By Jay Privman
Posted 6:28 PM

The results of last year's Breeders' Cup, the first ever run on a synthetic surface, have had a major impact on this year's event, to be held Nov. 6 and 7 here at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting. Most notably Rachel Alexandra, widely considered the current front-runner for Horse of the Year, will not compete.But this year's Classic is shaping up as such a compelling race that several scenarios exist in which the Horse of the Year discussion could be greatly expanded.

Gold Cup lures a diverse group
By Marcus Hersh - Posted 5:29 PM

The horses in Saturday's $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup, a complex mix, are coming from all over this country. Three horses are based at Hawthorne, but the remaining eight come from seven different venues, with stock in from New York, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and California.

Indiana Derby attracts an encouraging 15
By John McDulin - Posted 4:56 PM

Hoosier Park's racing event of the year had a cloud of uncertainty hanging over it until Wednesday, when 15 entries were drawn for the Grade 2, $500,000 Indiana Derby.

Win points California Flag toward Turf Sprint
By Steve Andersen - Posted 8:42 PM

California Flag is right back where he was a year ago - bound for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 7 after a front-running in the $100,000 Morvich Handicap at Santa Anita on Wednesday.

Goldikova might be even better this year
By Marcus Hersh - Posted 5:57 PM

When Breeders' Cup Mile winner Goldikova finished seventh of nine in her season debut at Longchamp, trainer Freddy Head thought "maybe she wouldn't be the same" filly this year. And it's true, Goldikova might not be the same: She may be even better.

Icon Project changes path to try synthetic
By Jay Privman - Posted 5:07 PM

Zenyatta, Cocoa Beach, and Music Note are still among the nation's leading female runners, and those three are among the top contenders for this year's Ladies' Classic, to be run Nov. 6 at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting. But there are some prominent new shooters on the horizon, including Careless Jewel and Icon Project.

Defections take luster from Beldame
By David Grening - Posted 4:55 PM

Grade 1 winners Icon Project and Music Note were expected to square off in Saturday's Beldame at Belmont, but that match-up was nullified Wednesday when the connections of Icon Project announced their filly would skip the Grade 1, $600,000 Beldame to run in the Grade 1, $500,000 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 11.

Sumo extending a tried-and-true formula
By Mary Rampellini - Posted 5:19 PM

More than 20 years ago, Arthur Hancock was unable to move a dark bay colt by Halo at two separate auctions and ended up racing Sunday Silence in partnership. Saturday, another horse Hancock was unable to sell at auction, Sumo, will run in the Grade 2, $500,000 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park.

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