Stevie Belmont
11-06-2010, 11:05 AM
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf
Master of Hounds comes in for John Magnier and Aidan O'Brien with a classy son of Kingmambo. He will be making his 2nd start off the layoff and will get lasix for the first time. He ran a good 3rd last out in the Racing Post Trophy (GI) at Doncaster. Willcox Inn in will make his turf debut after running an even race in The Breeders' Cup Futurity (GI) on Keeneland's poly track. He should be a big price in here. Madman Diaries is another who will try the turf for the first time coming off a two month layoff. This is an ambitious spot to try it for the first time, but this horse is impeccably bred for turf and has been working well . Wesley Ward is going to take a shot. Banned is coming off two big wins on the turf. He was a 5 length winner in an allowance race at Keeneland over a firm turf course. Humble and Hungry shipped up from Laurel to win in his first try on grass at Belmont Park nicely. He draws outside again in here. Should be a big price. Two other Euro horses in here are Mantoba (GB) and Utley. They are both lightly raced, but their connections warranted respect. Depending on their odds, they could be used.
Top Pick - Master of Hounds
Horses To Use **Willcox Inn, *Madman Diaries, Banned, **Humble and Hungry
Breeders' Cup Sprint
Always one of the more contentious races on BC Day. Girolamo is the morning line favorite, and I like him, but at 3/1 value is not in his name. He will be making his 3rd start off the layoff and is working strongly for a top class operation. Wise Dan has only had had 4 career starts, but they have been quality. He has three wins at the distance and sports a win over the strip. He is working strongly. Smiling Tiger will make his first career start on dirt here. He is a two time Grade I winner this year--Ancient Title (GI) and Bing Crosby (GI) on synthetics. He comes in with sharp works. Speedy Pashito the Che is a fast dirt specialist and loves the distance with 7 wins in 13 tries. He will be making his 4th start in his current form cycle. Scott Lake almost won the Breeders' Cup Sprint with long shot Thunderello a few years ago. Supreme Summit will be making his 3rd start off the bench and his 3rd start on dirt. A fast pace will aid his chances. Atta Boy Roy loves Churchill Downs and boasts some big back speed numbers. He will making his 2nd start off the layoff. Warrior's Reward breaks from the far outside. He should get a a good pace and come with a late rally. He will be ridden by Churchill Downs wonder jock Julien Leparoux. This has always been one of the tougher races of the day to handicap and trips are important here. Big Drama drew the rail, and that could hinder him. Two others in here offer big value. Hamazing Destiny trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas will be making his first start since a strong win on September 13 at Delaware Park. He has run his best races at Churchill Downs. He is a stalker and should be ready for a big try at big odds. Another horse coming in off a longer layoff will be Cash Refund. The lightly raced 4-year-old has plenty off speed to burn. He has been working very well for this. I think this is a tough race and going deep could be very key here.
Top Pick - Warriors Reward
Horses Is To Use - **Cash Refund & **Hamazing Destiny, Wise Dan, *Pashito the Che
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
Another wild race in this one. Silver Timber is the morning line favorite. The classy 7-year-old has been a consistent performer at this distance. He will make a rally.* He will possibly be the favorite and is a little light on value. Rose Catherine has been perfect sprinting this year and is versatile. She can gun it or stalk. She looks sharp. This will be her 5th start into her current form cycle. Chamberlain Bridge missed some time training with a sore foot,and that is a concern. He is though a 5 furlong specialist that has 13 wins at the distance. He will be among the favorites.*Due Date for Steve Margolis will make his 4th start of the year on a different track. All three of his other starts he showed a strong kick. Due Date will offer value. Canadian invader Grand Adventure will be coming into this after a 2nd place finish in The Nearctic (GI) at Woodbine. He will also be making his 3rd start off a small 2-month layoff. He has run fast enough in the past to warrant serious consideration here. California Flag the defending champion has been flying a little under the radar after a poor outing in The Woodford (GIII) at Keeneland. He is a very fast horse and bounced back nicely to win after two long international trips. Yield Bogey will be the biggest price of them of all if he gets in. A total pace meltdown and who knows at 60/1. I will use the New York based gelding if he sneaks in. Frankie Dettori will be aboard. He will be making his 2nd start off a layoff and should mount a late rally at big odds. He offers value in here.
