Breeders' Cup Newsletter No. 7

Advisory: This is the seventh of 14 weekly news releases focusing on the horses and races leading to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships on Saturday, October 25 during the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita. For more information, please visit . Click on the Breeders' Cup icon. For a list of televised "Road to the World Thoroughbred Championships" race. Official past performances are provided courtesy of Equibase Company. To track leading contenders to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, sign up for Equibase's special Breeders' Cup Virtual StableT.

TRAVERS STAKES, PACIFIC CLASSIC & PERSONAL ENSIGN AMONG HIGHLIGHTS OF WEEKEND TRIPLEHEADER ON ESPN NETWORKS' "ROAD TO THE WORLD THOROUGHBRED CHAMPIONSHPS - POWERED BY DODGE"

EMPIRE MAKER, MEDAGLIA D'ORO and MILWAUKEE BREW, all trained by Bobby Frankel, are among a host of equine stars that will see action this weekend in major races coast to coast. The Frankel team and a number of other divisional leaders will be featured in three ESPN Network programs on the "Road to the World Thoroughbred Championships - Powered by Dodge."

The weekend action begins Friday from Saratoga with a one-hour show from 5:00-6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2 as leaders in the Distaff Division clash in the $400,000 Personal Ensign Handicap at a mile-and-a-quarter. The program also will feature delayed coverage of the Yorkshire Oaks run Wednesday (Aug. 20) at York, a race likely to point out a European prospect or two for the Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita.

Juddmonte Farms' Empire Maker will be the favorite in Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes from Saratoga, the main focus of a special two-hour program on ESPN from 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET. The telecast also will include coverage of the $200,000 Kings Bishop earlier on the Spa card and delayed coverage of the Juddmonte International run Tuesday (Aug. 19) at York in England.

The action moves west Sunday to Del Mar in Southern California, where Frankel's powerful team of Edmund Gann's Whitney Handicap winner Medaglia d'Oro and Stronach Stable's two-time Santa Anita Handicap winner Milwaukee Brew will be the horses to beat in the $1 million Pacific Classic. The two finished second and third, respectively, behind Volponi in the Breeders' Cup Classic last fall at Arlington Park.

The mile-and-a-quarter Pacific Classic for three-year-olds and up highlights Sunday's program on ESPN from 5:00-6:00 p.m. ET and also features coverage of the $250,000 Ballerina Handicap at Saratoga that afternoon. The Ballerina is for fillies and mares at seven furlongs.

The big question going into the mile-and-a-quarter Travers for three-year-olds is whether the connections of Sackatoga Stable's Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner FUNNY CIDE will decide to enter the New York-bred. Funny Cide's status was downgraded to "highly unlikely" over the weekend, as trainer Barclay Tagg continued to monitor the Distorted Humor gelding's condition in the wake of his third-place finish behind Bobby Frankel-trained Peace Rules in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 3.

Empire Maker's first start since his stunning Belmont Stakes victory came in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on the same day as Funny Cide's failed attempt in the Haskell. Empire Maker ran well but was upset when his powerful stretch rally under regular rider Jerry Bailey came a neck short of catching Eugene and Laura Melnyk's STRONG HOPE.

Strong Hope, a $1.7 million September yearling purchase, won his fifth straight victory in the Jim Dandy after finishing fourth sprinting in his debut at Gulfstream in March. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the son of Grand Slam also won the Dwyer Stakes at Belmont.

Also expected to line up for the 135^th running of the Travers are John Oxley's highly regarded SKY MESA and Mr. and Mrs. David Randal's WILD AND WICKED, who finished second and fourth, respectively, in the Haskell Invitational. Shipping in from California is Horizon Stable and partners' TEN MOST WANTED with Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm's CONGRATS a possible starter.

Sky Mesa was undefeated in his three juvenile starts last year for trainer John Ward, Jr. The son of Pulpit appears to be coming into top form after finishing third in the Dwyer in his season debut and a respectable second to Peace Rules in the Haskell. Wild and Wicked, a homebred son of Wild Again trained by Ken McPeek, was undefeated before the Monmouth race. His earlier wins include the Ohio Derby.

