Roundtable and Breeders' Cup Blog Announcement

I'm still looking for people who are interested in doing a Roundtable for the Belmont Stakes. It will likely be Thursday June 5th around 3pm Eastern. However this is subject to change. If you are interested please contact me on Twitter where my screen name is Furlongdrive.

The other big announcement is that I have decided to start a Breeders' Cup blog which will talk about the lead up to this year's edition which will be held on October 31st and November 1st at Santa Anita. One portion of the blog will be written previews and recaps of the WAYI races and previews and recaps of the 13 races that will be held that weekend. The other portion will be video previews of the WAYI races. I will not be doing a video of every race for a few reasons:

A. Time (something that I really won't have a lot of, but enough to do these videos)
B. Unknowingness of the horses that will be running

The list of the races that I am planning to do video previews of can be found on the blog which can be found at http://roadtothecupblog.blogspot.com. I've also created an audio video which also explains what the blog will be about.

Breeders' Cup Saturday Picks

Day 2 of the Breeders' Cup. Of course the big race is the Classic and will Game On Dude finally be able to not only win the race, but lock up Horse of the Year honors. We'll see! Here are the fields:

Breeders' Cup Friday Picks

All the hard work is completed. Tomorrow is the start of the Breeders' Cup. Day one is headlined by the Breeders' Cup Distaff which returns to its orignal name here are the Friday fields!

6th Race - Santa Anita Park - Friday, November 1st, 2013

STAKES. 1 3/4 Mile Dirt. Purse $500,000. Breeders' Cup Marathon (Grade 2). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. Northern Hemisphere Three-Year-Olds, 122 lbs.; Older, 126 lbs.; Southern Hemisphere Three-Year-Olds, 115 lbs.; Older, 126 lbs. All Fillies and Mares allowed 3 lbs.; $5,000 to pre-enter, $5,000 to enter, with guaranteed $500,000 purse including travel awards of which 55% to the owner of the winner, 18% to second, 10% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth; plus travel awards to starters not based in California. (01:45 PM) (10)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer

1 Old Time Hockey 4 G L 126 Lezcano Jose Proctor Thomas F.

2 Cease 6 G L 126 Cohen David Jacobson David

3 Commander 5 G L 126 Gryder Aaron T. Taylor Troy

4 Ever Rider (ARG) 5 H 126 Stevens Gary L. Munoz Maria C.

5 Suns Out Guns Out 4 C L 126 Leparoux Julien R. Romans Dale L.

6 Indian Jones 6 G L 126 Castillo Angel Aristone Philip T.

7 London Bridge 3 C L v 122 Smith Mike E. Hughes Jo

8 Blueskiesnrainbows 4 C L 126 Pedroza Martin A. Hollendorfer Jerry

9 Pool Play 8 H L 126 Da Silva Eurico Rosa Casse Mark E.

10 Worldly 6 H L 126 Flores David Romero Walsh Brendan P.

Commander is a former Fox Hill Farm horse who has been super successful in Canada for the past year. Blueskiesandrainbows was 3rd in last years SA Derby, Ever Rider could be super dangerous. Old Time Hockey is my pick for this race.

7th Race - Santa Anita Park - Friday, November 1st, 2013

STAKES. 1 Mile Turf. Purse $1,000,000. Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1). FOR COLTS AND GELDINGS, TWO-YEARS-OLD. Two Year Old Championship entrants shall not have medications or any other substances administered within 24 hours of post time including authorized bleeder medications otherwise permitted by state regulation. Weight: 122 lbs.; $10,000 to pre-enter, $10,000 to enter, with guaranteed $1 million purse including travel awards of which 55% to the owner of the winner, 18% to second, 10% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth; plus travel awards to starters not based in California. (02:25 PM) (13)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer

