Breeders’ Cup Predictions #2

Classic – American Pharoah

Beholder looked amazing over the weekend which makes it even tougher to keep American Pharoah as my top pick.  However, I’ve remained loyal to him since day one, and will not be switching now.  His workouts so far since the Travers Stakes have been solid.

Turf Mile – Karakontie

Since my top pick was injured last week I had to change it up, and who better than last years runaway winner?  This race seems completely wide open though so things can change from week to week.

Sprint – Rock Fall

What a special performance by Rock Fall in the Vosburgh as he defeated a game bunch of horses including a reenergized Salutos Amigos.  Love that he’s shown the ability to sit off of the pace lately, which is something that will be needed in this race.

Turf – Flintshire

Class…he’s got a ton of it! Last year he ran a very competitive second to Main Sequence in this race, and there is no reason to think he can’t come back this year and win the race. He’s finished second to some of the greats in the game, but when running at Saratoga last out he DESTROYED the field.

Juvenile – Ralis

If you are a fan of Ralis (or any other juvenile male) you had to love how Nyquist looked to be struggling that last sixteenth of a mile at Santa Anita over the weekend.  Nyquist should take a lot of money on Breeders’ Cup day, and is more than beatable.  Very important preps for this division are coming this weekend.

Turf Sprint – Channel Marker

He may or may not be classy enough to win a race like this, but lets face it at the moment it’s hard to pick any horse in this grab bag of fun. The prep races for this race will be of supreme importance.

Filly and Mare Sprint – Super Majesty

Love how they brought her to Churchill to prep for this race, and I loved even more how good she looked. There is no doubt this horse is a sprinter, and could be a top class one at that. Hollendorfer will have her ready to roll.

Filly and Mare Turf – Sentiero Italia

Consider me to be very impressed with this horses last two efforts. It’s hard to say if she’ll stay our pick considering we still don’t know what European horses are going to show up. However, as of now we believe this is the best of the American turf filly and mares.

Juvenile Filly – Songbird

With her dominating win in the Chandelier it looks as though Songbird might very well be the shortest priced favorite of the Breeders’ Cup.  Looks to be head and shoulders better than the competition.

Distaff – Stellar Wind

Sticking by her another week as she is pointing for a prep race at Keeneland over the weekend.  Her performance in that race will have a direct effect on my thoughts on this race.

Juvenile Filly Turf – Illuminate

Looks like she could be a freak…it’s unknown whether she’ll come over from Europe for this race, but if she does she’ll be very tough to beat.

Dirt Mile – Private Zone

The coolest horse in training, but also a horse that is simply fast! He’ll go straight to the front and carry this group for as long as he can. With no huge closers lining up to run in this one at the moment I think he can take it wire to wire.

Juvenile Turf – Azar

He may have lost last weekend in the Pilgrim Stakes, but he was a close third and showed me enough to give him a second chance.  Who ships in for this race could obviously sway my thoughts though.