Ten Most Wanted rallied strongly in the stretch of the Belmont Stakes to finish second, three-quarters of a length behind Empire Maker with Funny Cide 4 1/4 lengths back in third. Trained by Wally Dollase, the son of 1997 Travers hero Deputy Commander has made one start since. in the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park on July 13, he was beaten a head as the odds-on favorite by During.

Bailey Tries for Grade I Wins on Both Coasts

Jockey Jerry Bailey will be making the coast-to-coast double attempt, riding Empire Maker in the Travers Stakes Saturday at the Spa and flying to California for the mount on Medaglia d'Oro in the Pacific Classic Sunday.

Medaglia d'Oro remained undefeated in three starts this year since the Classic at Arlington, winning the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga on Aug. 2 rather easily over Volponi. Earlier this year, the son of El Prado (IRE) won the Strub Stakes at Santa Anita in February and Oaklawn Handicap on March 1 in his only two starts this season prior to the Whitney.

Milwaukee Brew returned recently from a long layoff, winning an allowance race on Haskell Day at Monmouth Park, his first run since winning the Santa Anita Handicap for the second year in a row on March 1. The six-year-old Wild Again horse finished third in the Pacific Classic last year behind Came Home.

The Frankel team could face a major challenge from Sid and Jenny Craig's CANDY RIDE (ARG), a four-year-old son of Ride the Rails trained by Ron McAnally. Candy Ride is undefeated in five career starts, winning three in Argentina, one allowance race and the American Handicap at Hollywood Park on July 4.

Another solid contender will be Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss' KUDOS, third in the Hollywood Gold Cup behind Congaree last out on July 13 for trainer Richard Mandella. Mandella has won the Pacific Classic twice, including Dare and Go's upset over Cigar in 1996. Bobby Frankel has won the race six of the 12 times the race has been run.

Bobby Frankel sends out the probable favorites in both the Travers and Pacific Classic and could get a memorable weekend off to a strong start Friday. He might also have the favorite for the Personal Ensign Handicap if he chooses to run Sumaya Us Stable's four-year-old filly WILD SPIRIT (CHI) or Juddmonte Farms' SIGHTSEEK .

Wild Spirit has made only two starts for Frankel since arriving in the United States earlier this year, winning the Shuvee Handicap at Belmont in May by 3 1/2 lengths and the Delaware Handicap last month by six lengths over the filly Take Charge Lady.

Sightseek is a four-year-old homebred daughter of Distant View who has reeled off three straight major victories by big margins. She captured the Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs on Derby Day by 4 1/2 lengths, the Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont in June by five lengths and the Go For Wand last out over the Saratoga track on July 27 by 11 1/2 lengths

Confirmed for the race are Edward P. Evans' Summer Colony, winner of the race last year but unplaced last out in the Delaware Handicap behind Wild Spirit; Ackerley Brothers Stable's MISS LINDA (ARG) and Joseph V. Shields, Jr.'s PASSING SHOT.

Wednesday's Juddmonte International from York, to be shown on Saturday's telecast, is expected to attract several highly ranked European stars, led by Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum's NAYEF, Scuderia Rencati's FALBRAV (IRE) and Godolphin's Breeders' Cup Classic hope MOON BALLAD (IRE).

The Kings Bishop on the Travers Day undercard is for three-year-olds at seven furlongs. A strong field is expected. The probable starters include John Gunther's EYE OF THE TIGER, Heiligbrodt Stables' POSSE, Mac Fehsenfeld's VALID VIDEO, Stronach Stable's GHOSTZAPPER , Paul Robsham's TRUST N LUCK, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's ZAVATA, Bob and Beverly Lewis' SCRIMSHAW and James McIngvale's DURING.

The Ballerina will bring out another top quality field Sunday with Bohemia Stable's six-year-old mare SHINE AGAIN bidding for a third straight victory in the fixture. Formidable opponents should include Edmund Gann's YOU, winner of the Test Stakes here last year; Peter Angelos' Honorable Miss Handicap winner WILLA ON THE MOVE; and Edward P. Evans' sprint mare GOLD MOVER.

ROAD TO THE WORLD THOROUGHBRED CHAMPIONSHIPS                                   

A listing of the upcoming major stakes races this weekend:

ROAD TO THE BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC

Aug. 23 - $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Run at 1 1/4 miles for three-year-olds.

