Well here we go with the Breeders’ Cup Classic. I’ve tried to include a photo, previous race and information on the owner, trainer and my opinion on the horse. Hope this helps some.

POST 13 – Awesome Gem:   Shown here in the Pacific Classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDrMUSsV060  Awesome Gem, a 6-year-old gelding, is owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and trained by Craig Dollase. This chestnut has earned $1,695,682, with six lifetime wins out of 30 starts.

Awesome Gem (left) - AP photo

NICK’S POINT OF VIEW – Awesome Gem will likely enjoy the company of  super mare Zenyatta, but unfortunately it will be in the very back of the pack and only for the first half of the race. Just can’t recommend versus these.

POST 2 – Colonel John: Shown here in the Pacific Classic  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDrMUSsV060 is owned by Winstar Farms and is trained by Eoin G. Harty. This 4-year-old colt out of Tiznow has earned $1,629,012. He has six lifetime wins in 14 starts.

Colonel John - AP photo

       NICK’S POINT OF VIEW – A triumph would be somewhat of a surprise, but jockey Garrett Gomez knows a thing or two about winning and chose to stick with this one. Definitely one to include in the trifecta and exacta boxes.

POST 8 – Einstein: Shown here in the Pacific Classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDrMUSsV060  is owned by Stronach Stables and is trained by Helen Pitts. This 7-year-old horse is the elder of the race, and has earned $2,903,324 in his career. Einstein has won 11 of 28 career starts.

Einstein (right) - AP photo

NICK’S POINT OF VIEW - Einstein was one of my favorites, but his latest victories were in March and May of this year. He could pull of a stunner but I like others. Another one for your exotic wagers. 

POST 7 - Gio Ponti:  Shown here in the Man o War Stakes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arns7cnX0bk , Gio Ponti is owned by Castleton Lyons, Inc. and trained by Christophe Clement. This 4-year-old colt is the top contender for best of the grass performers this year. Gio Ponti has won nine of 15 lifetime starts.

Gio Ponti - AP photo

NICK’S POINT OF VIEW -This one is one of the major players. Like so many of the others in this bunch, he prefers to come from off the pace. I expect him to be positioned a bit closer to the leaders than some of the others.

POST 6 – Richard’s Kid:  Shown here in the Pacific Classic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDrMUSsV060, is owned by Arnold Zetcher and trained by Bob Baffert. This 4-year-old colt has earned $801,370. He has won six times in 20 starts.

Richard's Kid - Benoit photo (AP)

NICK’S POINT OF VIEW – This one pulled off a major upset in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar at odds of 24 to 1. Baffert has this colt - out of Lemon Drop Kid - running in top form. Can he pull off another upset? Sure, but I like others more. 

POST 10 – Rip Van Winkle: Shown here in the Ssuxes Goodwood Stakes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t7NHuUtd48, this 3-year-old colt is one of two of the Euro shippers, and in my opinion the best of the two. Rip Van Winkle is owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and is trained by Aidan P. O’Brien. Rip Van Winkle has earned $915,117 during his short career, and has won four of eight lifetime starts.

Rip Van Winkle - AP

NICK’S POINT OF VIEW - Everyone is keeping a closer eye on the Euros, especially after they finished one-two in last year’s Classic. But I’m not completely sold on them this year. No I don’t have anything against the European challengers, after all I picked last year’s superfecta in the Classic, which included the first- and second-place finishers. Rip Van Winkle has won his last two starts but really hasn’t beaten anyone. He lost three times to highly touted Sea The Stars, who many – mostly the Europeans – consider the best horse of the year. If the price was better I would throw him in to my wagers, but not this time.

