If you had to pick just one thing, one, about this years Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, what would it be? I know, that is a tricky question. But one worth pondering…

You could tell me how the day kicked off with Muhannak and Patrick Smullen paying $26.20, and proving the Europeans were for real.

It could be watching Richard Migliore ride Desert Code smoke them on a runner runner who paid $75 to win the Turf Sprint.

Albertus Maximus and Garrett Gomez getting one of two wins on the card. This rider left the past, with all of his troubles, in the sunset and his magic in the saddle.

Midshipmen and Go-Go getting their picture taken again. What a run indeed!

Donativum and “Flying Frankie Dettori” spanking them in the Juvenile Turf.

Could it be Conduit proving the Euros love California in the Turf?

The $5 million dollar question would be what happened to Curlin. He looked so good at the top of the lane, and the calvary just kept coming. Don’t knock this guy. He could run on broken glass. When Steve Assmussen spoke during the draw, he didn’t have that glimmer in his eyes. I think Curlin was as tuned as a fine instrument should be. I think the trainer is as good as gold. I just think the synthetics don’t fit. Or maybe, just maybe, he didn’t like it on this one day.

But the moment of the day that stuck with me was Goldikova.

Goldikova (IRE) was ridden by Olivier Peslier, and trained by Freddie Head. You remember him don’t you? He rode a runner by the name of Miesque. When they still mention the runners name, players can still see that masterful ride. He became the first trainer to ride and train a BC winner.

On this day, the fillies were not suppose to beat the boys. They ran the day before. But Goldikova had the magic. She came in from Long Champ in France and ran against Zarkava. This was a runner who retired earlier, but gave us a glimpse of what Europe had to offer.

While stalking off the pace of Whatsthescript, Daytona, and Kip Deville, Goldikova lacked room down the lane. I was getting mad and about ready to do the ticket tearing dance, and all of a sudden a glimmer of daylight that you could throw a playing card into opened up. She jumped it, and the clouds parted for her. She was on her way to the wire, and into history.

The foreigners won five on the day, and they love coming out to California. For these two days it wasn’t for the surf, but for the money. I enjoyed watching her ply her trade. She beat the boys. She beat them on their turf at their game. That was my moment. Which one was yours?