Betfair Official Blog

Crazy Breeders' Cup decision has left me shocked

Nick Shiambouros rounds up the latest racing news from the US

In what can only be described as one of the most astonishing announcements made in the history of The Breeders' Cup Santa Anita will host the event in 2009 as well as the 2008 event on the 24th and 25th of October .

Bill Farish, chairman of the Breeders' Cup, has stated that this move will allow additional promotional opportunities. Apparently other tracks like Churchill Downs have implied that is not cost effective for them to be considered citing lack of revenue as the main reason.

I think the decision could be seen as a publicity stunt to silence critics after so much negative publicity following drainage problems at the track. It is ironic that this announcement comes at the end of another day when racing at the track was once again cancelled due to unfinished repairs and an unsafe racing surface.

With a limited amount of racing at Santa Anita it was fortunate that The Strub Stakes went without a hitch and Monterey Jazz made just about all the running to land this prestigious event from Tiago who could never land a blow. This was a improved effort from the winner who should be followed on his next engagement.

At Gulfsteam Park in Florida my money went down the drain very quickly when Daheer folded very tamely at the top of the lane in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap won by Spring At Last.

There appeared to be no valid excuse for the poor showing by Daheer and based on this evidence a trip to the Dubai World Cup must be in doubt. The winner was beautifully ridden by Eibar Coa who has really matured in to a top class rider over the last few years. I think that Spring At Last deserves to take his chance in Dubai based on this huge effort and will give horse of the year Curlin plenty to think about next month.

Curlin continues to work well ahead of shipping to Dubai to take in a prep race on February 28th before his attempt at winning the Dubai World Cup next month.

Some good quality racing is on offer at The Fairgrounds this weekend when the Grade 3 Risen Star takes place on Saturday. I really think this is a solid early Kentucky Derby trial featuring some smart horses with solid form in the book notably the Steve Assmussen pair Pyro who finished second in the Breeders Cup Juvenile and Z Fortune who bolted up in The Lecomte over this course to retain his unbeaten record. I think they could easily finish first and second in this event and if I can get [2.0] for the pair I will step in.

At Santa Anita The Las Virgenes Grade 1 over a mile looks wide open with a full field likely and several fillies boasting chances in this years renewal. I like the look of Grace Anatomy who slightly missed the start in her last assignment in this event. I hope I can back her at around [4.0] give or take but I will be having a saver on Golden Doc A who very nearly beat Indian Blessing last time out and is a real threat.

The great racing on offer at The Fairgrounds is just one reason to visit the wonderful city of New Orleans. It is a vibrant colourful place with great music, cuisine and the most hospitable people you would find anywhere in the world.

I cant think of a more fitting location for the 2009 Breeders' Cup that this historic city. I had really hoped that The Fairgrounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs, would have made a bid for the 2009 Breeders' but they don't even want to stage it at either venue citing lack of revenue.

So instead we have two consecutive years at Santa Anita. It is no wonder attendances are falling.