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.
Photo: Jason Moran / Eclipse Sportswire Jockey Mychel Sanchez will serve a seven-day suspension and pay an additional $1,750 in fines
Photo: Gulfstream Park / Lauren King Sovereignty, dramatic late-running winner of the Fountain of Youth (G2) March 1, is being pointed
Photo: Santa Anita / Benoit Photo Cavalieri and Alpha Bella, who finished one-two in the Grade 3 La Cañada in January at Santa Anita,
Photo: Gonzalo Anteliz Jr. / Eclipse Sportswire The stars will shine Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, and not just in the Grade 3 Tampa Ba