Columnist Ralph Siraco: Weekend sways opinions for Breeders’ Cup

Ralph Siraco

Monday, Oct. 19, 1998 | 11:34 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing notebooks appears Monday. His Southern California selections run on Scoreboard Tuesday-Friday.

The best of both worlds came to race handicappers and horse players in Las Vegas last weekend.

The National Handicapping contest at The Orleans hotel casino was the setting for top grade competition of the human and equine kind.

While horses from all divisions were making last ditch attempts for the cut in this year's Breeders' Cup on Nov. 7, a Breeders' Cup-like field of handicappers competed over the three-day challenge for a Breeders' Cup-like payday.

The main ballroom at the Tropicana and Arville property was laced with big screen televisions, simulcasting full-card racing programs from all over the country while races were ticking off in rapid-fire procession.

There were plenty of equine players moving in and out of the Breeders' Cup lineup as well.

With Breeders' Cup now less than three weeks away, some key weekend races changed the hopes and aspirations of some and secured a position for others in racing's championship day at the races.

Some pivotal weekend results:

On Friday, at Kenneland Race Course, Kentucky, the Vinery First Lady Stakes featured fillies and mares on the lawn. Jockey Chris McCarron, riding in a zone of late, reversed the form of Witchful Thinking and prevail in the 1 3/16 miles race. The usual pace runner was reserved off the pace and closed on the rail to outrun favorite Memories of Silver. The latter, ridden by Jerry Bailey, may have hampered her status for the Breeders' Cup.

Friday evening, at the Meadowlands, N.J., saw the half-million dollar Meadowlands Cup produce a new track record. One of the two California invaders, Musical Gambler, sizzled through the half-mile marker in :44:1, setting a suicide pace for the 1 1/8 miles event. As long shot K.J.'s Appeal picked up the pieces to win; the other Golden State invader, Hal's Pal, rallied for runner-up. Sir Bear was third while Concerto, Tomorrows Cat and Stormin Fever failed to fire.

As players in the Challenge jockeyed for the final day rally and paydirt, Saturday was a big day for 1997's Horse of the Year and a renewal of the rivalry of the grays.

At Keeneland, Favorite Trick made his turf debut in the Keeneland Breeders' Cup Mile while facing the returning Joyeux Danseur.

Unbeaten in four starts this year, Joyeux Danseur was to use the race for his Breeders' Cup Mile tightener. But, after the romp-in-the-park run by Favorite Trick, Danseur may miss the dance. Last year's Horse of the Year rolled from his outside post and took to the grass like a fish to water in an impressive gate-to-wire performance that left no doubt about his preferred surface for the Breeders' Cup. Now, it remains in the hands of trainer Bill Mott if Favorite Trick returns in the Mile.

Also at Keeneland on Saturday, the Spinster Stakes provided a solid challenger to the distaff division leader Sharp Cat. Banshee Breeze sat patiently to the far turn fo the 1 1/8 miles Distaff prep before unleashing her run that carried the sophomore filly to the winners circle. The Carl Nafzger trainee has earned the right to chase the Cat at Louisville.

Oak Tree at Santa Anita staged a pair of stakes on Saturday that are sure to provide West Coast challengers for the Breeders' Cup Sprint and Classic. The supporting feature Ancient Title Handicap saw Gold Land roar from last to first in the 6-furlong trip. A.P. Assay ran her heart out while battling in a heated duel before the winner tagger her speed in the shadow of the finish line. Dull outings by Old Topper and the Del Mar sensation Kona Gold may have ended a trip to Kentucky. Gold Land should have punched his ticket to the big show.

The featured Goodwood Handicap marked the return of the Silver Charm vs. Free House rivalry. The 1 1/8 miles event was round seven in the battle of the grays. Silver Charm had beaten his friend in four of six and bested Free House in all three Triple Crown races of 1997.

And he did it again. Score Quick set an honest pace to set up the mano-a-mano duel. As Free House put away the pacesetter, jockey Gary Stevens had Silver Charm at his throat latch. As Silver Charm started to inch away, jockey Chris McCarron knew that his partner would be second best to the Charm again.

Free House gives up the Breeders' Cup tail while Silver Charm is squarely on a collision course with the "now" gray Skip Away in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Owners Bob and Beverly Lewis have indicated they will pay the high eligibility fee to enter Silver Charm in the Classic with the potential Horse of the Year title on the line.

Sunday at Santa Anita, the Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile saw favorite Hawksley Hill overcome the slow early pace of Mr. Lightfoot and nailed that rival in the final strides of the lawn encounter. He should find the Breeders' Cup Mile with a livelier pace.

Also on the Sabbath at Keeneland, Partner's Hero ran away with the Phoenix BC while Team Lukas' Cat Thief ran down Answer Lively and stablemate Yes It's True finished third. All three may rematch in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.