Breeders’ Cup XV, at Churchill Downs, saw a wagering record for the 10-race card and boasted the largest crowd in Breeders’ Cup history (80,452). Numerous Eclipse Awards were decided, but Tim Capps noted that “One that probably won’t win an Eclipse for the winner, but will perhaps be the best remembered of the day, was that of Da Hoss in the Breeders’Cup Mile-G1.”

Trained by Michael Dickinson at his Tapeta facility in North East, Md., Da Hoss won the same race at Woodbine in 1996. Reported Capps: “. . . the 6-year-old gelding by Gone West had been on the injury and ailment shelf since that time. He, in fact, did not start in 1997 at all, and was a source of almost constant concern (to Dickinson) throughout 1998. Hock, fetlock and stifle problems beset him, and as late as six weeks before Breeders’ Cup day, Dickinson was ready to give up.”

After nearly two years on the sidelines, Da Hoss resurfaced at Colonial Downs in a $30,000 allowance Oct. 11, less than a month before the Breeders’ Cup. Dickinson said the race, which Da Hoss won over future Grade 1 winner John’s Call, had nothing to do with conditioning. “I wasn’t concerned about having a race. I just wanted the committee [the Breeders’ Cup selection committee] to know he was alive and well.”

Owned by Prestonwood Farm and Wallstreet Racing Stables, Da Hoss won by a head over Hawksley Hill (Ire). Said rider John Velazquez, “It was unbelievable. He wanted to win so bad, he just didn’t want to get beat.”

 

• Flat Top emerged as the brightest steeplechase star of 1998 after winning three consecutive races in October and November. Nancy Gerry’s 5-year-old son of Alleged trained by Janet Elliot nailed down his Eclipse Award with victories in two Grade 1 races – the Breeders’ Cup Grand National, followed by the Colonial Cup. Elliot took the title as leading trainer by money won. Sanna Neilson won by number of wins.
  
  The champion jockey of the year was Sean Clancy. Wrote his brother Joe: “In 10 seasons as a steeplechase jockey Sean Clancy had fallen on his head enough times to get eight concussions, won 101 career races, piloted Grade1 winners To Ridley and Rowdy Irishman and watched a slew of other jockeys make champion jockey speeches. Clancy, 28, finally got to speak in 1998.”