Mike Brunker

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens announced his sudden retirement after learning he had sustained a spinal injury, while Santa Anita race-caller Michael Wrona was unceremoniously sacked by track management.

Kentucky Racing Acquisition, a new company co-founded by Ron Winchell and Marc Falcone, did not reveal terms of the acquisition of the track in Franklin, Kentucky, which it hopes to complete by early 2019.

Backers say the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic accomplished more over the year than the 13th Triple Crown winner, but history says their arguments will fall on deaf ears.

Softish turf course should aid European runners, who are more accustomed to those conditions, but it also can provide big surprises when horses who have never run on an “off” track discover they really like it.

Oversubscription is a good problem if you’re Netflix or the Review-Journal, but for handicappers trying to get an early start on the races to be run Nov. 2 and 3 at Churchill Downs, it’s a logistical nightmare.

Data from the eight previous Breeders’ Cups run under the twin spires can help make for winning days when this year’s World Thoroughbred Championship races are run on Nov. 2-3 in Louisville.

Seven European runners have tried to sweep the prestigious marathons on the lawn without success, but the John Gosden trained 4-year-old will have freshness on her side after being sidelined by a leg injury for much of the year.

Florida-bred 5-year-old has been impressive in winning back-to-back Grade 1s. Competitors will look to put their best hooves forward this weekend to prepare to meet him in a month at Churchill Downs.

The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile was an afterthought when the series was created in 1984, but it’s become one of my favorite races since then. Here’s a look at the top middle distance horses headed for this year’s showdown.

Sensational 3-year-old Monomoy Girl and top 4-year-old filly Abel Tasmen have established themselves as leaders of the division with just six weeks remaining until the two-day World Thoroughbred Championships at Churchill Downs.

The Woodbine Mile on Saturday has produced five Breeders’ Cup Mile winners in its 22 runnings. That makes it a great yardstick to help handicappers assess that division seven weeks before the championship races.

The John Sadler-trained colt has asserted himself as the best horse in training at the classic distance on the dirt, but much could change in the eight weeks remaining until the World Thoroughbred Championship returns to Churchill Downs.

The gems of the American racing scene go dark after Monday’s Labor Day cards, but the unique turf-only racing offered at the track outside Franklin, Kentucky, will help fill the void.