Here are 25 thoughts from the 25th Breeders’ Cup:

1. Ventura is wonderful, but was absolutely the trendsetter that strong outside runs were a boost on the Pro-Ride.

2. How does Consequence go off at 3-1 in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and the winner, Maram, is sent off at 11-1 after having slugged out a win against Consequence in the Miss Grillo.

3. Stardom Bound is a deserving champion but you have to think her running style might hurt at some point in the future.

4. When you hear a horse is going to retire, then shows up at the Breeders’ Cup and the trainer is practically standing by her side and helping to wash her, maybe she’s here for a reason. Sealy Hill would fit the bill.

5. Zenyatta rocked.

6. Zenyatta should never run against her own gender again. I don’t care when or where, but face the INCREDIBLY weak American handicap division and demolish them from stem to stern…they aren’t that good, and that will be exacerbated by a Curlin retirement.

7. Part 1 - Expect more Euros to come for the Dirt Marathon in 2009.

8. Just about anything can happen when they come down that hill on the turf course. It makes for one of the most exciting scenes in American horse racing.

9. I couldn’t be happier for Richard Migliore.

10. Two Step Salsa ran one of the best “on the board” finishes of the day after an amazing run on the rail in the Dirt Mile.

11. Well Armed wasn’t in the Classic for a reason, and it had nothing to do with Colonel John.

12. Dictionary.com definition: horse - large, solid-hoofed, herbivorous quadruped, Equus caballus, domesticated since prehistoric times, bred in a number of varieties, and used for carrying or pulling loads, for riding, and for racing (editorial…do not need Lasix to run well, see also, Goldikova, Donativum, Conduit.)

13. Midshipman was the only horse of the weekend to run on the Pro-Ride and win while racing on or immediately off the lead.

14. The interests of Sheikh Mohammed ran 1-3-4 in the Juvenile Turf. For the weekend, a combination of his collective interests racing as Godolphin, Darley, and HRH Princess Haya of Jordan had eight starts, three wins (Midshipman, Donativum, Raven’s Pass), two places (Cocoa Beach, Diabolical), one show (Music Note), one fourth (City Style), and one off the board finish (Folk Opera).

15. Midnight Lute deserves to be the Eclipse Award winner in the Sprint division. He essentially demolished anyone who could have been considered.

16. Fatal Bullet ran a huge race to stay on the pace.

17. The absolute best looking horse of the day, on the track, in any race, was Conduit. This colt was like a rocking-chair horse, bouncing around like a stone-cold champion.

18. Soldier of Fortune’s performance can be judged by Red Rock Canyon’s performance.

19. John Murtagh’s ride was the absolute worst ride I’ve ever witnessed in a major race. Put every other ride out of your mind, and put this atop the mantle of absolute stupidity. They must have been going crazy at PaddyPower, Will Hill, Ladbrokes and every shop in England and Ireland.

20. I hope Kieran Fallon cleans up his life, because Aidan O’Brien needs him. Otherwise, move up Jamie Heffernan to top stable rider.

21. Expect more Mike deKock horses at the Breeders’ Cup.

22. Anyone who picked Casino Drive for any reason should explain why. Kurt Hoover and Matt Carrothers picked him on the Breeders’ Cup feed and the DRF’s David Grening and Alan Shuback took him in their picks. I’m sure Kurt and Matt explained it on the feed, but I will be hard-pressed to understand anyone’s logic for using him.

23. What would the head-to-head wager have been to see Smooth Air finish in front of Duke of Marmalade? Aidan O’Brien and his recent failures at the Breeders’ Cup are surprising.

24. Part 2 - Expect more Euros to come for EVERYTHING in 2009. Full speed ahead.

25. Frankie Dettori’s ride in the Classic was as close to perfect as you can find. He knew he had to beat Curlin, he followed the horse he had to beat, he had enough horse, and he won.

25a. Curlin will be horse of the year.