Aug. 24 - $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Run at 1 1/4 miles for three-year-olds & up.

Aug. 23 - $200,000 Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Handicap at Monmouth Park. Run at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds & up.

ROAD TO THE BREEDERS' CUP DISTAFF

Aug. 22 - $400,000 Personal Ensign Handicap at Saratoga. Run at 1 1/4 miles for fillies and mares.

ROAD TO THE JOHN DEERE BREEDERS' CUP TURF

Aug. 19 - Juddmonte International at York. Run at about 1 5/16 miles on turf for three-year-olds and up.

ROAD TO THE NETJETS BREEDERS' CUP MILE

Aug. 23 -$200,000 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga. Run at 1 1/16 miles on turf for three-year-olds and up.

ROAD TO THE BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE TURF

Aug. 20 - Yorkshire Oaks at York. Run at 1 1/2 miles on turf for fillies & mares.

Aug. 23 - $200,000 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap at Saratoga. Run at 1 1/16 miles on turf for fillies and mares.

ROAD TO THE BREEDERS' CUP SPRINT

Aug. 23 - $200,000 Kings Bishop Stakes at Saratoga. Run at seven furlongs for three-year-olds.

Aug. 21 - Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Run at five furlongs on turf for two-year-olds and up.

# # #

MAJOR STAKES RECAP                                                        August 16-17

Road to the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge - In an effort to boost Amherst Stable and Spruce Pond Stable's five-year-old VOLPONI out of his runner-up rut, trainer P.G. Johnson was able to get Jerry Bailey to ride the 2002 Breeders' Cup Classic winner in the Saratoga Breeders' Cup Sunday. Whiel the rider was different, the result was the same. Volponi stalked the pace set by Juddmonte Farms' BLUE BOAT into the far turn and made a mild bid to hit the front nearing the stretch. But he was no match for Joseph V. Shields, Jr.'s homebred PUZZLEMENT. With regular rider Jorge Chavez aboard for trainer Allen Jerkens, Puzzlement rallied from last of eight early in the 1 1/4-mile test, shooting inside and up the fence to draw clear by 3 1/4 length at 7-to-1. Volponi was a clear second as the 3-to-5 favorite, with John and Susan Moore's IRON DEPUTY third. Starlight Stable's HARLAN'S HOLIDAY, runner-up in the Hollywood Gold Cup in his last start, was eased to last as the second choice. Trainer Todd Pletcher later revealed that the winner of $3.6 million suffered a strained suspensory ligament, which will likely end his racing career. Volponi was finishing second for the fifth time in as many starts this year. Johnson, his co-owner and breeder, gave no excuses for Saturday's defeat and indicated that Volponi's final Breeders' Cup Classic prep could be the Meadowlands Cup on Oct. 3. Puzzlement is a four-year-old Florida-bred by Pine Bluff who has earned minor awards in major stakes before without winning one. Jerkens said he would likely run next in the Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park on Sept. 6.

Road to the Breeders' Cup Distaff - Presented by Nextel - Bobby Frankel-trained Empire Maker foiled Funny Cide's Triple Crown bid in the Belmont Stakes, and Saturday at Saratoga Jeffrey Nielson's three-year-old filly ISLAND FASHION, trained by Barclay Tagg, stopped a similar sweep. Amerman Racing Stable's SPOKEN FUR was eligible to win a $2 million bonus Saturday at Saratoga if she could add the Alabama Stakes to her victories in the Mother Goose Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont Park. Island Fashion, a daughter of Petionville, was making her first start for Tagg after winning the Delaware Oaks in her previous start for trainer Nick Canani. With jockey John R. Velazquez aboard, Island Fashion stalked the pace set by WinStar Farm's Delaware Oaks runner-up AWESOME HUMOR, easily assumed command nearing the stretch, and went on to win by six lengths. Awesome Humor held on for second as odds-on favorite Spoken Fur finished third under Jerry Bailey while never mounting a serious challenge. Another disappointment in the race was the fifth-place finish of Marylou Whitney's BIRD TOWN, trained by Nick Zito. The homebred daughter of Cape Town had won the Kentucky Oaks and Belmont's Acorn Stakes earlier this year. The Alabama result throws the three-year-old filly division wide-open for the immediate future. Island Fashion, seventh in the Kentucky Oaks, was based in California until Canani brought her east for the Delaware race. Canani subsequently gave up his public stable to take a private job in Maryland for owner Michael Gill. Tagg said he would confer with owner Jeffrey Nielsen before deciding where the winner will start next, but the Gazelle Handicap at Belmont on Sept. 6 is the logical target.

