US Graded Stakes Race Calendar

As part of their new Breeders' Cup site -- just released -- Bodog Racebook has added a schedule of US Graded Stakes Races for 2006. This long-required list of major horse races run in the United Stakes is not only available as a printable document, but can be downloaded to Microsoft Outlook or iCal. Never miss another horse racing wager!

In other Breeders Cup betting news, unbeaten Tin Man will race this Saturday in the $250,000 Clement Hirsch Turf Championship. The Grade 1 Hirsch will be Tin Man's first race since running past Cacique to victory in the Arlington Million. His performance there will determine whether he continues on to the Breeders' Cup Turf on Nov. 4th.

Another Breeders' Cup contender looking for a Stakes win this weekend is Perfect Drift. A convincing win in the Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park would open up the possibility that Perfect Drift heads to the Breeders' Cup Classic -- becoming the only horse in history to compete in the Classic five times.

Technorati tag(s): stakes races, horse racing, breeders cup contenders

Bernardini Early Breeders' Cup Favorite

In early 2006 Breeders' Cup futures, "super horse" is widely the favorite, with current odds favoring him at 7/4 to take the Breeders' Cup Classic.

The offspring of A.P. Indy and Cara Rafaela most recently took won the Travers Stakes in a commanding fashion. The upcoming Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont will have a big impact on what the Breeder Cup betting futures for Darley Stable's Bernardini look like the day after.

Other current strong contenders are Whitney Cup winner Invasor, and Shirocco. Shirocco looked in fine form as he sprinted past Hurricane Run and Pride with star jockey Christophe Soumillon on board.

Technorati tag(s): breeders cup, horse racing, bernardini

Woodbine Suspends Racing Privileges for Friedman and Nixon

Woodbine Entertainment Group has suspended the racing privileges of horse owners Aubrey Friedmand and Brian Nixon at both Mowhawk and Woodbine Racetrack.

There's no indication yet of exactly why their racing privileges have been revoked, but the statement by Jamie Martin, VP of Standardbred Racing provides some clues. "There is no place in horse racing." Martin stated, "for the use of prohibited drugs or substances with no therapeutic value to the horse." Can we read into this that Friedman and Nixon were dopes for doping?

In other Woodbine news, Jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. will be riding the Del Mar Oaks victor Arravale in the $300K Canadian Stakes, to be run 17 September.

The Canadian Stakes is a 1 1/8 miles turf race. This will be Valdivia's second ride atop Arravale, which he rode in the Del Mar Oaks on 19 August.

Technorati tag(s): horse racing, woodbine