Back in 1980, American tracks might run one turf race, sometimes none, on a card. Then racing secretaries, looking to attract more entries, began carding more grass races, and it worked.
Horseplayers loved the added betting options in bigger fields, and by 1990, turf racing was on the rise in the USA.
Far Bridge. NYRA/Coglianese Photo.
The inaugural Breeders’ Cup at Hollywood Park in 1984 featured two grass stakes (Mile, Turf). This year’s 41st World Championships will stage seven at Del Mar – the other seven will be run on dirt.
French shipper Lashkari pulled off a 53-1 upset in the 1984 Turf, the first of many huge payoffs in Cup grass races. Among them: Shared Account (46-1 odds, 2010 Filly & Mare Turf) and Court Vision (64-1, 2011 Mile). In recent years Order of Australia (74-1, 2020 Mile) and Caravel (42-1, 2023 Turf Sprint) thrilled a few bettors and shocked everybody else.
Perhaps a turf longshot will make your day Nov. 1 or 2. You never know.
Horses in parentheses qualified by taking “Win and You’re In” races. Pre-entries are due Oct. 21.
A glance at possible runners:
FRIDAY, NOV. 1
Juvenile Turf Sprint: Early speed is key in a full field of lightly raced juveniles going 5 furlongs. It will be the first time around a turn for most Europeans, adding to the chaos. That didn’t bother the past two winners, English shippers Big Evs and Mischief Magic.
(Already qualified: Shareholder, Whistlejacket, Mentee)
Juvenile Fillies Turf: Lake Victoria looks like the best of the Euros, and Irish wizard Aidan O’Brien said she may ship over. May Day Ready, 3-for-3 (two stakes) for all-time great rider Frankie Dettori, is a U.S. standout.
(Qualified: Anshoda, And One More Time, Lake Victoria, May Day Ready, Vertical Blue, Scythian)
Juvenile Turf: Zulu Kingdom, 3-for-3 (two stakes), could give trainer Chad Brown a second Juvenile Turf trophy. Aidan O’Brien, seeking his seventh and third in a row, could run Camille Pissarro and/or The Lion in Winter. Minaret Station’s flying finish took Keeneland’s Bourbon Stakes.
(Qualified: The Lion in Winter, Green Impact, New Century, Zulu Kingdom, Minaret Station, Camille Pissarro)
SATURDAY (Nov. 2)
Turf Sprint: Cogburn, the world’s fastest horse, ran 5½ furlongs in an unearthly 59.80 seconds. He’s 3-for-3 this year and the heavy favorite. Trainer Archie Watson plans to run Bradsell (3-for-4, two Group 1 wins this year). Europe’s best grass sprinter prefers the firm ground expected at Del Mar. Last year’s Juvenile Turf Sprint hero, Big Evs, will try for an encore against older horses.
(Qualified: Cogburn, Asfoora, Bradsell, Motorious, Makarova)
Turf: Ireland’s defending champ, Auguste Rodin, will skip the Turf for the Nov. 24 Japan Cup. That’s good news for America’s Far Bridge, Gold Phoenix and Grand Sonata. Arc hero Bluestocking is a possibility, trainer Ralph Beckett said. She’ll be favored if she runs.
(Qualified: El Encinal, Auguste Rodin, Obataye, Blow the Horn, Goliath, Far Bridge, Gold Phoenix, Grand Sonata, Economics, Bluestocking)
Filly & Mare Turf: Foreigners (six Euros, one Japanese) won seven of the last eight renewals. No U.S. horse can match the resumes of England’s Cinderella’s Dream and Emily Upjohn.
(Qualified: Beach Bomb, Ten Happy Rose, Boudica, Moira, Content, Idea Generation, Porta Fortuna, Hang the Moon, Friendly Soul)
Mile: Europeans Charyn, Porta Fortuna and Notable Speech are world-class talents, but any or all three may stay home. America’s best hope is Carl Spackler (4-for-5 in stakes this year, 6-for-7 lifetime at a mile). Deep closer More Than Looks, second to him at Keeneland, has a shot.
(Qualified: Charles Dickens, Frateli La Vita, Romantic Warrior, Charyn, Notable Speech, Carl Spackler, Win for the Money, Johannes)