Road to the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf - A great race and thrilling finish in the Arlington Million Saturday turned ugly only steps from the finish line when Sheikh Maktoum al Maktoum's five-year-old STORMING HOME (GB) suddenly jumped to the right just two steps from the finish as several rivals were battling for the place awards very close behind. Jockey Gary Stevens managed to stay aboard across the finish but was finally shaken loose to the turf and stepped on by at least one other horse. It was reported Sunday that the Hall of Fame rider suffered a collapsed lung but no broken bones and was released Tuesday. Stephens likely will miss at least one month of racing. The unofficial order of finish had Storming Home as the winner, with Godolphin's SULAMANI (IRE) second by a half-length and a head before Mrs. Carde Ostermann-Richter's PAOLINI (GER) and Mrs. Susan McCarthy's KAIETEUR in a dead-heat for third. Charles Fipke's Canadian invader PERFECT SOUL (IRE) was another neck back in the battle to the line. After deliberating for about 10 minutes, the stewards disqualified Storming Home for interference and placed him fourth, leaving Sulamani the winner. Storming Home was the favorite after victories in the Jim Murray Handicap and Charles Whittingham Handicap at Hollywood Park in his only two American starts. In England last year, the homebred son of Machiavellian won the Champion Stakes over Moon Ballad and is widely regarded as the best hope for an American-trained runner in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita. Sulamani made his American debut in the Arlington Million, shipping from Godolphin's stables in England. Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, the four-year-old son of Hernando (FR) won the French Derby last year and finished second to Alamshar (IRE) last out in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on July 26. The 10-furlong distance of Saturday's race is short of his preferred 12 furlongs, the length of the Breeders' Cup trip. Storming Home went back to California Monday morning while Sulamani may be considered for a start next in the Man o' War Stakes at Belmont on Sept. 6. 

Road to the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf - It took Brushwood Stable's three-year-old KICKEN KRIS six starts to break his maiden for trainer Michael Matz, with the first five tries came on dirt. Since winning his turf debut at Gulfstream Park in March, the $400,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase made his biggest impression Saturday winning the Secretariat Stakes over an international field. Runner-up in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs in his previous start, Kicken Kris rallied wide into the stretch of the Secretariat and drew clear to win by 3 1/2 lengths as a 15-to-1 longshot. Christopher Ransom's JOE BEAR (IRE) finished second as a 20-to-1 chance for trainer Phil Mitchell, who is familiar to American racing fans as the developer of Running Stag. J.J. Pletcher and Barry Simon's LISMORE KNIGHT, who won the Arlington Classic over the course earlier in the meet, finished third in the Secretariat. One of several disappointments in the field of 11 was Moyglare Stud's EVOLVING TACTICS (IRE), who finished sixth for trainer Dermot Weld. The homebred son of Machiavellian had flown to Chicago from Ireland last month to win the American Derby over the course.

Road to the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile - The deepest field of milers assembled in Europe this season went to the post for Sunday's Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, and Niarchos Family runners trained by Pascal Bary finished one-two. Three-year-old filly SIX PERFECTIONS (FR) endured a run of seconds this season in the English and Irish 1000 Guineas and again last out in the Prix d'Astarte at Deauville. However, Sunday she drove to a neck victory over her five-year-old stablemate DOMEDRIVER (IRE). Shadai Race Horse Co.'s 90-to-1 TELEGNOSIS (JPN) finished another length back in third. Godolphin's even-money favorite DUBAI DESTINATION, impressive winner of the Queen Anne Stakes at royal Ascot in June, made a mild bid with a quarter to go but flattened out to finish fifth. Domedriver has been off form this year in several tries since posting the stunning upset over Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile at Arlington Park. Bary said that both Six Perfections and Domedriver will be targeted for the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita but kept apart until then. Domedriver likely will start next in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp on Sept. 7. In another race in Europe Sunday with likely impact on the Mile at Santa Anita, Moyglare Stud's three-year-old REFUSE TO BEND (IRE) captured the Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown in Ireland. Trained by Dermot Weld, the homebred son of Sadler's Wells was making his first start since failing in the 12-furlong English Derby and was back to his preferred distance of a mile. Prior to the Derby, Refuse to Bend had won the English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, and the Epsom race is his only loss in six career starts. Weld said Refuse to Bend will be pointed to the Mile at Santa Anita, with one more start in either the Prix du Moulin in France or the Queen Elizabeth II at Ascot on Sept. 27.

