Halloween is over, and the cold winds have started blowing to signal the arrival of the two greatest days of the year to be racing fans. Well, that is in my neck of the woods for sure. Having the two-day extravaganza in California is a blessing this year in the Kentucky area. It could be 68 degrees and sunny or 28 and blustery in the Bluegrass State. Without further delay, here are some spot plays on the Friday Breeders’ Cup card. – Best of luck and be sure and download your Winning Ponies E-Z Win Forms for the most comprehensive look at how the races take shape.

 

Race #1 – #6 – Mo Fox Given = Making her second start off the layoff and ran two incredible races at Colonial and Churchill Downs. The daughter of Mo Town has a sparkling late work and the barn wins 28% with non-graded stakes races. Flavien Prat takes the call and he should have a good weekend in store. She sports a fine turn of late foot and will be calling late in the lane.

 

Race #5 – The BC Turf Sprint – #2 – No Nay Mets = Son of No Nay Never and has the services of Irad Ortiz for George Weaver. He has blistering speed and should be the major pace player from the gate break. Comes off a 55-day break and is 3/4 ITM lifetime. Cuts back from 5 1/2 furlongs and makes the rider switch to Ortiz who wins 22% with early speed types on the turf. Catch him if you can!

 

Race #6 – The BC Juvenile Filles – #7 – Tamara = She is a perfect two-for-two for Dick Mandella and Mike Smith who win 30% as a team. She comes off a 55-day rest and shows four solid works over the track. Smith has a perfect stalker who can turn up the heat when he asks for more run. This may be one of the singles for your exotic wagers for the weekend.

 

Race #7 – The BC Juvenile Filly Turf – #6 – Porta Fortuna = A daughter of Caravaggio who is 6/6 ITM lifetime for Donnacha O’Brien with Oisin Murphy in the irons. A perfect stalker who can turn up the heat when asked by the world-class rider. Her (Gr1) sealed the deal for me and I’m looking for an up-close stalker who is poised to pounce. The Euros are incredible in California this time of year, and I’m using her over a few big-priced players to get the bankroll moving.

 

Race #8 – The BC Juvenile – #6 – Locked = A son of Gun Runner who is in the hands of Jose Ortiz for Todd Pletcher coming off a solid Keeneland meeting. Pletcher wins 23% with his shippers coming in, and it looks like he loves the distance which should be no problem. Ortiz is a patient rider and he is only getting better with each additional trip to the races. I like his last work which shows all systems are a go!

 

Race #9 – The BC Juvenile Turf – #7 – Agate Road = A son of Quality Road and sports the strongest late punch down the lane in the field. As luck would have it, Irad Ortiz is one of the best finishing riders in the game, especially for Todd Pletcher. Lightly raced and only seemed to get better with every effort. I’m using him over #2 – River Tiber, and #5 – My Boy Prince.

 

Winning Ponies always has their “A” game in place for the marquee weekends. Be sure and download the Winning Ponies E-Z Win Forms to give you the advantage of seeing how the race will take shape with color-coded tiers and easy-to-use handicapping tools. – I’ve been using them since 2008, and they never let me down when the biggest day of racing takes center stage. – Best of luck from your friends at Winning Ponies!