Tag: Medina Spirit

Knicks Go, Essential Quality Draw Center Posts In Breeders’ Cup Classic

A total of nine horses were entered Monday for the 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic, led by the Brad Cox-trained duo of Knicks Go and Essential Quality. The two talented grays had their final breezes at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on Sunday, and were scheduled to fly to Del Mar for the World Championships on Monday.

Each has won two Grade 1 races this year, and both enter the Classic off victories: 5-year-old Knicks Go put on a dominant show in the G3 Lukas Classic at Churchill on Oct. 2, and the 3-year-old Essential Quality won the G1 Travers by a neck on Aug. 28 at Saratoga. Joel Rosario will ride 5-2 favorite Knicks Go from post 5, while Luis Saez will be aboard Essential Quality at 3-1 in gate 4.

Embattled trainer Bob Baffert will send out this year's Kentucky Derby first-place finisher and recent G1 Awesome Again Stakes winner Medina Spirit from post 8 (4-1), with John Velazquez in the irons.

Doug O'Neill will saddle his G1 Pennsylvania Derby winner Hot Rod Charlie, with regular rider Flavien Prat to ride the 3-year-old from post 3 (4-1). Rounding out the group of sophomores taking on their elders is longshot Stilleto Boy for trainer Ed Moger, Jr.; the Awesome Again runner-up will break from post 7 under Kent Desormeaux.

Other Grade 1 winners in this year's edition include Whitney winner Art Collector (Bill Mott, Mike Smith, post 6, 8-1), Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Max Player (Steve Asmussen, Ricardo Santana, Jr., post 9, 8-1), and Pacific Classic winner Tripoli (John Sadler, Irad Ortiz, Jr., post 1, 15-1).  Rounding out the Classic field is G2 San Diego winner Express Train (John Shirreffs, Victor Espinoza, post 2, 20-1).

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Breeders' Cup Turf 

  1. (15-1) Rockemperor – Javier Castellano – Chad Brown
  2. (20-1) United – John Velazquez – Richard Mandella
  3. (4-1) Domestic Spending – Flavien Prat – Chad Brown
  4. (20-1) Astronaut – Victor Espinoza – John Shirreffs
  5. (20-1) Tribhuvan – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown
  6. (20-1) Acclimate – Ricardo Gonzalez – Phil D'Amato
  7. (8-1) Walton Street – James Doyle – Charlie Appleby
  8. (20-1) Broome – Frankie Dettori – Aidan O'Brien
  9. (12-1) Sisfahan – Cristian Demuro – Henk Grewe
  10. (12-1) Yibir – William Buick – Charlie Appelby
  11. (8-1) Gufo – Joel Rosario – Christophe Clement
  12. (6-1) Teona – David Egan – Roger Varian
  13. (9-5) Tarnawa – Colin Keane – Dermot Weld
  14. (20-1) Japan – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien

Breeders' Cup Distaff

  1. (8-1) Private Mission – Flavien Prat – Bob Baffert
  2. (8-1) Royal Flag – Joel Rosario – Chad Brown
  3. (4-1) Malathaat – John Velazquez – Todd Pletcher
  4. (30-1) Blue Stripe – Frankie Dettori – Marcelo Polanco
  5. (12-1) Clairiere – Ricardo Santana, Jr. – Steve Asmussen
  6. (8-5) Letruska – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Fausto Gutierrez
  7. (30-1) Horologist – Junior Alvarado – Bill Mott
  8. (4-1) Shedaresthedevil – Florent Geroux – Brad Cox
  9. (15-1) As Time Goes By – Luis Saez – Bob Baffert
  10. (30-1) Marche Lorraine – Oisin Murphy – Yoshito Yahagi
  11. (15-1) Dubar Road – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown

Breeders' Cup Mile

  1. (12-1) Master Of The Seas – James Doyle – Charlie Appleby
  2. (10-1) Smooth Like Strait – Umberto Rispoli – Michael McCarthy
  3. (3-1) SPace Blues – William Buick – Charlie Appleby
  4. (15-1) Raging Bull – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Chad Brown
  5. (20-1) Vin De Garde – Yuichi Fukunaga – Hideaki Fujiwara
  6. (5-1) Mo Forza – Flavien Prat – Peter Miller
  7. (8-1) In Love – Alex Achard – Paulo Lobo
  8. (15-1) Hit The Road – John Velazquez – Dan Blacker
  9. (8-1) Mother Earth – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien
  10. (8-1) Blowout – Joel Rosario – Chad Brown
  11. (10-1) Got Stormy – Tyler Gaffalione – Mark Casse
  12. (12-1) Pearls Galore – Billy Lee – Paddy Twomey
  13. (15-1) Casa Creed – Junior Alvarado – Bill Mott
  14. (12-1) Ivar – Joe Talamo – Paulo Lobo

