Goodwood Is Key Prep

The $500,000 Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap, which will be run for the 21st time today, has been a key prep in recent years for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

In five of the last six years, horses exiting the Grade II have gone on to finish either first or second in the Classic.

Tiznow, who was third in the Goodwood a year after winning the 1 1/8-mile race, has won the last two Classics. Budroyale, the 1999 winner, finished second to longshot Cat Thief in the Breeders’ Cup, and Silver Charm was second in 1998 after taking the Goodwood.

Alphabet Soup, who upset Cigar in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 1996, had finished third in the Goodwood.

Many of the nine participants in this year’s Goodwood hope the pattern holds true in 2002.

Momentum, second in the Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic, will be favored as he tries for his first win since the Native Diver Handicap on Dec. 9 at Hollywood Park.

There are two other stakes at Santa Anita that are preps for the Breeders’ Cup. Espy and Composure head the field in the $200,000 Oak Leaf, and Sarafan is the favorite in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship.

Race of the day: Take Charge Lady and You will be getting ready for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in the $500,000 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland. Beat Hollow will try for his fourth Grade I win of the year in the $600,000 Shadwell Keeneland Turf Mile.

Who’s hot: Omar Figueroa. The apprentice is winning at about 21% at Bay Meadows.

Who’s not: F.A. Lowery. The trainer, based in Northern California, has won with only two of 50 starters in 2002.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Shameful in the third, using Savonarola and Apalachian Thunder in the fourth and French Rebel, More Influence, Stokin Coal and Trimontium in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/9. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$38. Total money bet: $70.