Wide-open fields will make for exciting Breeders’ Cup

Ralph Siraco

Friday, Nov. 5, 1999 | 10:39 a.m.

On Saturday, thoroughbred racing will once again present its version of the World Series with its championship day at the races. This year, the Breeders' Cup will add an extra game to the series with the newly created race for fillies and mares who are marathon turf experts for a total of eight divisional events.

The most wide-open and competitive Breeders' Cup in the event's 16-year history awaits at Gulfstream Park, and every race will have an Eclipse Award on the line. Only one participant on Saturday -- Silverbulletday for 3-year-old filly honors -- is assured the year-end trophy before the title-deciding series of races.

With an overflow number of 102 entries and the unexpected track and turf conditions caused by unstable weather conditions, this Breeders' Cup will challenge the most avid race players, who will chase a $5 million-guaranteed Ultra Pick 6 pool over the final six Breeders' Cup events.

Although there is a record $13 million in purses, there are no preconceived standouts or superstars for this 16th running. Even Classic favorite Behrens must win the main event to garner the swing vote for Horse of the Year.

The Breeders' Cup has provided some of the great moments in the sport's history.

Who could forget the electrifying victory by Arazi in the 1991 Juvenile? Or Personal Ensign's photo-finish Distaff win in 1988 that punctuated a perfect record?

Cigar used the 1995 Classic victory as a stop along his modern-day consecutive win-streak record of 16. The 1987 Classic provided an exciting battle between two Kentucky Derby winners when 1986 winner Ferdinand beat that year's victor Alysheba. And the 1989 Triple Crown rivalry culminated with a Horse of the Year performance by Sunday Silence in the Classic at the hands of nemesis Easy Goer.

Trainer Bob Baffert -- who burst onto the racing scene this decade with his Triple Crown runners -- has seven entered in the Breeders' Cup. Three are morning-line favorites.

Breeders' Cup record-holder D. Wayne Lukas will saddle seven this year in the absence of his Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Charismatic.

Jockey Jerry Bailey rides all eight events and will try to win the Classic for a record fifth time, aboard Almutawakel. Jockey Pat Day, who has won more Breeders' Cup races -- 10 -- than any other rider, scales seven of the eight races this year. He hopes to repeat last year's Classic ride (winning with Awesome Again) aboard Cat Thief.

And then there are the Cinderella claimers River Keen and Budroyale that hope to fit the Classic slipper.

With full fields of 14 in six of the eight Breeders' Cup events, here is the race-by-race breakdown, in order of presentation:

The Distaff (3yo & up, Fillies & Mares) 1 1/8 miles, $2 million

This race is traditionally the smallest field and produces the most formful results. The problem this year is three contenders will challenge favorite Silverbulletday. They are Keeper Hill, Banshee Breeze and Beautiful Pleasure. Keeper Hill is fresh off a victory in the Spinster at Keeneland, which is the most productive Breeders' Cup prep race in the country. Beautiful Pleasure has beaten both Banshee Breeze and Silverbulletday in her last pair of victories -- the Personal Ensign and Beldame, respectively -- and moves way up in off going. Banshee Breeze will try to better her second-place finish in this event last year. But, if the track is dry, they'll still have to beat Silverbulletday. She boasts a career record of 14 victories and one second from 17 lifetime starts.

* Picks -- 1. Silverbulletday. 2. Beautiful Pleasure. Value Play -- Keeper Hill.

The Juvenile Fillies (2yo Fillies) 1 1/16 mile, $1 million

This event, like the Distaff, has been very formful. Favorites have won 53 percent of the time with 87 percent finishing in the money. Both previous Gulfstream Breeders' Cups produced winning favorites in this race. Sharp recent form is a must for this event. Trainer Bob Baffert will saddle one of his three morning-line favorites with Chilukki here. She is undefeated in six lifetime starts and has won races at three different tracks. She has keen speed but was rated just off the pace in her most recent victory at Santa Anita in the Oak Leaf Stakes.

Her most serious threats will come from the East Coast contingent of Surfside and Darling My Darling. Those two finished just that way in the recent Frizette at Belmont Park. Surfside battled back to regain the lead from her rival and many think she is cut from the same cloth as her Eclipse Award-winning mom Flanders, who accounted for the 1994 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies before her untimely retirement. Darling My Darling has finished second in her last pair of outings and needs to shake the bridesmaid syndrome. Of the others, Scratch Pad seems to be improving at the right time. Winner of the recent Alcibiades at Keeneland, she has reeled off three consecutive victories.

* Picks -- 1. Chilukki. 2. Surfside. Value Play -- Scratch Pad.

The Mile (3yo & Up) 1 mile on turf, $1 million

If you tune in when the horses break from the starting gate and think you've got a rerun of Ben Hur, don't change the channel. This race traditionally oversubscribes and the tight turns on an inner turf course, like the one at Gulfstream Park, make post position and race position paramount.

Europeans do well in these events and Jim And Tonic seems to be the best of those here. Of the pace types, Middlesex Drive comes off a gate-to-wire tally in the recent Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park. Keeneland Turf Mile winner Kirkwall won on the pace. If the course is soggy, he'll like it even better. Garbu has speed and will have to use it all from his 14 post position or get flagged for taking Bob Uecker's front-row seats in the grandstand. Mid-pack runners include Delay of Game, Lend A Hand, Tuzla, Brave Act and Jim And Tonic. Closers, who will need a realistic pace and racing luck, include Oak Tree Mile winner Silic, Susu and the hard-luck Hawksley Hill. The latter beat Jim And Tonic in the recent Atto Mile at Woodbine only to be disqualified because his rider hit Jim And Tonic with his whip. Pat Day says he'll make amends here.

In a wide-open affair, we suggest getting value at the betting windows and look for a tracker type. Then all you will need is a nod from the racing gods for luck.