1 All Cash 2 R 122 Saez Luis  Lukas D. Wayne

2 Giovanni Boldini 2 C 122 Moore Ryan L. O'Brien Aidan P.

3 Got Shades 2 C 122 Stevens Gary L. Pish Danny

4 Outstrip (GB) 2 C 122 Smith Mike E. Appleby Charles

5 Bobby's Kitten 2 C 122 Castellano Javier Brown Chad C.

6 Home School (IRE) 2 C  b 122 Bejarano Rafael O'Neill Doug F.

7 Aotearoa 2 G 122 Nakatani Corey S. Powell Leonard

8 Bon Accord 2 C 122 Rosario Joel Sano Antonio

9 Wilshire Boulevard (IRE) 2 C 122 Buick William T. O'Brien Aidan P.

10 Ontology 2 C 122 Gutierrez Mario Callaghan Simon

11 Poker Player 2 C 122 Hill Channing Catalano Wayne M.

12 Shamshon (IRE) 2 C 122 Hughes Richard Hannon Richard M.

13 Bashart 2 C 122 Velazquez John R. Pletcher Todd A.

Bad post for Bashart. Bobby's Kitten is the horse to beat and Poker Player could be a serious contender. I gotta go with Giovanni Boldini.

8th Race - Santa Anita Park - Friday, November 1st, 2013

STAKES. 1 Mile Dirt. Purse $1,000,000. Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (Grade 1). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. Northern Hemisphere Three-Year-Olds, 123 lbs.; Older, 126 lbs. Southern Hemisphere Three-Year-Olds, 120 lbs.; Older, 126 lbs. All Fillies and Mares allowed 3 lbs. $10,000 to pre-enter, $10,000 to enter, with guaranteed $1million purse including travel awards of which 55% to the owner of the winner, 18% to second, 10% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth; plus travel awards to starters not based in California. (03:05 PM) (13)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer

1 Taptowne 5 G L 126 Hernandez, Jr. Brian Joseph Glyshaw Tim

2 Golden Ticket 4 C L 126 Rosario Joel McPeek Kenneth G.

3 Hymn Book 7 G L 126 Castellano Javier McGaughey III Claude R.

4 Brujo De Olleros (BRZ) 5 H L 126 Garcia Alan Mettee Richard C.

5 Fed Biz 4 C L 126 Garcia Martin Baffert Bob

6 Broadway Empire 3 G L 123 Walcott Rico W. Diodoro Robertino

7 Alpha 4 C L 126 Bravo Joe McLaughlin Kiaran P.

8 Holy Lute 3 C L 123 Smith Mike E. Cassidy James M.

9 Centralinteligence 5 G L 126 Espinoza Victor Ellis Ronald W.

10 Verrazano 3 C L 123 Velazquez John R. Pletcher Todd A.

11 Pants On Fire 5 H L 126 Lopez Paco Breen Kelly J.

12 Goldencents 3 C L 123 Bejarano Rafael O'Neill Doug F.

Any of these horses except for Holy Lute have a chance to win. Goldencents was going to be my pick, but the outside post hurts him. Broadway Empire could be super dangerous in here and shouldn't be overlooked. He is my pick for the race.

9th Race - Santa Anita Park - Friday, November 1st, 2013

STAKES. 1 Mile Turf. Purse $1,000,000. Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Grade 1). FOR FILLIES, TWO-YEARS-OLD. Two Year Old Championship entrants shall not have medications or any other substances administered within 24 hours of post time including authorized bleeder medications otherwise permitted by state regulation. Weight: 122 lbs. $10,000 to pre-enter, $10,000 to enter, with guaranteed $1 million purse including travel awards of which 55% to the owner of the winner, 18% to second, 10% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth; plus travel awards to starters not based in California. (03:50 PM) (14)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer

1 Nesso 2 F 122 Garcia Martin Belvoir Vann

2 Al Thakhira (GB) 2 F 122 Moore Ryan L. Botti Marco

3 Colonel Joan 2 F 122 Talamo Joseph Harty Eoin G.

4 Kitten Kaboodle 2 F 122 Velazquez John R. Brown Chad C.

5 Granny Mc's Kitten 2 F 122 Castellano Javier Brown Chad C.

6 Vorda (FR) 2 F 122 Peslier Olivier Sogorb Philippe

7 Street Sailing 2 F 122 Garcia Alan Mettee Richard C.

8 Chriselliam (IRE) 2 F 122 Hughes Richard Hills Charles

9 Dancing House 2 F 122 Smith Mike E. McLaughlin Kiaran P.

10 Clenor (IRE) 2 F 122 Bejarano Rafael O'Neill Doug F.

11 Ready To Act 2 F 122 Rosario Joel Brown Chad C.

12 Testa Rossi (FR) 2 F 122 Lezcano Jose Brown Chad C.

13 Sky Painter 2 F 122 Saez Luis McLaughlin Kiaran P.

14 My Conquestadory 2 F 122 Da Silva Eurico Rosa Casse Mark E.

Oy My Conquestadory. Terrible post and it's going to take a lot for her to be able to overcome that post. Clenor seems to be an interesting horse as does Vorda. Going with Dancing House in here. Has never been off the board in her three starts and will be a suprise winner.

