Breeders’ Cup Predictions #1

The time has finally come!!  The Breeders’ Cup season is now in full swing, and for the third straight year we’ll try to predict the winners of each race well in advance.  We’ll update our picks weekly as things will surely change.  So here they are…our first set of Breeders’ Cup Predictions!

The Classic – Shared Belief – Right now he clearly has the most talent over all the other horses in the country.  How California Chrome comes back will be important to watch as he will probably be his main challenge.  The older horses have all fallen, but there still are a few threats out there to keep an eye on.

The Mile – Wise Dan – Was triumphant in his return at Saratoga and looks to be on course for this race once again.  He’s the most popular horse in America so you know he’ll be over bet, but they’ll have to bring in a monster to beat him.

The Distaff – Close Hatches – Will easily have the division lead coming into this race, but obviously beating Beholder on her home track could prove to be challenging.  However, I think she’s gotten good enough to overcome her this year.

The Turf – The Grey Gatsby – Not thrilled with any of the American horses within this group so I’ve went with a European prospect.  It’s always a mystery as to which Euro’s will actually show up, but you can bet I’ll be picking one of the ones that do.

The Sprint – Secret Circle – Looks to me like he’s going to try and do what he did last year…come off a long layoff, win a prep, and then win the Breeders Cup Sprint.  To me he’s still above all the other competition.

The Juvenile –  Competitive Edge – Still a lot of moving and shaking to do within this division, but Competitive Edge is in a class by himself right now.  The stretch out to two turns is the only question mark.

The Turf Sprint – Reneesgotzip – You have to pick a horse with experience on the down hill turf course in this race, so that’s why I’ve picked Reneesgotzip for now.  Finished 3rd in 2012 and 2nd in 2013…no Mizdirection to contend with this year so third time could be a charm.

The Filly and Mare Sprint – Stonetastic – She’s always shown class, and last time out at Saratoga everything came together and she ran great.  This race is completely wide open so this in a category that could change weekly.

The Filly and Mare Turf – Dank – If she comes back to defend her title I think she’s a clear standout in this group. Not considering others unless she doesn’t come over.

The Juvenile Fillies – Cavorting – Looks to be the most talented of the group so far, but not as solid on her as I am with Competitive Edge.  The key preps for this race is what we’ll really have to keep an eye on.

The Juvenile Fillies Turf – Malabar – I’ve learned my lesson picking American horses in the Juvenile turf races.  Don’t know who is coming, but will be landing on a Euro horse for sure.

The Dirt Mile – Goldencents – The best by a mile if he chooses this race…but the rumor is he’s going to face Wise Dan on the turf at Keeneland on October fourth.  If he runs well there he might try the Turf Mile instead.

The Juvenile Turf – Aktabantay – Much like my pick of Malabar, I’m going with a Euro in this race no matter what happens.