|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Notebook Stevens returns with five Breeders' Cup mounts
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- A month after coming out of retirement, Gary Stevens is going to be one of the busiest riders at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Stevens has mounts in five of the eight Breeders' Cup races. The Southern California-based jockey retired at the end of last year because of arthritic knees. He returned to riding Oct. 4. "He's phenomenal, one of the greatest," said trainer Bob Baffert, who will give Stevens a leg up on Point Given in the $1.07 million Juvenile. "When Gary is on one of my horses, I can sleep at night." Stevens' other mounts are Speaking of Time in the Distaff, Cindy's Hero in the Juvenile Fillies, early favorite War Chant in the Mile and Valiant Halory in the Sprint. A rider with time on his hands Saturday will be Mike Smith, whose 20.4 winning percentage is the highest of any jockey in Breeders' Cup history. His only mount is longshot Jostle in the Distaff, the first Cup race of the day. "I can't believe I ride one race and then it's over," the New York-based Smith said. "I get all pumped up for the Breeders' Cup. I'm the first one in the jocks' room, and the last to leave. There's a lot of pressure and everyone reacts differently. Some get quiet and sit alone in the corner, and others are bouncing all over with energy," he said.
Paulson's presenceAllen Paulson remains a presence in the Breeders' Cup nearly four months after his death from cancer at age 78. Hap and Walkslikeaduck, two horses bred by Paulson, will run in the Mile. Hap also is owned by the Allen Paulson Trust. Paulson had started a horse in every Breeders' Cup since racing's richest event began in 1984. Paulson's name is at the top in five of six categories for owners-breeders. As an owner, he leads in money won ($7.57 million), starters (32) and victories (six). "He was a great supporter and great participant," said D.G. Van Clief Jr., president of Breeders' Cup Ltd. "He was awfully good for the event, and we really miss him."
Flying horsesSix flights brought 23 horses to Churchill Downs from England, Ireland, France, Germany and Japan this week. There was just one hitch. The plane from Ireland landed Tuesday at the same time President Clinton arrived in Louisville to campaign for local candidates. "There wasn't much doubt about who had priority, so we were delayed off-loading the horses," said Nick Clarke, managing director of the International Racing Bureau, which coordinates overseas horses running in the Breeders' Cup. Some overseas trainers arrive as much as two weeks early to let their horses acclimate. Tracks in England and France are much quieter than U.S. tracks, allowing horses to work out in solitude. "The atmosphere at most tracks here is very hectic, with a lot of horses moving about in a small space at the same time," Clarke said. Kalanisi, who trains in England and will run in the Turf, got overexcited and acted up last Sunday. "He had six days to recover from that incident," Clarke said. "If he had come in just two days before the race, he might not have time to regain his composure."
| ||||||||||||||||||||