* Picks -- 1. Delay Of Game. 2. Hawksley Hill. Value Play -- Jim And Tonic.

The Sprint (3yo & Up) 6 furlongs, $1 million

Another popular Breeders' Cup race that normally gets oversubscribed. Speed is the name of this game but too much gas produces a runaway freight train result. The regular Gulfstream Park meets usually favor speed, so early position is a must here.

Artax possesses hell-bent-for-leather speed as do Forestry, Kona Gold, Enjoy the Moment and Lexicon. The latter trio are California speed and with the 14 post position, Lexicon has only one way to go. Artax unleashed a monster effort in winning the Forest Hills in his most recent start and usually bounces off that kind of run. Forestry has beaten only sophomores, although 7-for-10 lifetime, but trainer Bob Baffert thinks he belongs. The closers include Big Jag, Furlough, Regal Thunder and the European Stravinsky. Trackers include Successful Appeal -- fresh from a Kentucky Cup Sprint victory -- Affirmed Success and Good And Tough. This grab bag may take a visit to the ATM to cover all the bases.

* Picks -- 1. Forestry. 2. Kona Gold. Value Play -- Stravinsky.

The Filly & Mare Turf (3yo & Up F & M) 1 3/8 miles on turf, $1 million

This inaugural running brings together an overflow field of marathon gals. Course condition and tempo of pace will dictate the winner here. Of the 14 entered, eight have either started their career or have come right over from Europe. Yellow Ribbon winner Spanish Fern will try to give trainer Bobby Frankel his first Breeders' Cup win from 30 previous failed attempts. She will be ridden by one of the best turf money riders in the business in Chris McCarron. Soaring Softly, one of the pure American runners, brings the Flower Bowl trophy to the party and has won 6 of 7 starts this year. Borgia returns from over the pond for another go at the Cup. She finished a close second in the 1997 Turf and will face her own gender for the first time since finishing second in the German Oaks in June 1997. Perfect Sting won in game fashion to take the Queen Elizabeth II Ch allenge Cup at Keeneland and will face older mares for the first time here. E P Taylor winner Insight brings a fine resume from France and Caffe Latte looms as a dangerous long shot here.

* Picks -- 1. Spanish Fern. 2. Soaring Softly. Value Play -- Caffe Latte.

The Juvenile (2yo) 1 1/16 miles, $1 million

This is the look-to-the-future handicap. Each year the winner becomes the futures book favorite for the next year's Kentucky Derby. None have turned the parlay since its inception. So let's just take it for what it is -- the race for juvenile title, period.

The average payoff falls in the 3-1 area and the two top contenders fall into that price range here. Trainer Bob Baffert brings in the promising Forrest Camp, who won the Del Mar Futurity then most recently finished second to Dixie Union in the Norfolk Stakes. Dixie Union regained top billing with that victory after his second in the Del Mar Futurity and three previous undefeated victories. This West Coast rivalry could spill into next year's sophomore season. Of the others, Champagne runner-up Chief Seattle and third-placed High Yield seem to pose the most solid threat to the West's pair. Baffert has a kicker in Keeneland's Breeders Futurity winner Captain Steve and the locals will be backing Kiss A Native who is undefeated in three lifetime starts at Calder Race Course. His combined winning margin for the trio of outings is 36 lengths. The only sure play here is throw out the winner in next year's Derby.

* Picks -- 1. Dixie Union. 2. Forrest Camp. Value Play -- Chief Seattle.

The Turf (3yo & Up) 1 1/2 miles on turf, $2 million

Another race to be dictated by tempo and a liking for the surface. Another oversubscribed race with plenty of time to gain a position.

Buck's Boy returns to defend his championship. He has had two races since his Turf win last year, but trainer Noel Hickey is pleased with his progress. Daylami represents the best hope from Europe although others could pop up with a winning effort over a soft turf. Daylami was off to the Far East when his connections changed plans to try here. He was scheduled to run in last year's Turf but was a race day scratch. His only stateside start was a victory in last year's Man O' War at Belmont Park and he most recently finished up the track in the Arc de Triomphe. Val's Prince is peaking at the right time while sitting on a pair of back-to-back Graded turf stakes wins and has a victory over the course. Trainer Bill Mott and jockey Jerry Bailey's presence make Yagli a player and Honor Glide has a chance off his sophomore form. The trip is the key here.

* Picks -- 1. Daylami. 2. Val's Prince. Value Play -- Yagli.

The Classic (3yo & Up) 1 1/8 miles, $4 million

This centerpiece event has no marquee superstar, although many have tried to make Behrens fit the bill. If he wins, he does. But ... he has lost his last pair of outings after winning four straight. He has finished in the quinella in all 8 starts this year and is certain to be an exotics play.

A pair of bona fide sophomores have credentials to barrel Behrens. Although Lemon Drop Kid has won only three races from eight starts this year, two have been the Belmont Stakes and the Travers Stakes. He can handle off going and is built for the part. Also built for the part is the California chestnut General Challenge. He, however, needs special handling to do his best. But he has been training up a storm at Gulfstream and needs only to behave during prerace activities to be tough. He is the only 3-year-old to beat older horses this year with a victory in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

River Keen is Baffert's Avis runner here, and the former claimer pulled off back-to-back Grade I victories in New York while waiting for this. He moves up on sloppy going. Finally, the bargain-basement claimer, Budroyale, could make this last Classic of the Century one for the blue-collar crew. Tagged for $50,000 in February of 1998 he has already banked over $1 million for his new owners that included a victory over General Challenge in the recent Goodwood Handicap at Oak Tree at Santa Anita. He epitomizes what this great game is all about.

* Picks -- 1. General Challenge. 2. Behrens. Value Play -- River Keen.

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