Breeders' Cup Sprint

  1. (6-1) Following Sea – John Velazquez – Todd Pletcher
  2. (6-5) Jackie's Warrior – Joel Rosario – Steve Asmussen
  3. (12-1) C Z Rocket – Florent Geroux – Peter Miller
  4. (20-1) Matera Sky – Yuga Kawada – Hideyuki Mori
  5. (8-1) Aloha West – Jose Ortiz – Wayne Catalano
  6. (10-1) Firenze Fire – Tyler Gaffalione – Kelly Breen
  7. (20-1) Lexitonian – Jose Lezcano – Jack Sisterson
  8. (6-1) Special Reserve – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Mike Maker
  9. (4-1) Dr. Schivel – Flavien Prat – Mark Glatt

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

  1. (12-1) Going To Vegas – Umberto Rispoli – Richard Baltas
  2. (15-1) Pocket Square – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Chad Brown
  3. (12-1) Acanella – Colin Keane – Ger Lyons
  4. (6-1) Rougir – Maxime Guyon – Cedric Rossi
  5. (20-1) Queen Supreme – James Doyle – Andrew Balding
  6. (4-1) Love – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien
  7. (7-2) War Like Goddess – Julien Leparoux – Bill Mott
  8. (4-1) Loves Only You – Yuga Kawada – Yoshito Yahagi
  9. (15-1) My Sister Nat – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown
  10. (20-1) Ocean Road – Oisin Murphy – Hugo Palmer
  11. (30-1) Dogtag – Flavien Prat – Richard Mandella
  12. (5-1) Audarya – William Buick – James Fanshawe

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

  1. (7-2) Silver State – Ricardo Santana, Jr. – Steve Asmussen
  2. (12-1) Pingxiang – Yuga Kawada – Hideyuki Mori
  3. (4-1) Ginobili – Drayden Van Dyke – Richard Baltas
  4. (30-1) Jasper Prince – Yuichi Fukunaga – Hideyuki Mori
  5. (4-5) Life Is Good – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Todd Pletcher
  6. (20-1) Restrainedvengence – Edwin Maldonado – Val Brinkerhoff
  7. (12-1) Snapper Sinclair – Joel Rosario – Steve Asmussen
  8. (10-1) Eight Rings – Juan Hernandez – Bob Baffert

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

  1. (6-1) Glass Slippers – Tom Eaves – Kevin Ryan
  2. (5-1) Emaraaty Ana – Andrea Atzeni – Kevin Ryan
  3. (7-2) Golden Pal – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Wesley Ward
  4. (6-1) Lieutenant Dan – Geovanni Franco – Steve Miyadi
  5. (12-1) Arrest Me Red – John Velazquez – Wesley Ward
  6. (8-1) A Case Of You – Ronan Whelan – Adrian McGuiness
  7. (30-1) Charmaine's Mia – Flavien Prat – Phil D'Amato
  8. (20-1) Caravel – Jose Ortiz – Graham Motion
  9. (6-1) Kimari – Joel Rosario – Wesley Ward
  10. (5-1) Gear Jockey – Jose Lezcano – Rusty Arnold
  11. (12-1) Fast Boat – Tyler Gaffalione – Joe Sharp
  12. (12-1) Extravagant Kid – Ryan Moore – Brendan Walsh

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

  1. (20-1) Proud Emma – Flavien Prat – Peter Miller
  2. (12-1) Estilo Talentoso – Jose Ortiz – Juan Arriagada
  3. (12-1) Edgeway – Joel Rosario – John Sadler
  4. (4-1) Ce Ce – Victor Espinoza – Michael McCarthy
  5. (3-5) Gamine – John Velazquez – Bob Baffert
  6. (5-2) Bella Sofia – Luis Saez – Rudy Rodriguez

