December 28, 2004
With the New Year upon us, we take this opportunity to recall what was undoubtedly an exciting 2004 season.
As always, the Triple Crown contenders dominate the springtime as they prepare for a chance at immortality. Leading the way was Pennsylvania-bred colt Smarty Jones, coming from Philadelphia Park via Oaklawn and undefeated in his career. It was a springtime to remember for owner Roy Chapman, trainer John Servis, and jockey Stewart Elliott, capped off by a dominating performance at a rain-soaked Churchill Downs earning him a $5 million bonus. An easy victory at Pimlico, by the longest winning margin in Preakness history, extended the winning streak to eight. But as has happened for the last 3 years in a row, once again a Triple Crown was denied. Birdstone, a Nick Zito trainee owned by Marylou Whitney, caught the leg-weary Smarty Jones in deep stretch. The Belmont Stakes was to be Smarty's last race, as he was retired soon after, having suffered a quarter crack.
For turf horses, the highlight of the summer is the Arlington Million, the world's first million-dollar race, which still attracts horses from America and Europe. For the second time in as many years, the first place winner was disqualified for interference. This time, Powerscourt, with Jamie Spencer aboard, came in on fourth place finisher Epalo. So the stewards placed Powerscourt fourth behind Epalo who moved up to third. Kicken Kris was declared the winner and Magistretti second. On the undercard of the Arlington Million, we saw another superstar in the making as Kitten's Joy won the Secretariat Stakes in a faster time than Powerscourt over the same distance. Also on the same day at Saratoga, Better Talk Now took the 1 1/2 mile Sword Dancer. Fast-forward to October and the Breeders' Cup Turf, and Better Talk Now won as a huge upset over the heavily favored Kitten's Joy.
In the month before the Breeders' Cup, potential champions make their final preps at one of the three marquee meets, Belmont Fall, Oak Tree at Santa Anita, and Keeneland October. One of the most exciting finishes took place in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, as Funny Cide, who appeared to be beaten and fading on the far turn, somehow found something in reserve and came back to wear down Newfoundland in late stretch to win. On the undercard, Kitten's Joy was back again to take on older horses for the first time in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. He toyed with the field, blasting past Magistretti over the soft going to win impressively.
For the first time ever, the superstars of the racing world converged on Grand Prairie, Texas, for the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship. Ghostzapper took the headline event, the Classic, leading every step of the way. Ouija Board, the English Oaks winner and the only horse in training owned by the Earl of Derby, shipped in from England to win the Filly and Mare Turf as the odds-on choice. Trainer Julio Canani, well known as a Mile specialist having won that event twice, showed another dimension when his Sweet Catomine impressed in the Juvenile Fillies.
The Breeders' Cup was marred by controversy, which would grab headlines in the weeks after. Jockey Gary Stevens, who quit his European riding contract and returned to America, refused to ride at Lone Star Park citing insufficient medical insurance for jockeys, in a job where catastrophic injuries are so commonplace. When Kentucky racing shifted from Keeneland to Churchill, a number of riders refused to book mounts, for the same reason. Churchill banned those riders from its tracks indefinitely. This turned into a public relations nightmare for both Churchill Downs and the Jockey's Guild, with racing fans caught in the middle. Few fans want to see a rider unable to afford his medical expenses, while on the other hand, few fans are willing to pay for this extra coverage, already reeling from high takeout rates for most exotic bets. The aftermath of this is that racing's stakeholders - track owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, and fans - suddenly find themselves divided, in a sport where unity is so badly needed to ensure its very survival.
Closing out the year were two notable events. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile left that division wide open, when European shipper Wilko pulled off a huge upset under Frankie Dettori. Transferred to American trainer Craig Dollase and jockey Corey Nakatani, Wilko needed a win in the Hollywood Futurity to secure the championship. That didn't happen, as Declan's Moon capped off an undefeated season in that event, holding off the late closing Wilko. Trainer Steve Asmussen broke the all-time record for wins in a single season, passing Jack Van Berg's record of 496, with a month left in the year.
