Top 5 Breeders’ Cup Upset Contenders

1. Tara’s Tango – Filly and Mare Sprint

Will be cutting back to seven furlongs for this one after finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes last time out.  However, her race two races back was at 7 furlongs and she was victorious as she took home the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar.  This is a race where there is no clear cut standout, so why not take a shot with this horse running on her home track?  She also has connections that you can definitely trust.  At what will most likely be double digit odds she’s worth a serious look.

2. Ticonderoga – Juvenile Turf

From day one I’ve liked this horse as I was there live and in person for his debut race at Saratoga.  He made a bigger impression on my physically than any 2 year old I saw all year, and was a very closed second in that maiden race to my Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf pick Good Samaritan.  He then went out and completely romped in a maiden special weight at Belmont Park before finishing second to Keep Quiet in the Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland.  In that race he got too far behind, and ran greenly in the stretch.  If he can grow up a little bit he could be a star, and could pop at a decent price at the Breeders’ Cup.

3. Golden Hawk – Juvenile OR Juvenile Turf

Another horse I’ve seen in the flesh and have been in love with for awhile now.  Fellow Racing Dudes writer Mike Spector aka Saratoga Slim is the one that discovered this horse before he ever ran a race as he saw him this summer at Saratoga.  Golden Hawk is a perfect two for two,  and won the Grade 3 Grey Stakes at Woodbine last time out.  It’s not for certain at all if he’ll even come to the Breeders’ Cup, but if he does come he’ll be double digits in either the Juvenile or Juvenile Turf.  If he doesn’t end up coming he should still be one that is on your radar because he looks like a big time talent.

4. Yellow Agate – Juvenile Fillies

She probably won’t be a huge price, but it’s reasonable to think you’ll get 6-1 or 8-1 on her in the Juvenile Fillies.  This race is very wide open with no standouts, and Yellow Agate hasn’t done anything wrong in her two races.  Both of her races came at Belmont, and they both were nice wins.  After breaking her maiden she went on to win the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes last time out by a nose.  She’s shown a good turn of foot, and great determination.  With these connections on her side I like how she’s coming into this race.

5. Acapulco – Turf Sprint

This is a complete flyer here!  The Turf Sprint is going to be insane, and this horse could approach 20-1 by post time.  We haven’t seen her since May of this year so that is certainly a downfall, but we know how fast this horse can be.  Lets not forget she has won a Group 2 race at Ascot, and is two for two this year including a stakes win at Churchill Downs in her last start.  I’ve got a hunch she’ll love going down the hill at Santa Anita.  Crazier things have happened…