Early Saturday, the top two females currently in horse racing both had plans to race in the Breeders' Cup when it is held at Churchill Downs November 4 and 5. By Saturday evening, one of those females had changed her plans.
Blind Luck staying home
Blind Luck, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, went off as the 9-5 favorite in a field of seven contesting the $250,000 Grade 1 Lady's Secret at Santa Anita Park. As is typical of the late closer, Blind Luck was at the back of the field, in front of only one other, Zazu.
With just over a half mile to go, Zazu began to make her move and passed Blind Luck. Zazu continued to make up ground as Blind Luck continued to drop further back. When jockey Garret Gomez asked Blind Luck to move, she didn't respond and went on to finish last, beaten 18 3/4 lengths.
Zazu, owned by Jerry and Ann Moss who also own Zenyatta, won the Breeders' Cup Win & You're In race and earned a berth in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic.
Hollendorfer has reportedly said that tests so far have found no reason for Blind Luck's poor performance and that the four-year-old mare will be given some time off, missing the Breeders' Cup.
Havre de Grace packing her bags for the Breeders' Cup
Havre de Grace won the Grade 1 $350,000 Beldame Invitational at Belmont Park and earned a spot in the Ladies Classic, as part of the Breeders' Cup Win & You're In Challenge series.
Havre de Grace, who beat males in the Woodward Stakes last month, was 8 1/4 lengths in front of her closest competition, Alabama Stakes winner Royal Delta.
Havre de Grace has five wins from six starts this year. Her only defeat was by a nose to Blind Luck in the Delaware Handicap.
Trainer Larry Jones continues to point Havre de Grace toward the Breeders' Cup Classic instead of the Ladies Classic, which she could likely win as easily as she won the Beldame. Her appearance in the Breeders' Cup Classic will no doubt be as exciting as Zenyatta's was last year at Churchill.
Photo: Courtesy Breeders' Cup