Top Pick - Grand Adventure
Horses To Use - Ross Catherine, *Due Date, **Waveline, *California Flag, **Yield Bogey
Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Uncle Mo is the clear cut favorite in this race, and possibly the strongest of the day. He was an ultra impressive first out winner at The Spa in August. He followed up that big effort with a very impressive win in The Champagne (GI) at Belmont Park. he stopped the clock in a snappy 1:34 for the mile. He looks like the real deal and must be feared. Biondetti is an undefeated colt from Bernardini who will make his first career start on dirt, He will also use lasix for the first time. J.B.'s Thunder makes his first start on dirt after winning on poly and turf in his first two career starts. He was a run-a-away winner in the Breeders' Cup Futurity (GI) at Keeneland. J.P's Gusto will make his dirt debut here as well. J.P's Gusto is a Grade I and II winner in California. He is fast and will try to challenge Uncle Mo early.* Jaycito defeated J.P's Gusto by a length in The Norfolk (GI) at Hollywood Park. Jaycito has had two nice work on poly in preparation for his dirt debut. Rogue Romance tries dirt here for the first time after making all three of his career starts on turf. He will be a big price her and sports two wins at the distance. Expect a late rally.
Top Pick - Uncle Mo
Horses To Use - **Rogue Romance, J.B.'s Thunder, J.P's Gusto, *Jaycito
Breeders' Cup Turf Mile
Goldikova (Ire) goes for glory in The Mile. She will be looking for an unprecedented third consecutive BC Mile win. Freddy Head feels great about his classy lady. She has a tremendous late kick and will be there again late. She will be a deserving favorite. She will face the biggest challenge of all her BC Mile attempts in a stacked BC Mile field. She is an amazing Thoroughbred.*Gio Ponti is lasts years top American Turf horse and will be coming into this ready for a top effort. He will be the second choice. Court Vision the Woodbine Mile (GI) winner ran 4th to Goldikova (Ire) in last years BC Mile at Santa Anita. Delegator (GB) will make his 3rd start off the layoff. He also sports some nice class. He ran 2nd to Europe's super horse Sea The Stars in The 2000 Guineas Stakes (GI) at Newmarket. He was 5th in last years addition at Santa Anita two lengths behind Court Vision. Sidney's Candy was my Kentucky Derby Pick. He has unlimited potential and he really showed what he can do in his first career start on turf. He has plenty of speed and will try to go all the way. However this is a daunting spot for a 3-year-old. Proviso (GB) will break on the far outside. She is the other lady in the race. And she is a very classy lady at that. She has been a winner 4 of 5 times in 2010. She defeated Shared Account by a head in The Diana (GI), who came back to blow up the tote board at 46/1 in The BC Filly and Mare Turf on Friday. She also defeated colts in the Fred Kilroe (GI) at Santa Anita. She must be respected.
Top Pick - Goldikova (Ire)
Horses To Use -*Proviso (GB), *Sidney's Candy, *Court Vision, Gio Ponti, *Delegator
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
Tizway is at the top of his game now. He ran a big race against Quality Road in The Met Mile (GI) back in May and smoked The Kelso (GII) field off the layoff. He will go right out. Tizway will face a salty group here. I like him, but he could be among the favorites and will see some pace pressure.*Here Comes Ben has had a perfect season so far. He should get a solid pace to run to run at. He has progressed each time out. Gayego for Godolphin and Frankie Dettori hook up once again with this classy horse. Sport a win at the distance and has been working great at Belmont Park. Thiskyhasnolimit is a Churchill Downs lover. He has been working well at Churchill Downs. He ran a solid race in The Indiana Derby (GII) giving Looking At Lucky a run for the money. Vineyard Haven will be the second part of Godolphin's uncoupled entry. He drew the far outside post of number 12. He just narrowly missed defeating the champion Kodiak Kowboy in last years Cigar Mile (GI) at Aqueduct. He is another who has been working well in the mornings at Belmont Park. Cool Coal Man who figures to be a big price breaks from the far outside post number 12. He figures to be long odds, but thats when Nick Zito is at his best. He maked fourth start into his current form cycle and is working well. He has a win at Churchill Downs and Leparoux will guide him.
