So You Think (NZ) & Hoofit (NZ) Head to Churchill Downs

The globetrotting New Zealand bred champion So You Think (NZ) is being set for another world famous race this weekend when he makes his debut in America in the US$5 million Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (2000m).

To be held at the famous Churchill Downs racetrack, the Breeders' Cup Championships are held over two days and see the running of 15 races, 11 of which are at Grade 1 level, with over US$26 million in stakes on offer.

A race that is considered one of the very best in America, So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral x Triassic) comes into the Breeders' Cup Classic a 5-1 third-favourite in what will be his first start on dirt.

The son of High Chaparral will be ridden by jockey Ryan Moore who won the Breeders' Cup Turf in 2008 and 2009 and his trainer Aidan O'Brien is hopeful that So You Think will handle the dirt track.

"We think he has the attributes you need for the Classic - a good cruising speed, he's tactically quick, he's brave but we don't know about the dirt because he hasn't run on it before," commented O'Brien.

So You Think (NZ) will attempt to win the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup at his first start on dirt.

A race that often produces America's Horse of the Year, the Breeders' Cup Classic has been won by the likes of Zenyatta, Curlin, Invasor, dual winner Tiznow, Cigar, A.P. Indy and Sunday Silence.

So You Think has fared well in the draw for the $5 million feature with barrier five. Sunday morning's race will also see him run in blinkers for the first time since his three-year-old season in which he won his first of two Cox Plates.

The 3-1 favourite for the event is last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Stakes and Belmont Champagne Stakes winner Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) with the three-time Group 1 winner Havre De Grace (Saint Liam) in the second line of betting at 4-1.

So You Think will be the second New Zealand bred horse to contest the Breeders' Cup Classic in the last seven years with the five-time Group 1 winning Karaka graduate Starcraft (Soviet Star) running in 2005.

A $110,000 purchase by DGR Thoroughbreds from Windsor Park Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2008 Karaka Premier Sale, So You Think will be shooting for Group 1 victory number nine in country number four in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Also representing New Zealand Bloodstock at the Breeders' Cup Championships is the last-start Grade 3 Pheonix Stakes winner Hoofit (NZ) (Mossman x Chuckle).

A black-type winning three-year-old, Hoofit won the Listed Bonecrusher Stakes for his former trainer Stephen McKee before being secured by Phill Cataldo for his current US owner Jill Johnston.

Hoofit is unbeaten in America in two starts for his new trainer Graham Motion with his Grade 3 victory giving him guaranteed entry for the US$1 million Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (1000m).

A $60,000 purchase by Beamish Bloodstock from Shelby Park at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2009 Karaka Premier Sale, Hoofit is currently mid-field in the market at 12-1.

The US$1 million Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (1000m) will be held on Sunday 6 November at 8.20am New Zealand time. The US$5 million Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (2000m) will also feature on Sunday at 12pm (noon) NZ time.

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