10th Race - Santa Anita Park - Friday, November 1st, 2013

STAKES. 1 1/8 Mile Dirt. Purse $2,000,000. Breeders' Cup Distaff (Grade 1). FOR FILLIES AND MARES, THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. Northern Hemisphere Three-Year-Olds, 121 lbs.; Older, 124 lbs.; Southern Hemisphere Three-Year-Olds, 116 lbs.; Older, 124 lbs. $20,000 to pre-enter, $20,000 to enter, with guaranteed $2 million purse including travel awards of which 55% to the owner of the winner, 18% to second, 10% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth; plus travel awards to starters not based in California. (04:35 PM) (6)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer

1 Street Girl 3 F L 121 Castillo Angel Azpurua Manuel J.

2 Authenticity 6 M L 124 Velazquez John R. Pletcher Todd A.

3 Close Hatches 3 F L 121 Rosario Joel Mott William I.

4 Royal Delta 5 M 124 Smith Mike E. Mott William I.

5 Beholder 3 F L 121 Stevens Gary L. Mandella Richard E.

6 Princess Of Sylmar 3 F L 121 Castellano Javier Pletcher Todd A.

With this short of a field, post position doesn't really matter that much. The winner of the draw is def Princess though. Delta and Beholder could run each other into the ground which would set up for her and possibly Horsr of the Year honors. Beware of Close Hatches though. She is the only horse to beat the Princess this year and is coming in off a win. So who gets the win, my heart says Delta but my head says Princess or Beholder. In the end, I do think one of those three gets the win. Royal Delta will end her career as the only three time winner of the Distaff. Princess of Sylmar for second and Beholder for third. 

Breeders' Cup Preview: Classic

This is it! The big race of the year, with a ton of storylines. Before I get into the Pros and Cons, I bring the If's! More after the jump.

Breeders' Cup Preview: Distaff

So here we are! The final day of previews and it's the two big races of the weekend. First up it's the Distaff. I just want to say THANK YOU to the Breeders' Cup for changing the name of the race back to it's original. This could be the race of the weekend where all, but possibly 1 of these fillies and mares has a chance to win. It's going to be a short field as only 6 have been pre-entered, but lets take a look at them.

In Alphabetical order

Authenticity (Quiet American)

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Pros: 2nd on this surface in the prep race behind a horse who is also entered in here. Won at Saratoga in the Summer.

Cons: Both wins this year where against suspect company, lost to the 2 time defending champ of the Distaff.

Beholder (Henny Hughes)

Trainer: Richard Mandella

Pros: Won local prep, won the Juvenile Fillies last year on this track

Cons: of the 2 horses who defeated her this year, one has gone backwards the other is in this race.

Close Hatches (First Defence)

Trainer: Bill Mott

Pros: Won a G1 at Parx in her last, defeated the KY Oaks winner in a prep race for the Oaks

Cons: Stablemate is the defending 2 time champ, has yet to face older, Oaks winner turned the table on her in the Oaks.

Princess of Sylmar (Majestic Warrior)

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Pros: Oaks and Alabama winner, defeated the 2 defending champ in her last, has also defeated Beholder and Close Hatches. Could be a HOY candidate if she wins

Cons: Last minute addition to the field, if she loses she could lose 3yo Championship.

Royal Delta (Empire Maker)

Trainer: Bill Mott

Pros: 2 time defending champion, only one off the board finish this year

Cons: Lost to Princess of Sylmar in her last, her losses this year haven't looked good, age might finally be catching up to her.

Street Girl (Street Hero)

Trainer: Manuel Azpurua

Pros: 3rd in her last, has faced older

Cons: Below this group of talented females, 12 starts this year

Breeders' Cup Preview: All About the Turf

It's all about the grass today as there are 3 previews for the Juvenile Turf, F/M Turf and Turf! Tomorrow's previews for the Distaff and Classic will be coming out in two separate posts. I will be doing my Pros and Cons during that period as I don't think I'm going to have enough time to do them when the draw comes out on Monday. So for now though, here are today's previews!

