The prestigious Saratoga Race Course summer meet wrapped up over Labor Day weekend. Over the course of eight weeks, we saw countless memorable racing performances from a bevy of talented horses.
The fields for the 14 races that comprise the Breeders’ Cup World Championships really begin to come into focus in summer and fall. This regular feature will offer a snapshot profile of one of the previous weekend’s standout stars, usually a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series winner, and whether I’m buying or selling their chances to win Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.
Tom Pedulla offers takeaways from a racing weekend highlighted by a pair of Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Races worth $2 million each at Kentucky Downs and big closing cards at Del Mar and Colonial Downs.
Cogburn, North America's top grass sprinter, avenged a 2023 defeat over the unique Kentucky Downs turf course in what was his only loss ever on grass by dominating the $1,797,200 Grade 2 Ainsworth Turf Sprint Stakes on Sept. 7.
The $500,000 Virginia Derby held at 1 1/8 miles on dirt March 15 during a special four-day spring meet at Colonial Downs has been added to the Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, the series of select races that will determine the preference list for the 151st Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve May 3, 2025.
