Bodog Beat

Heatseeker will no longer be running in the 2008 Gr. 1 $5 M Breeders' Cup Classic. (AP Images)

The 2008 running of the Gr. 1 $5M Breeders’ Cup Classic could be a much more wide open affair than expected when this year’s renewal takes place at Santa Anita on Oct. 25.

Gr. 1 Santa Anita Handicap hero Heatseeker, recent winner of the Californian Stakes in track-record time and one of the likely favorites for the Breeders’ Cup premier event, has been retired. A grand looking chestnut with unlimited potential, Heatseeker had been improving rapidly since being transferred to the barn of Jerry Hollendorfer and appeared to be on-track for a top performance in this year’s Classic before being scratched from the Gr. 1 Hollywood Gold Cup, where he was the odds-on choice.

Leading North American conditioner Steve Asmussen has charted a new course for last year’s Classic winner Curlin. At this writing, the reigning Horse of the Year is scheduled to make his next start on the turf in anticipation of a trip to Paris in the fall for the Arc de Triomph, where he will try and become the first American horse to conquer the challenging race and the first to attempt it since Tom Role’s sixth-place finish in 1965.

The loss of these two major players brings several horses into prominence that previously might have been considered minor participants. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown hasn’t been eliminated from the Classic picture yet and his future plans will become clearer after an anticipated start in the $1M Haskell Stakes at Monmouth on Aug. 3. Belmont Stakes winner Da’Tara is pointing towards the Gr. 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga and a good showing there would likely lead him to the Classic.

Another 3-year-old of interest is Denis of Cork, runner-up in the Belmont and third in the Derby. His stock has been rising and his record at the distance is formidable.

Front-running Hollywood Gold Cup winner Mast Track vaulted himself onto the scene and Santa Anita Handicap and Gold Cup runner-up Go Between is consistently close at the finish. Add Pimlico Special winner Student Council and the inconsistent but talented Tiago to the fray and this year’s Classic won’t be short of horses in with a chance.

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