Breeder's Cup Fields (Part 1)

Welcome to Part 1 of a three part field coverage for the 2009 Breeder's Cup. This year there are 14 races over two days at Oak Tree at Santa Anita in Arcadia, California. Here are the first five fields that I will be talking about over the course of three days. Also I will give how I would play each race betting wise. I may or may not play them though.

Marathon
1 Black Astor, Alex Solis, 12-1
2 Muhannak (IRE), Ryan Moore, 12-1
3 Nite Light, John Velazquez, 4-1
4 Cloudy's Knight, R. Homeister, 8-1
5 Father Time (GB), Eddie Ahern, 3-1
6 Mastery (GB), L. Dettori, 9/5
7 Sir Dave, Joel Rosario, 20-1
8 Eldaafer, R. Bejarano, 30-1
9 Man of Iron, John Murtagh, 8-1
10 Gangbuster, Kent Desormeaux, 30-1

While Mastery more then likely will off as the post time favorite, I'm going against him in this race. There are two horses in the race, I'm picking for their pedigrees. The first is Nite Light, a son of Thunder Gulch the 1995 KY Derby and Belmont Stakes winner out of 1991 KY Oaks winner Lite Light who in turn spoiled Meadow Star's chance at the Triple Tiara in the CCA Oaks when that race was a mile and a half. The second is a Euro named Man of Iron, who is by 2000 BC Classic runner up Giant's Causeway out of the Deputy Minister mare Better Than Honour. This makes Man of Iron a half brother to 2006 Belmont winner Jazil, 2008 Peter Pan winner Casino Drive and 2007 KY Oaks and Belmont winner Rags to Riches. Keep an eye on Cloudy's Knight to possibly be there in the end. I'm throwing out Muhannak who has done nothing since he won the Marathon last year, and my dark horse is Father Time as I think Nite Light may take more money then he will.

Who I want to win: Nite Light, Man of Iron, Cloudy's Knight
Who I think will win: Father Time, Mastery, Man of Iron
How I'll play it: Nite Light/Man of Iron exacta, Father Time $2 across the board
Dark Horse: Father Time

Filly & Mare Sprint
1 Free Flying Soul, Mike Smith, 50-1
2 Sara Louise, L. Dettori, 9/2
3 Game Face, E. Prado, 10-1
4 Only Green (IRE), O. Peslier, 20-1
5 Silver Swallow, Alex Solis, 30-1
6 Evita Argentina, J. Rosario, 20-1
7 Informed Decision, J. Leparous, 5/2
8 Seventh Street, Rajiv Maragh, 4-1
9 Ventura, Garret Gomez, 8/5

This race betting wise is wide open, as anybody can win this. However, I see only four horses winning. I personally would love to see Ventura win this race, however I'm going to bet against her this race. I'm going to bet Sara Louise, Game Face, and Evita Argentina, all three horses are coming a bit under the radar for a few reasons. Sara Louise, the last horse to beat Rachel Alexandra was second last time out against Indian Blessing. Game Face is coming off a bit of a layoff, but did win the Princess Rooney this year at Calder, Evita Argentina beat the boys in a stakes race over the course earlier this year. My dark horse in this race is Seventh Street, she won the Apple Blossom and Go For Wand. She maybe better at least a mile, but she could suprise people here.

Who I want to win: Ventura, Sara Louise, Evita Argentina
Who I think will win: Ventura, Informed Decision
How I'll play it: Sara Louise/Game Face/Evita Argentina trifecta, Sara Louise $4 win, place, Seventh Street $2 win
Dark Horse: Seventh Street

Juvenile Fillies
1 Zilva, Jeremy Rose, 30-1
2 Ms Vanenzza, Joseph Rocco Jr., 30-1
3 Blind Luck, T. Baze, 3-1
4 Beautician, R. Albarado, 6-1
5 Bickersons, Joel Rosario, 20-1
6 Connie and Michael, K. Desormeaux, 4-1
7 Devil May Care, J. Velazquez, 8-1
8 She Be Wild, J. Leparoux, 8-1
9 Champagne d'Oro, Martin Garcia, 50-1
10 Negligee, Rajiv Maragh, 6-1
11 Always a Princess, G. Gomez, 6-1
12 Biofuel, E. Da Silva, 15-1