Top Pick - Vineyard Haven
Horses To Use - Here Comes Ben, *Thiskyhasnolimit, *Cool Coal Man, Gayego
Breeders' Cup Turf
At the time this is being written, there still has been no word on whether morning line favorite Workforce will run or not. He is a lightly raced horse who won the Epsom Derby (GI) by 7 lengths and just a few weeks ago won The Arc (GI). A formidable foe. If he runs. Winchester is a classy turfer trained by master trainer Christophe Clement. He will make his 3rd start off the layoff and is a two-time winner at a mile and a half. Debussy was the late rallying winner of The Arlington Million (GI) in August. He has since run a solid 3rd place in The Champion Stakes (GI) at Newmarket, finishing 2nd to Twice Over, my top pick in last year's BC Classic. Al Khali likes a firm turf course and that is what he will get in The Turf. Master trainer Bill Mott has him at the top of his game right now. He is a tractable runner. Showing the ability to run on or near the lead, or rate off the pace. Behkabad (Fr) is a Grade I winner in France. He took the Grand Prix de Paris (GI) at Longchamp last July. He is the 2nd choice to Workforce in the morning line. Behkabad (Fr) ran a respectable 4th to Workforce in The Arc (GI). I expect a solid effort from him. Dangerous Midge is another euro invader. He is a little bit lighter in the class department. He will wear blinkers and receive lasix for the first time for this. The most intriguing part about him is Euro super jockey Frankie Dettori will ride him. Jockey Richard Hughes gave up his mount on the classy Paco Boy (Ire) to pursue as jockey riding title in Europe. Passing up a $2 Million race does give good signals.
Top Pick - Behkabad (Fr)
Horses To Use - Winchester, Debussy, *Al Khali, *Dangerous Midge
Workforce has been scratched
Breeders' Cup Classic
The big one. And that is a true under statement. So much more than a horse race as greatness looms for the Super Zenyatta. She will be looking to make it a perfect 20 for 20 with another win in The Breeders' Cup Classic. And a nation can't wait to see if she can do it again. She has one of the biggest strides I have ever seen. She does things no other horse can. She is in a class all of her own. Win, lose or draw this lady is a Champion. And she has a super shot to win. She will be coming with that patented late power rally . Mike Smith is on record saying she has another gear. Hard to believe. This is a race that fills the body with raw emotions for me. I will be rooting for her, but leave no doubt, this is the stiffest group of horses she will have raced against to date. And the biggest threat to her perfect record is the super fast Quality Road. It is no secret that I have been a huge Quality Road fan from the very first day he won in his first career race back at Aqueduct in 2008.**Flashback** I knew he was going to be special that day. He was brilliant in winning. And boy has he been. He is the fastest horse in this field. He will have to break from the rail, which could be an issue. He is very fast though, and he could get to the lead anyway and get a length lead early, setting up a nice trip from there. He is set for the race of a life time in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He was going to be my Kentucky Derby pick until a quarter crack crushed those hopes. Now here he is--back at Churchill Downs, running in The Breeders' Cup Classic at a mile and a quarter against Zenyatta.* This is nowhere near a match race though. Leading 3-year-old contender Lookin At Lucky is developing into a man at the right time. He has been behind the rest of his 3-year-old counterparts all year in the maturation department being a late May foal. The Preakness Stakes (GI) and Haskell (GI) Champion could be undefeated himself if it were not for a few bad trips. Lookin At Lucky broke from the rail in the Derby to the far outside in The Classic, and that is a plus for him. Lookin At Lucky will try to get the first jump on Zenyatta and try to beat her to the wire. Lookin At Lucky has a good style for this race, off not too far off the pace. He is a player here. The classy Blame has won three career races out of four over Churchill Downs strip. He has a rock solid resume and will make a long sustained bid in the stretch. He will be a few lengths off the expected pace setters. A dangerous foe. He is to be respected. The New York Bred*Haynesfield has been developing into a top class handicap horse all year. He won the The Suburban (GII) at Belmont Park. In his last he smashed a good Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) field that included Blame. He was a mess before the start of The Whitney (GI). That race was a toss. He should be forwardly placed throughout. He is a Belmont Park specialist, but if he runs back to his last race he could be a big factor here. It did not look like his last race took too much out of him.*Espoir City (Jpn) is 7 for 7 on dirt in Japan and has earned a nick under $6 Million. He has never been this far, but is all class. He should be forwardly placed in here. He will be overlooked by many, but with an impressive resume like that, he has to be respected.