Fall is here and with it comes the best racing of the year. It’s great to have racing back at the Great Race Place Santa Anita Park. We kick off the meet with super stakes races all weekend not only at Santa Anita but all over the country. There is much anticipation here from the fans, the horsemen and myself with the new surface recently installed at Santa Anita. It is my feeling that the track will play more like an Eastern racetrack meaning it may be a little tiring in the late stages of the race. Beware of potential speed duels. I believe that horses that engage early or are engaged early will pay the price in the end. Pay attention to any potential biases in the initial few days. I look forward to a very competitive meet and seeing our future equine stars.
Good luck to all wherever you place your wagers. Enjoy the great racing.

Breeders’ Cup was exactly what it was supposed to be with many championship performances. My hat goes off to each and every winner. Goldikova and Olivier Peslier were once again flawless in their performance. All I can say is wow about Uncle Mo.

The best was saved for last in the Classic, even though what we all hoped for with the outcome was slightly different than we were expecting. After Garrett Gomez’s scary fall on Thursday, he rose to the occasion with two BC wins prior to his great ride on Blame. Mike Smith should not blame himself in the defeat of Zenyatta. He allowed the big mare to get comfortable early on when she clearly did not like the heavy kickback from the sandy surface. When Zenyatta finally found her stride, she seemed to be in a position similar to Life At Ten the day before in the Ladies’ Classic, when that one was eased.

It appeared to me early in the backstretch that the possibility of getting any piece of the pie was gone. Once again Zenyatta amazed us all with a freakish run to come up a head short in her finest effort of her brilliant career. It is my feeling that without Mike’s flawless ride, she would not have run to a head defeat. Mike rode with the confidence he always has, but a victory was not meant to be. I hope that Mike can put the loss behind him and not blame himself. Zenyatta proved herself to me to be the best racehorse I have seen in my career. The performance of Blame, combined with the great planning of his connections, a brilliant training job by Al Stall and a memorable ride from Garrett Gomez should secure a Horse of the Year title for Blame. I am sure that Zenyatta will get her share of votes, but in the end, I think the championship was decided in the 11th race at Churchill Downs on November 6th.

This Breeders’ Cup was as good as it gets, and for me I now look forward to 2011 and our future champions. Thank you to all the competitors for what you have shared with us from around the world.