Ten Stars You Could See at the 2014 Breeders’ Cup

Steven Jackson in the winner's circle with Buff Bradley after one of Groupie Doll's Breeders' Cup wins.(All images are from Eclipse Sportswire, unless otherwise noted)
With $26-million in purse money up for grabs over the course of two afternoons, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships annually attract some of the greatest Thoroughbred stars that racing has to offer. 
Along with these magnificent racehorses come plenty of talented and recognizable human connections, and racing fans can once again expect to find some of the sport’s most popular owners, trainers, and jockeys in the Santa Anita winner’s circle at the 2014 Breeders’ Cup, which will be held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 of this year. 
However, the star power of the Breeders’ Cup does not end on the racetrack or in the barn area! 
Considering the sophisticated and luxurious hospitality options offered by Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup, in combination with the world-class racing and gambling action that is presented, it should come as no surprise that celebrities from all areas of entertainment have been known to attend the Breeders’ Cup for the thrilling experience. 
Below are ten celebrities to be on the lookout for at the 2014 Breeders’ Cup!
1) Elizabeth Banks:

One might assume that actress Elizabeth Banks fell in love with Thoroughbred racing while taking on her role in the 2003 movie “Seabiscuit”. However, Banks grew up riding horses near her Massachusetts home and has always had an attachment to the equestrian lifestyle. Keep your eyes open for another appearance from Banks at Santa Anita in 2014!
2) Bo Derek:

Actress Bo Derek is famous for her roles in movies such as “10” and “Tarzan, The Ape Man”. However, Derek is also extremely passionate about animal welfare and authored a book titled “Riding Lessons:  Everything I Learned in Life I Learned from Horses”. Derek has been a Breeders’ Cup regular, so perhaps your paths will cross paths at Santa Anita this year!
3) Bobby Flay:

Celebrity chef and racehorse owner Bobby Flay is recognized for his work in the kitchen, but it should be noted that some of Flay’s Thoroughbreds have been known to heat things up on the racetrack as well! For instance, Flay was successful at the 2010 Breeders’ Cup when one of the horses he owned in partnership, More Than Real, captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. There is a great chance Flay will make a return to the Breeders’ Cup in 2014!
4) Steven Jackson:

Steven Jackson has had a decorated football career and currently is the starting running back for the Atlanta Falcons. While it is obvious that Jackson is 100% focused on the 16 games of his regular season, he is also excited about his bye week during the 2014 NFL season, which this year comes in Week 9. Why is he excited? Week 9 just so happens to coincide with Breeders’ Cup weekend, and this bye will allow Jackson to return to Santa Anita for the 2014 edition of the event!
5) Avery Johnson:

Avery Johnson enjoyed a 16-year NBA playing career, which was followed up by 5-year coaching career in which he was named “NBA Coach of the Year” in 2006. Johnson grew up in New Orleans and still considers the Fair Grounds to be his home track. If you need a little “coaching” in order to come up with your Breeders’ Cup selections, look around for Johnson at Santa Anita.
6) Toby Keith:

Photo courtesy of WikiCommons
Country music fans need no introduction to Toby Keith, who was named as Billboard’s “Country Music Artist of the Decade” in 2009.  However, did you know Toby Keith also is active in Thoroughbred breeding and racing? He races under the stable name of Dream Walkin’ Farms. Keep an eye out for Keith at the 2014 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita! 
7) Jim Rome:

Jim Rome is a nationally-known personality in the world of sports broadcasting and currently hosts “The Jim Rome Show”. Not only has Rome been known to attend the Breeders’ Cup, he has tasted victory on two occasions when a filly he owned in partnership, Mizdirection, captured back-to-back editions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, Jim Rome will be hoping for a “hat trick” of Breeders’ Cup wins. Rome’s Shared Belief currently is considered the favorite for the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic.  
8) Joe Torre:

Joe Torre was a nine-time All-Star and National League Most Valuable Player as a professional baseball player but is even better known for his coaching career, particularly for the four World Series titles he won as manager of the New York Yankees. Torre comes from a time when a copy of the Daily Racing Form could be found in every major league baseball clubhouse, and he was a co-owner of recently retired multiple Grade 1 winner Game On Dude as well. There’s a strong chance you could see Torre at the 2014 Breeders’ Cup!
9) Kate Upton:

Photo courtesy of Wik
Kate Upton is an internationally recognized model and actress. However, Upton also grew up around horses and competed in equestrian competitions throughout her childhood. Upton is known to be a passionate sports fan and serves as a Breeders’ Cup celebrity ambassador, so expect to find Upton enjoying the races at the Breeders’ Cup, which is one of the finest sporting events the world has to offer. 
10) Wes Welker:

Wes Welker is currently a wide receiver for one of the best teams in the NFL, the Denver Broncos. In addition to his success on the football field, Welker has also been successful in Thoroughbred ownership, particularly with his colt named Undrafted, who is a stakes winner and is being pointed to the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Although unlikely, perhaps Wes Welker can persuade his coach (John Fox) to allow him to attend the 2014 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita in advance of the Denver Broncos showdown against the New England Patriots the following day! If not, you can be sure Welker will be closely following the telecast of the Breeders’ Cup on NBC and NBC Sports Network.