Can We Skip the Voting?

Anybody who loves horse racing is hoping to see Silver Charm and Skip Away get together for the first time in the $4-million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7 at Churchill Downs.

With Silver Charm back on his game, the match would be the marquee event Breeders’ Cup XV so desperately needs, because, frankly, some of the other races aren’t particularly compelling.

What won’t change no matter what happens that day is the horse of the year.

In the minds of many voters, the honor already belongs to Skip Away, even if somehow Carolyn and Sonny Hine don’t even run their beloved Skippy in Kentucky.

Many feel the son of Skip Trial should have won the title last year when it went to Favorite Trick, who finished his 2-year-old season a perfect eight for eight, so they’ll certainly want to reward Skip Away for his splendid 5-year-old campaign.

Plus, those who have endured some ridicule for choosing Favorite Trick over Skip Away’s sub-.500 record in 1997 will feel guilty if they don’t vote for the Florida-bred gray for what has been a better year.

Even if Skip Away is beaten by Silver Charm in 13 days, he will have five Grade I victories this year compared to one--in the United States--for Silver Charm.

Even if he finishes second or third, Skip Away will go past the $10-million mark in career earnings and overtake Cigar as the richest thoroughbred in history.

That distinction alone would be too much for Silver Charm to overcome, and don’t forget that Cigar lost the final two starts of his career, yet still won a second consecutive horse-of-the-year title in 1996.

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Other random notes, thoughts and opinions:

* A.P. Assay ran too well to lose in the Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup Handicap on Saturday, putting away all of her pace rivals before being nailed late by Gold Land, who rallied from last. It was the first defeat going short for the talented daughter of A.P. Indy, and if she gets to run and is able to shake free in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, watch out.

* Females have had their share of success in the BC Sprint. Desert Stormer scored a big upset in 1995 at Belmont Park, Soviet Problem just missed when second to Cherokee Run in 1994 at Churchill Downs, Meafara was beaten a nose by Cardmania in 1993 at Santa Anita and was second to Thirty Slews a year earlier at Gulfstream Park, Safely Kept won in 1990 in New York and was second the previous year in Florida, Very Subtle surprised Groovy at Hollywood Park in 1987 and Pine Tree Lane was second to Smile at Santa Anita 12 years ago.

* Although Gold Land won a race that set up for him, nothing should be taken away from the 7-year-old gelding. He has been consistent throughout the year for trainer Neil Drysdale and definitely deserves a shot in Kentucky.

* Kona Gold almost certainly won’t make the BC Sprint field, but the fact he was fifth as the 13-10 favorite in the Ancient Title shouldn’t be held against him. After breaking from the rail, the 4-year-old gelding had a nightmare trip and never got a chance to show his stuff, still he was only beaten a little more than two lengths.

* Drysdale has another legitimate contender for the Breeders’ Cup with Mile hopeful Hawksley Hill. The gelded son of Rahy was able to win the Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile despite a very slow pace.

* Grass might have been what Favorite Trick wanted all along. The reigning horse of the year, who has taken plenty of knocks in 1998, scored easily in his turf debut, winning the recent Keeneland Breeders’ Cup Mile. He has to be considered a contender for the BC Mile and the win was his fourth in seven outings as a 3-year-old.

Horse Racing Notes

Crystal Hearted, second to Brave Act in the Henry P. Russell Handicap on Oct. 3, is the 3-1 favorite in today’s $125,000 Carleton F. Burke Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on the turf. . . . Sapphire Ring, the 7-5 favorite, won the $100,000 Harold C. Ramser Sr. Handicap on Saturday at Santa Anita, beating Diamond On The Run by two lengths in 1:38 1/5 for the mile on turf. . . . Jockeys Emile Ramsammy and Ariel Smith escaped injury when involved in a spill in Saturday’s ninth race. The horses involved, Born Optimist and Royal Prospector, were also reported uninjured.