Although the racing takes center stage at the Breeders' Cup, there are other images and events during the day besides the horses. Here is a selection of images from Friday and Saturday to give a feel for what it was like to be there. The weather beautiful, sunny, and a bit cool this time, although the mountains were somewhat obscured by a haze of smog. Since Zenyatta was so popular, I will start off with a few more of her, mostly of Mike Smith celebrating after the win.
If you want photos from a specific race or the morning works, just use the links above. There are at least nine images from each of the races in addition to the photos below. As always, click the image for a larger version.
Zenyatta in the post parade showing that regal look she is known for. Jockey Mike Smith said, "Her size and just her style of running, and the length of her stride is just incredible. If there was still another horse in front of her another length or so, she would have caught him, too."
| |
Mike Smith celebrates after crossing the finish line in the Classic. He said, "Everyone talks about the margin of victory because some horses like to just give it their all and go all out. She always just does what she has to do. If they run fast a, she'll just run faster She's never tried to just blow the field away. She just likes to get by them and that's good enough for her."
|
Mike Smith celebrating some more, he did a lot of this. He said, "She's sent from God. It's His filly. I think he wanted a horse and made her and brought her down here to race against everyone."
|
Mike looking up to the sky giving thanks.
|
Mike also tossed up flower petals and leaves. Here he is just letting them go. He said, "I think it would be a crying shame if she didn't win Horse of the Year, that's my opinion."
|
And now you seen the petals falling around him and Zenyatta. Mike continued, "I wish they would have brought (Rachel Alexandra) here so we could have proved to the racing world what Zenyatta's really about. I think she proved it today. But like I said there was still more left there."
|
If you wondered why I don't have any actual winner's circle photos, I didn't have access there so this was all I could see. That tiny teal bit in the center is Mike Smith's silks and you can't even see Zenyatta.
|
I never did find out his name, but this horse tossed his rider on Tuesday morning and took a few flying leaps before running off. Both rider and horse were fine afterwards.
|
The post parade for the Mile with Goldikova at the far left. The stands were much fuller on Saturday than on Friday.
|
The field for the Juvenile Turf passes by for the first time. The mountains were somewhat obscured on Friday and Saturday by a haze of smog which was a bit disappointing after they were so clear earlier in the week.
|
They had the fancy dress buglers in white tuxes call the races to the post both days.
|
The backdrop behind the winner's circle set up for the Friday opening ceremony. They used these for all the races, just changing out the names and sponsors.
|
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien and his family post before the Juvenile. He had 7 horses running over the two days and his best finishes were a win in the Marathon with Man of Iron and a 4th in the Dirt Mile with Mastercraftsman. His most touted horse was Rip Van Winkle who finished 10th in the Classic.
|
Britsh handicapper and racing analyst John McCririck was dressed outlandishly as usual.
|
Jockeys Jeremy Rose, Julien Leparoux, Javier Castellano, and Garrett Gomez watch the Marathon from the winner's circle.
|
Retired jockey Pat Day was around the winner's circle most of the weekend.
|
Although Governor Arnold Schwartenegger didn't show up this year, there seemed to be more celebrities around than last year. Here is Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat with Breeders' Cup President and CEO Greg Avioli in the winner's circle to watch the Juvenile.
|
Mallika also rode back to the starting gate in the carriage for the Sprint and was at the trophy presentation for that race.
|
Country music group Carter's Chord performed the National Anthem both days accompanied by a military or firefighter color guard. The group is composed of three sisters, Becky, Emily, and Joanna Robertson, who are all singers and songwriters.
|
A close-up of Carter's Chord. From left to right they are Joanna, Becky, and Emily Robertson.
|
After the Dirt Mile, R&B vocal group Boyz II Men performed a lovely acapella version of "God Bless America" on the track accompanied by a military color guard.
|
A closer look at Boyz II Men, the most successful R&B male vocal group of all time based on sales. From left to right they are: Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman.
|
Actress Bo Derek, who is on the California Horse Racing Board of Directors, was around most of the weekend as well. Here she is cheering for Zenyatta as she returns after winning the Classic.
|
Actor Jerry O'Connell was in the winner's circle for the trophy presentation for the Dirt Mile.
|
Actress Elizabeth Banks, who played Marcela Howard in "Seabiscuit", was in the winner's circle for the Turf Sprint.
|
Actress Vivica Fox was in the winner's circle for the Mile. Here she was holding an orchid from Goldikova's flower blanket and talking to several female members of the military about her beating the boys in the Mile and Zenyatta running later in the Classic and saying "Girl power!" She also on TVG for a while during the afternoon, although I couldn't hear what they were saying.
|