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Sunday, October 21, 2001

The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Saturday at Belmont Park in New York have been largely unaffected by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Sept. 11.

The most obvious evidence is the pre-entry of 19 European horses being shipped to the United States for the eight-race, $13 million extravaganza. Among them are Galileo, the 6-for-7 winner of the English and Irish Derbies, and Sakhee, a six-length winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The attack on New York hasn't kept any West Coast owners from shipping their top horses cross-country, either.

"We're extremely gratified by the stick-to-it-tiveness and the determination of the owners and trainers coming long distances and from overseas in light of what's gone on here," D.G. Van Clief, Jr., president of the Breeders' Cup said from New York during a national teleconference Wednesday.

Asked if the Saudi and Dubai royalty with Breeders' Cup starters were coming to the races, Van Clief said, "We've heard nothing to the contrary. As far as we know the Arabs are planning to attend."

Van Clief said no overseas owners have called to inquire about extra security, either.

But there will be extra security, said Van Clief and Terry Meyocks, president of the host New York Racing Association. Meyocks said officials had consulted with the FBI and New York state law enforcement officials and that Nassau County is sending 200 extra police officers. There also were discussions with the New York Yankees and Mets about methods of tightening crowd security.

Horsemen and media are being required to carry photo identification along with their Breeders' Cup passes, and the media was advised to expect frequent I.D./press pass checks at security points.

As another precaution, there will be no flying over Belmont Park during the championships, Meyocks said.

Fans apparently have not been scared away, either. "Right after Sept. 11, we did have some cancellations of reserved seats," Meyocks said. "But, for the most part, they have been resold. In some cases, they were groups. And we did lose people from the World Trade Center.

"People are still coming," he added. "They may be reluctant to fly, but they're driving or maybe coming in motor homes. ... New York's alive."

Breeders' Cup bits

Four of the 2000 Breeders' Cup champions are back to try for a second title. Spain is trying for a double in the $2 million Distaff; Tiznow is going for a second consecutive win in the $4 million Classic. Macho Uno, 2000 winner of the $1 million Juvenile, is entered in this Classic, and Kona Gold is trying to repeat in the $1 million Sprint. ... Thirteen of the 104 different horses pre-entered were double entered, bringing the total number of pre-entries to 117. ... There are eight first-time supplemental pre-entries in the field. If all eight start, the $13 million in guaranteed purses will swell to $14.3 million. ... Four of the eight races were oversubscribed. The first eight starters in each will be determined by points earned in specially designated stakes over the season. The other six will be determined by a panel of racing directors and racing secretaries. The panel also rates the also-eligibles in preference order for drawing into the field following any defections.

Bailey contributes

Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey has pledged 5 percent of any of his earnings from the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Oct. 27 to two Belmont Park area charities aiding families of victims of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

The donations would be split between the Garden City Family Relief Fund and the Floral Park Family Relief Fund. Both communities are near Belmont Park.

"It is my privilege to be in a situation where I may be of help to local families that have suffered terrible losses," Bailey said.

Bailey is one of the top four money-winning jockeys in Breeders' Cup history, and he already has lined up a number of solid prospects for the championships, including Aptitude in the $4 million Classic, Flute in the $2 million Distaff and Hap in the $2 million Turf.

Locals in Breeders Crown

Two Meadows-based horses participated in the Breeders Crown harness racing championships at Woodbine in Toronto over the past two weekends. One, Roy Davis' Pegasus Spur, made it out of the eliminations, but Bill White's Yankee Sensation just missed qualifying for the final Friday night.

Pegasus Spur, trained by Charles Stillings and driven by Dick Stillings, finished second in his elimination for the Crown trot for 3-year-old colts and geldings Oct. 12. He raced Friday night in the final and finished second.

The Ray Paver-trained Yankee Sensation finished sixth in his elimination for the 2-year-old colt and gelding pace. Only the top five qualified for the final.