With the 2026 Breeders’ Cup less than three weeks away, the North American racing calendar has entered a relatively quiet stretch, with no remaining Challenge Series races on the schedule ahead of the World Championships on Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland.
Few sports fans ever have the privilege of watching a world-class trainer cultivate a champion athlete—and even fewer fans have the opportunity to witness the development of an elite animal athlete. The transformation of Cigar from a horse that showed modest turf ability to one that developed into a legend on dirt illustrates how critical a trainer’s role can be in our sport.
The transformation of Cigar from a horse that showed modest turf ability to one that developed into a legend on dirt illustrates how critical a trainer’s role can be.
Forever Young stands on the edge of immortality. The Japan-based star has a great chance to join Tiznow as the only two-time winners of America’s richest race. Less than three weeks before his big opportunity in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Oct.
For a fleet, 3-year-old filly sprinter who may not be ready to face their elders in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, Saturday’s Lexus Raven Run Stakes at Keeneland is a rather nice option.