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

  1. (5-1) Modern Games – William Buick – Charlie Appleby
  2. (6-1) Albahr – Frankie Dettori – Charlie Appleby
  3. (8-1) Dakota Gold – Luis Saez – Danny Gargan
  4. (8-1) Tiz the Bomb – Brian Hernandez, Jr. – Ken McPeek
  5. (12-1) Slipstream – Joel Rosario – Christophe Clement
  6. (8-1) Mackinnon – Juan Hernandez – Doug O'Neill
  7. (20-1) Great Max – John Velazquez – Michael Bell
  8. (12-1) Glounthaune – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien
  9. (20-1) Stolen Base – Umberto Rispoli
  10. (6-1) Portfolio Company – Flavien Prat – Chad Brown
  11. (15-1) Grafton Street – Tyler Gaffalione – Mark Casse
  12. (30-1) Credibility – Mike Smith – Mark Casse
  13. (15-1) Coinage – Florent Geroux – Mark Casse
  14. (4-1) Dubawi Legend – James Doyle – Hugo Palmer

Breeders' Cup Juvenile

  1. (9-5) Jack Christopher – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown
  2. (15-1) Jasper Great – Yuichi Fukunaga – Hideyuki Mori
  3. (20-1) Oviatt Class – Kent Desormeaux – Keith Desormeaux
  4. (15-1) Pappacap – Joe Bravo – Mark Casse
  5. (20-1) Double Thunder – Flavien Prat – Todd Pletcher
  6. (30-1) American Sanctuary – Florent Geroux – Chris Davis
  7. (30-1) Giant Game – Joe Talamo – Dale Romans
  8. (10-1) Barossa – Juan Hernandez – Bob Baffert
  9. (8-1) Pinehurst – John Velazquez – Bob Baffert
  10. (5-1) Commandperformance – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Todd Pletcher
  11. (30-1) Tough To Tame – Sophie Doyle – Chris Davis
  12. (5-2) Corniche – Mike Smith – Bob Baffert

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

  1. (5-1) Pizza Bianca – Jose Ortiz – Christophe Clement
  2. (12-1) Cairo Memories – Kent Desormeaux – Bob Hess
  3. (12-1) Cachet – Luis Saez – George Boughey
  4. (12-1) Turnerloose – Florent Geroux – Brad Cox
  5. (8-1) Bubble Rock – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Brad Cox
  6. (10-1) Hello You – John Velazquez – David Loughnane
  7. (8-1) Consumer Spending – Flavien Prat – Chad Brown
  8. (20-1) Sail By – Junior Alvarado – Leah Gyarmati
  9. (6-1) Koala Princess – Joel Rosario – Arnaud Delacour
  10. (30-1) Helens Well – Umberto Rispoli – Phil D'Amato
  11. (10-1) Haughty – Tyler Gaffalione – Chad Brown
  12. (8-1) Malavath – Ryan Moore – Francis-Henri Graffard
  13. (6-1) Mise En Scene – Oisin Murphy – James Ferguson
  14. (8-1) California Angel – Rafael Bejarano – George Leonard, III

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

  1. (20-1) Desert Dawn – Ricardo Gonzalez – Phil D'Amato
  2. (5-2) Hidden Connection – Reylu Gutierrez – Bret Calhoun
  3. (15-1) Sequist – Junior Alvarado – Dallas Stewart
  4. (12-1) Tarabi – Javier Castellano – Cherie Devaux
  5. (5-2) Juju's Map – Florent Geroux – Brad Cox
  6. (4-5) Echo Zulu – Joel Rosario – Steve Asmussen

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

  1. (15-1) Twilight Jet – Leigh Roche – Michael O'Callaghan
  2. (12-1) Kaufymaker – Jose Ortiz – Wesley Ward
  3. (15-1) Go Bears Go – John Velazquez – David Loughnane
  4. (20-1) Vertiginous – Javier Castellano – Brian Meehan
  5. (12-1) Hierarchy – Oisin Murphy – Hugo Palmer
  6. (4-1) Twilight Gleaming – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Wesley Ward
  7. (6-1) Armor – Ryan Moore – Richard Hannon
  8. (5-2) Averly Jane – Tyler Gaffalione – Wesley Ward
  9. (4-1) One Timer – E. Baird – Larry Rivelli
  10. (15-1) Time To Party – Flavien Prat – Peter Miller
  11. (12-1) Derrynane – Joel Rosario – Christophe Clement
  12. (20-1) Run Curtis Run – Luis Saez – Michael Maker

The post Knicks Go, Essential Quality Draw Center Posts In Breeders’ Cup Classic appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Essential Quality, Medina Spirit, Letruska & Malathaat Top Breeders’ Cup Pre-Entries