Juvenile Turf

In a race that has been dominated by Europeans, they might not have the win in their pocket this year. Although their best chance Giovanni Boldini might be a Derby candidate for next year. And when I mean Derby, I do mean KY and not Epsom. G1 placed in Ireland and a winner of a synth stakes. Oh and he was born in West Virginia. Diamond Bachelor was a buzz horse before a loss in his last, but he is more likely for the dirt race then turf. Bobby's Kitten won at Belmont in his last and Bashart who got pipped in an off the turf stakes at Keeneland. 

Dark Horse: Poker Player- beat Bashart in his last at Keeneland, has a win on turf despite the stakes win on the poly. Trainer trained niece to Kitten's Joy (sire of Bobby's Kitten) to 2006 Juvenile Fillies win and daughter of KJ to Juvenile Fillies Turf win in 2011. 

Filly and Mare Turf

This race will take a little bit of a hit as The Fugue is expected to take on the males this time around after an unlucky third in last year's race. Dank won at Arlington in the summer, but hasn't raced since. Laughing is the best the east will offer this year 3 straight gate to wire wins, but I don't think she'll get away with that here. Tiz Flirtatious has lost only once this year, and then she turned the tables on that horse in her last. Marketing Mix may have taken a step back, but she is as stubborn as they come and could be very hard to beat in the stretch. 

Dark Horse: Kitten's Dumplings- It's mad mad cat world. Although she was 4th in her lone West Coast apperance she did win a G1 at Keeneland in her last. Also has picked up wins at Saratoga and Churchill earlier this year. 

Turf

You really don't know what you are going to get with the defending champ Little Mike. Although he won at Belmont in his last, he had a horrible year up to that point. Point of Entry is coming off an injury that had him on the sidelines all summer and missed Super Saturday. The Fugue has already beaten boys this year and should like the surface after running well last year. Grandeur 7th in his last US start, but has a win over the surface. Big Blue Kitten could be the one to beat in here though.

Dark Horse: Twilight Eclipse- Only 1 win this year, but he was second in 2 G1's. It should be noted that those G1's where at a mile and half distance which is the same distance here. Maybe next Saturday will finally be his day. 

Breeders' Cup Preview: Juvenile Fillies Turf and Sprint Races (Turf and Dirt)

Four race preview in store today with the Juvenile Fillies Turf, Turf Sprint, Filly and Mare Sprint and the Sprint.

Juvenile Fillies Turf

Two words: My Conquestadory. She beat males in her debut and then won a G1 on poly against her own sex. There hasn't been that many 2yo turf fillies who have generated this much buzz about them since possibly Winter Memories, and she lost this race! The Euros haven't had much success in here, even though they did win last year's edition. This year they are lead by Vorda who is 3 for 4 in France including a G1. Clenor is 3 for 3 in the US after spending some time in Ireland.

Dark Horse: Granny Mc's Kitten- Chad Brown actually has two Kitten's Joy's fillies nominated, but this one might end up being the better of the two, even though she didn't do so hot as the favorite in her last. Besides Chad like his mentor Bobby Frankel knows how to win on the turf with fillies.

Turf Sprint

Mizdirection loves the downhill course at Santa Anita. Even though did not fair well at Belmont, her win last year was off a longer layoff. However Rennesgotzip and Unbridled's Note are back as well, although the former could take on the boys in the Sprint (7 furlongs is too long for her and that's the distance of the F/M Sprint). Caracortado who is returning from a long layoff and former Cal horse Capo Bastone should be two to watch as well.

Dark Horse: Tightend Touchdown- one of the few horses to give Ben's Cat (who is not BC Nominated, but is considered to be the best turf sprinter in the country) a loss this year. 2nd in his last three starts (including Ben turning the tables on him), but did finish in front of G1 winner Next Question and Artest who was highly regarded at 2 before switching to the turf. Plus he's trained by the older brother of a Derby winning trainer.

Filly and Mare Sprint

Groupie Doll has been behind the eight ball all year. She's had three starts this year with 1 win and two thirds. However, both of those thirds where a bit on the lackluster side. Judy the Beauty who has a world of talent just rotten luck is the horse who defeated Groupie Doll in her last race. Dance to Bristol won at Saratoga, but lost in her prep race where the winner Cluster of Stars won on Saturday in a NYB stakes. Also look for Book Review to have a chance.

