TODAY AT THE BREEDERS’ CUP
by Post.Time
Well the girls got their day in the sun yesterday, now it’s the boys turn. If only Rachel Alexandra would have been allowed to compete. Oh, well.
The second race at Santa Anita kicks of the Breeders’ Cup races with the third running of the $1,000,000 Juvenile Turf going one mile.
NICK’S PICKS - 1. Inteactif (third $3.20). 2. Viscount Nelson (eighth). 3. Codoy (12th). 4. Kera’s Kitten (scratched).
The third race is the second running of the $1,000,000 Turf Sprint at 6 1/2 furlongs.
NICK’S PICKS – 1. Delta Storm (fourth). 2. California Flag (first $8.80, $5.60, $3.80). 3. Lord Shanakill (12th). 4. Diamondrella (11th).
The fourth race offers the 26th running of the $2,000,000 Sprint at six furlongs.
NICK’S PICKS - 1. Zensational (fifth). 2. Capt. Candyman Can (7th). 3. Fatal Bullet (sixth). 4. Gayego (fourth).
The fifth race is the 26th running of the 1 1/16-mile, $2,000,000 Juvenile.
NICK’S PICKS - 1. Lookin At Lucky (second $4.40, $3). 2. Radiohead (seventh). 3. D’Funnybone (13th). 4. Eskendereya (9th).
The sixth race is one of my favorites. Get your darts out, because anyone of these can win it.
NICK’S PICKS - 1. Delegator (fifth). 2. Cowboy Cal (10th). 3. Goldikova (first $4.80, $4, $2.60), 4. Court Vision (fourth).
The seventh race is the third running of the $1,000,000 Dirt Mile.
NICK’S PICKS - 1. Midshipman (third $4.20). 2. Mastercraftsman (fourth). 3. Bullsbay (9th). 4. Chocolate Candy (8th).
The eighth race is the 26th running of the $3,000,000 Turf.
NICK’S PICKS - 1. Conduit (first $3.80, $3, $2.20). 2. Monzante (6th). 3. Spanish Moon (fourth). 4. Dar Re Mi (third $3.00).
And last but not least, the ninth and featured race of the weekend, the $5,000,000 Classic going 1 1/4 miles on the synthetics.
NICK’S PICKS - 1. Quality Road (scratched). 2. Summer Bird (fourth). 3. Zenyatta (first $7.60, $5.60, $3.80). 4. Gio Ponti (second $9.20, $6.60).
DEWEY’S ANALYSIS
Today’s Breeder’s Cup
Oak Tree at Santa Anita
Well, here it is, one of the most anticipated racing days in the past decade. Can the undefeated champion mare Zenyatta defeat the boys on racing biggest stage? She will be facing by far her toughest test ever and if she wins it will stand as one of the all-time great achievements in racing. I will be rooting for her, but strictly from a business perspective or betting proposition, it would be hard for me to jump on her against this group – albeit we will probably be getting the longest odds of her last 10 races.
2nd – Juvenile Turf
1-mile $1,000,000
The Pick: Interactif (third $3.20) (Pounced (first $6.80, $4.80, $3.20), Becky’s Kitten (ninth), Bridgetown (second $6.60, $4.20) Trifecta returend $90.60)
3rd – Turf Sprint
6 ½-furlongs $1,000,000
The Pick: Square Eddie (10th) (Silver Timber (sixth), California Flag (first $8.80, $5.60, $3.80), Diamondrella (11th))
4th – Breeder’s Cup Sprint
6-furlongs $2,000,000
The Pick: Zensational (fifth) (Fatal Bullet (sixth), Dancin in Silks (first $52.60, $19.20, $12), Gayego (fourth)
5th – Breeder’s Cup Juvenile
1 1/16-miles $2,000,000
The Pick: Aspire (12th) (Lookin at Lucky (second $4.40, $3), Aikenite (fifth), Noble’s Promise (third $4.60)
6th – TVG Mile
$2,000,000
The Pick: Gladiatorus (9th) (Goldkiva (first $4.80, $4, $2.60), Zacinto (11th), Delegator (5th)
7th – Dirt Mile
$1,000,000
The Pick: Mastercraftsman (fourth) (Bullsbay (9th), Midshipman (third $4.20), Pyro (10th)
8th – Breeder’s Cup Turf
1 1/2-miles $3,000,000
The Pick: Conduit (first $3.80, $3, $2.20)(Dar Re Mi (third $3), Spanish Moon (fourth), Red Rocks (fifth)
9th – The Breeder’s Cup Classic
1 ¼-miles $5,000,000
The Pick: Richard’s Kid (6th) ( Summer Bird (4th), Zenyatta (first $7.60, $5.60, $3.80), Twice Over (third $7.00)
Dewey Forget contributed to this report
Press Democrat horse racing handicaper Bill Nichols shares his opinions on past and upcoming races. Bill will also include articles from numerous sites so you won’t have to spend the time searching out the news yourself. So please respond with your own opinions about the posted comments, either for or against, and offer your own questions so others can share their opinions.
Well, I gotta go with Zenyatta. Not thrilled about the pace prospects of the race, and I have other concerns. She has never ran against the quality of today’s field, she has never run the distance, the pace might not be quick enough, Mike Smith could screw it up, she could get bumped making her move, the sun could be in her eyes, yada, yada, yada.
Look, I think she is as good a mare as there ever has been. This isn’t the greatest field in BC Classic history, and if she runs her race, she should mow them down. I get it about Beyers. Speed is everything. But she has never lost. We don’t know how fast she can go. I think she runs as fast needed. It’s too bad that Rachel is not here, because I think this race would set up perfectly for her. So with that said, I’m glad she aint. because when Zenyatta wins, she will be voted horse of the year.
The ones I fear in order. 2. Quality Road could be coming up to a corker. He has had excuses in his last few races. Should be none today. He can lay off Ransom and should be in the lead at the head of the stretch. 3. Twice Over. He could be this year’s Raven’s Pass. 4. Summer Bird. I have a feeling he wont like the track. If he does, he will be tough. 5. Mine that Bird. I have read about people who have been hit by lightning twice. Beware as his last work was sensational. 6. Colonel John was making a winning move in his last but had bad racing luck. He’s due.
And the rest. 7. Einstein – guess this field is deeper than I thought. He is a tough old dude and I can’t believe I have him 7th. 8. Richard’s Kid – Most improved over the summer. Look out for Baffert. 9. Rip Van Winkle – just think he will throw in a dud. Somebody has to, right? 10. Girolamo – Never raced this kind. 11. Gio Ponti – Just because someone has to be 11th. 12. Awesome Gem – Will be spending time with Zenyatta for 6 furlongs, just not the most important ones. 13. Regal Ransom – Take them as far as he can – about 6 furlongs.
Thanks so much for all the videos and coverage. You are the best! Have a great day.
by nova4ess