Breeders' Cup!

It's finally arrived - the most exciting two days in racing.  The Kentucky Derby gets more attention from the general public, but the Derby is one single race for three-year-olds.  The Breeders' Cup is a collection of 14 races, representing many of the best horses in the world.  There is nothing like it.

This year's BC at Churchill Downs in Louisville is more highly anticipated than ever because Zenyatta is seeking to end her career a perfect 20 for 20, one of the greatest feats in sports history.  She's the only female in the BC Classic, which is the closest thing racing has to a world championship.  If you don't watch any other BC race, make sure you catch the Classic, 6:45 PM ET Saturday on ESPN.  It will be drama of the highest order.

It's all the more exciting that I live in Louisville now.  I've been going out to Churchill in the mornings to watch the workouts, and the place is alive with anticipation.  Throngs of fans have come out, hoping to catch a glimpse of the big, beautiful mare known as Queen Z.

But there are other storylines at the BC.  Goldikova, seen above, came over from Europe again to try and do something no horse has done - win three straight BC races.  She is remarkable, consistently beating the top male horses in Europe and the US.  When she turns into the stretch, it's like she has rocket boosters on her legs.  She explodes to the wire with a turn of foot that seems to defy physics.  I'd try to catch that race, too (Sat. 4:40 PM ET, ESPN). All the races will be on ESPN, ESPN 2 or ABC.  Schedule here.

I attended the official Breeders' Cup welcome party last night at the Yum Center, the sparkling new home of the University of Louisville basketball team.  Wow.  The BC knows how to throw a shindig.  The entire concourse was filled with fine food and drink and country star Toby Keith performed to cap off the night.  I met one of the owners of Kathmanblu, a two-year-old filly running in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.  He said his brother-in-law had been trying for 30 years to have a horse good enough to run in a race like this.  There are stories like that in every BC race.  As Churchill track announcer Mark Johnson told me recently, horse racing has the most drama you'll find outside of a theater.

I'm thankful to be working this Breeders' Cup (covering it for The Paulick Report) because it's cold here in Louisville.  The high today is only mid-40's, but I will be in the toasty warm press box, six floors above the Churchill track.  Should be great viewing.

In case you want to follow the races or even wager a few dollars, here's a link to my picks for BC Day 1.  I'll post my picks for championship Saturday by tomorrow morning.

I hope you get a chance to enjoy the drama and excitement that is the Breeders' Cup!