Free Breeders’ Cup Selections – Day #1 – 11/4/16

The wait is over and let the weekend begin ! – The weather forecast is clear and sunny with weather in the mid-80’s. – Santa Anita is expecting crowds to reach 100,000 for the two day event, and seating is extremely limited unless you are watching and wagering at “Man-Cave Downs.” – That’s where this handicapper has seats on the cushy couch, no lines to the fridge, and no lines to the bathroom. Wagering will take place by phone or computer and my E-Z Win Forms will be right next to my side. – If you haven’t downloaded yours, they are ready for the weekend and a FREE handicapping contest is on the Winning Ponies site. What more could a race fan ask for ? – Oh, that’s right. How about a few runners that could light up your day ?

 

Race #6 – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf – 1 mile on the turf – 5:25 pm ET

The race should have plenty of pace and the turf has played kind to stalkers and closers to date. If you’re caught on the fence about how the Euro-runners have fared, they do extremely well in the So-Cal heat. – This race kicks off a $1.5 million guaranteed pick-four pool.

#6 – Big Score (8-1) = Flavien Prat is in the irons for Tim Yakteen. This son of Mr. Big is 3/3 ITM on the grass and owns an impressive score in the Zuma Beach. His last two races are good enough to get him home and I love the rider on the green. He’s a gamer and should enjoy a solid pace in front. You’ll hear his name down the lane.

#5 – Made You Look (12-1) = Javier Castellano in the irons for Todd Pletcher and they have this son of More Than Ready at (12-1) ?? – I’ll take that all day long. New York runner shipping to the left coast.

#1 – Lancaster Bomber (6-1) = Aiden O’Brien trainee getting first Lasix and draws the rail. Son of War Front should be a major player in this race.

 

Race #7 – The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – 1 mile – 6:05 pm ET

#3 – Dortmund (6-5) = Martin Garcia and Baffert are back in business and they bring this ultra-tough son of Big Brown. He is 12/13 ITM lifetime and is probably the most deserving of getting his picture taken. Cuts back from 1 1/8 to a mile where he is 2/2 with wins and he loves SA with 6 starts, 5 wins, and 1 second.

 

Race #8 – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies – 1 mile on the turf – 6:50 pm ET

#3 – New Money Honey (10-1) = Javier Castellano is aboard a monster. The Ms. Grillo is a key race, and this gal is just getting started. – I think she has a bright future and hails from the red-hot Chad Brown barn.

#6 – Coasted (20-1) = Exits the Ms Grillo as the beaten favorite. Mike Smith takes over for Jose Lezcano and she was SQUEEZED against the rail and just mailed it in from the 3/16th’s pole. She kept plenty in the tank and Smith is the undisputed money man in racing. Buckle up for a sweet price coming your way.

 

Race #9 – The Breeders’ Cup Distaff – 1 1/8 – 7:35 pm ET

Songbird has done nothing wrong and is a perfect 11/11. Mike Smith is aboard and he rides about 1/3 of the top money winners on the year and still makes the bettors happy. Think back to Eddie Arcaro and he did the same thing back in the day, but I digress. She has bounced around and had one heckuva’ year. But, me thinks I’m going to go in search of a wee-better price. – No offense, and if she wins the racing world will be glowing. But this bettor is gonna’ be looking for her to get gunned down in the shadow of the wire.

#5 – Stellar Wind (5-2) = Victor Espinoza should have a couple winners over the two days, and this could be the big kickoff. This daughter of Curlin is 10/11 ITM and is making her second start off the layoff. She loves SA and is 5 = 4,1,0 and owns a couple of nice works. She fits, and looks fresh and ready.

 

Just a first thought before I hunker over the E-Z Win Forms and make my final decisions. – I like to examine the races and then jump into the data. It helps me see how the race will take shape and where the hidden value can be found. – Winning Ponies is always dialed in everyday, but they do exceptionally well on the marquee events. Come to think of it, is there any weekend during the year where you’ll find the world converge to do battle to the wire ? – Best of luck from your friends at Winning Ponies !