My heart says that Ms Vanenzza as she won her prep the Blue Hen Stakes at Delaware Park, but I'm going with She Be Wild. She was second in the Alcibides last time out, but before that she won Arlington's Lassie Stakes at 8-1 she could be a steal. Negligee is a horse, I'm tossing but I wouldn't be suprised if she turns out to be a great 3yo. Blind Luck inherated top billing after the retirement of Mi Sueno and the no show Hot Dixie Chick. Champagne d'Oro faced the boys, but did not do well at all. Hopefully she improves in this race, but I don't think she'll win. The buzz horse is Connie and Michael, who I may go against and instead go with Devil May Care. Unfortanlly this race is lacking an Awesome Maria, Hot Dixie Chick and Dattt Echo, okay so the latter is just a maiden winner, but I think she may have done well in this race.

Who I want to win: She Be Wild, Ms Vanenzza
Who I think will win: Negligee, Blind Luck, She Be Wild
How I'm playing it: $2 across the board She Be Wild
Dark Horse: Ms Vanenzza


Sprint
1 Zensational, V. Espinoza, 7/5
2 Cost of Freedom, T. Baze, 20-1
3 Fatal Bullet, E. Da Silva, 9/2
4 Crown of Thorns, R. Bejarano, 12-1
5 Gayego, G. Gomez, 5/2
6 Dancing in Silks, J. Rosario, 12-1
7 Join in the Dance, J. Velazquez, 30-1
8 Capt. Candyman Can, J. Castellano, 15-1
9 Fleeting Spirit (IRE), L. Dettori, 8-1

This is a battle of Egypt vs UAE, Zensational who is owned by a Egyptian national vs Gayego, owned by the Ruler of Dubai. However, I'm not choosing either of them. Instead I'm going with Capt. Candyman Can, who won the King's Bishop via DQ and Join in the Dance who was second in the Tampa Bay Derby behind Musket Man earlier this year. Fleeting Spirit while used to facing the boys, however she is running on a non turf surface for the first time. With that being said, she does have one of the best jockeys in the World on her. Hopefully she and Frankie can get a clear shot and suprise people, especially since girls do pretty well in the Sprint.

Who I want to win: Capt. Candyman Can, Fleeting Spirit, Join in the Dance
Who I think will win: Zenzastional, Capt. Candyman Can, Gayego
How I'm playing it: Capt. Candyman Can/Fleeting Spirit/Join in the Dance trifecta, Fleeting Spirit/Zenzastional exacta
Dark Horse: Fatal Bullet

Juvenile Fillies Turf
1 Potosina, J. Velazquez, 20-1
2 Elusive Galaxy (IRE), R. Bejarano, 12-1
3 Smart Seattle, 8-1
4 Rose Catherine, J. Castellano, 8-1
5 La Nez, Mike Smith, 20-1
6 Jungle Tale, S. Bridgmohan, 15-1
7 House of Grace, Michael Luzzi, 4-1
8 Lillie Langtry, J. Murtagh, 3-1
9 Hatheer, Alan Garcia, 10-1
10 Tapitsfly, Robby Albarado, 8-1
11 Junia Tepzia (IRE), K. Fallon, 8-1
12 Lisa's Kitten, J. Leparoux, 12-1

Unfortnally I don't know alot about the horses, however I'm going with Lillie Langtry who looks like she could be something special next year for the Euros. Lisa's Kitten won last time out in Texas, and House of Grace looks like she could be some value. Unfortnally the horse I really wanted to see in the race, Dad's Crazy is an AE and unlikley to make the field.

Who I want to win: Lillie Langtry
Who I think will win: Lillie Langtry
Not going to play this race
Dark Horse: Tapitsfly

I hope you enjoyed Part 1, tomorrow Part 2 with five more races, and then on Thurs the final four races.