As the great, ever-retiring and then late Frank Sinatra used to often say: “And now the end is near” and he would then tell us how he did it his way. Charles Aznavour was a little stronger on the twilight sentiments of life with his: “… And only I am left on stage to end the play... I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue….” and in a way, they both sort of capture the mood of the weekend.
There’s a bit more to go of course, and inevitably. That’s the sad position the UK’s racing industry has got itself in. There’s always a bit more to come. Another race, another chance for Andrew Balding, another opportunity for Aiden, another shed for a Coolmore stallion… and yet more and more racing that has to be produced for our ultimate paymaster, Honest Bob Bookie.
But for most of us, this weekend is really the end of the 2026 Flat Season because it’s Breeders Cup weekend.
An opportunity to wonder at the fact that in America, winning one of the world’s richest races is conducted with all the panache of Betty getting three lines on her bingo card down the Gaumont! The winning connections, many of whom appear to have bought all their relatives over from Palermo in a bus, have to collect their million dollar prizes, by standing around in muddy sand, being interviewed by some Limey called Luck against a backdrop that looks to have been once owned by Chelmsford. See if I’m wrong; this is the nation, nay continent, of razzmatazz, glitz and glamour, and they produce a winning ceremony at the Breeders Cup, which feels like an inconvenience.
That all said - Crikey the racing’s good. It’s interesting, and it’s tough, and it’s different, and it’s always good to see a battle where you think the result - every result - is justified.
So we’re away to Keeneland, about 6 miles west of Lexington’s beautiful thoroughbred breeding country. At its best, Lexington is one of the most attractive places on the planet, but in a slightly Stepford Wives way. Paddocks that have been manicured with small nail scissors. Endless white rail fences where it is likely that if a bird perched on one and thought about staying, it would be cat food by teatime. It makes most of Newmarket look like its waiting for planning permission.
In preparation, I already have my internet copy of Indian Charlie, (GET IT HERE) a scurrilous racing sheet that sort of tips, but doesn’t really. It was first published in 1994, and was founded by Eddie Musselman, a former Churchill Downs tour guide, groom, jockey agent and trainer, who produced a simple A4 piece of paper which I think sold for a buck, full of irreverent stable gossip, suggestions of the odd scandal, cartoons and suggestions rather than tips. The newsletter was named after “Indian Charlie” Neal, a well-known Churchill Downs clocker, with Bob Baffert naming his 1998 Santa Anita Derby winner after both Charlie and the sheet.
Keeneland actually banned the distribution of Indian Charlie on its premises in September 2018, following disputes over its content, perhaps emanating from a number of complaints about the content and an on-course brawl between Musselman and trackside trainer Dale Romans in which Romans trousers were said to have fallen down mid-fight. Now you don’t get that sort of thing reported in The Racing Post!
So the track… simple truth. Watch Out!
Its configuration is such that tactical speed, draw and positioning level the playing field with ability, but don’t for a moment suppose that the front-runners are going to have it all their own way. Looking at the Keeneland Autumn meeting which ran from the 16th - 24th October, the track produced the following running stats which BRISNET’s detailed summary HERE highlights. The 41 races run over 8½f were only won 15% of the time by pillar to posters. I’ve been told by that the Keeneland turf track is in poor condition, and they’re moving the rail in a couple of yards, so the inside lanes might well have an advantage.
When I mention a Figure unless otherwise stated it is a Beyer Speed figure. So to the tips…
