Filly and Mare Turf
1. Marketing Mix (Medaglia d' Oro), Proctor: The best turf female in both the US and Canada. I think she puts a bow on her season with a big win over the Euro's. However, this is the toughest race for the US to win this year on the turf.
2. The Fugue (GB) (Dansili (GB)), Gosden: Although she hasn't run since August, Shereta who she was second to in her last is also coming to America. Will be interesting how she does.
3. Naharain (GB) (Selkirk), Varian: Last year's runner up is back for more this year. Just pipped Zagora in her last.
4. Ridasiyna (FR) (Motivator (GB)), Delzangles: Don't underestimate the French. She has only lost once in her career, but has yet to run on a firm ground which she may race on for the first time next Friday.
5. Zagora (FR) (Green Tune), Brown: East Coast based horses have taken the last two editions, can she make it three in a row?
Sprint
1. Coil (Point Given), Baffert: The way he won the SA Sprint was very impressive. He could be a sprinting superstar if he stays in training for next year.
2. Emcee (Unbridled's Song), McLaughlin: Skipping the Vosburgh might end up being more helpful then hurtful then I think it will be.
3. Capital Account (Closing Arguement), Baffert: There is just something about him makes me think he might actually be better then Coil. However, I'm also wondering weather he's better on synth then dirt.
4. Jimmy Creed (Distorted Humor), Mandella: 1/2 to one of the 2 best Real Quiet foals (Pussycat Doll), he didn't start his career until this year. One to watch for a possible suprise.
5. Trinniberg (Teuflesberg), Parbhoo: I was going back and fourth between him, The Lumber Guy and Amazombie. He won out for this spot as I have some concerns about the latter and the best horse that I think the former beat in the Vosburgh is skipping the race for a stakes on Sat. He's not going to win, but I do think he's the best of the rest.
Turf
1. Point of Entry (Dynaformer), McGaughey: This is going to be a barn burner of a race, something that hasn't happend in the Turf division in quite awhile and this is without the likes of Danedream, Solemia or Frankel entered!
2. Shareta (IRE) (Sinndar (IRE)), De Royle-Dupre: The soft going at Longchamp cost her, should rebound on firm turf.
3. Trailblazer (JPN) (Zenno Rob Roy (JPN)), Ikee: Stretching out to one of his more perfered distances. Although he didn't do so bad at the mile distance.
4. Treasure Beach (GB) (Galileo (IRE)), O'Brien: He could very well be my pick for this race instead of Point of Entry.
5. St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE)), O'Brien: He's the defending champ, and a firm turf maybe just what he wants.
Ladies Classic
1. Royal Delta (Empire Maker), Mott: A bit of a suprise cross-entering into the Classic. The defending champ of this race, won the Beldame in her last.
2. Awesome Feather (Awesome of Course), Brown: With there being 2 undefeated fillies entered in the race, there is a very good chance that one or both comes out of here with a loss. I think she is the one who is least likely to do so.
3. Love and Pride (A.P. Indy), Pletcher: Having a win over the track is huge. While I think she might be done in with another pace-setter, she might not be the one to fade.
4. Questing (GB) (Hard Spun), McLaughlin: With that being said, she has her poppa's heart and will not fade at the end. That is if she challenges Love and Pride for the front.
5. My Miss Auriela (Smart Strike), Asmussen: With this going to be a small field size, almost any of these horses could win it. She's going to be one of the favorites, but I just don't think a mile and eighth will be to her liking.
Mile
1. Wise Dan (Wiseman's Farry), Lopresti: Europe's dominance in this race could be over, especially if this guy wins and seals a HOY finalist place.
2. Excelebration (IRE) (Exceed and Excel (AUS)), O'Brien: Frankel's whipping boy has shined the past 2 starts. Now of course he does have a 2 week turn around from the QEII, but I believe he's done them before.
3. Obviously (IRE) (Choisir (AUS)), Mitchell: The Mile is where you can expect the unexpected. This is a horse whose been flying way under the radar even though he has defeated Trailblazer and Mr. Commons.
4. Moonlight Cloud (GB) (Invisible Spirit (IRE)), Head: Freddy's 3 year reign was snapped last year by an American horse. Can he get it back with an American owned horse?
5. Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux (BRZ)), Motion: Before this week, I would have never put him on the list. However, I like the jockey switch that he will have and well he can show up when you least expect him to.
Filly and Mare Sprint
1. Groupie Doll (Bowman's Band), Bradley: A big bullet was dodged after It's Tricky came out of her work with an injury. Had she not, she could have been the lone horse to beat Groupie Doll to the wire. Now? Well I'm not so sure.
2. Dust and Diamonds (Vindication), Asmussen: Takes big step up in class to G1 company for the first time. However, she's already beaten a few of the fillies going in the race.
3. Contested (Ghostzapper), Baffert: Losing the Mother Goose was prob. the best thing to happen to her. She went back to her perfered sprinting distance in the Test and won. The question is, can she become among the elite for all ages
4. Rumor (Indian Charlie), Mandella: While I'm not 100% sure she can win this race, it could be a big weekend for her female family. In Lingerie (Empire Maker) who will be among the longshots for the F/M Turf hails from the same branch.
5. Switch (Quiet American), Sadler: The same thing can be said about her with Questing being among the favorites for the Ladies Classic. She has always done well in the Breeders' Cup, would love to see her end her career on top.
Classic
1. Game on Dude (Awesome Again), Baffert: It's been a rough year for Bob (heart attack; losing his dad; Bodemeister 2 heartbreaking losses, injury and sub. retirement; Paynter's illness- almost losing him and his fight back). It would be nice to see him finish the year with a win in the biggest race of the weekend.
2. Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno), Ritvo: It could also be a big weekend for the Pino family. Not Abroad has been pre-entered into the Marathon for big brother Michael, while Kathy has MMM for the Classic.
3. Ron the Greek (Full Mandate), Mott: I don't think we'll see a speed bias track for the Classic. If we do, then well he's in big trouble.
4. Brillant Speed (Dynaformer), Albertrani: His dirt form is actually not that bad. The Turf came up a little bit more tougher then they had expected and he's retiring after this race. Why not take a shot at a race where this year's horses entered are not scary like the Ladies Classic.
5. Dullahan (Even the Score), Romans: Big brother was miserable in his 2 starts at Santa Anita. Although both of those where on a synthetic surface. I've learned to never underestimate a Mining My Own son. Even if he's better on a synth then dirt.
Don't forget to vote in the poll that I have up as I will do a Pedigree Look post on the winner of the race you guys choose!
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