*Musket Man is a solid a race horse as you will find. He is very consistent and has held is own against the very best in the handicap division this year. He was only a $15,000 purchase. He has earned $1,235,570 so far. Now that was a bargain. A win here would be unbelievable. He will sit off the pace, and should make a late bid. He will go off a real nice price. And if the pace is hot, he could be in the mix in the final furlong. Pleasant Prince is the mad bomber of this race. A win here looks to be far out of reach, but his last was a solid try. Using him underneath in the 3rd and 4th spot will help any ticket big time. He could go off as high as 50/1. This is truly one of thee most epic horses races in history. Zenyatta goes for an unprecedented 20th straight win. And winning The Breeders' Cup Classic for the second consecutive year in a row, and her third Breeders' Cup win overall. A win here will put in the ranks off all time greatness, if she is not already. But a win would put the exclamation point on it. She knows it's game time and I expect once again to see here do what she does best. Win. It's the Great Zenyatta Vs multiple track record holder*Quality Road. What a race! That final furlong will be a thrill of a life time. Let's hope it's a spectacular race, and everyone comes back safe and sound. Go Zenyatta! Go Quality Road! Unreal!
Top Pick - Quality Road & Zenyatta In A Dead Heat!
Horses To Use - Lookin At Lucky, Blame, Haynesfield, *Espoir City (Jpn), **Pleasant Prince, **Musket Man -- *Paddy O' Prado at a big price only
* Possible Value Bomber Odds
** Bomber Plays Of The Day
The Breeders Cup Classic Will Be Televised On ESPN. Coverage On ESPN starts at 3:30 PM EDT. ABC Will Carry Breeders' Cup Coverage *Starting Between 1:30 PM EDT & 1:45 PM EDT
Master of Hounds comes in for John Magnier and Aidan O'Brien with a classy son of Kingmambo. He will be making his 2nd start off the layoff and will get lasix for the first time. He ran a good 3rd last out in the Racing Post Trophy (GI) at Doncaster. Willcox Inn in will make his turf debut after running an even race in The Breeders' Cup Futurity (GI) on Keeneland's poly track. He should be a big price in here. Madman Diaries is another who will try the turf for the first time coming off a two month layoff. This is an ambitious spot to try it for the first time, but this horse is impeccably bred for turf and has been working well . Wesley Ward is going to take a shot. Banned is coming off two big wins on the turf. He was a 5 length winner in an allowance race at Keeneland over a firm turf course. Humble and Hungry shipped up from Laurel to win in his first try on grass at Belmont Park nicely. He draws outside again in here. Should be a big price. Two other Euro horses in here are Mantoba (GB) and Utley. They are both lightly raced, but their connections warranted respect. Depending on their odds, they could be used.
Top Pick - Master of Hounds
Horses To Use **Willcox Inn, *Madman Diaries, Banned, **Humble and Hungry
Breeders' Cup Sprint
Always one of the more contentious races on BC Day. Girolamo is the morning line favorite, and I like him, but at 3/1 value is not in his name. He will be making his 3rd start off the layoff and is working strongly for a top class operation. Wise Dan has only had had 4 career starts, but they have been quality. He has three wins at the distance and sports a win over the strip. He is working strongly. Smiling Tiger will make his first career start on dirt here. He is a two time Grade I winner this year--Ancient Title (GI) and Bing Crosby (GI) on synthetics. He comes in with sharp works. Speedy Pashito the Che is a fast dirt specialist and loves the distance with 7 wins in 13 tries. He will be making his 4th start in his current form cycle. Scott Lake almost won the Breeders' Cup Sprint with long shot Thunderello a few years ago. Supreme Summit will be making his 3rd start off the bench and his 3rd start on dirt. A fast pace will aid his chances. Atta Boy Roy loves Churchill Downs and boasts some big back speed numbers. He will making his 2nd start off the layoff. Warrior's Reward breaks from the far outside. He should get a a good pace and come with a late rally. He will be ridden by Churchill Downs wonder jock Julien Leparoux. This has always been one of the tougher races of the day to handicap and trips are important here. Big Drama drew the rail, and that could hinder him. Two others in here offer big value. Hamazing Destiny trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas will be making his first start since a strong win on September 13 at Delaware Park. He has run his best races at Churchill Downs. He is a stalker and should be ready for a big try at big odds. Another horse coming in off a longer layoff will be Cash Refund. The lightly raced 4-year-old has plenty off speed to burn. He has been working very well for this. I think this is a tough race and going deep could be very key here.
