This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman look back at a memorable afternoon for Next, Thorpedo Anna and Seize the Grey at Parx Racing. They also handicap and offer top picks for a pair of Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup preps, the California Crown from Santa Anita and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic from Aqueduct.
The $1 million California Crown is the 2024 version of what used to be known as the Awesome Again. To no surprise Bob Baffert has three horses entered with Grade 1 winners Muth and National Treasure as the two favorites. The field of seven includes the Saudi Cup (G1) winner Señor Buscador with his gaudy $12 million in career earnings.
As part of the Belmont at the Big A meeting, the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic features the 7-year-old mare War Like Goddess, who will try and beat the boys and win this prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic for the third year in a row. This field of seven includes four other graded stakes winners.
Keeneland announced Sept. 25 that a stallion share in grade 1 winner and North American record holder Cogburn will be sold at the inaugural Keeneland Ch
Neither of Japan's contenders for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) could quite get the job done in their Sept. 25 prep race at Funabashi Racecourse as Ushba
Photo: Jason Moran / Eclipse Sportswire Five weeks after he broke his hand in an accident at Saratoga, Hall of Fame jockey Javier Cast
Photo: Scott Serio / Eclipse Sportswire A 2.5 percent stallion share in Grade 1 winner and record-holder Cogburn will be auctioned at