With Champions Day now complete the world's racing eye focuses upon the Breeders' Cup which will be held the first weekend of November at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. I will be fortunate to attend this year's edition which will be my 14th since the inaugural set of races in 1984. In the buildup and mounting excitement to this year's Breeders' Cup I wanted to share some of my personal favorites from races I have seen in person leading up to Breeders' Cup Friday.
I'm starting off with the 1987 Breeders' Cup Classic at Hollywood Park (sadly, now torn down and converted into a new NFL stadium and entertainment complex) in the midst of the Los Angeles urban center. This was the first Breeders' Cup I saw in person and I was but a young 21-year-old and soon-to-be university graduate. My best childhood friend who will be in attendance with me this year and I scraped together money and we flew across America from New York to Los Angeles (my parents didn't have a clue, but I did let them in on it about 20 years later!). The anticipation for the Classic was tremendous with two Kentucky Derby winners in the field. Plus, the setting was phenomenal - beautiful, warm California sunshine splashing across one of the most picturesque racetracks in the world complete with infield lakes and palm trees, open air bars and restaurants, and the world-famous beaches only 10 minutes away.
I would strongly debate this was one of the greatest fields ever assembled for an American dirt race. Remember, the $3 million purse was the biggest in the world - Dubai was still a dusty speck of a city, the Arc was worth just over $1 million, and the Japan and Melbourne Cups under $1 million. The competition, the all-time great jockeys including legend Bill Shoemaker, the perfect race call by the track commentator, and the setting combined for a memorable event. Take two minutes and enjoy a video of the race https://youtu.be/Xu26inW7-IM
I knew two things for certain after my initial trip to California: I would get to as many Breeders' Cups as possible and I would someday move to California. I've accomplished the first and I'm getting closer to the second.
Here is a rundown of the 1987 Breeders' Cup Classic field with career earnings and Group race information:
Candi's Gold - $876,640, multiple G1 placed
Good Command - $444,421, G2 winner
Judge Angelucci - $1,582,535, 3x G1 winner
Skywalker - $2,226,750, 2x G1 winner, 1986 BC Classic winner
Cryptoclearance - $3,376,327, 4x G1 winner, 11x G1 placed
Ferdinand - $3,777,978, 3x G1 winner, 10x G1 placed, 1986 Kentucky Derby winner, 1987 BC Classic winner, 1987 Horse of the Year
Afleet - $995,235, G1 winner, 4x G1 placed
He's A Saros - $656,360, G2 placed
Alysheba - $6,679,242, 9x G1 winner, 4x G1 placed, 1987 Kentucky Derby & Preakness winner, 1988 BC Classic winner, 1988 Horse of the Year
Bold Arrangement - $273,876, UK Import, 1986 KY Derby 2nd, multiple G1 placed in France, England and America
Gulch - $3,095,521, 7x G1 winner, 9x G1 placed, winner 1988 BC Sprint
Nostalgia's Star - $2,154,827, G1 winner, multiple G2/G3 placed
