By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTHE PRESTIGIOUS Breeders' Cup meet takes place this Saturday at Lone Star Park in Texas and Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) will afford punters the opportunity to watch and wager on the eight races worth US$14 million.
Breeders' Cup Day has become the biggest international raceday on the calendar with top horses from North America and Europe, among other places, highlighting the best that racing has to offer.
According to CTL's executive manager of OTB and Finance, Donald Tankoy, there is even more than the Breeders' Cup races in store.
"Similar to last year when the races were beamed live from Santa Anita in California, CTL will simulcast all 12 races from Lone Star Park, beginning at about 10:30 a.m.
BETWEEN THE LOCAL RACES
"The Breeders Cup races will be scheduled in-between the local races so punters will have enough time between races to place their bets. Last year we did pretty well and we hope to do even better this year as the experts tell me the races will be very competitive," said Tankoy.
Meanwhile, last Wednesday Europe unveiled a 12-strong challenge for the eight races. According to reports coming out of England, the figure was just over three-and-a-half down on the average since the series began in 1984, but only two less than last year.
Three of the races run last year at Santa Anita were won by horses from Europe ISLINGTON (England), HIGH CHAPARRAL (Ireland) and SIX PERFECTIONS (France).
Speaking from Dallas Breeders' Cup President, D.G. Van Clief Jnr., told a news conference on Wednesday: "We are on a par with last year and we are pleased with the quantity and depth."
However, although the eight races carry a total of at least $14 million in prize money, big end-of-season events in Canada, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong continue to provide stiff competition. Late entry fees and shipping costs may also be a factor.
British bookmakers Coral offer 9-1 against Europe repeating the 2003 figure of three winners and quote no winner as 6-4 favourite.
FLY THE FLAG
But Ed Dunlop, who trains English and Irish Oaks winner OUIJA BOARD, is hopeful his brilliant performer can fly the flag. The filly was a fast-finishing third to Bago in this month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France and has been entered in two contests, the Turf and the Fillies and Mares. The trainer says he won't decide which one until she is in the United States.
Firm fancies are KITTEN'S JOY to win the Turf race, AZERI the Distaff and PLEASANTLY PERFECT the $4 million Classic for the second consecutive year. PLEASANTLY perfect will come face to face with former Kentucky and Preakness winner FUNNY CIDE, who recently romped the Jockey Club Stakes, and this year's Belmont Stakes winner BIRDSTONE, the horse who lowered the colours of SMARTY JONES.
Lone Star Park near Dallas, Texas, opened in 1997 and is hosting the Breeders' Cup for the first time. Temporary seating for around 38,000 has been set up and raceday is a sell-out of over 51,000. About $6 million has been spent on permanent improvements.
Track president Corey Johnsen said: "We are ready to welcome the world."