Top Pick - Warriors Reward
Horses Is To Use - **Cash Refund & **Hamazing Destiny, Wise Dan, *Pashito the Che
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
Another wild race in this one. Silver Timber is the morning line favorite. The classy 7-year-old has been a consistent performer at this distance. He will make a rally.* He will possibly be the favorite and is a little light on value. Rose Catherine has been perfect sprinting this year and is versatile. She can gun it or stalk. She looks sharp. This will be her 5th start into her current form cycle. Chamberlain Bridge missed some time training with a sore foot,and that is a concern. He is though a 5 furlong specialist that has 13 wins at the distance. He will be among the favorites.*Due Date for Steve Margolis will make his 4th start of the year on a different track. All three of his other starts he showed a strong kick. Due Date will offer value. Canadian invader Grand Adventure will be coming into this after a 2nd place finish in The Nearctic (GI) at Woodbine. He will also be making his 3rd start off a small 2-month layoff. He has run fast enough in the past to warrant serious consideration here. California Flag the defending champion has been flying a little under the radar after a poor outing in The Woodford (GIII) at Keeneland. He is a very fast horse and bounced back nicely to win after two long international trips. Yield Bogey will be the biggest price of them of all if he gets in. A total pace meltdown and who knows at 60/1. I will use the New York based gelding if he sneaks in. Frankie Dettori will be aboard. He will be making his 2nd start off a layoff and should mount a late rally at big odds. He offers value in here.
Top Pick - Grand Adventure
Horses To Use - Ross Catherine, *Due Date, **Waveline, *California Flag, **Yield Bogey
Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Uncle Mo is the clear cut favorite in this race, and possibly the strongest of the day. He was an ultra impressive first out winner at The Spa in August. He followed up that big effort with a very impressive win in The Champagne (GI) at Belmont Park. he stopped the clock in a snappy 1:34 for the mile. He looks like the real deal and must be feared. Biondetti is an undefeated colt from Bernardini who will make his first career start on dirt, He will also use lasix for the first time. J.B.'s Thunder makes his first start on dirt after winning on poly and turf in his first two career starts. He was a run-a-away winner in the Breeders' Cup Futurity (GI) at Keeneland. J.P's Gusto will make his dirt debut here as well. J.P's Gusto is a Grade I and II winner in California. He is fast and will try to challenge Uncle Mo early.* Jaycito defeated J.P's Gusto by a length in The Norfolk (GI) at Hollywood Park. Jaycito has had two nice work on poly in preparation for his dirt debut. Rogue Romance tries dirt here for the first time after making all three of his career starts on turf. He will be a big price her and sports two wins at the distance. Expect a late rally.
Top Pick - Uncle Mo
Horses To Use - **Rogue Romance, J.B.'s Thunder, J.P's Gusto, *Jaycito
Breeders' Cup Turf Mile
Goldikova (Ire) goes for glory in The Mile. She will be looking for an unprecedented third consecutive BC Mile win. Freddy Head feels great about his classy lady. She has a tremendous late kick and will be there again late. She will be a deserving favorite. She will face the biggest challenge of all her BC Mile attempts in a stacked BC Mile field. She is an amazing Thoroughbred.*Gio Ponti is lasts years top American Turf horse and will be coming into this ready for a top effort. He will be the second choice. Court Vision the Woodbine Mile (GI) winner ran 4th to Goldikova (Ire) in last years BC Mile at Santa Anita. Delegator (GB) will make his 3rd start off the layoff. He also sports some nice class. He ran 2nd to Europe's super horse Sea The Stars in The 2000 Guineas Stakes (GI) at Newmarket. He was 5th in last years addition at Santa Anita two lengths behind Court Vision. Sidney's Candy was my Kentucky Derby Pick. He has unlimited potential and he really showed what he can do in his first career start on turf. He has plenty of speed and will try to go all the way. However this is a daunting spot for a 3-year-old. Proviso (GB) will break on the far outside. She is the other lady in the race. And she is a very classy lady at that. She has been a winner 4 of 5 times in 2010. She defeated Shared Account by a head in The Diana (GI), who came back to blow up the tote board at 46/1 in The BC Filly and Mare Turf on Friday. She also defeated colts in the Fred Kilroe (GI) at Santa Anita. She must be respected.
