Columnist Ralph Siraco: A year later, two newcomers ready to stir up Breeders’ Cup

Ralph Siraco

Monday, Sept. 8, 2003 | 9:47 a.m.

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

What a difference a year makes. Wait, not even.

Last year at this time, Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner War Emblem and Travers Stakes winner Medaglia d'Oro were the upstarts from the sophomore class taking on the handicap division that was headed by Milwaukee Brew, Evening Attire and eventual Breeders' Cup Classic upsetter Volponi.

This year, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, Funny Cide, may be headed for the Breeders' Cup Mile on the turf and the Travers Stakes winner, Ten Most Wanted, is a relative newcomer to the winner's club. Medaglia d'Oro is still around, but after a second-place effort in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, the stable star for the Breeders' Cup Classic is Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker. And, trainer Bobby Frankel knows how tough it is to win any Breeders' Cup race.

Two monster performances by two new shooters in coast-to-coast victories recently has turned this year's Breeders' Cup Classic into a real showdown for the sport's top honors.

Neither Candy Ride or Mineshaft had even stepped on American soil when Volponi took last year's Breeders' Cup Classic. That was Oct. 26, 2002.

And, Mineshaft didn't reach the Breeders' Cup mindset until he won a fourth stateside start when he took the New Orleans Handicap on Feb. 9. That was after a runner-up effort in the Whirlaway Handicap that snapped a trio of earlier victories dating back to his American debut on Nov. 27, 2002. A month after last year's Breeders' Cup Classic.

A Kentucky-bred, Mineshaft raced overseas with little impact on the European turf courses before his Euro-trainer John Gosden suggested Mineshaft may be suited better to American dirt tracks.

Candy Ride had been undefeated in his native Argentina last year by the time American interest built for a U.S. purchase. Candy Ride debuted at Hollywood Park in June and continued his win streak with a solid victory. That effort sent the two-time Argentine Group I winner to try the Hollypark lawn in the Grade II American Handicap. The new patriot reported home a winner on the Fourth Of July.

When trainer Ron McAnally strategically placed a phone call to buy Candy Ride, his objective was to purchase a horse that would give his new owners Sid and Jenny Craig a victory in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. After clearing a check for $900,000 he delivered on the objective when Candy Ride beat Medaglia d'Oro at the seaside track that the Craig's call their own back yard on Aug. 24.

Now, McAnally and the Craigs have an $800,000 decision to make if Candy Ride is to compete in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Since Candy Ride is a South American-bred, his owners must pay that supplemental fee to make him eligible for the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic. The Craigs have past performances when it comes to supplementing to Breeders' Cup. They paid the stipend for their champion mare Paseana and promptly won the 1992 Breeders' Cup Distaff with her.

Meantime, Mineshaft took a break from the racing action for the Saratoga meeting.

After his New Orleans Handicap score, Mineshaft won the Grade III Ben Ali Handicap by 9 lengths at Keeneland in April, the Grade I Pimlico Special over a sloppy track in May before a heartbreaking head loss to Perfect Drift in the Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs in June. Mineshaft returned to take the Grade I Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park in July. That race was won with such ease that many veteran racetrackers were left in awe.

Awe, Take II.

On Saturday at Belmont Park, Mineshaft returned just where he left off. The Grade I Woodward Stakes was no more than another showcase of a champion. Mineshaft cruised to victory without jockey Robbie Albarado ever raising his whip. He barely raised his hands from a frozen position as he sat a rocking chair ride.

Now trainer Neil Howard and owners Farish and company have the dubious task of keeping Mineshaft busy until the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 25 at Santa Anita Park.

While both Candy Ride and Mineshaft continue to bring rave reviews and champion comparisons, the Breeders' Cup Classic should be the showdown of showdowns, if everyone stays on course. And, while the sophomore class of 2003 isn't anything to scare either Mineshaft or Candy Ride, there still is Empire Maker and his able Frankel stablemate Medaglia d'Oro in wait. Oh, yeah, and maybe even last year's Breeders' Cup Classic winner. Remember Volponi?