Here are my picks for the 26th Breeders’ Cup starting with Friday:
$500,000 Marathon, 1 ¾ miles: None of the 10 horses has gone this far. Nite Lite, Cloudy’s Knight and Mastery show the best recent form. But I’m passing.
$1 Million Juvenile Fillies Turf, a mile: My exacta box is Smart Seattle, Lisa’s Kitten and Tapestry, all winners at the distance.
$2 Million Juvenile Fillies, 1 1/16 miles: Blind Luck and Always a Princess, 1-2 in the Oak Leaf on the Pro-Ride, will battle it out. There’re in the first leg of my Pick 3.
$2 Million Filly and Mare Turf, 1 ¼ miles: Forever Together, aiming to repeat, and Pure Clan possess best running style and haven’t been off the board in graded stakes during the year. The latter is 3 of 5 at the distance. I’m tossing in Connie and Michael, impressive maiden winner at Keeneland.
$1 Million Filly and Mare Sprint, 7 furlongs: Ventura just might be the Best Bet of the two-day event seeking to repeat and is 3 of 4 at the distance. She looked sharp working in October. The danger: Informed Decision, 6 for 6 on synthetic surfaces. It completes my Pick 3.
$2 Million Ladies’ Classic, 1 1/8 miles: Favorites 3-1 or less have won 18 of 25 times, mostly likely accounting for the small fields. With Zenyatta opting for the Classic, Careless Jewel is the morning line 2-1 favorite to beat. It’s catch the filly if they can, but I’m not sure who will.
Saturday’s selections:
$1 Million Juvenile Turf, a mile: Interactif goes for third in row on turf. Outside 11th post means clean trip is vital. But colt appears class of the field.
$1 Million Turf Sprint, 6 ½ furlongs: Three returnees include defending champ Desert Code. But Diamondrella has scored in last five grass sprints and should catch California Flag, who won two in a row at Santa Anita before fading to 10th last year; same scenario Saturday. Gotta Have Her is 3 for 3 at the distance at Santa Anita since March. Exotics box or first Pick 3 leg.
$2 Million Sprint, six furlongs: No running style has dominated, but there’s been only five wire-to-wire victories while nine turned for home in front. I’m bucking the trend with Zensantional, but adding closers Gayego and Capt. Candyman Can in exotics.
$2 Million Juvenile, 1 1/16 miles: Nineteen winners were among top three wagering choices. Endurance is key factor. Morning line 8-5 favorite Looking At Lucky, bred to route, seeks fifth straight on synthetics and is my selection despite No. 13 post. Toss in longshots Pulsion and Eskendereya for exotics.
$2 Million (Turf) Mile: Only Lure in ’92 was in front at every call. My vote goes to closers Court Vision, ’08 third-place finisher Whatsthescript and Justenuffhumor giving defending champ Goldikova all she can handle with maybe all four in final Pick 3 leg.
$1 Million Dirt Mile: Frankly, I haven’t a clue. Best credentials belong to Irish-bred Mastercraftsman, who scored on synthetic surface across the Atlantic last out after taking six turf contests. Best American performers on California sythenics are ’08 Juvenile champ Midshipman, Neko Bay and Chocolate Candy. I’m leaning toward skipping this contest.
$3 Million Turf, 1 ½ miles: Fourteen invading British Isles-European horses have been victorious. Class and form often point to the winner. My exacta box: Irish-bred Conduit, ’08 winner; Spanish Moon, 3 of 4 at the distance in France, the UAE and England; and front-running Florida-bred Presious Passion, four-time winner in past eight grass routes.
$5 Million Classic, 1 ¼ miles: Only four horses triumphed from the inside three posts, including Ghostzapper in ’04, who became only the second wire-to-wire winner since Black Tie Affair in ’91. My trifecta key is unbeaten Zenyatta going for 14 straight and outstanding turf performer Gio Ponti on top, with Belmont champ Summer Bird and Pacific Classic winner Richard’s Kid underneath.
