Horse Betting World

Ladies Day on Friday – Not This Year

By Joey Adams

In 2007 the Breeder’s Cup decided to expand into a two-day championship weekend. At a cold, rainy Monmouth Park, a trio of Breeders’ Cup races were run on Friday afternoon, as a preview to the main event on Saturday. Those races were the Filly & Mare Sprint, the Juvenile Turf and the Dirt Mile. The following year, in 2008, the Breeders’ Cup decided to expand again, promoting a “Ladies Day” on Friday, featuring five Breeders’ Cup races – all for the ladies. From those five races, four Eclipse Award champions emerged – Indian Blessing (Female Sprinter), Stardom Bound (2YO filly), Forever Together (Female Turf Horse) and Zenyatta (Older Female).

In 2009 there were further tweaks to the schedule, and “Ladies Day” was no longer just for the ladies. The first Breeders’ Cup race run on Friday was the Breeders’ Cup Marathon – for the boys. Not only did this defeat the whole notion of “Ladies Day,” but it must have made those colts and geldings feel like second-class citizens not to be able to race with their brethren on Saturday. And more importantly, two of the biggest female names in racing were absent from the action on “Ladies Day” – Zenyatta wouldn’t leave her stall until Saturday, when she faced the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and Goldikova wouldn’t be seen until the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

This year at Churchill Downs the Breeders’ Cup will follow a similar schedule, with the second-class boys leading the parade in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon on Friday, followed by five races for the ladies. The Ladies Classic will end the day at 7:30PM (ET), becoming the first Breeders’ Cup race to be run under artificial lighting. While there is some history to be made there, the real female headliners will be spending their “Ladies Day” away from the lights.

The Ladies Classic, intended to cap off a memorable day of racing on Friday, is generating little hype this year. Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra has been retired. It was recently reported that talented three-year-old filly Devil May Care has come down with an illness and is no longer under consideration for this race. And of course the big mare Zenyatta will be in her stall Friday when the lights go on, resting up to defend her crown in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Who now carries the banner for “Ladies Day?” Maybe it’s defending Filly & Mare Turf champion Midday – much to the delight of the Europeans.

It could be argued that Zenyatta and Goldikova turned Saturday at Santa Anita into “Ladies Day,” and they will have an opportunity to do the same this year at Churchill Downs. Both are back to defend their crowns against the boys, and both figure to be heavily favored to do so. And this year there is another top female taking part in the action on Saturday – Proviso. Although she has earned a spot in the Filly & Mare Turf on Friday, she is being pointed towards the Breeders’ Cup Mile and a showdown with Goldikova.

There is little doubt that many feel the Breeders’ Cup has expanded too far, and watered down the championship series by adding six races on Friday. While their intentions for “Ladies Day” may have been noble enough, how do you promote a championship day on Friday for the ladies when the best female runners in the world won’t be in action until Saturday? While there will be quality racing and memorable performances, the excitement and anticipation leading up to the Breeders’ Cup Mile and Breeders’ Cup Classic will be unparalleled – and it’s all thanks to the ladies! Track Betting