Winter Memories Will Be Just a Memory at Breeders’ Cup Time

Phillips Racing Partnership’s Winter Memories bounced back in a big way from her troubled fourth in the Lake Placid (G2) by showing her devastating late kick to win Saturday’s Garden City (G1) at Belmont Park, but according to her trainer, she is not Breeders’ Cup bound.

James Toner said her last start of the year would come at Keeneland on Oct. 15 in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1), meaning we will not see her electrifying late run in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) or against the boys in the Mile (G1).

Toner told the Daily Racing Form, ““The other race (Breeders’ Cup) is three weeks later and I did that once, I just don’t feel comfortable doing all that again.’’

The good news is she is coming back to race next year, meaning if all goes well it would make sense for Toner to map out a plan that includes one of the Breeders’ Cup races.

She seems to do her best running from eight to nine furlongs, so a go against the boys in the Mile would seem to suit her running style, but the 2012 Mile is a long way off.

The filly has been near perfect in her eight career starts, winning six including five graded stakes.

Woodbine Win and You’re In
In case you were not counting (and most of us are not) there have already been 37 Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races that have been run, with 29 still to be run over the next month.

At Woodbine on Saturday, Northern Passion earned a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G2) with a victory in the Natalma (G3).

The Mark Casse trainee was dead last in the early stages of the race cane got a perfect ride under jockey Luis Contreras, who saved ground on the far turn, split rivals and went on to win by 1 ¼ lengths, returning $14.70.

Also on the card, the Todd Pletcher trained Finale got the job done as the favorite to win the TVG Summer Stakes (G2), returning $3.70 and earning an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2).

Pletcher won the Summer Stakes last year with Pluck, who went on to capture the Juvenile Turf in his next outing.

On Sunday, Turallure made a good late rally after getting blocked in traffic to get up late and win the Woodbine Mile (G1), which earned the Charles Lopresti runner an automatic starting spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

The colt paid $14.80, edging the 8/5 betting favorite Courageous Cat by a neck, with Right One another nose back in third.

That was a tough beat for us, as Right One, who was sent off at 9/1 was my top pick.

Super Saturday
Saturday Oct. 1 will be super indeed, as there are ten Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, including six at Belmont Park.

Among the horses pointing toward one of the six Grade 1 races at Belmont Park are a star studded lineup that will likely include Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty, Trappe Shot, Winchester, Life At ten, Cape Blanco, Tizway, Jackson Bend, and Jersey Town.

King T Looking for Partner
If you have an extra $100,000 lying around and want to participate in the Breeders’ Cup, give trainer King T. Leatherbury a call.

The legendary Maryland trainer would like to run Ben’s Cat in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) but his wallet is light.

His win in the Turf Monster (G3) at Parx on Sept. 5 earned the five-year-old an automatic starting spot in the Sprint field, but the speedy runner is not Breeders’ Cup nominated.

He won his first eight career starts, including running for a $20,000 claiming tag in his second career start.

The five year old now has seven starts wins, with the Turf Monster his first graded win.

Leatherbury is looking for an investor to pony up the $100,000 in nomination fees.

The trainer told The Daily Racing Form, “I have one guy from California interested. He would get his $100,000 back if we finished in the top three. We would split whatever is left over. If the horse wins or finishes second everyone is happy.”

His final start before the Sprint would likely come in the Maryland Million Sprint on Oct. 1, which comes with a $60,000 check for winning.

Michael Dempsey provides his full card report for Belmont Park each racing day. Mike’s full card report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations. Get a month of action from the Belmont Park meeting for a special price of $79.95!