Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup World Championship card at Santa Anita features the biggest names in Thoroughbred racing – horses, owners, trainers, jockeys, national, worldwide and so on.
Thisishorseracing.com crossed paths with many of the equine stars, either in Saratoga or elsewhere. Follow along and check in with a few.
Filly and Mare Turf
Alterite. She didn’t get here until late, but she’s made an immediate impact with a Grade 1 Garden City victory in September and a second in Keeneland’s Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II. Chad Brown talked about the French import’s development before the latter.
Laughing. The pride of the New Jersey-based stable of Richard Santulli and Alan Goldberg has won all four starts this year (all graded stakes). She won the Diana and Ballston Spa at Saratoga. The best part about her winning streak, and trip to Santa Anita, might be her pal and traveling companion Funzionare.
Kitten’s Dumplings. The 3-year-old filly is part of the Ken and Sarah Ramsey assault team and boasts four wins this year. She won the Lake George at Saratoga. Ken Ramsey talked about his attempt at history before Saratoga.
Filly and Mare Sprint
Dance To Bristol. She made it look easy at Saratoga, rallying late to back-to-back wins at the meet. Owner Susan Wantz talked about her stable star. Dance To Bristol won the Ballerina and the Honorable Miss at Saratoga.
Groupie Doll. The defending champion had trainer Buff Bradley talking about the role of his wife Kim during a story late in the year.
Sweet Lulu. The West Coast-based speedster is on her home turf, but looked like a local when she won the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga.
Turf Sprint
Capo Bastone. He upset the King’s Bishop at Saratoga with a late charge.
Turf
Point Of Entry. Back in June, he won the Manhattan and left with an injury, surgery and plenty of doubts about a comeback. He’s back. More than a year ago, he won the Sword Dancer.
Big Blue Kitten. Another major winner in the Ramsey silks, he captured the 2013 Sword Dancer for trainer Chad Brown.
Sprint
Justin Phillip. He had everybody talking at Saratoga after a win in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt.
Mile
Silver Max. He hinted at even bigger things, like an upset of Horse of the Year Wise Dan in his next start, with a front-running score in Saratoga’s Bernard Baruch.
Wise Dan. Like most of racing, he’s been in front of everybody for the last two seasons. We found him over and over and over.
Breeders’ Cup 2013 preview.
Fourstardave 2013 recap.
Fourstardave 2013 preview.
Saratoga 2013 workout.
Spa Star profile.
Firecracker 2013 discussion.
Maker’s 46 Mile 2013 recap.
Classic
Paynter. They called him a miracle horse. Who knows, but it’s some comeback from near death to the biggest race in the country. At Saratoga, he tackled the Woodward.
Mucho Macho Man. Big, strong, fast, ready to break through (maybe). He came to Fair Hill early this year and got ready for the Woodward last year.
Fort Larned. The 2012 Classic winner returned to Saratoga for the 2013 Whitney. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. talked about what it’s like to ride the star. Wilkes talked Saratoga early in the summer. The 2013 season started with a thud as Fort Larned lost Hernandez with a stumble early in the Gulfstream Park Handicap.
Palace Malice. The Belmont winner wound up on our pages frequently this year including after his win in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga and before the meet started as a Spa Star. In June he won the Belmont Stakes.
Will Take Charge. You win the Travers, you wind up in the papers.
Game On Dude. Mike Smith talked about what it’s like to ride the West Coast star.
Flat Out. The veteran keeps coming back for more, and throwing out quality efforts. This spring he rewarded his connections with a win in the Westchster.
