2011 Breeders' Cup Contenders: Goldikova Win Would Put Her in Legendary Company

The Breeders' Cup doesn't quite have the intrigue out of the sports world that the Triple Crown Races do. 

The Kentucky Derby is the Granddaddy of them all, the Preakness is always fun to see if the Derby winner can repeat. Then of course if that happens, the interest in the Belmont is huge. 

So, to the casual racing fan the Triple Crown is unmatched. But that doesn't necessarily mean that what happens in those races trumps everything else that happens in the sport. 

Obviously, nobody has won a Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. He followed Seattle Slew's 1977 Triple Crown. Before him, Secretariat won in 1973. Nobody else had won the Triple Crown since Citation in 1948. That's how rare that is. 

So, what's the point of this history lesson? 

Well, even though it is a rare occurrence, a Triple Crown means a horse, trainer and jockey had a great run over a relatively short period of time. Yes, you have to be great to do it, but it doesn't indicate great consistency.

What Goldikova has already done at the Breeders' Cup Mile is nothing if it's not consistent. While it may not be as well known to people who aren't racing fans, that accomplishment belongs in the discussion with what other great horses have done.

Between 1984 and 2007 (including both of those years), no horse won the Breeders' Cup Mile more than twice. Miesque (1987, 1988) and Lure (1992, 1993) are the only horses to do that.

If Goldikova fails miserable in the Breeders' Cup Mile on Saturday and finishes in last place, she's already equaled that accomplishment. Actually, I am wrong. She's already bettered accomplishment.

Goldikova has won the Breeders' Cup Mile every year since 2008. She's already won an unprecedented three in a row. Four in a row would put her on a level all by herself.

This is not a race that's limited to fillies, nor is it a race that has the age requirements and restrictions of the Triple Crown races. 

Winning it three times in a row is legendary. Winning it four times in a year is unspeakable.

Well, it will be unspeakable until it's done on Saturday. When it is, Goldikova will take her rightful place in the discussion of the greatest racehorses in the history of the great sport.