Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase Undercard Results
Date: 10/20/07
The although the main event at the Far Hills Race Meeting is the $300,000 Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase (G1), there are five other stakes one the card, three of them graded. Also below are a few scenic photos of the event and venue.
Imagina winner of the Peapack Hurdle (G3)
The first race on the afternoon was the $50,000 Peapack Hurdle (G3) for older fillies and mares going 2 1/8 miles over national fences. Jockey Jody Petty rated Imagina through the first 8 fences, then took the Chilean bred mare four wide into the stretch to set up a stretch duel with Slew's Peak. The pair battled briedly at the top of the stretch, but Imagina shook off Slew's Peak at the 3/16 pole and pulled away to a 1 3/4 length victory in 4:15.40. It was just 1/2 a length back to third place finisher Lair. The victory was jockey Jody Petty's 100th in his career.
Results chart
Gliding (far left) winner of the Foxbrook Supreme Hurdle Stakes (G1)
In the co-feature, a field of six contested the $100,000 Foxbrook Supreme Hurdle Stakes (G1) at 2 1/2 miles over national fences. Jockey Matt McCarron settled Gliding at the back of the tightly bunched field led by pacesetter Divine Fortune for he first mile. McCarron angled him to the inside to pass tiring horses on the far turn, passing Sovereign Duty inside the 1/8 pole to win going away by 2 1/4 lengths in 5:13.40. It was just 1/2 a length back to Planets Aligned in third.
Results chart
Party Airs winner of the Appleton Hurdle (G3)
The $50,000 Appleton Hurdle (G3) featured six older horses going 2 1/8 miles over national fences. Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Party Airs stalked the early pace of Preemptive Strike for the first 1 1/2 miles, then took over the lead at the 10th fence under jockey Chip Miller and drew off through the final 3 furlongs to win by 3 1/4 lengths in a time of 4:15.40. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back from Preemptive Strike to Swimming River in third.
Results chart
C.R.'s Deputy winner of the Gladstone Hurdle
The $50,000 Gladstone Hurdle saw just five 3-year-olds go 2 1/8 miles over national fences. C.R.'s Deputy battled on the front end with Coupe de Ville for the first 1 3/4 miles, until the latter stumbled at the 10th fence and dropped out of contention. Nat Grew, who had stalked the pacesetters in third, came on to challenge for the lead, The pair battled the length of the stretch but in the final strides C.R.'s Deputy dug in to prevail by 3/4 length in 4:33.60. It was a long 9 lengths back from Nat Grew to third place finisher Be Certain.
Results chart
Irish Prince winner of the New Jersey Hunt Cup
Closing out the 2007 Far Hills Race meeting was the longest race on the card, the $50,000 New Jersey Hunt Cup for older horses going 3 1/4 miles over timber. New Zealand-bred Irish Prince set the pace under jockey Jody Petty, and had pulled away to a 7 length advantage after 2 3/4 miles. He easily held off the late-closing Hot Springs by 2 3/4 lengths at the line, completing the trip in 7:39.40. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Erin Go Bragh.
Results chart
This event is a huge outdoor party for most people attending. Entire families come and set up their own tailgate party. You can even rent bales of hay to use for seats. People were having so much fun that most were still there an hour after the last race, despite the announcer reminding them it was over and time to go home.
Here is the view of the course from the stands and a view of the stands from the back of that same jump.
Although there is no wagering on the races, some enterprising individuals will run their own bookie service to take bets. This one is taking minimum $5 win, place, and show wagers.
Breeders' Cup quick links:
Saturday Breeders' Cup Results - The main event of the Breeders' Cup was Saturday with the 8 Grade 1 races. Curlin was an impressive winner in the Classic, becoming the top candidate for the Horse of the Year title. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 8 races here with links to even more photos for each race.
Miscellaneous Breeders' Cup Photos - 21 photos of everything from the paddock to the clubhouse turn. Some interesting shots from Friday and Saturday for your enjoyment.
Friday Breeders' Cup Results - The inaugural runnings of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Filly and Mare Sprint, and Juvenile Turf were on Friday this year. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 3 plus the undercard here.
2007 Breeders' Cup Entries - for all 11 races with post positions, morning line odds, and profiles for all the horses
Free Prep Replays - Unfortunately this is all Flash now. Go to the Breeders' Cup home page, click "Races & Video" and then "Videos" to view the prep races.
The Breeders' Cup Championship Day - The official page for the Breeders' Cup championship races. Just about anything you need to know about it: results, video clips, and race calls for past years, and eventually nominations, entries, and results.
