On DVD or VHS: Picture above is of PERSONAL ENSIGN - 1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner.

 

 

The Thoroughbred, perhaps the most majestic athlete in all of sports...his is a heritage of enduring spirit, electrifying speed and unyielding courage. The Blue Grass country of is home to racing's legends and the birthplace of future champions. In the Fall of 1988, the fifth Breeders' Cup came to for the first time to fabled Churchill Downs - the famed twin spires would be a most fitting backdrop to racing's newest "Championship Day." A special feeling of excitement surrounded the fifth running of the Breeders' Cup and was quick to catch the spirit. Anticipation was building as America's most historic race track was ready to host its first Breeders' Cup.

As 70,000 fans filed into Churchill Downs for this premiere day of racing, the stage was set for a day to remember...it was a dark, chilly, wet afternoon but nevertheless a day of high drama. The Breeders' Cup is racing's, "Super Bowl"...seven championship races for a total of $10 million. It is clearly a day reserved for the sport's superstars.

Come along for the ride as this upbeat and JOHN FORSYTHE-narrated documentary takes you through all seven Breeders' Cup races complete with interesting stories of various race favorites, interviews with their human connections and basically gives you a sampling of all the activities leading up to and including the big race day.

A seemingly endless supply of talented runners that assembled on that day included: Sprinters: MINING, GULCH, VERY SUBTLE and PRECISIONIST; Juvenile Fillies: OPEN MIND, SOME ROMANCE and LEA LUCINDA; Distaffers: PERSONAL ENSIGN, WINNING COLORS, and GOODBYE HALO; Milers: MIESQUE, WARNING, SIMPLY MAJESTIC and STEINLEN; Juveniles: EASY GOER and IS IT TRUE; Turf Specialists: SUNSHINE FOREVER, INDIAN SKIMMER, GREAT COMMUNICATER, and INFAMY and Classic Contenders: ALYSHEBA, SLEW CITY SLEW, CUTLASS REALITY, FORTY NINER, SEEKING THE GOLD, PERSONAL FLAG, LIVELY ONE and CRYPTOCLEARANCE.

Highlights of some of the day's unforgettable moments include: superstar jockey, ANGEL CORDERO, breaking his Breeders' Cup jinx of only winning one race in 26 Breeders' Cup attempts in a dramatic effort aboard the D. WAYNE LUKAS-trained, GULCH, in the Sprint and OPEN MIND in the Juvenile Filly; JULIE KRONE the first female jockey to ever ride in a Breeders' Cup event. No trainer has stamped his emblem on as many Breeders' Cup championships as D. WAYNE LUKAS and for, "Team Lukas", the fifth Breeders' Cup was yet another opportunity to re-write their records. Remarkably he sent out a powerful 5-horse arsenal in the days second event, the 12-horse field of the Juvenile Fillies and wound up finishing 1, 2, and 3!

For over a century many of the sport's great horses have made their marks in history at Churchill Downs and that tradition of greatness was expected to be continued on Breeders' Cup day by an exceptional undefeated filly named, PERSONAL ENSIGN - the overwhelming Distaff betting favorite owned and bred by the distinguished Ogden Phipps of the Phipps Racing Stable. In a race with destiny, WINNING COLORS...that year's Kentucky Derby winner, sought to end PERSONAL ENSIGN's 12-race winning streak by grabbing and holding onto the uncontested lead. Running out of ground and seemingly beaten, PERSONAL ENSIGN unleashed a furious run strides from the wire and nipped WINNING COLORS in a dramatic finish! Facing defeat for the first time, PERSONAL ENSIGN dug in courageously with heart and determination and stamped herself a champion. It was one of the most stunning victories in racing history. She ended her career in grand style becoming the first major American champion to retire undefeated in 80 years.

For racing fans everywhere, these were the racing memories in for the 1988 Breeders' Cup.

 

60 Minutes.

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