In any event, the marathon is once again leading off for the weekend for the Breeders' Cup. Extended for a quarter of a mile to operate last year, proof of 14 Furlong is - appropriately - the longest run before Christ. The first two cages were won by horses coming from off the pace. (Longshot booyah Muhannak followed before overtaking his rival to win the inaugural race in 2008 to 1 1 / 2 miles. The Iron Man was by far the pace last year nose gentleman cloudy, when the distance was extended to 1 3 / 4 miles.) But this is the kind of distance a favorite of isolation can break loose in the head, quiet competence to sleep through easy fractions, and have enough reserve capacity to negotiate the long stretch of Churchill Downs. The question is, is like a horse - and the stage of pace - which can be sharing this year's Marathon?
A gentle 5 year old son ran to Dynaformer, Temple City won a place in the marathon, taking the Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar in July. In this win-and-you-in the heat of 12 panels, was dawdling splits (50.4 and 1:16.0) and achieved a 3 1/4-length, track record.
"He was so relaxed today, so easy to go around," said jockey Joe Talamo after the race. "He has great pace, the water on it. When they reached him, he just started right away. I asked, and he was gone."
This race became key. The third finalist was 'Kid, who went on to successfully defend its title from the Pacific Classic in August, continued to deal with a big victory in the Goodwood Breeders' Cup Richard Handicap at Oak Tree at Hollywood Park. But in his last race (the Hawthorne Gold Cup), Temple City received a speed figure of 0 Beyer. Worked hard enough to allay fears on another goose egg, but returns against two horses he won by nearly 89 lengths.
Mining giant oak edge of the AU's second in the Gold Cup, and the son of 4 years-ol of the Giant's Causeway horse seems to be now in the Marathon. In addition to filling Miner UA in both of their meetings, Giant Oak has performed admirably against more difficult. He ranks third in unemployment and training front. The strikes against are a record of 0-3 in Churchill and no trips to the winner's circle in 2010.
Alcom Brazil race is on a break of three 1/2-month. He's run well fresh, and his last two developing countries - both the 12 stadiums - were solid. tactical speed gives him an advantage over a field of runners mostly a rhythm. And the marathon has been his goal since the spring.
"This is a good horse, a pleasure to train," said assistant coach Caramori Caue Alcom after victory in the Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap. "The Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs this year, and that is our main goal."
Foreign horses based won the first two marathons. This year's foreign contingent, bright horizon could be the most intriguing. A real stayer, who brings speed to the table manageable, but is unskilled in the dirt.
