Columnist Ralph Siraco: Breeders’ Cup fields undergoing changes

Ralph Siraco

Monday, Oct. 6, 2003 | 9:26 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

Just six weeks ago, this 20th anniversary edition of the World Thoroughbred Championship Breeders' Cup was shaping up to be vintage.

The great filly Azeri still had a consecutive win streak in tact while preparing to defend her 2002 Distaff victory that led to Horse Of The Year honors. Argentine-bred Candy Ride had impressed his connections -- and most of the racing world -- with a smashing Pacific Classic victory at Del Mar that prompted them to lean toward a six-figure supplemental fee for a Breeders' Cup Classic berth.

The promising but underachieving Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker seemed to be on track to actually make a Breeders' Cup prep race and there was still a remote chance that the connections of Perfect Drift might be persuaded to join the parade if just for the good old cold hard cash of it all.

And then there was Mineshaft. He just kept his perch atop the handicap division as he continued to win Grade I races in timely fashion.

So, what happened? Pinch me, I'm dreaming!

Now, Azeri has a bonafide challenger in recent Beldame victress Sightseek -- if the champion makes the Cup at all -- after her lackluster defeat in the recent Lady's Secret Handicap at Santa Anita. Candy Ride is doing a little R & R instead of suiting up for the big show. Empire Maker turned into an equine hypochondriac and has since been retired. Perfect Drift continues to find six-figure pots of gold at the end of less-traveled racing rainbows while showing no signs of slowing down.

And, now the top, top dog is done. Rumors turned into reality on Friday when the connections of Mineshaft pulled the plug on his racing career.

Whaaaat? While Major League Baseball rolls through its postseason whittling down to two to battle in the World Series and the National Football League is in full steam toward its playoffs, horse racing is losing its players before the main event is played.

First, Candy Ride destroys Medaglia d'Oro in the Pacific Classic. Then, trainer Ron McAnally declares that his lightly race superstar needs time to rest. Not that the horse is injured, but, because Candy Ride -- who has had three races total this year -- needs time off. Three winning races. Candy Ride's shoes have been removed to let "his feet grow wider." Never mind he didn't have a workout for weeks after the Del Mar win, then the announcement.

Since the Belmont Stakes, every time Empire Maker came close to starting in a race, he would cough or limp his way back to the barn, getting another note from his trainer to ditch school again. Now going to stud, no more notes, unless the strapping son of 1990 Horse Of The Year Unbridled is shy of girls.

Azeri was found to have a low blood count. Her connections believe the condition led to her listless defeat, but, now it is nip and tuck to make the show at all.

Mineshaft is the latest untimely Breeders' Cup defection. Just when it seemed a healthy and hearty division leader was headed for the big show, his connections reveal that the heavyweight has had his problems. Problems that no one had a clue about until after his Jockey Club Gold Cup victory at Belmont Park on Sept. 27.

As the story goes, Mineshaft developed a non-displaced bone chip in his right front ankle after he scored a lopsided victory in the July 5 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park. He returned to win the Woodward at the same track with even more ridiculous ease before his dominating victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Neil Howard, Mineshaft's trainer, said that the bone chip finally worked loose in his last race. Veterinarian Foster Northrop, who had been monitoring Mineshaft closely, also discovered other problems that contributed to the decision of retirement before the Oct. 25 Breeders' Cup Classic. Northrop said he discovered degeneration in the third carpel bone in Mineshaft's right knee and another small non-displaced chip in his left front ankle.

Wow, all of that and Mineshaft still overpowered his opposition.

While we applaud and unconditionally support all efforts to protect the well being of our equine stars over any competitive engagements, one has to wonder about the timing and disclosure of such discoveries.

Was the Woodward or Jockey Club Gold Cup so coveted as to risk Mineshaft's health? More important than the Breeders' Cup Classic? If he had those multiple problems then, than why put him at risk after the Suburban at all? Is Candy Ride really so anemic that a fifth start of the year in the Breeders' Cup is out of the question? Or maybe another such Dr. Northrop is lingering in Southern California?

Just points to ponder. Another is now at hand.

The connections of Perfect Drift have always maintained that their horse will show up where the money outweighs the competition. And, an Eclipse Award or Horse Of The Year honor are of little importance to a horse that cannot produce. So, with such stiff competition now gone and a $4 million purse on the line, can or will the Perfect Drift camp head for the Golden State in search of a big pot of gold at the end of the biggest rainbow. The gutty gelding was the last one to beat Mineshaft and he has already taken the measure of Congaree who now one of the major contenders for the Breeders' Cup Classic. Would a Medaglia d'Oro or possibly a fresh Pleasantly Perfect be enough to keep Perfect Drift from competing?

Time, and oh yeah, the rumor mill will tell.

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