The Breeders' Cup's 2008 meet was held at Santa Anita this year (and will return next year), marking the 25 th anniversary of this hugely lucrative day in sports. Over 26 million dollars of purse money was awarded, and the races spread out over two days. Several new races were entered into the mix, and hopefully, they will stay.

The biggest question marks were how would the European shippers do (after poor performances in last year's Monmouth slop), and what about the synthetic track? To answer the first question, they did quite well; to answer the second question, I'm now a convert to the synthetic surface for the most part.

The biggest positive, in my view, is that, over the two days of the BC, not one horse was injured badly enough so it had to be euthanized on the track. This is the first year since I began covering the BC back in 2000 where that's occurred. In my opinion, it's not the luck of the draw. It's the fact that this surface is actually safer for both horses and riders. The current generation of horses has the most difficult transition to get used to the surface. And the negative is the way the surface radiates heat. For instance, as the temperature in the air rose into the high eighties, the heat radiating from the track reached, at one point, 146 degrees Fahrenheit. The track specialists chose not to water it down, but, as the day wore on, horses washed out. None of them collapsed from heat exhaustion, to my knowledge, but this is an aspect of synthetic surfaces that, in my opinion, needs to be addressed and perfected.

I'm not sure if anyone noticed or cared, but I didn't submit a prep article for the Breeders' Cup this year, mostly because I hadn't done enough homework early enough to warrant one. I prepared close to race day, and there were plenty of paddock-side decisions, especially on Saturday, most of which worked in my favor and proved one of my points in the way I handicap: You can look at marks on paper all you want, but what counts is how the horse looks in the paddock right before the race.

Friday:

Race 1: Guns on the Table, my top choice, a son of Carson City , took the top spot. My choices for show, Gandalf and Dark Nose, came in tenth and twelfth, a disappointment. Gandalf weakened, and Dark nose dueled too early and wore himself out.

Race 2: Silk Thunder, my top choice for the race, was a disappointment, coming in fifth (moved up to fourth due to Rare Ribbon's disqualification for interference). She didn't have the stamina. My place choice, Surfer Girl, was scratched, and my show pick Rollerskates was out for a stroll, not a race. She's Cheeky, the winner, rode a smartly stalking race and deserved the win.

Race 3: For some reason, I always pass over Ventura , and I always regret it. She won this race, as well she should. I went with Indian Blessing and Zaftig across the board, which paid off in its own way, since they came in second and third. Had Ventura not been in the race, they would have come in 1-2, and my long shot pick Miraculous Miss, who came in fourth, would have completed my race. However, Ventura was in, Ventura won. Intageroo, a horse I prefer to Ventura , came in sixth, a big disappointment (since I bet her across the board, too). She had a bad day with a slow break and never really got into the race after that. My other longshot pick, Dearest Tricksi, a lovely horse, wore herself out by giving too much too soon. I usually throw money at any of Tiznow's progeny, and his fillies tend to far better than his colts, but neither Tizzy's Tune nor Tiz Elemental did it for me in this race. I passed on them, which was the right choice, since they came in fifth and last, respectively.

Race 4: I didn't bet in this race. I wanted to take a look at Larah and Saucy Evening, but neither impressed me enough to bet. I hoped for a longshot upset, and I got it - Maram, in spite of seeming to drift all over the track, pulled it together and won. I'll look at her again in a future race to see how she improves, but I probably won't risk betting on her unless she shows a lot more poise.

Race 5: I had Sky Diva and Stardom Bound across the board, with Dream Empress to show and Black Magic as my longshot show bet. There was no room for Black Magic, because in this exciting race, they came in as: Stardom Bound, Dream Empress, and Sky Diva. Black Magic only managed eighth. Stardom Bound dropped back early and then went wide, but still managed to clear everyone under Mike Smith's confident guidance. Dream Empress and Sky Diva didn't make it easy for her, but she prevailed.

Race 6: I barely made it on the board in this race, only hitting with Wait A While, who I bet across the board and who came in third. I hoped Halfway to Heaven would place; unfortunately, she placed herself in the middle of the pack. My longshot bet Folk Opera came in second to last. Forever Together won the race, despite hanging five wide in the turn.

Race 7: This was the Ladies' Classic, the hardest race of the day to handicap. I picked Zenyatta, Ginger Punch, and Cocoa Beach across the board, with Music Note to place and Hystericalady to show. Zenyatta, ridden beautifully by Mike Smith, took her time and picked off the other horses in the field for another beautiful win. She's now won nine out of nine races, and is in an excellent position to be named Horse of the Year. Cocoa Beach was patient early, turning it on to nip the place spot, edging out Music Note, who took the show spot (good for her, not so great for me). Hystericalady came in a disappointing fifth, running wide much of the way, and Ginger Punch was the big disappointment of the race, coming in sixth. She never really fired. Zenyatta's performance, however, more than made up for any disappointments in the rest of the race.

