Thoroughbred Beat

THOROUGHBRED BEAT

DECEMBER 13, 2007

by James Scully

New Breeders' Cup races -- The Breeders' Cup added races this week to

solidify its two-day format, and two of the three new additions make sense. The

Juvenile Fillies Turf is a logical counterpart to the Juvenile Turf, which was

added in 2007, and the 2008 inaugural running of the Turf Sprint will fill a

niche. Critics will continue to label turf sprints as "gimmick" races, but

there's no denying the growing popularity of these events nationwide. The same

can't be said for the newly created Dirt Marathon. What's the point of this

race? The 1 1/4-mile Classic (G1) usually doesn't fill, attracting only nine

runners this year -- including a couple of confirmed milers -- and the 1

1/2-mile Dirt Marathon will have trouble attracting quality horses. There are no

established preps -- only promises from racing secretaries to write races -- and

it's difficult to imagine the Dirt Marathon ever receiving Grade 1 status (it

will be eligible for grading after three runnings). Any Grade 1-caliber horse

will be pointed toward the $5 million Classic. The Breeders' Cup itself is

showing a lack of respect, providing only a $500,000 purse on a $25 million

plus program. That's not a championship purse; a lot of races across North America

are worth more money. The Dirt Marathon would've been a good spot this year for

Evening Attire (Black Tie Affair [Ire]) and a few lesser horses, but the

Breeders' Cup might as well add a starter handicap to its format.

Moon, Light -- A couple of promising New York-bred juveniles were on

display last week. In Saturday's restricted Damon Runyon S. at Aqueduct, GIANT

MOON (Giant's Causeway) improved to three-for-three with a 1 3/4-length score.

Trained by Richard Schosberg, the speedy bay has led wire-to-wire in every

start, including a victory in the Sleepy Hollow S. on October 20. The 1

1/16-mile Damon Runyon was his first start around two turns, and the well-bred

colt is bred to run long on both sides of his pedigree. In Friday's Delta Princess S. at Delta

Downs, BY THE LIGHT (Malibu Moon) made short work of her nine rivals, powerfully

closing for a 5 1/4-length score. Conditioned by Richard Dutrow, By the Light

has dominated all four career outings, including a win over males in the New

York Breeders' Futurity two starts back at Finger Lakes. She's won on the lead

and from off the pace, and the one-mile Delta Princess was her first two-turn

attempt.

Costa -- There's no debate surrounding the best Louisiana-bred in

training. COSTA RISING (Royal Strand [Ire]) delivered the most impressive

performance of his successful racing career when capturing a second straight

Louisiana Champions Day Classic S. at Fair Grounds on Saturday, winning by an

astounding 15 1/4 lengths under 124 pounds. The four-year-old colt seized

command early under Robby Albarado and increased his advantage at every call in

the nine-furlong test, notching his 10th overall stakes triumph. Trainer Glenn

Delahoussaye was basking in the aftermath of his charge's glorious effort. "Not

only is he the best Louisiana-bred I've ever trained, I make him maybe the best

Louisiana-bred ever," Delahoussaye said. "The numbers speak for themselves. I

think he will prove that if we get another year of longevity out of him." The

Louisiana-bred Happy Ticket is a Grade 1 winner with runner-up finishes in the

Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) and two other Grade 1 events to her credit, so Costa Rising

isn't the best ever. But he might be the top male horse

ever bred in the Pelican State.

Cushion Woes -- Santa Anita will open in less than two weeks, and the

Cushion Track is still under repair. Officials hope to reopen for training next

week if the drainage problems are resolved. Hollywood Park was plagued by three

fatal breakdowns over its Cushion Track earlier this week, and the Inglewood

track has had other problems since debuting the synthetic surface last fall.

Perhaps these issues will be resolved satisfactorily, with the surfaces proving

to be dependable for years to come, but the fear is that it's only the tip of

the iceberg. The fact remains that nobody knew for certain how these synthetic

surfaces would hold up under the rigors of American racing in different climates

across the country. Now, we're learning about the problems. When you factor in

the installation cost, approximately $10 million, along with the possibility of

millions spent in maintenance before the surface is five years old due to

unforeseen consequences, it's a risky venture indeed.