Breeders' Cup Friday Wrap-Up: The Sweet Science

Calvin Borel will cut you

Well, that was unusual.

Obviously, the post-Marathon #jockeyfight is going to be What People Remember from today’s Breeders’ Cup action – and the first two races both ending with inquiries made things even more peculiar.

But let’s recall some of the other highlights – trainer Diane Alvarado got her first Breeders’ Cup win in the race (even if it was for the IEAH folk), and Martin Garcia should get mad, mad props for hanging on during the race (and not decking anyone afterward).

Shared Account paid her backers a massive amount of money in the Filly & Mare Turf, becoming the second-longest winning Breeders’ Cup shot ever – well done (and I wish I’d invested).  I did make some money off of Dubai Majesty, which was most welcome, but lost most of those gains in the ‘Ladies’ Classic.’

No, I had not bet on Life At Ten, but I think everyone agrees that she should have been scratched.  She was clearly ‘off’ in the post parade and I was very surprised that she was not taken out for a quick trot up and down; when I worked at Penn Vet, I occasionally worked at New Bolton Center, and seeing horses trotted up and down for a few moments to judge their soundness was a constant feature outside my window – if she was obviously stiff just walking, she had no business racing.  We should, of course, mention that Unrivaled Belle and Blind Luck looked great in the race – but coupled with an actual brawl, the danger that the negatives will be the standout moments is a very real one.

But there were positive moments – Awesome Feather looked fabulous in the Juvenile Fillies, and Bobby Flay seemed thrilled to take home a trophy for More Than Real in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

As I mentioned on Twitter, there’s one other takeaway from today’s races – I’ll be calling my next homebrewed beer Calvin’s Sweet Science.

Let’s keep it clean tomorrow.