Top Pick - Goldikova (Ire)
Horses To Use -*Proviso (GB), *Sidney's Candy, *Court Vision, Gio Ponti, *Delegator
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
Tizway is at the top of his game now. He ran a big race against Quality Road in The Met Mile (GI) back in May and smoked The Kelso (GII) field off the layoff. He will go right out. Tizway will face a salty group here. I like him, but he could be among the favorites and will see some pace pressure.*Here Comes Ben has had a perfect season so far. He should get a solid pace to run to run at. He has progressed each time out. Gayego for Godolphin and Frankie Dettori hook up once again with this classy horse. Sport a win at the distance and has been working great at Belmont Park. Thiskyhasnolimit is a Churchill Downs lover. He has been working well at Churchill Downs. He ran a solid race in The Indiana Derby (GII) giving Looking At Lucky a run for the money. Vineyard Haven will be the second part of Godolphin's uncoupled entry. He drew the far outside post of number 12. He just narrowly missed defeating the champion Kodiak Kowboy in last years Cigar Mile (GI) at Aqueduct. He is another who has been working well in the mornings at Belmont Park. Cool Coal Man who figures to be a big price breaks from the far outside post number 12. He figures to be long odds, but thats when Nick Zito is at his best. He maked fourth start into his current form cycle and is working well. He has a win at Churchill Downs and Leparoux will guide him.
Top Pick - Vineyard Haven
Horses To Use - Here Comes Ben, *Thiskyhasnolimit, *Cool Coal Man, Gayego
Breeders' Cup Turf
At the time this is being written, there still has been no word on whether morning line favorite Workforce will run or not. He is a lightly raced horse who won the Epsom Derby (GI) by 7 lengths and just a few weeks ago won The Arc (GI). A formidable foe. If he runs. Winchester is a classy turfer trained by master trainer Christophe Clement. He will make his 3rd start off the layoff and is a two-time winner at a mile and a half. Debussy was the late rallying winner of The Arlington Million (GI) in August. He has since run a solid 3rd place in The Champion Stakes (GI) at Newmarket, finishing 2nd to Twice Over, my top pick in last year's BC Classic. Al Khali likes a firm turf course and that is what he will get in The Turf. Master trainer Bill Mott has him at the top of his game right now. He is a tractable runner. Showing the ability to run on or near the lead, or rate off the pace. Behkabad (Fr) is a Grade I winner in France. He took the Grand Prix de Paris (GI) at Longchamp last July. He is the 2nd choice to Workforce in the morning line. Behkabad (Fr) ran a respectable 4th to Workforce in The Arc (GI). I expect a solid effort from him. Dangerous Midge is another euro invader. He is a little bit lighter in the class department. He will wear blinkers and receive lasix for the first time for this. The most intriguing part about him is Euro super jockey Frankie Dettori will ride him. Jockey Richard Hughes gave up his mount on the classy Paco Boy (Ire) to pursue as jockey riding title in Europe. Passing up a $2 Million race does give good signals.
