Breeders’ Cup Saturday – Champions Day

Breeders’ Cup Saturday – Champions Day
Bob Hill, TSV staff writer —-

Nine Breeders’ Cup races, all Grade 1 contests, make for an interesting handicapping challenge. There is no Flightline this year to capture most of the headlines, but there still are some exciting stars of the sport to wager for or against, with plenty of longshot plays to merit our attention.

One note about my picks. In every race I have included a value play. Those suggestions are intended for the most part to give you a possible hit-the-board type who can fill out a big exacta, trifecta or superfecta. If you make those types of bets, the Breeders’ Cup is a great card on which to take some shots.

Race 3 – BC Dirt Mile G1
We’ll find out if Cody’s Wish (3) can add one last chapter to his compelling back story. The tragic death of Practical Move and the scratch of Algiers diminishes the depth and quality of this field that is not long on true star power. Value Play is Shirl’s Bee (8) at ML odds of 20-1. Dallas Stewart is the upset king on big days.

3 – Cody’s Wish Word is that he is “jumping out of his skin” at SA
4 – Zozos In good form and loves this distance. Probably only real threat
5 – Charge It Has had some nice moments; doesn’t have to be great in this field
1 – Stage Raider Has been sharp of late for Cherie DeVaus

Race 4 – BC F-M Turf at 1-1/4 miles G1
This race is loaded with some very accomplished fillies and mares from at home and across the globe. The Euros consistently do well in this race. Value Play is Lumiere Rock (GB) 11 at ML odds of 12-1.

6 – Inspiral (GB) Tries 10 panels for first time for top handler John Gosden
1 – In Italian (GB) Probably gets caught near wire like last year. Love this mare.
2 – Warm Heart (Ire) O’Brien pointed her here. 3yo has every chance to win.
7 – Lindy (Fr) Looks like one who will like SA solid ground

Race 5 – BC F-M Sprint G1
Here’s a chance to play against a short-odds favorite, Goodnight Olive (1). No easy task to beat her, but it seems possible. Value Play is Baffert trainee Eda (3) at ML odds of 10-1.

1 – Goodnight Olive Sticking with the reigning champion
7 – Society Asmussen router turned sprinter. Heard that before!
5 – Kirstenbosch Local daughter of Midnight Lute could get a piece
4 – Matareya As honest and brave as they come

Race 6 – Turf Mile G1
Japanese mare may be among best horses in training anywhere, and she has plenty of experience beating the boys. This field is loaded with talented horses from across the globe. There are several more on my list that I could name. Value Plays are Shirl’s Speight (1) at ML odds of 30-1 and Astronomer (9) at 20-1.

6 – Mawj (Ire) Catch me if you can 3yo has won four in a row
10 – Songline (Jpn) As noted, she is true win contender
6 – Master of the Seas (Ire) Deep closer is another win contended for Appleby
3 – Casa Creed This is sentimental. What a horse he is.

Race 7 – BC Distaff at 1-1/8 miles G1
This race is bursting with speed, but they cannot all get to the lead, so pace is clearly the issue. There also are some very accomplished deep closers to consider. Value Play is Desert Dawn (10) at ML odds at 20-1, but I’m not too excited for this type of play here.

4 – Idiomatic The most versatile of the speed horses.
9 – Clairiere She’s full of surprises. Wish price was longer.
5 – Adare Manor In the exacta in all nine starts at SA for Baffert
3 – Pretty Mischievous– Top 3yo filly that will get some pace to chase

Race 8 – BC Turf at 1-1/2 miles G1
Star studded cast assembles for this prestigious turf championship race which historically has been dominated by the Europeans. This year’s contingent is very strong, and the international group is joined by an outstanding state-side entry. Value Play is the enigmatic Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (4) at ML odds of 15-1 for Aidan O’Brien.

5 – Auguste Rodin (Ire) Physically imposing son of Deep Impact primed for this chance
8 – Up to the Mark Pletcher star makes big entry on international stage; bred for this
11 – King of Steel Within a length of victory against favorite on two occasions
2 – Onesto Great effort last out in the Arc; peaking at right time

Race 9 – BC Classic at 1-1/4 miles G1
Much of the luster is off the Classic this year due to breakdowns and injuries of top contenders. Value Plays are Bright Future (11) at ML odds of 10-1 and Saudi Crown (6) at ML odds of 12-1

12 – Arabian Knight Baffert on home course with one that could be any kind
8 – Ushba Tesoro Winner of Dubai World Cup has won six straight races
3 – White Abarrio Connections sky high o him now that he has new shoes
2 – Zandon Has hit board in 12 of 13 lifetime starts

Race 10 – BC Turf Sprint at 5f G1
This is one wide open affair. Odds for this field are clustered in the 6-1 range, so a correct opinion here should produce a nice win. Value Play is Roses for Debra (9) at ML odds of 12-1.

7 – Nobals Best gelding name ever for most underrated trainer in the U.S.
3 – Caravel Returning Champ led gate to wire last year
5 – Live In The Dream (Ire) He’s one fast dude, but has had trouble finishing
10 – Motorious Will be flying at the wire; D’Amato great grass handler

Race 11 – BC Sprint at 6f G1
Better be deep on your P4 or P5 when you get here because there are at least five that could win depending on the pace and racing luck. Value Play is Hoist the Gold (4) for Dallas Stewart at ML odds of 12-1.

2 – Dr. Schivel Just missed last year, but on home course now
8 – Elite Power Defending Champ most accomplished in this field
9 – Gunite Never off the board at distance for all time leading trainer
6 – The Chosen Vron Cal bred undefeated at distance and 7 for 8 at SA
7 – Speed Boar Beach Second off 10 month layoff; improve a little and he wins for Baffert