Published: November 03, 2009 11:41 pm      

Becker to co-anchor Breeder's Cup broadcast

LOS ANGELES — Kurt Becker is at it again. The Altamont native is on the streets of Los Angeles, Calif., awaiting the 26th Annual Breeders' Cup World Championships, which are scheduled this weekend from Santa Anita Park.

According to Wikipedia, the Breeders' Cup is an annual series of Grade I thoroughbred horse races operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days.

The location changes each year. The event was created as a year-end championship for North American thoroughbred horse racing and also attracts top horses from other parts of the world, especially Europe.

Becker, a local harness and thoroughbred race announcer, along with announcing NASCAR, headed to the West Coast recently.

"I will co-anchor Horse Racing Radio Network's live broadcast from Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. which lies approximately a dozen miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles," said Becker. "My role will be analysis and color commentary, along with co-hosts Mike Penna (Pittsfield, Mass.) and Jude Feld (Los Angeles, Calif.). Race calls will be provided by longtime Santa Anita track announcer Trevor Denman.

"With 14 races over the two-day period offering combined purses of $25.5 million, the Breeders' Cup ranks as the richest sporting event in the world. Santa Anita, which lies at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, has previously hosted the event in 1986, 1993, 2003 and 2008."

Among some of the names of horses people might recognize is Zenyatta who was made the early favorite Tuesday in a field of 13 for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. She has an unbeaten 13 for 13 racing record, but she will be going up against the fact that no filly or mare has ever won the Classic since its inception in 1984.

Another name that horse racing fans will recognize is Mine That Bird, the Kentucky Derby winner this year. The gelding's victory in Kentucky was the second biggest upset in Derby history with the second widest margin of victory.

The big story behind the gelding is the fact his trainer Chip Woolley loaded Mine That Bird into a horse trailer behind his pickup truck and drove 1,700 miles over 21 hours from New Mexico to get to the Derby. From the Derby he went to the Preakness but finished second to Rachel Alexandra and took third in the Belmont Stakes.

The 14 races will run Friday and Saturday with a total of 149 horses entered, including 30 from Europe.

"While there are no affiliate stations located in the Effingham area," said Becker. "The broadcast will be streamlined live on the Web at www.horseracingradio.net and also at www.breederscup.com. Air times are 2-6 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday."

So tune in and you'll probably hear a familiar voice as Becker turns on his color analysis during the Breeders' Cup.

Millie Lange can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 124 or millie.lange@effinghamdailynews.com.