Dark Horse: Sweet Lulu- 2nd in a two turn race in her last, returns to her preferred 1 turn distance. Three year old fillies have been dominating Older girls lately, will she add to that resume?

Sprint

Lets face it, Trinniberg is not the same horse at 4 that he was at 3. Honestly, he (as well as one of my favorites last year Questing) back their way into the Eclipse Awards thanks to a loss by the only horse who could have denied him. Pointsoffthebench is the hot horse defeating Goldencents in his last race. Justin Phillip also has a big chance in what could be a very big and emotional day for his owners (I will be talking about that horse on Friday). His ownership mate Fast Bullet also has a chance to take down this race.

Dark Horse: Private Zone- It's hard to believe, but yes one of the favorites is a dark horse. Why? Well he has done well on the Santa Anita surface before, but has yet a win over it. If you think Justin and Fast's owner will be emotional if they win this race (and possibly the Classic), one of Private Zone's owners is former jockey Rene Douglas who won the 2006 BC Juvenile Fillies on Dreaming of Anna.

Breeders' Cup Preview: Mile (Dirt and Turf) and Marathon

Three previews today, both the Dirt and Turf Mile as well as the Mile!

Breeders' Cup Preview: Juvenile Dirt Races

We are less then 2 weeks away from the 30th Breeders' Cup! As I posted this weekend I will be previewing the races on certain days. One thing that I did forget was the 2 Juvenile Turf races, those will be previewed on Weds (Female) and Thurs (Male). Today however, it's the two dirt races for the Juveniles, as the road for the 2014 Derby and Oaks begins!

Juvenile Fillies

The last 3 winners of this race (Awesome Feather, My Miss Aurelia and Beholder) have won at least G1 race at 3. So the pressure is on these girls to keep up that streak for this year. The two big ones are She's a Tiger and Sweet Reason, both are G1 winners who where gallant seconds in their final preps for the race. Sweet Reason has the upperhand as her sire won the Juvenile in 2006, but She's a Tiger has gone the Juvenile Fillies distance and has experience over the surface. My Conquestadory is undefeated, but those two starts where on turf and poly. While she is more likely for the Juvenile Fillies Turf, both of her wins where Win and You're In races and her debut was against males. It's good to have options. Secret Compass and Artemis Agrotera the two fillies who defeated She's a Tiger and Sweet Reason also have big chances in the race.

Dark Horse: Fascinating- She's still a maiden, but she has finished right behind She's a Tiger in the two G1 races in California. Don't forget, her big brother Bodemeister almost won the Derby and Preakness last year only to get caught by I'll Have Another both times. Plus her sire already has a BCJF winner in Aurelia who came back to finish second in the Distaff (then the Ladies Classic) last year to Royal Delta.

Juvenile

Maybe it's because I really haven't been following 2yo's that much this year, but I find that the Juvenile picture for this race is a bit cloudy. I do know that Bond Holder and Havana both won the big Juvenile races on the West and East Coast respectively. Strong Mandate won the Hopeful, but ran poorly against Havana in his last. We Miss Artie's sire won the Mile on turf, but his broodmare sire won the Derby, the runner up to him in the Breeders' Futurity Smarty's Echo should enjoy the surface change from poly to dirt. His sire's only US G1 winner to date won in California.

Dark Horse: New Year's Day- Although he has yet to try dirt, the change in surface shouldn't be a problem for him. His dam could have been the horse to get close to Rachel Alexandra in the 2009 Oaks had she not been scratched and his sire has success in this race with Street Sense, plus he is the sire of one of the most beloved horses of all time in Zenyatta.

Breeders' Cup Race Preview Schedule

The following is the order of the BC races that I will be previewing for the 30th Breeders' Cup. These previews start Monday. More after the jump.

Breeders' Cup Pedigree Look Upcoming Posts

In honor of the 30th ani. of the Breeders' Cup, all of the Pedigree Look posts for the next 8 weeks will be winners of the race. There will be one a week on Thursdays leading up to the November 2nd and 3rd races. Due to the fact that the newer races (Dirt Mile, F/M Sprint ect.) do not have as many winners behind them, I will only be choosing 1 horse to cover those races. The other races, except for the Classic will have 1 horse to cover them (the Classic will have 2 horses as I will be out of town 1 Thursday and won't be able to do research on the horse more in depth). Here are this year's PL Breeders' Cup posts!


