Breeders' Cup: Final

Curlin just didn't have it in the stretch in this year's Breeders Cup Classic. Of course, my top choice, Henrythenavigator, going off at overlaid odds of 19 to 1, failed to make up enough ground to finish ahead of 13 to 1 shot Raven's Pass.

There are a couple things to remember from this Breeders' Cup. First, it showed that if the NTRA, who puts on this ridiculous show once a year, decides to stick with artificial tracks, the Europeans will come in droves. They won't just come; they will win races.

The Euros picked up the Breeders' Cup Mile with Goldikova, finished one, two in the Breeders' Cup Turf with Conduit, Eagle Mountain, one two in the Breeders' Cup Mile with Donitivum and Westphalia and even won the Breeders' Cup Marathon with Muhannak.

Then, in what had to have been a shocker to many American race fans, the Euros beat Curlin and America's beast in the Breeders' Cup Classic with European champion milers Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator. Wow.

Breeders' Cup wise, I didn't have such a wonderful day. I did win quite a bit on Henrythenavigator when he paid $22 to finish second. I also made an adjustment on the fly, because of how I saw the track playing, and jumped all over Midnight Lute. I hit the trifecta in that race.

But overall, it was an excellent day. The Breeders' Cup is great for blogging but not all that profitable for folks who bet the races everyday. What was profitable was Ball Four wiring the final race at Keeneland and paying $44 to win.

Now, that's horse racing!