Champion Essential Quality (Tapit), GI Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit (Protonico), MGISW turf star Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}), defending GI Breeders' Cup Turf heroine Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal), top distaffer Letruska (Super Saver) and GI Kentucky Oaks victress Malathaat (Curlin) are among the 196 horses entered in the Nov. 5-6 Breeders' Cup World Championships to be held at Del Mar. This will be the second time the SoCal venue plays hosts to the Breeders' Cup, with the first being in 2017. The 56 international horses are a record number of international pre-entries for the Breeders' Cup and span seven countries: Great Britain (26), Ireland (17), Japan (8), France (2), Argentina (1), Peru (1) and South Africa (1).

Medina Spirit has already proved he could defeat his elders when dominating the GI Awesome Again S. Oct. 2, while last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Essential Quality faces them for the first time as the likely top two betting choices in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. They take on the likes of MGISW Knicks Go (Paynter), who dominated the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last year; GI Jockey Club Gold Cup victor Max Player (Honor Code); and GI TVG Pacific Classic winner Tripoli (Kitten's Joy).

Letruska will be the bettors' top choice in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff off five straight victories, most recently taking the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. Oct. 10. Malathaat leads the sophomore filly division with three wins from four starts this season, including Saratoga's GI Alabama S. last out Aug. 21. They are joined by 2020 Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), who enters off back-to-back wins in the Aug. 1 GI Clement L. Hirsch S. and Sept. 18 GIII Locust Grove S.; GII Zenyatta S. one-two Private Mission (Into Mischief) and As Time Goes By (American Pharoah); and six others.

A total of 22 horses were entered in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf with 14 making the body of the field, topped by last year's winner Tarnawa. Domestic Spending tops the U.S. contingent with a pair of Grade Is this year and a last-out second in the GI Mr. D. S. Aug, 14. Other top American contenders include MGISW Gufo (Declaration of War) and MGSW United (Giant's Causeway). Exactly half of the field hails from overseas, six from Europe and one from Japan, including the Aidan O'Brien-trained Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the Charlie Appleby/Godolphin duo of Walton Street (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Also overdrawn by two is the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup F/M Turf with 14 in the field and two on the outside. Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is back to defend her title and is joined by six other Europeans. The Japanese have one representative and the rest of the field represents the home team, including GI Flower Bowl S. heroine War Like Goddess (English Channel) and GI Rodeo Drive S. victress Going to Vegas (Goldencents). Tarnawa is entered both here and against the boys with first preference being a title defense in the Turf.

Twenty-four horses were entered for the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile with 14 in the body and 10 outside. Eight of those are domestic runners and six foreign, including MG1SW Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Defending winner Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) was entered, but his retirement was announced later in the day. The Chad Brown-trained pair of Blowout (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) lead the American runners.

With Knicks Go headed to the Classic, the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile will be headlined by GII Kelso H. hero Life is Good (Into Mischief) and GI Met Mile winner Silver State (Hard Spun).

Grade I-winning “savage” Firenze Fire  (Poseidon's Warrior) looks to close out his career on a high note before moving to Japan for his stallion career in the GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint S. He will have his work cut out for him with the likes of MGISWs Dr. Schivel (Violence) and Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music); and GII Vosburgh S. hero Following Sea (Runhappy) signed on.

Gamine (Into Mischief) looks to defend her title in the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint S. and will be heavily favored to do so facing just six rivals. Her top competition will likely come from fellow GI Longines Test S. winner Bella Sofia (Awesome Patiot) and MGISW Ce Ce (Elusive Quality), who was fifth in the Distaff last year.

Completing the nine Breeders' Cup races on Saturday's card is the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, which drew 19 entries. Wesley Ward saddles three of the 12 horses in the body of the field last year's GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint S. winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), whose dam Lady Shipman (Midshipman) came up a neck short in this event back in 2015. He is joined by stablemates Kimari (Munnings), who has not been seen since winning the GI Madison S. back in April, and Arrest Me Red (Pioneerof the Nile), winner of the GIII Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational S. Oct. 2.

The GI TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile highlights the “Future Stars Friday” card at Del Mar. Fourteen 2-year-olds are entered in this stallion-making event, topped by undefeated Grade-I winning 'TDN Rising Stars' Jack Christopher (Munnings) and Corniche (Quality Road).