POST 4 -Zenyatta: Undefeated mare has raced four times in 2009, winning them all, including the Lady’s Secret Stakes during the Santa Anita’s Oak Tree meet.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb68fbcFp30  Santa Anita odds maker Jon White said last week he’d make Zenyatta the morning-line favorite in the Classic, with European invader Rip Van Winkle the second choice and improving 3-year-old Summer Bird third. Zenyatta is a perfect 13 for 13 in her illustrious career. She is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss and trained by John A. Shirreffs

Zenyatta - AP photo

NICK’S POINT OF VIEW - It’s difficult to top perfection and this mare is as perfect as you can get, at least against the girls. Zenyatta is trying to become the first female to win the BC Classic. She saves her best for last and has been able to run down and hold off all challengers. Thanks to her connections, we have something special to watch in this Classic. It’s just too bad Jess Jackson’s Rachel Alexandra wasn’t going to join her. Can Zenyatta beat this group of males? Yes. Will she? I would love to see it, but will only include her in my trifectas. 

POST 3 – Summer Bird: Shown here winning the Travers Stakes  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI-ALTl8L1g, is owned by K.K. and Vilasini D. Jayaraman and is trained by Tim A. Ice. This 3-year-old colt won the third jewel of this year’s Triple Crown. He also won the Travers Stakes and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He has earned $2,023,040 and has won four of his lifetime starts.

Summer Bird - AP photo

NICK’S POINT OF VIEW – If  it weren’t for a loss to probably Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the Haskell Invitational this colt – out of Birdstone - would be coming in with four straight victories. And he appears he’s gotten better since mixing it up with Miss Rachel. In my opinion, Summer Bird should be the second pick by the odds makers behind Zenyatta.  He appears to be the one to beat.

POST 12 – Quality Road: Shown here finishing a distant third behind Summer Bird in the Travers Stakes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI-ALTl8L1g. Quality Road is owned by Edward P. Evans and trained by Todd A. Pletcher. This 3-year-old colt is lightly raced due to some hoof problems. He was the favorite going into the Kentucky Derby before scratching with foot ailments. He has earned $972,830 in his short career, and has won four of seven starts.

Quality Road - AP photo

NICK’S POINT OF VIEW - Anyone that has been reading this blog knows I’m a huge fan of Quality Road. That hasn’t changed. With a race void of much speed, Quality Road will either be on the lead or sitting just off the pace. Both of his losses to Summer Bird were in the slop,  and I believe he showed improvement in both. This has been my pick and I’m sticking with it.

POST 11 – Regal Ransom:  Shown here in the Grade 2 Super Derby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgvX3lLRMAo, is owned by Godolphin Racing and is trained by Saeed bin Suroor. This 3-year-old colt has earned $1,747,200 and has won three out of seven starts.

Regal Ransom - AP photo

NICK’S POINT OF VIEW: Don’t get too excited when you see the money he’s earned. Most of that comes from the inflated purses in the desert. This one will likely set the pace but I doubt if he’ll be hanging around at the end. Can’t recommend.

POST 9 – Girolamo: Shown here in the Jerome Handicap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4kauBblHT4, is also owned by Godlophin Racing and trained by Saeed bin Suroor. This 3-year-old colt has earned $201,300 and has won four out of six lifetime starts. 

Girolamo - AP photo

NICK’S POINT OF VIEW - Impressive win totals, but was facing only middle of the road competition back East. Can’t recommend.

POST 5 – Twice Over: Shown here in the Champions Stakes at Newmarket (GB) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWQQJphig28, This 4-year-old is owned by Juddmonte Farms and is trained by Henry Cecil. Twice Over has earned $1,196,087 and has won seven out of 15 lifetime starts.

(No photo available)

NICK’S POINT OF VIEW – Although he has won three in a row, he wasn’t even close (17 1/4 lengths) to Sea The Stars and Rip Van Winkle. He does love the distance and the 126 pounds must feel like a feather for one who is use to packing up to 134 and 136 pounds. I’ll pass.

POST 1 – Mine That Bird: Shown here winning the Kentucky Derby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv8×9x5A49s, is owned by Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Eq. and trained by Bennie L. Woolley. This 3-year-old colt has earned $2,196,581 and has won five out of 13 lifetime starts.

Mine That Bird - AP photo