Road to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf - Juddmonte Farms' had a formidable entry of Tates Creek and HEAT HAZE (GB) entered in Saturday's Beverly D Stakes, but the former was scratched when her flight from California was cancelled. That left four-year-old Heat Haze to carry the famous colors, and she got the job done. Kristine and John Richter's five-year-old mare BIEN NICOLE set a moderate pace as a 20-to-1 longshot but was edged out by jockey Jose Valdivia, Jr. and Heat Haze in deep stretch. Fox Ridge Farm's RISKAVERSE rallied for third, a half-length behind Bien Nicole. Andre Fabre trained Heat Haze in France last year for Juddmonte, but the filly was sent to Frankel last fall to prepare for Santa Anita. The homebred daughter of Green Desert is a half-sister to Juddmonte's Eclipse champion and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Banks Hill (GB). She is only a neck short of being perfect in five starts in the United States, winning her first two races at Santa Anita over the winter and the Churchill Downs Distaff Turf on Derby Day. Nearly three months later in the Diana Handicap at Saratoga on July 26, she lost a hard-fought neck decision to Voodoo Dancer. Frankel has the pleasant problem of keeping his stars apart until the Breeders' Cup. In addition to Heat Haze, he has Tates Creek, Megahertz, Zenda and Pertuisane (GB) in his California and New York stables.

Road to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf - Willmott Stables' favorite SAND SPRINGS confirmed her status among the nation's best three-year-old fillies on turf Sunday at Saratoga as she went wire-to-wire to win the Lake Placid Handicap by three-quarters of a length over Georgica Stable's INDY FIVE HUNDRED. Trained by Tony Reinstedler, Sand Springs set solid fractions early in the nine-furlong Lake Placid under regular rider Mark Guidry but had more than enough to hold Indy Five Hundred safe with Donald Adam's FILM MAKER third. A homebred daughter of Dynaformer, Sand Springs was the 6-to-5 favorite after winning the Regret Stakes at Churchill Downs in June and finishing a strong second last out in the American Oaks at Hollywood Park on July 5. Reinstedler indicated the filly's next start likely will be the Garden City Breeders' Cup at Belmont on Sept. 7.

Road to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf - Joe Allen's five-year-old VOLGA (IRE) hadn't run since early December at Calder, but the daughter of Caerleon outclassed her nine rivals in Sunday's Matchmaker Handicap at Monmouth Park. Local leading ride Joe Bravo let her relax early off the pace before she blew past the field in the stretch to score by 1 3/4 lengths over Irv Weimer and John McLane's SOMETHING VENTURED. Trained by Christophe Clement, Volga finished fifth in the 2001 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Belmont, but her season last year wasn't good enough to earn a trip to Chicago.

Road to the Breeders' Cup Sprint - David and Rita Milch and Herrick Racing's five-year-old gelding DISTURBINGTHEPEACE was on a six-race win streak this time last year when he won the Pat O'Brien Handicap. The California-bred trained by Darrell Vienna went on to lose his next six outings, including a seventh-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Arlington Park. Sunday, the son of Bold Badgett was back in the Del Mar winner's circle after winning the seven-furlong Pat O'Brien again under jockey Victor Espinoza by two lengths over Art Vogel's RUSHIN' TO ALTAR. Veteran campaigner FULL MOON MADNESS, owned by Corey Family Trust, finished third. Jeffrey Sengara's favored BLUESTHESTANDARD tired to seventh, with the winner timed in 1:21 2/5.

