SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. Nov. 8, 1994 -- Soviet Problem and Vaudeville, Northern California's two representatives in the Breeders' Cup last Saturday at Churchill Downs, have returned to Bay Meadows with their trainers pondering their futures.
"By the end of the weekend, we'll make our plans to a) turn her out and give her a rest, b) point her for the Hollywood Turf Express (on Nov. 20), or c) skip the Turf Express and point her for the race in Japan (the $1.9 million Sprinters Stakes on Dec. 18)," trainer Greg Gilchrist said of Soviet Problem.
The 4-year-old filly ran a super race in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Sprint, leading for most of the six furlongs before losing a stretch duel by a head to favored Cherokee Run.
"I've run thousands of races, and this is the most let down I've ever felt," Gilchrist said. "I wanted to win that race so badly. She really laid it out there."
Vaudeville finished seventh in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Turf after being second, a head behind Paradise Creek, at the top of the stretch. Paradise Creek had to settle for third behind Tikkanen and Hatoof. In the Turf Classic at Belmont Park on Oct. 8, Tikkanen beat Vaudeville by just a neck.
"We just got outrun," trainer Fordell Fierce said. "They went a little quick the first part. When you go a mile in 1:35 1/5 and still have a half-mile to run, it's a bit much to ask."
Soviet Problem, who now has 14 wins and three seconds in 18 starts, earned $200,000 for her second-place finish -- more than covering the $120,000 that owners Harris Farms and Don Valpredo had to put up to make her eligible for the race. Her career earnings swelled to $642,113.
The Breeders' Cup Turf was the first time Vaudeville finished worse than second. He now has four wins and two seconds in seven starts with earnings of $523,000.
"We'll make some kind of announcement by the weekend," Fierce said. Vaudeville is one of four North American horses invited to the $3.55 million Japan Cup on Nov. 26.
RACING NOTES: Jessie Janey's win streak ended at six when she finished fourth in last Saturday's Charles H. Russell Handicap at Bay Meadows. She couldn't handle the sloppy track. ... Queens Court Queen won Sunday's $100,000 California Jockey Club Handicap by 11 lengths over Watch Rachel in a race switched from the turf to the main track because of the weekend's heavy rain. ... Hollywood Park opened its Autumn Festival season Wednesday.