Just walked out of the final Press Conference for this year's Breeders' Cup week. John Asher hosted this morning's breakfast which retraced each and every race and brought back into the limelight those winning connections that still remained in Louisville.
As one of the greatest weeks of my life winds to a close here at storied Churchill Downs, here are some highlights and quotes from this morning's press event held in the 6th Floor Millionaires Row dining room.
Acting NTRA and Breeders' Cup CEO Greg Avioli kicked off the breakfast by saying, "We are looking to come back to Churchill Downs (although nothing has been finalized) as early as 2008.
JUVENILE FILLIES
Dreaming of Anna's Trainer, Wayne Catalano, "We haven't seen the best of this fillie until she gets back on the turf."
JUVENILE
Connections of Street Sense are, "Looking forward to running the first Saturday in May."
"We chose (Calvin) Borel to ride this horse specifically for his superior horsemanship."
Trainer Carl Nafzger comes of as what's great about this sport: loyalty, humility, patience, sense of humor, and an eye for talent.
FILLY AND MARE TURF
Ouija Board becomes only the 7th horse all-time to win two Breeders' Cup Races
Trainer Edward Dunlop, "Ouija Board has been a life changing experience for me and many others."
Ouija Board (and Red Rocks) jockey Frankie Dettori was awarded the Bill Shoemaker Award for outstanding Breeders' Cup jockey. The award given out annually is voted on by members of the international racing media.
Dettori was not in attendance at this morning's breakfast as he was on his way to Melbourne to ride in the upcoming Melbourne Cup.
Ouija Board owner Lord Darby was on hand to accept the award on behalf of Dettori who it was noted, made a stop in Las Vegas on his way to Melbourne.
My question: What's it like to be with a guy like Dettori in Vegas after pocketing nearly $400K in his two victories Saturday?
SPRINT
Trainer Doug O'Neil on Great Hunter, "Still on the Derby trail. He is a superior animal."
MILE
Winning jockey Eddie Castro (22) becomes the youngest to win a Breeders' Cup race (FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS) Until Jara (18) takes the Classic with Invasor
DISTAFF
This race (exacta) put me permanently up for the day. I happened to have Round Pond on top of BOTH Asi Siempre (DQ-ed) and Happy Ticket. I had more vested in the official order of finish, so the DQ worked in my favor
Everyone is still sobered by the tragic events that took place in this race
TURF
Red Rocks will target Dubai in the spring and then shoot for Monmouth Park in 2007
Trainer Brian Meehan said (even before the race) that this horse will be better a a 4 year-old.
CLASSIC
Kieran McLaughlin's brother, who spoke on behalf of the winning trainer said that Shiek Hamdan may race Invasor in Dubai, but "was too excited to make a decision and wanted to sleep on it last night."
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