Breeders' Cup

Mo Forza (Uncle Mo) will miss the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland Nov. 7 due to a minor issue, according to Peter Miller Saturday. "If all goes well, we'll run in the Breeders' Cup next year at Del Mar," the trainer said. "What happened is just bad timing. I think he's the best turf miler in the world and I'm disappointed he won't be able to prove it this year." Mo Forza is co-owned by Onofrio Pecoraro, who races as OG Boss, and by the estate of former trainer...

The worktab at Churchill Downs Saturday morning was replete with many of racing's biggest names scheduled to make an upcoming start during next month's Breeders' Cup, including champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar), GI Preakness S. heroine Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) and Grade I-winner Tom's d'Etat (Smart Strike). Targeting the Distaff, the 2018 3-year-old champion filly completed six furlongs in 1:12. Working in tandem with GSW and GISP Owendale (Into Mischief, 6f 1:13), the 5-year-old carved out eighth-mile splits of :12, :24.40, :36.20, :47.80 and 1:00, galloping out in front of her stablemate...

Keeneland track announcer Kurt Becker has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the final day of the track's fall meet Saturday, according to a statement from the track. Churchill Downs's Travis Stone will replace Becker in the booth Saturday. According to the Keeneland release, Becker is experiencing only mild symptoms and is resting at home. "We look forward to his speedy recovery and to welcoming him back for the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland on Nov. 6-7," the release says. Becker became the first (and only) announcer in...

The Breeders' Cup has unveiled #MyBreedersCup, a multi-pronged digital and social program designed to bring the best of the upcoming Breeders' Cup World Championships to fans around the world. Created in response to the recent decision to conduct the 2020 event without fans on-site due to COVID-19, the program provides fans with new opportunities to interact with the championship event remotely, from innovative digital viewing experiences to a virtual fashion contest and more. The 37th running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships is scheduled to take place Friday, Nov. 6...

Trainer Todd Pletcher breezed a quintet of Breeders' Cup contenders over the past two mornings at Belmont Park. Halladay (War Front) (Mile), winner of the GI Fourstardave H. last out Aug. 22 at Saratoga, worked five-eighths in company Friday in 1:00.60 on the fast dirt training track. He was scratched out of the GI Shadwell Turf Mile Oct. 3 at Keeneland with a hind leg infection. "I thought it was a good work. We normally don't work him in company, but seeing as we're a little rushed for time between...

MGISW War of Will (War Front) kicked off the Breeders' Cup action Friday morning at Churchill Downs. With jockey Declan Carroll in the irons, the bay went in fractions of :11.60, :23.40, :34.80 and :46.80. They galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.20, seven furlongs in 1:24.80 and a mile in 1:38.40, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols. War of Will has made all three of his starts this season on turf, most recently finishing third in the GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile, but is being pointed for the GI Breeders'...

The Thoroughbred Safety Coalition has added eight medical and operational reforms to its platform. The group's Steering Committee, made up of executives from the Breeders' Cup, Churchill Downs Incorporated, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Keeneland Association Inc., the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Stronach Group, voted unanimously to adopt the reforms with the ultimate goal of uniform implementation across racing jurisdictions. The following reforms have been added to the Coalition's platform: Strengthen race entry and eligibility requirements; Work with state racing commissions to apply racing regulations surrounding prohibited substances...

One year after their very first Breeders' Cup win with New Money Honey (Medaglia d'Oro) in 2016, Bob and Kristine Edwards of e5 Racing Thoroughbreds found themselves in the winner's circle once again for the same race, with the same trainer-jockey duo, when Rushing Fall claimed the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. As it turned out it was hardly beginner's luck, as Rushing Fall's victory was a good omen for the family's second Breeders' Cup contender that year, and it proved to be just the start of an unforgettable...

Officials at Keeneland have announced that they will card just one turf race for each of the final three days of the fall meet Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A total of 2 ½ inches of rain fell in Lexington Monday and Tuesday and the forecast for the next 10 days remains changeable, with additional precipitation a possibility. On Friday and Saturday, race nine will be the afternoon's feature and will remain on the turf, weather permitting. Thursday's race six allowance will also stay on the grass. All other races originally...

With just a few weeks until the Breeders' Cup, trainer Wesley Ward is heading into Future Stars Friday with his typical strong hand. Ward joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to talk juveniles Golden Pal and Campanelle.

The Breeders' Cup will be held this year behind closed doors, but that doesn't mean the racing will be of a lesser quality. Joshua Christian, vice president of racing at Breeders' Cup, talks to TDN about the Win and You're In races that have been held in Europe this year and which horses will be making the journey to Kentucky for this year's renewal. TDN: How hard of a decision was it for Breeders' Cup to run this year behind closed doors? JC: It was a difficult but necessary decision...

Khalid Abdullah's Siskin (First Defence) is aiming at a run in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland on Nov. 7, provided ground conditions suit. "The Breeders' Cup Mile is under serious consideration," Juddmonte Racing Manager Teddy Grimthorpe told the TDN. "We're concerned about two things: one is the amount of rain that's fallen in Kentucky the last few days; we know he's a horse that's best on fast ground so that's one concern. The other concern is if they continue to race on the turf track leading up to...