# # # # #

Changes in the World Thoroughbred Rankings through August 18, 2003

STORMING HOME IN JOHN DEERE TURF,

ISLAND FASHION IN NEXTEL DISTAFF AND HEAT HAZE
IN FILLY & MARE TURF RISE IN WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS

DODGE CLASSIC DIVISION - UNCHANGED   

JOHN DEERE TURF - Despite his disqualification from first place in Saturday's grade I Arlington Million, Sheikh Maktoum's STORMING HOME rises two spots from seventh into a fifth-place tie with ANGE GABRIEL (FR) and defending John Deere Turf winner HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE). Mrs. Carde Ostermann-Richter's PAOLINI (GER) and Susan McCarthy's KAIETEUR, who were placed second in the Million, both moved into the Top 10, tied for ninth with FALBRAV (IRE). SULAMANI (IRE), the eventual winner of the Arlington Million, remained in second place in the division behind Budweiser Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes winner ALAMSHAR (IRE), who was idle over the weekend.

NEXTEL DISTAFF - The front-running upset victory by Jeffrey L. Nielson's ISLAND FASHION in Saturday's grade I Alabama Stakes at Saratoga moves the three-year-old filly, trained by Barclay Tagg, into a seventh-place tie with SPOKEN FUR, GOT KOKO and LADY TAK.

NETJETS MILE - Some of the world's best milers gathered at Deauville on France's Atlantic Coast for Sunday's group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois. In a dramatic finish, the three-year-old filly SIX PERFECTIONS (FR) drove to a neck victory over defending NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile champion DOMEDRIVER (IRE).  Six Perfections remains in ninth place in the division, while Domedriver rises two spots from eighth to a sixth-place tie with REFUSE TO BEND (IRE). Japanese entrant TELEGNOSIS (JPN) joins the Top10 in ninth place following his third-place run at Deauville. NEBRASKA TORNADO, seventh last week, dropped out of the Top 10 after finishing sixth in the Prix Jacques le Marois. Despite finishing fifth at Deauville, Godolphin's DUBAI DESTINATION remains atop the division.

SPRINT - DISTURBING THE PEACE, owned by David and Rita Milch and Herrick Racing and trained by Darrell Vienna, returned to the winner's circle with a bang at Del Mar, winning the grade II Pat O'Brien Handicap Sunday, and now joins the Top 10 in a fifth-place tie with JOEY FRANCO, POSSE and ZAVATA.

FILLY & MARE TURF - HEAT HAZE (GB), winner of the grade I Beverly D at Arlington Park on Saturday, rockets into the Top 10 and is now tied for third place with DUBLINO, fifth in the Beverly D, YESTERDAY (IRE), VOODOO DANCER, and BRIGHT SKY (IRE). BIEN NICOLE, a surprising second in the Beverly D, is now tied for 10^th place with L'ANCRESSE (IRE) and CASUAL LOOK.

WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS

as of August 18, 2003

The following are World Thoroughbred Rankings for the top 10 horses in each racing division for the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, to be held October 25 during the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. The World Thoroughbred Rankings are established by an international panel of racing secretaries and handicappers. Rankings are determined by an analysis of the horses' past performances in graded and group stakes races around the world through the date of ranking. The rankings will be published weekly through October 7.

The rankings will be part of the criteria used to determine horses' qualifications to participate in the World Thoroughbred Championships. The rankings currently reflect six of the eight Breeders' Cup divisions: Nextel Distaff, Filly & Mare Turf, NetJets Mile, Sprint, John Deere Turf, and Dodge Classic. Rankings for Bessemer Trust Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies divisions will begin in late summer.

For a rankings list that includes owners, breeders and jockeys, go to .

DODGE CLASSIC DIVISION

                                Country                

Rank*     Name of Horse** Based                Trainer                Rating

1                Medaglia d'Oro   USA                Robert Frankel  124

1T                Mineshaft              USA                Neil J. Howard  124

1T           Moon Ballad (IRE)                GB                Saeed bin Suroor                124

4              Empire Maker     USA                Robert Frankel  123

4T           Funny Cide       USA                Barclay Tagg       123

4T                Congaree              USA                Bob Baffert    123

7              Peace Rules     USA                Robert Frankel  121

8              Ten Most Wanted                USA                Wallace Dollase  119

8T           Volponi                USA                Philip G. Johnson                119