9/12: Sprint- Cardmania
9/19: Distaff- One Dreamer
9/26: Juvenile- Tasso, Juvenile Fillies- Pleasant Stage
10/3: F/M Turf Starine, Mile- Barathea
10/10: Turf- Pebbles
10/17: Classic- Ferdinand
10/24: Newer races- Marathon- Calidoscopio
10/31: Classic- Cigar

I hope that you enjoy these posts!

2013 Breeders' Cup Top 5: Introduction

It's that time of the year! It's time to focus on the Breeders' Cup which will be once again held at Santa Anita Park. Starting next week will be the first Top 5 list of the season. It will only be focusing on the Classic and Ladies Classic. Two weeks later I will be adding the Turf Divisions Distance only (so no Mile sorry!) and then two weeks after that the Sprinters and two Mile races will be added. Eventually at the end of September the two dirt Juvenile races will be added. In September that is when the list will change from every two weeks, to every week.

Like I did last year the format for lists will go unchanged... for the most part that is. What I will be adding is the last jockey to ride the horse. That way you can see who has to make decisions if they have ridden multiple horses in the division.

So with that I hope you enjoy this years list.

Breeders' Cup Winners and Losers

An interesting set of races this year. Lets take a look at some of the winners and losers.

Winner- Southern Hemisphere: Lets see Marathon winner from Argentina, Classic winning trainer hails from Australia and oh yeah the Classic winner's 2nd dam is a legend in her native Argentina and here in the US.

Loser- California: They had the home track advantage and could only produce... 2.5 winners (Tapizar's best wins where on the West Coast, but he has a East Coast based trainer).

Winner- Samantha Siegel and Ron Ellis: With that being said, Sam and Ron had the best showing for Californians all weekend. Sam owns both Rail Trip and Include Me Out with Ron training.

Loser- Godolphin: Draw a line through Questing's race, that was a disaster, but the weekend got worse from there for them.

Winner- Less priced stallions: Led by Mile winning stallion Wiseman's Farry and Classic winning sire E Dubai, they had a banner weekend.

Winner and Loser- Juddmonte: Good news Mizzen Mast won 2 races as a sire! Bad news Empire Maker who they shipped off to Japan defended his Ladies Classic title with Royal Delta.

Winner- the Petro siblings: No this set of 2 brothers and a sister didn't win a race this weekend, but they had a good showing. Trainer Mike and jockey Nick teamed up with Marathon 5th place finisher Not Abroad, meanwhile little sister Kathy Ritvo was this close to becoming the first female trainer or rider to win the Classic.

Winner- Former Delaware jockeys: Ramon Dominguez, Rosie Napravnik (the second female jock to win a BC race) and Brian Hernandez Jr. all won BC races. Brian taking the big prize on his birthday!

Winner- France: Flotilla and Zagora hail fron the country.

Loser- Bob Baffert: Oh boy had the favorites in three races and all of them lost. Sadly, it's been that kind of year for him.

Winner- Steve Asmussen: Although he only won 1 race on the weekend, he was runner up in two others.

Winner- Jim Rome: The radio and tv host co-owns the only boy beating girl on the weekend Mizdirection.

Loser- me: My picks will down the toliet for the most part, only 2 winners. However on yesterday's card I had 4 horses finish runner up. OUCH!!

Breeders' Cup Day 2 Picks

Another day, another set of picks bere are tomorrow's races:

Juvenile Turf: Noble Tune
Filly and Mare Sprint: Dust and Diamonds
Dirt Mile: Rail Trip
Turf Sprint: Bridgetown
Juvenile: Power Broker
Turf: Treasure Beach
Sprint: Captial Account
Mile: Excelebration
Classic: Mucho Macho Man

Good luck to all and safe travels!

Breeders' Cup Day 1 Picks

Sandy somewhat screwed up my plans for this week so instead I will just give you my picks for earch race.

Juvenile Sprint- Hightail
Marathon- Not Abroad
Juvenile Fillies Turf- Sky Lantern
Juvenile Fillies- Spring in the Air
Filly and Mare Turf- Marketing Mix
Ladies Classic- Royal Delta
Twilight Derby- My Best Brother

Good luck to all the horses and may they all return safe and sound.

