of origin of the winners and their connections as they came together from major racing centers throughout North America, England, Ireland and France in Europe, Argentina in South America and Japan.

Atlantic Hurricane has a passion for the Ontario Fashion

TORONTO, November 4 – Atlantic Hurricane, a chestnut daughter of Halo’s Image, took her second consecutive Ontario Fashion Stakes crown, nosing out a gutsy Youcan’tcatchme in Sunday’s Grade 3, $155,500 feature at Woodbine.

NYRA TO DONATE $100,000 TO AMERICAN RED CROSS

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced it will contribute to Hurricane Sandy disaster relief in New York with a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross.

“So many communities surrounding Aqueduct Racetrack and Belmont Park were devastated by Hurricane Sandy,” said NYRA President and Chief Operating Officer Ellen McClain. “We want to provide whatever support we can as these areas begin the long recovery process.”

Mike Smith Wins Bill Shoemaker Award

Mike Smith Wins Bill Shoemaker Award as
Most Outstanding Breeders’ Cup Jockey

Arcadia, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2012) – Powered by victories on Royal Delta in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic and Mizdirection in the Breeders’ Cup Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith has won the Bill Shoemaker Award as the most outstanding jockey of the 29th Breeders’ Cup World Championships, held November 2-3 at Santa Anita Park.

Breeders’ Cup - Odds and Ends

Ian Wilkes (Fort Larned, 1st, Classic) – Trainer Ian Wilkes had a not so surprising revelation Sunday morning, a little more than 12 hours after Fort Larned’s front-running victory in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“I didn’t sleep a lot last night,” Wilkes said after his first Breeders’ Cup victory. “It has not really sunk in yet.”

STABLE NOTES BY ED GOLDEN - Sunday November 4, 2012

• HORSE OF THE YEAR: WISE DAN OVER ROYAL DELTA

MILE RECORD-SETTER WISE DAN FAVORED TO WIN HORSE OF THE YEAR
As the dust settled Sunday on racing’s biggest stage following the sixth presentation of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita amidst the spectacular backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, the buzz on the backside was: Who’s going to be Horse of the Year?

CHURCHILL DOWNS BARN NOTES SUNDAY, NOV. 4, 2012

• HERNANDEZ REFLECTS ON CLASSIC BIRTHDAY PRESENT
• PLENTY OF SMILES ON CHURCHILL BACKSIDE MORNING AFTER BREEDERS’ CUP
• GRADE I WINNER DAISY DEVINE TOPS LIST OF CARDINAL PROBABLES

Sunday, November 04 2012

FORT LARNED WINS THRILLING BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC

FORT LARNED WINS THRILLING BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC,
OUT DUELS MUCHO MACHO MAN
BEFORE ON-TRACK CROWD OF 55,123 AT SANTA ANITA

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Bob Baffert got beat again in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. Bill Mott settled for half of a repeat sweep in the weekend's two biggest races.

Quotes for the $5 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic

Ian Wilkes (trainer, Fort Larned, 1st) – “We had to be there near the front and he was ready today. He had galloped great over the track. I knew we were good when he broke sharp. That’s where Brian (Hernandez) won the race. We broke sharp and Game On Dude broke bad. I trust Brian because the horse trusts Brian.

“Buff (Bradley) won (Filly & Mare Sprint with Groupie Doll) and Charlie (Lopresti) won (Mile with Wise Dan), and now I won. There was some pressure there after they won. I’m glad we all three did it, because we’re such great friends. We hit the trifecta.”