2007 Breeders Cup Turf Preview

The Breeders Cup Turf is perhaps the most "international" of races on the series card. It was the 2003 Turf raced that held a heartstopping photo finish between High Chaparral and Johar, with Falbrav just a head back - and in a photo finish not even a flare of the nose could separate the first two. A dead heat is very uncommon and a dead heat at the top level - I can only think of two and the horses involved deserve credit. In 1992 Fraise got a nose in front of Sky Classic but this isn't the kind of race there's normally 8-9 length winning margins. High Chaparral (Ire) had won the Turf the year before, making it a back to back win for him, now retired to stud in Ireland. Ireland has sent over many winners for this race, including last year's winner Red Rocks, 200 winner Kalanisi, 1999 winner Daylami, 1995 Northern Spur, and in 1987 the beloved Theatrical. 1986 winner Manila is the oldest living horse from the race, now reported to be at stud in Turkey while 1997 Chief Bearhart now stands in Japan. A $3million race for horses 3 year old and up at a mile and a half on the turf, this is a very big win and can be a big factor in the Turf Champion nominations.

This year provides some stories that if it were written would be said to be too unbelievable to be true, but as I've said horses don't read. The Arlington Million winner, a Canadian colt named Jambalaya, is sidelined for the rest of the season and will not be able to compete in the race he qualified for. Second qualifying horse getting a ticket is is the French bred Shamdinan, keeping with the international flavor that has been noted in the Turf. Lightly raced in the US with one win from two starts, the win in the Secretariat Stakes meant he was headed for championship day - his other start has been a fifth place run in the Man O War Stakes. Not to be overlooked blindly, he was 1-2-3 in his first starts in France before a dismal run in the Budweiser Irish Derby overseas. With Canada's Jambalaya sidelined other horses expected to appear include After Market, English Channel, The Tin Man, On The Acorn (GB), Better Talk Now, Doctor Dino (FR), Notable Guest, Obrigado (FR), Red Giant and Sunriver.