Justin Time

JUSTIN TIME

OCTOBER 18, 2008

Family Matters

by Justin Dew

I'm gonna start with something positive.

One of my favorite Breeders' Cup memories is that of Banks Hill (GB)

absolutely destroying the field in the F&M Turf (G1) at Belmont in 2001. She

romped that day. I didn't play her, but I sure was impressed. Did she run second

or third the next year at Arlington? I can't remember. Either way, boy she was

tough. And how about her full sis, Intercontinental (GB), stealing (in a good

way) the same race on the same track four years later at like 15-1 or something?

I had a few bucks on her. Yep. Good times. The good old Danehill-Hasili (Ire)

"meeting of the minds" has produced more than its share of Breeders' Cup glory,

as well as two of my favorite moments. This is why I will not be disappointed to

see CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) win the Men's Classic, currently known as the Classic

(G1). Now, to be clear, I must admit that I am rooting for CASINO DRIVE

(Mineshaft). But, should Casino Drive fail to remain undefeated, Go Champs

Elysees!!! Your sisters would be proud.

Ok, now, on to something negative.

Without a doubt, there is one horse on this planet that I am forced to hate

with the kind of deep, almost-inexplicable passion that is normally reserved for

blackjack dealers and people who cut me off in traffic. This horse ruined what I

believe would have been the sport's only Triple Crown triumph since Affirmed.

His name: Red Bullet. Yes, I hate Red Bullet. He caught a muddy track at Pimlico

that Fusaichi Pegasus obviously didn't care for, and the rest is history. I'm

still angry about it. Therefore, I cannot root for FATAL BULLET in the Men's

Sprint, currently known as the Sprint (G1). Yes, I am aware that he's undefeated

on fake stuff. Yes, I am aware that he's undefeated at the distance. No, I don't

care. I hate his father. I hate him for what he did to Fusaichi Pegasus. And

while the odds might be juicy on a horse who won the same prep as Cajun Beat and

is running over the same track (sort of), I must not only pass on Fatal Bullet,

but I must actively root against. Sorry. It's nothing personal. Well actually it

is personal.

Hey. Family matters. What can I say?