Two Days at the Races: 30th Annual Breeders’ Cup brings exciting racing to Santa Anita

Sierra Madre jockey Gary Stevens came out of retirement to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic Saturday aboard Mucho Mucho Man – Photo by Terry Miller

By Terry Miller

Record crowds filled the stands at Santa Anita for the 30th annual Breeders’ Cup Classic thoroughbred horse races – one of the most prestigious events in the horse racing industry.
Climaxed by a Breeders’ Cup Classic that “typified everything that’s right about Thoroughbred racing–the beauty, the drama and the rhythmic oneness of both horse and rider” –Mucho Macho Man was a near-unanimous choice as Horse of the Meet in Santa Anita’s Autumn Media Poll, by virtue of his thrilling nose victory over Will Take Charge in the $5 million Classic at 1 ¼ miles on Nov. 2.
It was the second Grade I win at the meet for Mucho Macho Man, who won the Awesome Again Stakes by 4 ¼ lengths on Sept. 28. Each time the 5-year-old bay horse was ridden by 50-year-old Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, from Sierra Madre, returned to the saddle in January after a seven-year retirement.
Owned by Dean and Patty Reeves and trained by Kathy Ritvo, Mucho Macho Man earned $2,750,000 for his Classic victory, more than double his previous career bankroll of $2,590,410, and increasing it to $5,340,410.
“I’m happier for my horse,” Ritvo said after the exciting triumph, in which Stevens raised his whip in celebration as he and Mucho Macho Man crossed the finish line. “. . . When Gary waved the stick, I figured he won . . . He is a good horse.”
The positive trickle-down effect from the Classic was evident in other aspects of the Media Poll. Mucho Macho Man was also named Outstanding Older Horse, while the Classic was named Race of the Meet. Reeves Thoroughbred Racing also was voted Outstanding Owner, having earned $2,900,000 thanks to Mucho Macho Man’s two rich victories.
Other excitement, off the track, included Toni Braxton signing the National anthem and Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora doing a rather short guitar solo/ call to post… which left everybody wanting more.
For the first time ever, the “Call to Post” was performed not by the traditional bugle played by Santa Anita legend Jay Cohen, but on a custom Fender Stratocaster guitar played by American rock icon Richie Sambora. Additionally, Grammy Award winner Toni Braxton performed the National Anthem, while acclaimed actress and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth performed the Breeders’ Cup adopted anthem, “The Best is Yet to Come,” sung by Tony Bennett last year. Sambora has been a member of Bon Jovi since before their 1983 debut, playing lead guitar on every record, co-writing most of the band’s songs, and helping them sell more than 135m albums. He has also released three solo LPs, most recently 2012’s Aftermath of the Lowdown, which reached No 35 in the UK.
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, pianist, musician, record producer, actress, television personality, and philanthropist. Braxton has won 6 Grammy Awards, 7 American Music Awards, and 9 Billboard Music Awards. She has sold over 66 million records worldwide.
Fans dressed ready for Ascot included Zulay Quiroz Jessica Viana and Catherine Gribben who sported some of their favorite hats as they watched the races from a VIP area.

At the Breeders’ Cup there was a veritable A list of classic award winning Hall of Fame jockeys who came to see the new riders. One such was Chris McCarron. Christopher John “Chris” McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He was introduced to the sport of thoroughbred racing by his older brother, jockey Gregg McCarron.

Nikon Professional Services was also on hand to help photographers (who shoot with Nikon) with equipment loans and minor repairs during the two-day event. Sara of Nikon was a great help in loaning Beacon Media and other agencies some first class equipment.

The only problem for most racing fans was actually leaving Santa Anita Park after the Classic Race on Saturday night. To say it was difficult and time consuming would be an understatement. Last year was bad, but this year was much worse.
There were literally thousands of cars trying to exit a few openings onto local streets. Angry drivers attempted to break down several blockades on the east side of the track near Methodist Hospital. For some reason, known only to officials at Breeders, there were hardly any exits open to let traffic out of Santa Anita. Bad planning , indeed. Fights broke out with some belligerent drivers who didn’t want to get stuck in traffic all night and eventually, after considerable pleading with one guard who was allowing only limousines through “because they paid and extra $40 for the privilege,” an opening was made available for those of us not driving limousines. For most drivers I spoke with they had been waiting in excess of 60 minutes trying to leave the track.

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