8T           Strong Hope      USA                Todd A. Pletcher 119

JOHN DEERE TURF DIVISION

                                Country                

Rank      Name of Horse     Based                Trainer                Rating

1                Alamshar (IRE)  IRE                John M. Oxx          131

2                Sulamani (IRE)  GB                Saeed bin Suroor                126

3              Nayef                GB                Marcus Tregoning                125

3T                Dalakhani (IRE)  FR                Alain Royer Dupre                125

5              Ange Gabriel (FR)                FR                Eric Libaud   123

5T           High Chaparral (IRE)                IRE                Aidan P. O'Brien   123

5T                Storming Home USA                Neil D. Drysdale                123

8              Kris Kin                GB                Sir Michael Stoute                122

9              Falbrav (IRE)       GB                Luca Cumani 121

9T           Paolini (GER)     GER                Andreas Wohler   121

9T           Kaieteur                GB                Brian Meeham                121

NEXTEL DISTAFF DIVISION

                                Country                

Rank      Name of Horse     Based                Trainer                Rating

1              Azeri                USA                Laura De Seroux                124

2                Sightseek            USA                Robert Frankel  120

3              Wild Spirit (CHI)                USA                Robert Frankel  118

4              Bird Town      USA                Nicholas P. Zito 117

4T           Take Charge Lady                USA                Kenneth G. McPeek                117

6              Elloluv                USA                Craig Dollase  116

7              Got Koko       USA                Bruce Headley 115

7T           Spoken Fur          USA                Robert Frankel  115

7T           Island Fashion USA                Barclay Tagg       115

7T           Lady Tak         USA                Steven M. Asmussen                115

NETJETS MILE DIVISION

                                Country                

Rank      Name of Horse     Based                Trainer                Rating

1              Dubai Destination                GB                Saeed bin Suroor                125

2              Zafeen (FR)        GB                Mick Channon                124

3                Kalaman (IRE)   GB                Sir Michael Stoute                122

4              Indian Haven (GB)                GB                Paul D'Arcy     121

5              Special Ring       USA                Julio C. Canani   120

6              Refuse to Bend (IRE)                IRE                Dermot K. Weld  119

6T                Domedriver (IRE)                FR                Pascal Bary        119

8                Redattore (BRZ)  USA                Richard E. Mandella                118

9                Tillerman (GB)    GB                Amanda Perrett    117

9T           Six Perfections (FR)                FR                Pascal Bary        117

9T                Telegnosis (JPN)                JPN                H. Sugiura  117

9T           Soviet Song (IRE)                GB                James Fanshawe                117

SPRINT DIVISION

                                Country                

Rank      Name of Horse     Based                Trainer                Rating

1              Oasis Dream (GB)                GB                John Gosden 124 T

2                Aldebaran           USA                Robert Frankel  120

3              Shake You Down                USA                Scott A. Lake       118

4              Beau's Town      USA                Cole Norman 116

5              Posse                USA                Steven M. Asmussen                114

5T           Joey Franco   USA                Darrell Vienna   114

5T           Zavata                USA                Patrick l. Biancone                114

5T                Disturbingthepeace                USA                Darrell Vienna   114

9              Midas Eyes       USA                Robert Frankel  113

9T           House Party       USA                H. Allen Jerkens 113

9T           Shine Again      USA                H. Allen Jerkens 113

FILLY & MARE TURF DIVISION   

                                Country                

Rank      Name of Horse     Based                Trainer                Rating

1              Tates Creek     USA                Robert Frankel  119

2              Vintage Tipple (IRE)                IRE                Patrick Mullins   118

3              Dublino                USA                Laura De Seroux                117

3T                Yesterday (IRE)  IRE                Aidan P. O'Brien   117

3T           Voodoo Dancer   USA                Christophe Clement                117

3T           Bright Sky (IRE)                FR                Elie Lellouche                117

3T           Heat Haze (GB)                USA                Robert J. Frankel                117

8              Ana Marie (FR)                FR                Phillippe Demercastel                116

8T           Islington (IRE)       GB                Sir Michael Stoute                116

10                L'Ancresse (IRE) IRE                Aidan P. O'Brien   115

10T         Casual Look       GB                Andrew M. Balding                115

10T         Bien Nicole    USA                Donnie K. VonHemel                115

*(T) next to a ranking indicates a tie.                                                      

**A country code follows a horse's name if that horse was born outside of the United States or Canada.