Gary Stevens’ Friday Breeders’ Cup Picks
Secret Circle: Juvenile Sprint
Stephanie’s Kitten: Juvenile Fillies Turf
Turbulent Descent: Filly & Mare Sprint
My Miss Aurelia: Juvenile Fillies
Stacelita: Filly & Mare Turf
Royal Delta: Ladies’ Classic
Preps done; the Training is now the focus for Breeders’ Cup Contenders
The weather here in Louisville has continued to deteriorate over the last 48 hours. It’s currently 44 degrees and rainy. The good news is the sun will be out tomorrow and the forecast for the next 5 days looks great warming back in to the 70′s by Monday meaning that all Breeders’ Cup contenders with works set for the weekend and early next week will be on schedule.
With all major preps finished the focus now is strictly training and keeping every contender happy and healthy. Now is the time when all the connections for every horse literally hold their breath, any little set back at this point can mean disaster, a cough, bruised foot, fever, can cause a horse to miss the big day.
The news that Zazu would not make the Ladies’ Classic was terrible news. I felt she had a great chance. The good news is she will return next year.
The performance of Frankel last weekend was another in the win streak at the highest level that sent tingles down my neck. I was silently hoping that he would come for the BC but it sounds like he is done for the year and will take on a 4-year-old campaign. I hope to see him run in person next year and perhaps that will happen in next years BC held at the Great Race Place, Santa Anita.
I can’t wait for our POTC shows to start here at Churchill Downs. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will have a great B.C.
