Rise and shine! It’s another beautiful day in sunny Del Mar, California. The race track will soon be packed with fans from all over the earth to watch the last day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Today, the final 9 races will take place where each contending Thoroughbred will stake their place in history.
Yesterday was thrilling. Rushing Fall took it all in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, wining by three-quarters of a length. Battle Of Midway romped in the Las Vegas Dirt Mile finishing a half-length ahead. The Juvenile Turf was won by Mendelssohn by a full length. Additionally, Forever Unbridled had an impressive win in the Longines Distaff, with an upset, flying past the finish line a half-length ahead.
Today, Saturday, November 4, 2017, the 33rd annual BC Championships continue. It will be a very full day. The card of 12 begins bright and early at 10:10 AM PT (please, note this is a 3 hour time difference from EDT, thus a start of 1:10 PM EDT for this Bluegrass blogger). NBC Sports Network starts live coverage from 1:30 PM EDT until 8 PM EDT. It will be 3:00 PM EDT when the first BC race posts. At 8 PM EDT regular NBC will pick up the programming until the races are over at 9 PM EDT. If you don’t have NBCSN or NBC access, here are some of the other ways to watch in the link below.
Race 4 is the first of today’s BC races. Posting at 12:00 PM PT (3:00 PM EDT) is The 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies race. This Grade 1 race carries a purse of $2 million dollars. It is a race for 2 year-olds of 1 and 1/16 miles on the dirt. There are a lucky 13 entered. Check out the fillies below by post/horse/jockey/trainer/morning-line odds/and owner:
Next, The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint is the 5th race of the day. Post time is 12:37 PM PT (3:37 PM EDT). This Grade 1 race is for 3 year-old and upward Thoroughbreds. It is 5 furlongs on the turf and carries a purse of $1 million dollars. 12 are entered as seen below:
Onward, to race 6! At 1:14 PM PT (4:14 PM EDT) the action continues with The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. This race is 7 furlongs on the dirt. It is for female horses age 3 and upward. The race is also a Grade 1 and carriers a $1 million dollar purse. 14 ladies are entered. See the details in the following link:
Now, the races keep going as the 7th is The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf race. This is another Grade 1 race. It has a $2 million dollar purse for a distance of 1 and 1/8 miles on the turf. Female horses 3 and older are entered for this race which posts at 2:00 PM PT (5:00 PM EDT). The 14 fillies and mares that entered are detailed in the next link:
Furthermore, the 8th race is The TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Posting at 2:37 PM PT (5:37 PM EDT) this 6 furlong race is for horses 3 years-old and older. It is a Grade 1 dirt race with a $1.5 million dollar purse. Get information on the 10 entries in the following link:
Continuing along through our exciting day, the 9th race is The Breeders’ Cup Mile. This is a Grade 1, 1 mile turf race for horses 3 or older. The purse is $2 million dollars. This race will begin at 3:19 PM PT (6:19 PM EDT). 14 contenders will romp through the grass. Check them out in this link:
Next, everyone will start looking for the future Kentucky Derby favorite when they watch race 10, The Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. 12 stellar 2 year-olds will race in this Grade 1 dirt race of 1 and 1/16 miles. The stakes are high with a $2 million dollar purse. Post time is 3:58 PM PT (6:58 PM EDT). Read about the entries here:
Race 11 is the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf race. The money gets serious here with a purse of $4 million dollars. This Grade 1 race is 1 and 1/2 miles on the grass for Thoroughbreds age 3 and older. Watch this race at 4:37 PM PT (7:37 PM EDT). 14 horses were entered but post 5 and the morning-line favorite, Ulysses, is a late scratch due to a minor ankle issue. See the rest of the field in this link:
Finally, the day culminates with race 12, The Breeders’ Cup Classic. The race is 1 and 1/4 miles on the dirt. Post time is 5:35 PM PT (8:35 PM EST). The purse jumps to $6 million dollars for this Grade 1 competition. 11 Thoroughbreds age 3 and upward will try to win this esteemed race. Arrogate is returning as the 2016 Classic Champion and the morning-line favorite. His opposition is tough. Look at all of the great contenders here:
I am thrilled that the day has arrived when we can watch some of the best bloodstock in the world battle it out where the turf (and dirt) meets the surf, at Del Mar. I’m quite looking forward to proving some new champions and shaking up things with a few upsets. I am eager to see how the 2 year-olds are developing and watch the last romp for many, prior to their retirement to breeding. Have a great day at the races everyone.
I’ll be at the following Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland Sales in Lexington, KY next week to grab some pictures and gather more information to share. Check back soon.