Race 8: I was tempted to sit this one out, but I put a small bet on Lemon Chiffon to show, and that's exactly what she did, waiting until the time was right to move. It was worth it.

Race 9: I had Siren Lure to place, which didn't work out so well. Siren Lure came in tenth after a strong start. The race was won by Becrux under Mike Smith, splitting other horses and winning through grit and determination.

Race 10: I chose a horse named Vulcan to place, and, because I battled a migraine, put a small bet on Headache to show. Vulcan was scratched, and Headache intensified my headache by coming in eleventh. This horse just didn't have enough to run down the other horses.

Saturday, October 25, Race 1: This was the first time "The Marathon" race was run. It's a mile and a half, the only other race of this length outside of the Belmont Stakes. I hope they keep this endurance race on the card in future years, and I hope that more long races are inaugurated throughout the country. My picks for this race were Sixties Icon across the board, with Zappa and Big Booster to place, Cedar Mountain to show, and Booyah as my longshot bet to show. Booyah did well for about the first 2/3 of the race, and then faded out to finish last. The Irish horse Muhannak ran a spectacular, patient race under Patrick Smullen, rating well and pulling away from the pack to finish. Big Booster came in third, which got him some money, but not any for me. Sixties Icon, Zappa, and Cedar Mountain were all disappointing, finishing fifth, sixth, and seventh, and never really offering a challenge during the entire race. I hoped this was not an omen for my day.

Race 2: I bet Diabolical across the board, with Get Funky and Idiot Proof to pace and Storm Treasure to show. There was a small filly named Fleeting Spirit who looked good, but I didn't bet on her today, and I considered betting on the longest shot on the board, Desert Code, a big chestnut cold ridden by Richard Migliore, but didn't get my bet in on time. That bit me in the butt like an angry horse, because Desert Code ran a magnificent race, not pushing too fast too soon, but always staying up near the pace, for a big win. My pick Diabolical came in second, and Storm Treasure came in as predicted, third. Fleeting Spirit was fourth, and a horse I'm interested in following during future races. Get Funky and Idiot Proof didn't have it in them today, finishing ninth and thirteenth.

Race 3: Well Armed was the horse I thought couldn't be beaten in this race, and his jockey Aaron Gryder believed it, too. My old favorite Pyro was also in this race, and I wanted to see him do well, so I bet both horses across the board. I like Albertus Maximus, and bet him to place, with Mast Track to show. I usually bet on the Tiznow progeny, but neither Slew's Tizzy nor Slew's Tiznow convinced me to put money on them today. That turned out to be a good choice, because they came in at the back of the pack. I don't know what happened with Well Armed - he looked great in the paddock, great in the post, but never seemed to really get into the race, coming in ninth. Pyro never really fired either today, coming in sixth. Mast Track only managed to come in fifth. Albertus Maximus was the pleasant surprise of the race, winning instead of coming in second, beating out the British horse, Rebellion.

Race 4-The BC Mile: This is a case where a paddock-side decision worked well for me. Handicapping the card, I picked Precious Kitten and Kip Deville (last year's winner of this race) across the board. I wanted Whatsthescript to place. I considered Shakis, War Monger, and Thorn Song to show. Paddock-side, I tossed the last three - I didn't think they had it in them today. And I added another horse across the board - Goldikova. This filly was the smallest horse in the field with the biggest attitude. She strolled into the paddock, tossed her head, looked around at everyone and decided they weren't particularly impressive. She pranced her way through the post parade, making it very clear to her jockey, Olivier Peslier, and to everyone watching that this was HER race and she wasn't having any of it from any of the other horses. She wiped the field with everyone. This is one of the best races I've ever seen. She reminded me a bit of Rags to Riches in the Belmont Stakes last year, although she won by more. The attitude and determination and self-possession was very similar. In one of those great track anecdotes, her trainer, Freddy Head, was the jockey on Miesque, another filly who won this same race back-to-back in 1987 & 1988. Kip Deville managed to hang on for a respectable second, and Whatsinthescript caught the show spot.

Race 5: Juvenile Grade 1: By this race, the heat radiating from the track surface was 140 degrees, which concerned me. With any sense, I'd skip betting on the juvy races, but where's the fun in that? Originally I was interested in Silent Valor, Midshipman, Street Hero and Munnings. I liked the look of Bushranger in the paddock, but not enough to bet on him, and had my doubts about Munnings's composure, so I tossed him as well. I stuck with Midshipman across the board and Street Hero to show. Silent Valor didn't impress me in the paddock. Midshipman ran with much more poise than his young years, controlling the race from early on for a beautiful win. I'm not sure if they'll run him in Dubai now or point him towards the Derby next May, but he's a horse to watch. A horse named Square Eddie battled valiantly the entire race and managed second, with Street Hero third.