BC Week is here!

The 2012 Breeders' Cup is just one week away! The excitement is starting to really intensifying pretty greatly. Unfortunately, here on the East Coast we are going to be hit with a nasty storm that calls herself Sandy. So personally, I'm crossing my fingers that power doesn't go out. The good news is that our local power company is actually pretty good on getting the power turned on quickly. So hopefully not too much damage will happen and I'll be okay for Friday. 

This upcoming week will be a bit fun, I will have 2 Pedigree Looks for next week! The first will be on a horse who absolutely had no reason to be in the Breeders' Cup. Of course that is Rick's Natural Star. The second horse is one of my all time favorite horses, let alone the race he won the Mile. He also happens to be a horse whose life was cut short to the dreaded hoof diesese laminatis. Of course I'm talking about the one and only Kip Deville. No podcast tonight as honestly me yapping about the pre-entries is kinda boreing. With that being said next week will be a 2 part episode where I will go over every BC race, plus the Twilight Derby and Damascus which will be run on Friday and Saturday also at Santa Anita. Plus there will be a written verison up on Thursday as well for both days and I will be doing for the third year in a row Pros and Cons for each horse in the Ladies Classic and Classic. So 3 posts on Thursday. The winners and losers post will be on Sunday evening. 

So lots to look foward to, let the festivites begin!

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!

BC Rankings: Week 6

The final week of rankings is upon us! All of the horses in this weeks ranks are Pre-Entered into their respective races. So here we go! More after the jump.

BC Rankings: Week 5

Welcome to the second to last rankings for the 2012 Breeders' Cup! For those who are asking, I'll explain why next week will be the final week of rankings. Next Weds is the Pre-Entry phase for the BC. This is when we will offically know who is going and who is not. Because of this, the rankings for next week will not be out till Weds evening. Secondly, it will mark a little more then a week before the BC, so that would be a good stopping point. That doesn't mean BC coverage will go the wayside. Nope oodles of coverage as we hit the 2 week mark to this year's races at Santa Anita. Like last week, the same races will be covered, but there won't be any remarks or other horses considerd. Both of those will return next week though. As for the rankings, the biggest change is in the F/M Turf and Turf. Read more after the jump!

Breeders Cup Sire Outlook: Juvenile Fillies

Another day, another Sire Outlook Chart! Like with the Ladies Classic, these horses where taken Horse Racing Nation's proable list. That doesn't mean that these horses will be going to the race.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Sire Outlook
Name of Horse	Sire	Horse Profile	Sire Profile
Salamera	Successful Appeal	2nd in the Adirondack and 5th in the Chandelier. Before that won the J J'sdream.	3rd in the King's Bishop, won the Kentucky Cub Sprint in 1999. Won the Cowdin as a 2yo in 1998.
Spring in the Air	Spring at Last	2nd in the Natalma, won the Alcibiades in her last.	Winner of the Donn in 2008 and was second in the Malibu in 2006.
Switch to the Lead	Songandaprayer	1 win in her career. 3rd in the Sorrento, 7th against males in the Del Mar Futurity and 6th in the Chandelier.	2nd in the Bluegrass in 2001, he won the Fountain of Youth that same year.
Dreaming of Julia	A.P. Indy	Undefeated in her career. Won the Fritzette in a dogfight over My Happy Face.	Belmont and BC Classic winner in 1992. He was also that year's Horse of the Year.
Broken Spell	Broken Vow	1 win in her career, was second to Spring in the Air in the Alcibiades.	Won the Iselin and , Monmouth Skip Away Carpenter in 2001.
Magical Moon	Malibu Moon	3rd in the Alcibiades. Has 1 win to her record.	1 for 2 in his very short career.
Executiveprivilege	First Samurai	Undefeated in five starts. Won the Del Mar Debutante and Chandelier.	Winner of the Hopeful and Champange. Was third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 2005. Won the Fountain of Youth in 2006.
Beholder	Henny Hughes	Won an allowance in her last. 2nd in the Del Mar Debutante.	2nd in the BCJ in 2005, won the King's Bishop and Vosburgh in 2006.
Scarlet Strike	Smart Strike	1 for 4 in her career. 2nd in the Chandelier in her last race.	Winner of the Salvator Mile and Iselin in 1996.

