Tag Archives: International Horse Racing

This Is Unbelievable… Breeder’s Cup Classic 2009…

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I am counting down the days to this year’s Breeder’s Cup races .  Santa Anita Race track  is our favorite track in California and yes, we prefer it over Del Mar, but it’s just our personal preference because Del Mar is also a beautiful track.  The track is nestled at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains and the scenery looks like something you’d see on a post card. I kid you not, it’s beautiful and a visit to Santa Anita should be on your bucket list; if it isn’t already, and if you haven’t heard about this yet… Next year’s Breeder’s Cup races will once again be held in Arcadia, California!  3-straight years in a row, how exciting!

My very first visit to a race track was at Santa Anita for the 2009 Breeder’s Cup Races and for a newbie just learning about the sport; I was in awe.  How lucky was I to have my first racing experience to be at the Breeder’s Cup World Championships! Everywhere around me was filled with excitement. The racing fans, the horses, the jockey’s the energy was buzzing around me, and it took me awhile to catch my breath!

Since this is the 30th year for the Breeder’s cup races; I’m sure we can all recall a favorite Breeders Cup moment/or moments, and I wanted to share with you one of mine. For the avid race fan, you will probably recognize this memorable call by Trevor Denman and could tell me the exact race I’m talking about:

“This is Un—Be—Liev—Able!  Zenyatta!  What a performance one will never forget”  ….

Zenyatta - Breeder Cup Classic

Yes, one of my favorite horse’s of all time… The Great, Zenyatta.  There were many in the industry who doubted her ability to triumph against the best male horses in the world, but this would be her time to shine.

The public loved her, and everywhere you looked there were people holding these awesome signs: Girl Power! Go Zenyatta. I love to collect horse racing memorabilia, so my sentimental bet was a $2.00 win ticket on the #4 in Race 9 of the Breeders Cup Classic race.

Zenyatta - Breeders Cup Classic

I still get super excited when I watch this  A—Mazing race!  Just imagine yourself in the middle of this excitement as people around you are cheering, then crying tears of joy as Zenyatta became a part of racing history. She scored her 14th straight victory, and become the first female horse to beat the males in the richest race in all of North America.

What a memorable moment for everyone in the crowd to have been there to watch Zenyatta’s spectacular race!

Video Courtesy of YouTube, by: ‪HappyDane95

International Horse Racing; Vodka please…

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Oh yes, nothing is more smooth than a good imported Vodka.  But for now, let me tell you about an international flare that is beyond incredible.  I’m talking about 2009 Japan Cup (G1) winner and horse of the year for 2008 and 2009, Vodka.

This 6-year-old Mare out of Tanino Gimlet – Tanino Sister by Rousillon has her eye on the 2010 Dubai World Cup with a very attractive purse of $10 million dollars.

With ten victories and $13,147,826 in earnings, trainer Katsuhiko Sumii is preparing her for this big race set for March 27.  She will definitely be in good company, and stiff competition with Gio Ponti, Vision d’Etat, Twice Over, Richard’s Kid, and oh yes… another impressive “female”, Life is Sweet to name a few talents.

Vodka who has exclusively run only on turf; and is scheduled to run Thursday, March 4 at Meydan, in her synthetic debut.  She will be in the richest race on “The Super Thursday” Card, the $300,000 Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (UAE-II) over 2,000 meters. This is a prep race for the Dubai World Cup. Jockey Christophe Lemaire, who rode her for the first time in her Japan Cup victory, is expected ride her again.

Vodka is absolutely exceptional; she holds the world record for female top earnings, and second on the all-time list behind T.M. Opera O at $16,200,337.  From her very first race which was at Kyoto Racecourse in 2006, Vodka has proven there is something special about her.

In 2006, she won the GI Hanshin Juvenile fillies and became the 2007, 2-year old filly champion.  In 2007 she was entered in the Toyko Yushun (G-I), and shocked the crowd as she easily beat the best 3-year-old colts in the country and became the first filly to win this race in 64 years!  Sounds a bit familiar eh?  She earned Horse of the Year honors in 2008, with victories in the Tenno Sho (GI) and Yasuda Kinen (GI) over males. In 2009, she won three GI races, including two over males, to capture the Horse of the Year honors again; becoming the first female to win this title twice.

Vodka the “Super Filly” from Japan is definitely something to talk about!   Let’s see how she does on the synthetic, and continue high hopes for victory in the Dubai World Cup.

I’ve added a nice clip of the Japan Cup. Unfortunately, its in Japanese so for those of your who don’t speak the language Vodka is #5.  It’s a close call!  Now this is what girl power is all about!