BC11

So, that was just about the weirdest Breeder’s Cup ever.

Not much happened the way anyone was expecting it to happen. And a lot happened in ways that bummed.

Secret Circle ran like his hair was on fire. He’s in good hands. I expect great things from him next year. I had hoped Trinniberg would have more to show. I’m hoping he improves; I loved his Daddy Teufelsberg. And Shumoos? Great!

I was hoping Turbulent Descent would win the Sprint; hard to figure what happened there.

Lost bets on It’s Tricky and Harmonious (sentimental, yes, always a mistake).

After watching Royal Delta’s works, it was clear she was sitting on a monster race and it was a pleasure to watch her uncork it.

After Day one, it seemed that something was up with the track and the turf course. Good horses didn’t fire; horses that hadn’t won in months jumped up and fired. Day Two, I watched. Almost as much fun.

Happy to see Afleet Again take the Marathon.

The turf races were nice to watch, but I had no idea how to handicap them. European horses are tough to track, but they’re always dangerous.

Amazombie is a fighter, as is his jockey Mike Smith. I have a great fondness for Jackson Bend and Giant Ryan.

Union Rags was the best horse in the race and has been beating better than Hansen, who had the best trip. The track beat Union Rags.

Court Vision returned $131.60 for $2.

Drosselmeyer returned $31.60 for $2.

All in all, strange. There is also the fact that many (and I think an unusually high number of) good horses were injured and absent or dead.

And I still don’t understand what was going on with the track. People said it was like peanut butter. Next year Santa Anita will be a big factor. I hope more horses make it through.