What used to be an eight race championship day has, in the past few years, developed into about 30 races and half the competition. Much like the oversaturation of baseball deep into October (Oh wait....it's November? And the World Series is still going? Nothing like a sport season lasting as long as a pregnancy), the Breeders Cup has been split into so many specialist divisions that we have lost the impact of the championship vibe. So, I don't find it is surprising that I have yet to feel real excited about the two day event. I don't recognize the majority of the runners in races such as the Turf Sprint, Juvenile Turf, Dirt Mile, Marathon, etc.
But one thing remains: The Classic. The epitome of what is good in horse racing. The best of the best coming together for a 10 furlong race for immortality. Or a stud career. Either way, by winning this race, you join a select group of horses who have proved something at the end of a late autumn day, beating all comers and placing themselves in an elite position to be remembered every year after. Even the Arcangues and Raven's Passes of the world get mentioned around this time. But it isn't time to look back when we have a race like this year's edition looming.
Zenyatta. Lookin At Lucky. Quality Road. Blame. Haynesfield. We have names here and some real talent. Back on the dirt and back to competitive. So, don't allow yourself to become muddled in unrecognizable names and races and focus upon the greatness that could be this year's edition of the Classic.
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