Next: Juvenile

BC Sire Outlook: Ladies Classic

Welcome to the very popular Sire Outlook posts! As I said on Sunday, the charts that I do for the the races the next few weeks will be for the Classic, Ladies Classic and the 2 Juvenile dirt distance races. Please note that not all of these horses will end up going to the race which is being profiled. Some may end up on turf and some may end up not going to the BC at all. However, all of these horses where listed on Horse Racing Nation's Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic potential field. For that reason they are included into the chart. There are a few horses posted that share a sire, what I will do is say See Horse's Name, that way there are no repeats. When Dam Outlook posts for all four races which will be out next week, that won't be an issue as they will have different dams.  So enjoy!

Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic Sire Outlook
Name of Horse	Sire	Horse Profile	Sire Profile
Royal Delta	Empire Maker	Defending Champ of the race. Won the Delaware Handicap, Flus de Lis and Beldame this year. Second in the Personal Ensign.	Winner of the Belmont to deny Funny Cide the Triple Crown. He also won the Wood Memorial and Florida Derby. He was 2nd in the Kentucky Derby and Jim Dandy Stakes.
Love theway Youare	Arch	Won the Vanity in the summer at Del Mar. 5th against the males in the Hollywood Gold Cup, but 8th in the Zenyatta.	Winner of the Super Derby, he also sired Blame to upset Zenyatta in the 2010 Classic.
Amani (CHI)	Morning Raider (IRE)	Chilian import whose best finish in the US is 3rd in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes to Include Me Out. Lost only once in her native Chile.	2 wins in his career, zero stakes apperiences in his career. Out of a 1/2 sister to Arch.
It's Tricky	Mineshaft	2nd in the Beldame to Royal Delta in her final prep. Finished 2nd in last year's edition of the LC, but that was without Blind Luck or Havre de Grace who where the top 2 fillies in the country at the time. Could be bound for the F/M Sprint instead.	2003 Horse of the Year. He won the Pimlico Special, Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup in his HOY season.
Eden's Moon	Malibu Moon	3rd in the Indiana Oaks to Grace Hall. Won the Las Virgenes earlier this season.	1 for 2 in his career. He is out of G1 winner in France Macoumba.
Via Villaggio	Bernardini	4th against Love and Pride in the Zenyatta. That was her first start against older. Won the Railbird before runner up finish in the DE Oaks and 3rd in the Alabama.	2006 3yo Champion Male. He won the Preakness, Jim Dandy, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup. Was the Classic runner up.
Class Included	Include	4 race winning streak, won the Ballerina in her last. Has run only at Emerald and Hastings.	Winner of the Mass Cap and Pimlico Special during his career.
Awesome Feather	Awesome of Course	Undefeated filly, won the 2010 Juvenile Fillies. Hasn't faced graded stakes company this year so far.	Multiple stakes winner in his native Florida. 0 for 2 in graded stakes action. He is by 1998 Classic winner Awesome Again.
My Miss Aurelia	Smart Strike	Undefeated filly, won the Cotillion in her last. Won the Juvenile Fillies last year.	Already has a Classic winner in 2007 winner Curlin. 1/2 brother to Canadian Triple Crown winner Dance Smartly. Won the Salvator Mile and Iselin in his career.
Questing (GB)	Hard Spun	Winner of the Coaching Club and Alabama. Was 2nd to My Miss Aurelia in the Cotillion in her last race.	Runner up in the Kentucky Derby, Haskell and Breeders' Cup Classic in 2007. Won the King's Bishop and Kentucky Cup Classic the same year.
Include Me Out	Include	3rd in the Zenyatta to Love and Pride. Won almost every major G1 distance race for Older Females in California this year.	See Class Include
Love and Pride	A.P. Indy	Won the Personal Ensign and Zenyatta in her last two starts. Out of a 1/2 sister to Bernardini.	Won the 1992 Breeders' Cup Classic and Belmont. Was Horse of the Year.
Grace Hall	Empire Maker	Won the Gulfstream Park Oaks, Delaware Oaks and Indiana Oaks. Was third in the Kentucky Oaks.	See Royal Delta
In Lingerie	Empire Maker	Won the Spinster in her last race at Keeneland. Also won the Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico. 3rd in the Coaching Club and 2nd in the Alabama. Could make a start in the Filly and Mare Turf to avoid this group.	See Royal Delta

Next: Juvenile Fillies