A Weekend Not To Miss

by Ed Meyer

posted on September 25, 2008 in Breeders Cup, General Discussion, Handicapping, Other Events | No Comments >>

This is a GREAT Saturday, and one that may play a big piece of the handicapping puzzle. There are eleven G-1 races between Belmont and Santa Anita. Not only will you see some of the warm action for Breeders’ Cup Day, but these races have historically played a prep for the big dance.

Starting at Belmont, you have: The Beldame; The Flower Bowl; The Vosburgh; Joe Hirsch Classic; and last but not least, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, where history will possibly be made. The Jockey Club Gold Cup has Curlin in the field and he may pass the great Cigar as the all time money winner.

Here are some runners worth the price of admission:  In the Beldame Stakes, there is a 5-year-old mare by the name of Ginger Punch, who may be prepping to do battle. She draws the rail, has Bejarano in the saddle, and is trained by Bobby Frankel. Now that may be enough most weeks, but as we draw closer to B/C Day, you need an ” A” game to get your ticket stamped. You will want to pass on runners bound for California that do not finish first or second in these top preps. She is 5/5 in the money at Belmont, and cuts back in distance to 1 1/8th. She should be double tough, and you will have to extend with exotics to find value. This is where WinningPonies.com comes into play for the big stakes.  They will be dialed in on how to maximize a chalk runner into a Pick-3, Pick-4, and single race exotics.

Ladies and gents, you may want to peel your eyes open, as history will be made.  In the 10th race, which is the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Curlin will be the overwhelming chalk, and he should be. You will have to kick that Pick-4 into a Pick-3 by singling him, and punch that repeat button as many times as you can. Remember this race and day; history will be made. He’ll win on this day, but will have his work cut out on Breeders’ Cup Day, when all of the best arrive (especially Henry the Navigator from overseas).

At Santa Anita we will see some real runners as well. In the Clement L. Hirsch, you have a runner that should set them on their ear. A son of Chester House, who goes by the name of Spring House, is bred up and down to love the weeds. He is 2/2 at Santa Anita, and is 21/31 times ITM on the grass.  Making his third start off layoff should point him in the right direction. Take a look at the run in the Eddie Read where he ran an even fourth, then came flying in the Del Mar Handicap to go to the winner’s circle. I love the breeding, the timing, and the way he has matured.

Another race worth the battle is the Goodwood Stakes. Spirit One, who won the Arlington Million after shipping in from France, is a hard knocking colt who looks to enjoy the scenery of the United States. A top notch trainer/rider combo cutting back in distance should be the magic potion.

This is a strong day. A day where you will not want to be without WinningPonies.com.  So, have your materials and know that this is a day when you can dive in deep in the exotics. There will be a couple of days that allow you to blow off the doors before Breeders’ Cup, and this is one of them.