Undefeated MGISW Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) looks to complete a banner year for her freshman sire as the favorite in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. She faces eight challengers, including Grade I winners Juju's Map (Liam's Map) and Ain't Easy (Into Mischief).

Fourteen horses will line up for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with six more on the outside looking in. Eleven juveniles represent America, including unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Annapolis (War Front) and GIII Futurity S. winner Slipstream (More Than Ready). Charlie Appleby saddles two of the five European runners in Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf drew a full field of 14 with four on the sidelines. Americans dominate yet again with eight of the entries, including GII Miss Grillo S. winner Sail By (Astern {Aus}) and GIII Matron S. heroine Bubble Rock (More Than Ready).

Rounding out the quintet of juvenile races is the only Breeders' Cup races that is not yet a Grade I, the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Wesley Ward has won two of the previous three renewals and has two chances to repeat in Averly Jane (Midshipman) and Twilight Gleaming (Ire) (National Defense {GB}). This race was also oversubscribed with 19 entries. Of the 12 that will make up the body of the race, it is an even split between America and Europe.

The post Essential Quality, Medina Spirit, Letruska & Malathaat Top Breeders’ Cup Pre-Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Body Cams, Extra Testing, Dedicated Investigators: Breeders’ Cup Reveals Enhanced Security Measures For Baffert Trainees

The LA Times has revealed the specific heightened security measures Bob Baffert trainees will be subjected to in order to compete in the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar.

On Sept. 18, the Breeders' Cup said it would be conducting a review process to determine Baffert's status in the wake of a failed drug test by Medina Spirit after the Protonico colt finished first in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 1.

The Medina Spirit positive test for the corticosteroid betamethasone was the fifth failed drug test by a Baffert runner – and third in a Grade 1 race – over a one-year period dating back to May 2, 2020.

Since Wednesday, Oct. 20, a team of two investigators, three security officers, and one Breeders' Cup executive has been watching Baffert's barn at Santa Anita on a 24-hour basis. When his Breeders' Cup contenders are shipped to Del Mar, a security officer with a body camera will be assigned to each horse. There will also be 24-hour coverage by investigators assigned to Baffert's barn, who will have permission to confiscate medications and review daily treatment/billing records.

On Nov. 2, samples of blood, urine, and hair will be taken from each of Baffert's Breeders' Cup hopefuls. Additional random collections will be performed during the week leading up to the World Championships. Any horse testing positive for therapeutic medications, even those therapeutics within the window for legal use, will be scratched.

“We are happy to accommodate the transparency,” Baffert told the LA Times. “We will care for our horses as we always do and any testing or observation is welcomed.”

Read more at the LA Times.

The post Body Cams, Extra Testing, Dedicated Investigators: Breeders’ Cup Reveals Enhanced Security Measures For Baffert Trainees appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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No Change In Top Three Of NTRA Thoroughbred Poll; Knicks Go Leads Two Weeks Ahead Of Breeders’ Cup

There was no change in the top three positions in this week's NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll as Korea Racing Stable's 5-year-old horse Knicks Go retained his top ranking for the twelfth consecutive week in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll with 23 first place votes and 339 points. Knicks Go is expected to be sent off the favorite in the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

St. George Stable's 5-year-old mare Letruska remained in second place in the poll with six first place votes and 313 points. Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, Letruska is a leading contender for the Grade 1, $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Godolphin's 3-year-old standout colt Essential Quality, who like Knicks Go is trained by 2020 Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox, remained in third place in this week's poll with seven first place votes and 299 points. Essential Quality also is being pointed for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

The lone change in this week's poll saw Roadrunner Racing, William Strauss, Boat Racing and Gainesway Stable's Hot Rod Charlie, another leading Classic contender, jump one spot to fourth place in this week's poll with 163 points. Kirk and Judy Robison's Jackie's Warrior, a leading contender for the Grade 1, $2,000,000 Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint, fell to fifth place in the voting with 159 points.

Michael Lund Petersen's Gamine, who is being pointed for the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, was sixth in the poll with 130 points. Zedan Racing Stable's Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful, Medina Spirit (122 points), remained in seventh-place, followed by Bruce Lunsford's Art Collector (92 points), George Hall's Max Player (83 points) and Klaravich Stable's Domestic Spending (70 points).

Click here for this week's complete poll results.

The post No Change In Top Three Of NTRA Thoroughbred Poll; Knicks Go Leads Two Weeks Ahead Of Breeders’ Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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