Red Giant, Tropic Storm Out of Breeders' Cup

With the 2008 Breeders' Cup betting expected to pick up steam this week, two more horses have been taken out of the running.

Red Giant, one of the favorites to win the US $2 million Turf race, is running a fever and is experiencing a loss of appetite. These symptoms were cause enough for trainer Todd Pletcher to pull his horse from the Breeders' Cup.

"The timing of it, six days before the race, gave him no time to recover and no time to work," said Pletcher. In light of this news, owner John Fort has instructed Pletcher to make breeding plans for Red Giant, effectively putting an end to Red Giant's racing career.

Over at Hollywood Park, trainer Craig Dollase has also confirmed that his horse, Tropic Storm, has suffered a soft tissue injury and won't be running in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and and Turf Sprint races.

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Big Brown Out of Breeders' Cup

In what is being called a complete fluke, the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner suffered a season-ending injury on Sunday. According to Big Brown's co-owner, Michael Iavarone, the thoroughbred tore a three-inch piece of flesh off of his right front foot during a workout. Part of the hoof was also missing.

"This was a complete fluke," Iavarone said. "He hadn't had issues with his feet for awhile and to have him come up just like this was a shock to all of us."

The injury to the Breeders' Cup contender will take at least two months to heal, which means he'll have to take a pass on this year's big event at Santa Anita Park. This will no doubt have a huge effect on the betting public's interest, but any horse racing fan knows the importance of winning a race like the Breeders' Cup Classic, with or without Big Brown.

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Churchill Downs Awarded 2010 Breeders' Cup

If you enjoy Breeders' Cup betting then you'll enjoy today's news. With the 2008 Breeders' Cup just weeks away, it was just announced that the 2010 Breeders' Cup will be held at Churchill Downs, home to some of the world's most prestigious (and lucrative) horse races. The 14-race event will be held over the two days (Nov. 5 and 6) and will have a total purse of $25.5 million. Additionally, it will be broadcasted globally on ESPN and ABC.

This isn't the first time Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders' Cup, however. It also has held the races in 1988, 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, and as recent as 2006.

"The return of the Breeders' Cup to Churchill Downs in 2010 is wonderful news for our track and Kentucky's signature horse industry, as well as the business owners and the state and local governments that will benefit from the economic boost this major international event will provide to our city and region," Churchill Downs Inc. president and CEO Robert Evans said in a news release. "Our state, industry and our Churchill Downs team take great pride in the unparalleled record of success of the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs. The bold idea that became the Breeders' Cup was unveiled in our city by visionary breeder and Breeders' Cup founder John Gaines, and we are excited to officially start the countdown to the first visit by this great event in its new two-day format to Churchill Downs in 2010."

Breeders' Cup Chairman William S. Farish Jr. echoed Evans' sentiments:

"We are delighted to be returning the Breeders' Cup to Churchill Downs and to our great supporters in Kentucky and throughout the region. Churchill Downs has proven to be an outstanding Breeders' Cup venue and is extremely popular with our horsemen and fans from around the world."

This year's Breeders' Cup will be held at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 24 and 25.

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