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With beautiful Indian Summer like weather, Belmont Park held
Breeders' Cup Preview Day on October 14th, the last major prep races
before racing's premiere Day . A crowd of 18,625 turned out to see some
of the best horses in training compete in four graded stakes. In the
Grade I Frizette undefeated Raging Fever kept her record perfect. She
should go off as the favorite in the upcoming Breeders' Cup.
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Owner Edward Evans leads Raging
Fever to Winners Circle
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Despite Raging Fever's perfect record the fans sent the finely bred
Dancinginmydreams to post as the 6-5 favorite. In a tragic turn of
events the Phipps Stable homebred broke down near the top of the
stretch. The filly was shipped to New Bolton, Penn. where she was
operated on late Saturday. Last reports have her listed in stable
condition
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Dancinginmydreams in paddock before the Frizette
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In the Grade II Forest Hills, Delaware Township beat a fine field of
sprinters including even money favorite Forest Camp and Kelly
Kip. Delaware Township is trained by Ben Perkins Jr. and should
make his presence felt if he runs in the Breeders' Cup.
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Delaware Township wins the Forest Hills
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In one of the most impressive performances of the afternoon
Brazilian Bred Riboletta cruised to her seventh Graded Stakes victory in
the Grade I Beldame. With nothing left to prove in the older filly and
mare division, speculation is that she might try the Breeders' Cup
Classic or even skip the Cup.
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Riboletta goes to post in the Beldame
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The last two Grade I's of the afternoon went to horses out of the
Nick Zito barn. Rick Pitino's Celtic Pride Stable's A P Valentine moved
through a small opening along the rail in upper stretch and drove to an
almost two length victory. The Boston Celtic coach must be dreaming of
the first Saturday in May already.
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A P Valentine wins the Champagne
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The Jockey Club Gold Cup was to be a definitive race leading to the
BC Classic. With the defection of three-year-old star Fusaichi Pegasus
the battle appeared to be between Woodward competitors Behrens and Lemon
Drop Kid. A rough start compromised the chances of the two top
picks. In an outstanding performance three-year-old Albert The Great
went wire to wire to complete the mile-and-a -quarter distance in
1:59.24. If Fusaichi Pegasus runs in the Breeders' Cup Classic the
three-year-olds could have a lot to say about the outcome.
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Albert The Great wins The Jockey Club Gold Cup
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