My Take on the 26th Breeders’ Cup 2009 at Santa Anita Park
By GREG MELIKOV
Here are my picks for the 26th Breeders’ Cup 2009 starting with Friday’s Breeders’ Cup entries:
$500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon, 1 3/4 miles: None of the 10 horses has gone this far. Nite Lite, Cloudy’s Knight and Mastery show the best recent form. But I’m passing.
View the Breeders’ Cup Marathon entries.
$1 Million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, a mile: My exacta box is Smart Seattle, Lisa’s Kitten and Tapestry, all winners at the distance.
View the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf entries.
$2 Million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, 1 1/16 miles: Blind Luck and Always a Princess, 1-2 in the Oak Leaf on the Pro-Ride, will battle it out. There’re in the first leg of my Pick 3.
View the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies entries.
$2 Million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, 1 1/4 miles: Forever Together, aiming to repeat, and Pure Clan possess best running style and haven’t been off the board in graded stakes during the year. The latter is 3 of 5 at the distance. I’m tossing in Connie and Michael, impressive maiden winner at Keeneland.
View the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf entries.
$1 Million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, 7 furlongs: Ventura just might be the Best Bet of the two-day event seeking to repeat and is 3 of 4 at the distance. She looked sharp working in October. The danger: Informed Decision, 6 for 6 on synthetic surfaces. It completes my Pick 3.
View the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint entries.
$2 Million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, 1 1/8 miles: Favorites 3-1 or less have won 18 of 25 times, mostly likely accounting for the small fields. With Zenyatta opting for the Classic, Careless Jewel is the morning line 2-1 favorite to beat. It’s catch the filly if they can, but I’m not sure who will.
View the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic entries.
Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup picks:
$1 Million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, a mile: Interactif goes for third in row on turf. Outside 11th post means clean trip is vital. But colt appears class of the field.
View the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf entries.
$1 Million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, 6 1/2 furlongs: Three returnees include defending champ Desert Code. But Diamondrella has scored in last five grass sprints and should catch California Flag, who won two in a row at Santa Anita before fading to 10th last year; same scenario Saturday. Gotta Have Her is 3 for 3 at the distance at Santa Anita since March. Exotics box or first Pick 3 leg.
View the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint entries.
$2 Million Breeders’ Cup Sprint, six furlongs: No running style has dominated, but there’s been only five wire-to-wire victories while nine turned for home in front. I’m bucking the trend with Zensantional, but adding closers Gayego and Capt. Candyman Can in exotics.
View the Breeders’ Cup Sprint entries.
$2 Million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, 1 1/16 miles: Nineteen winners were among top three wagering choices. Endurance is key factor. Morning line 8-5 favorite Looking At Lucky, bred to route, seeks fifth straight on synthetics and is my selection despite No. 13 post. Toss in longshots Pulsion and Eskendereya for exotics.
View the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile entries.
$2 Million Breeders’ Cup Mile (Turf): Only Lure in ’92 was in front at every call. My vote goes to closers Court Vision, ’08 third-place finisher Whatsthescript and Justenuffhumor giving defending champ Goldikova all she can handle with maybe all four in final Pick 3 leg.
View the Breeders’ Cup Mile entries.
$1 Million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile: Frankly, I haven’t a clue. Best credentials belong to Irish-bred Mastercraftsman, who scored on synthetic surface across the Atlantic last out after taking six turf contests. Best American performers on California sythenics are ’08 Juvenile champ Midshipman, Neko Bay and Chocolate Candy. I’m leaning toward skipping this contest.
View the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile entries.
$3 Million Breeders’ Cup Turf, 1 1/2 miles: Fourteen invading British Isles-European horses have been victorious. Class and form often point to the winner. My exacta box: Irish-bred Conduit, ’08 winner; Spanish Moon, 3 of 4 at the distance in France, the UAE and England; and front-running Florida-bred Presious Passion, four-time winner in past eight grass routes.
View the Breeders’ Cup Turf entries.
$5 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic, 1 1/4 miles: Only four horses triumphed from the inside three posts, including Ghostzapper in ’04, who became only the second wire-to-wire winner since Black Tie Affair in ’91. My trifecta key is unbeaten Zenyatta going for 14 straight and outstanding turf performer Gio Ponti on top, with Belmont champ Summer Bird and Pacific Classic winner Richard’s Kid underneath.
View the Breeders’ Cup Classic entries.
Experience the thrill of the Breeders’ Cup 2009 online horse betting at Bodog Racebook! Sign up for a new account at Bodog Racebook and they will issue a $50 initial deposit match bonus until the Sunday after the Breeders’ Cup! Use this link to sign up at Bodog Racebook to take advantage of this promotion.
"My Take on the 26th Breeders’ Cup 2009 at Santa Anita Park" was posted on 4 November 2009 10:22 PM under Breeders' Cup, Horse Racing News, Race Tracks, Racing Picks & Betting Tips, Stakes Races
10% Instant Bonus, Free & Fast Payouts
Up to 60% Racebook Deposit Bonus +5% Weekly Horse Betting Rebate
Get Reward Points For Free Bets