Race 6 - Juvenile Turf: Again, the smart thing would have been to skip and watch. And the heat affected them, so I was concerned. But I kind of fell in love with Donativum, Westphalia , and Coronet of a Baron, so I boxed a trifecta with those three. I considered a separate bet on Bittel Road , but passed. They came in Donativum-Westphalia-Coronet of a Baron, so I happily hit my only exotic of the day. I was surprised by how well Westphalia recovered after a bump. Bittel Road came in at the middle of the pack, so passing was the right choice in this race, but I hope to see improvement in future races, especially if John Velazquez chooses to ride him again. With Donativum's win, we got our first Frankie Dettori Flying Dismount of the day (albeit with an awkward landing), and the reassurance that gelding Donativum five months ago because "he couldn't run in a straight line" was the correct choice.

Race 7 - BC Sprint: I planned to sit this one out, watching Street Boss and Midnight Lute. But big, black Midnight Lute, the winner of this race last year, looked so gorgeous and together that I put a win bet on him - and he won, defending his championship. What a gorgeous, gorgeous horse, sired by Real Quiet. And he came back from a bad injury to win this race again, which is remarkable. I was a bit worried by this time in the race day. The air temperature was up to ninety degrees, and the heat radiating off the synthetic surface was up to 146. The decision not to water down the track was made, and that concerned me. I hope they keep working with this surface to find ways to keep the temperature down. Fatal Bullet came in second, and Street Boss, the other horse in this race who interested me, came in third. As Midnight Lute's jockey Garrett Gomez said, "It doesn't get any funner than this."

Race 8 - BC Turf: I have covered Better Talk Now for most of his racing career - he's nine now. I love this horse. Whenever I don't bet on him, I regret it, so I bet on him across the board. Soldier of Fortune was a favorite. I liked him, but there was something about him today which made me hesitate. Conduit, on the other hand, looked amazing, alert, calm, ready to go. I wound up betting both Conduit and Better Talk Now across the board. I considered putting a small show bet on Red Rock Canyon as my longshot bet, but changed my mind. Conduit started slowly, but moved up steadily for a solid win under jockey Ryan Moore. Soldier of Fortune moved too soon and faded out to fourth, beaten by Eagle Mountain and Dancing Forever.

Race 9 - The Classic: This was the big race of the day, with all eyes on Curlin. Curlin is a tough, strong horse, who's always struck me as rather oblivious. He tries as hard as he can, he always runs his heart out, but he never seems to get it when he wins or loses. I bet him across the board more because I admire his work ethic than for any other reason. I bet Tiago across the board because I love this horse. Of the other horses, Raven's Pass looked fantastic in the paddock, so that was another across the board bet. I wanted to be Colonel John to show, but passed. A few days before the race, his odds seemed too long for his skills, and they tightened by race day, but I still didn't feel it was his day. I was happy to see Casino Drive , who was supposed to race in this year's Belmont and then scratched; however, I wasn't happy enough to put money on him.

Raven's Pass ran an amazing race. This horse settled behind Curlin and let Curlin wear himself out. For the middle section of the race, turning for home, it looked like Curlin might pull it off through sheer grit, but once Raven's Pass made his move, it was all over. Raven's Pass just dug in and flew. Tiago accelerated well to take the show spot, despite breaking slowly, with Henrythenavigator living up to his name, navigating his way into the place spot. Curlin finished fourth. We got another Dettori Flying Dismount, this time with a solid landing, and a horse who was aware of his win.

This was a disappointment for Curlin fans, but he ran a darned good race, and it was great to see a horse run for more than a single season. The Powers That Be want to know how to keep fans hooked to the sport - stop retiring horses after one season because of huge stud fees. Fans want horses with whom they can connect, horses they can follow for a while. Better Talk Now has a huge fan base because he keeps coming back. Curlin's fan base grew from race to race because he was so consistently determined - and he kept coming back. You want fans to return to the track? Give them a reason to come back, in the form of a recognizable horse.

I also want to point out that Tiago's been underestimated for his entire career, and he beat Curlin today. That's no small feat, and maybe he will finally get the respect he deserves.

Race 10 - Damascus Stakes: I had Gayego across the board, because I really like this horse. I looked at Georgie Boy, Kool Comic, and Blue Chagall, but passed on all of them. Unfortunately, Gayego broke slowly, ran wide, and wore out, finishing seventh. A bit anti-climactic after the previous race!

Race 11 I had Madeo across the board and Dixie Chatter to show. Originally, I had Nownownow, Blue Exit, Moral Compass, and Woodland Flood in the mix, but dropped them paddock-side. Madeo came in second and Dixie Chatter third. A horse name Muny, sired by Because I Can, edged his way to the win.

All in all, there were two great days of racing without life-ending injuries. This weekend converted me into a synthetic surface believer. I hope there's a way to control the heat radiation, but, in terms of safety, I'd rather see a generation of horses learn to live with the track rather than more mortal injuries.

The Breeders' Cup returns to Santa Anita next year, and I look forward to another spectacular weekend.