Ricks Natural Star

The Breeders' Cup is always a bit more interesting when underdog horses from smaller circuits are in the mix, and both Slammed (Marking) and Tyler's Tribe (Sharp Azteca) have the potential to bring outsized attention to their respective breeding programs in New Mexico and Iowa when they run in the Nov. 4 and 5 championships. In the entire history of the Breeders' Cup dating to 1984--out of a pool of 4,344 horses--those two states have accounted for just one state-bred starter each. Slammed will represent New Mexico, and you could...