I’ve known for over a month that there was a possibility of witnessing history in the Jockey Club Gold Cup last Saturday, but the excitement didn’t set in until the field turned for home. It was at that point that I found myself screaming at the TV, urging on Curlin. It was on that final turn in which Curlin began to make his move into the history books. He overtook Wanderin Boy and Merchant Marine at the top of the stretch, and while Wanderin Boy didn’t quit, Curlin did what he needed to do to win his second consecutive Jockey Club Gold Cup and pass Cigar to become the all-time leading money earner in North America.

It also sets up what could be one of the most exciting races in a long time -- the possible duel between Big Brown and Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Curlin took his first trip over the Poly track this week, and the only question remaining was how he would react to it.

It’s a story to follow over the next few weeks to get a better idea if Curlin will in fact be entered. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it will be a great race for the sport, and I am really hoping that it happens. I’m taking Curlin all the way if it does.

In the Jockey Club Gold Cup, I had a dollar on the trifecta which returned $24.60, covering the other bets I made and adding 60 cents to the pot. Oh well, Curlin wasn’t going to get beat. Aside from Curlin winning, there were 22 other major stakes races, and overall, the favorites did not disappoint. In fact, Black Seventeen, who went off at 23-1, was the only long shot to win. 

It was a good meter on how competitive this year’s Breeders Cup may be. Zenyatta, whom I mentioned last week, came on strong in the final furlong to win the Lady’s Secret. She has now won eight consecutive races, and if Big Brown or Curlin stumble in the Classic, she will be horse of the year.

Dynaforce beat out Mauralakana and Communique on the turf in the Flower Bowl Invitational, further proving what I wrote last week that any horse by Dynaformer is a good horse on the turf. He returned a nice $8.60 for a $2 bet. The $2 trifecta paid $32.80.

Mani Bhavan, Pyro, Shakis, War Monger and Doctor Dino are the headliners in action this weekend, as the meet at Keeneland opens on Friday. Being from Boston, I will admit I placed Mani Bhavan on my watch list solely because of his name which is similar to our old friend “Manny being Manny,” but he was actually very impressive up at Saratoga with two wins including one in the Grade 1 Spinaway. Alan Garcia, arguably the hottest jockey in the country will be aboard him again. Be sure to give him some consideration in the ninth race in the Alcibiades Stakes on Friday.

Pyro will be racing Saturday in the Indiana Derby. He looked good closing in the Travers and will be in the money in this race.

One of my personal favorites, Shakis, will be racing on Saturday in the Shadwell Turf Mile, with the winner earning an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Other contenders include War Monger, Rahy’s Attorney and Lord Admiral. I will have more on this race coming soon.

Doctor Dino (FR) is the 2-1 favorite in Saturday's Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine. The winner of this race earns a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. He has three Grade 1 victories already.

The Shadwell Turf Mile is one of five Grade 1 stakes races at Keeneland on Saturday and should be a great race. I don’t see there being a huge fight for the early lead and I see Thorn Song having an easy time grabbing that lead. He has been in the money in all five races at a mile, and had the lead against Shakis and War Monger in the Grade 2 Baruch before yielding. That race was a mile and 1/8 though and maybe the shorter distance suits him better. The 5, 9, 11, and 12 shouldn’t be far behind Thorn Song. It appears that there will be quite a few horses running late, which might set up nice for Thorn Song.

I am a big fan of Shakis, but he is the morning line favorite and I think he can defiantly be beat, which might set up nice for a good pay day. With that being said, the 11 horse, Karelian, is a very interesting choice that may get some very nice odds. He is six for six in the money at a mile, is two for four in the money at Keeneland, and he is coming off one of his best races back in July.

Also on the outside, the 12, Rahy’s Attorney is a very strong horse coming off a win in the Woodbine Mile. Lord Admiral, the 5, is coming from overseas, as is Lovelace, and both should be able to run an impressive race on the turf.

With Shakis going off as the favorite, I am going with Thorn Song to top my keys.

$2 Trifecta Key 3 / 5, 11, 12      = $12
$5 ACB 11                                = $15
$1 Tri Box   2,3,12                     = $6
$.10 Superfecta box 1,3,10,11   =$2.40

The race is wide open and you can make an argument for many different scenarios. Best of luck to all.

Racing term of the week
Mare: A female horse, 5 years or older.

Fun fact of the week
Suffolk Downs in East Boston opened its doors on July 10, 1935, and hosted over 35,000 fans on that day. In that same year, Top Row won the first-ever Massachusetts Handicap. The third running of the Mass Cap in 1937 was won by the legendary Seabiscuit.