Top Pick - Behkabad (Fr)
Horses To Use - Winchester, Debussy, *Al Khali, *Dangerous Midge
Workforce has been scratched
Breeders' Cup Classic
The big one. And that is a true under statement. So much more than a horse race as greatness looms for the Super Zenyatta. She will be looking to make it a perfect 20 for 20 with another win in The Breeders' Cup Classic. And a nation can't wait to see if she can do it again. She has one of the biggest strides I have ever seen. She does things no other horse can. She is in a class all of her own. Win, lose or draw this lady is a Champion. And she has a super shot to win. She will be coming with that patented late power rally . Mike Smith is on record saying she has another gear. Hard to believe. This is a race that fills the body with raw emotions for me. I will be rooting for her, but leave no doubt, this is the stiffest group of horses she will have raced against to date. And the biggest threat to her perfect record is the super fast Quality Road. It is no secret that I have been a huge Quality Road fan from the very first day he won in his first career race back at Aqueduct in 2008.**Flashback** I knew he was going to be special that day. He was brilliant in winning. And boy has he been. He is the fastest horse in this field. He will have to break from the rail, which could be an issue. He is very fast though, and he could get to the lead anyway and get a length lead early, setting up a nice trip from there. He is set for the race of a life time in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He was going to be my Kentucky Derby pick until a quarter crack crushed those hopes. Now here he is--back at Churchill Downs, running in The Breeders' Cup Classic at a mile and a quarter against Zenyatta.* This is nowhere near a match race though. Leading 3-year-old contender Lookin At Lucky is developing into a man at the right time. He has been behind the rest of his 3-year-old counterparts all year in the maturation department being a late May foal. The Preakness Stakes (GI) and Haskell (GI) Champion could be undefeated himself if it were not for a few bad trips. Lookin At Lucky broke from the rail in the Derby to the far outside in The Classic, and that is a plus for him. Lookin At Lucky will try to get the first jump on Zenyatta and try to beat her to the wire. Lookin At Lucky has a good style for this race, off not too far off the pace. He is a player here. The classy Blame has won three career races out of four over Churchill Downs strip. He has a rock solid resume and will make a long sustained bid in the stretch. He will be a few lengths off the expected pace setters. A dangerous foe. He is to be respected. The New York Bred*Haynesfield has been developing into a top class handicap horse all year. He won the The Suburban (GII) at Belmont Park. In his last he smashed a good Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) field that included Blame. He was a mess before the start of The Whitney (GI). That race was a toss. He should be forwardly placed throughout. He is a Belmont Park specialist, but if he runs back to his last race he could be a big factor here. It did not look like his last race took too much out of him.*Espoir City (Jpn) is 7 for 7 on dirt in Japan and has earned a nick under $6 Million. He has never been this far, but is all class. He should be forwardly placed in here. He will be overlooked by many, but with an impressive resume like that, he has to be respected.*Musket Man is a solid a race horse as you will find. He is very consistent and has held is own against the very best in the handicap division this year. He was only a $15,000 purchase. He has earned $1,235,570 so far. Now that was a bargain. A win here would be unbelievable. He will sit off the pace, and should make a late bid. He will go off a real nice price. And if the pace is hot, he could be in the mix in the final furlong. Pleasant Prince is the mad bomber of this race. A win here looks to be far out of reach, but his last was a solid try. Using him underneath in the 3rd and 4th spot will help any ticket big time. He could go off as high as 50/1. This is truly one of thee most epic horses races in history. Zenyatta goes for an unprecedented 20th straight win. And winning The Breeders' Cup Classic for the second consecutive year in a row, and her third Breeders' Cup win overall. A win here will put in the ranks off all time greatness, if she is not already. But a win would put the exclamation point on it. She knows it's game time and I expect once again to see here do what she does best. Win. It's the Great Zenyatta Vs multiple track record holder*Quality Road. What a race! That final furlong will be a thrill of a life time. Let's hope it's a spectacular race, and everyone comes back safe and sound. Go Zenyatta! Go Quality Road! Unreal!
Top Pick - Quality Road & Zenyatta In A Dead Heat!
Horses To Use - Lookin At Lucky, Blame, Haynesfield, *Espoir City (Jpn), **Pleasant Prince, **Musket Man -- *Paddy O' Prado at a big price only
* Possible Value Bomber Odds
** Bomber Plays Of The Day
The Breeders Cup Classic Will Be Televised On ESPN. Coverage On ESPN starts at 3:30 PM EDT. ABC Will Carry Breeders' Cup Coverage *Starting Between 1:30 PM EDT & 1:45 PM EDT