The list of 2007 Breeders' Cup entries were no surprise among horse racing enthusiasts. The event was held over two days at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, in a steady rain that make the race track slow and plodding. The event was expected to be full, with the entire field of 14 being registered. Of course, Lawyer Ron, Curlin, Street Sense, Hard Spun and Any Given Saturday were among the first group of Breeders' Cup entries. 2007 was considered by many to be one of the strongest fields of Breeders' Cup entries in recent years. The Breeders Cup “Win and You’re In” program has been going on all summer with horses earning points for specific races.
The favorite among Breeders Cup entries was Street Sense, who was also the winner of that year's Kentucky Derby. He was defeated by Hard Spun in the last Kentucky Cup Classic, so his dominance is in question. Another solid selection that was being touted by handicappers was Any Given Saturday. Other public handicappers were more enamored with Tiago, Lawyer Ron, and Curlin. Two of these favorite belong to trainer Todd Pletcher, with Any Given Saturday and Lawyer Ron both in his stable of Breeders' Cup entries. Any Given Saturday had won 3 races in a row going into the Breeders' Cup, including the Brooklyn on Sept. 22nd and was the most common recommendation as a favorite for the Breeders' Cup. Curlin was also a strong contender in that year's list of Breeders' Cup entries. After winning the Preakness, he went on to lose the Belmont Stakes to Rags to Riches and followed up with a 3rd place finish in the Haskell Stakes.
Nine horses entered the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. These nine were a very solid and well-respected field of Breeders' Cup entries and contained several candidates for Horse of the Year. The winner of the Kentucky Derby and Travers, Street Sense, Whitney and Woodward winner Lawyer Ron, Preakness and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Curlin, Haskell and Brooklyn Handicap winner Any Given Saturday, and Swaps and Goodwood winner Tiago were all entered far in advance, which made it one of the most anticipated Breeders' Cups ever.
In order to qualify to be in the field of Breeders' Cup entries, a horse must earn a sufficient number of points in the American Graded Stakes series throughout the year. This does not apply to races with less than 14 entrants, as there will be ample open spots still available. The graded stakes points are not needed unless the field will be oversubscribed and it must be decided who cannot be included in the Breeders' Cup entries for the year. If points must be used, the first 7 horses will be ranked on their points throughout the graded stakes season. A point total of six or higher will automatically qualify a horse to be in the field of Breeders' Cup entries. All juvenile horses are excluded from these eligibility rules and must be evaluated under a different system.
