The Breeder's Cup World Championships returns to the west coast and Santa Anita Park, for the first time in two years. The last time it was contested there, the main track had a synthetic racing surface. I did quite well with my handicapping in those races and showed my first Breeder's Cup profit in 2008. So, this year's races will be interesting from that stand point and also with the new medication rule for the juvenile runners. No two year old runner will be allowed to race on lasix in the Breeder's Cup this year. Lasix is a anti-bleeding medication given to thoroughbreds that could prevent bleed during the physical exertion of racing. Years ago, lasix was banned for all horses in New York . The exclusion of this med for the two year olds this year, may lead to all the Breeder's Cup competitors in future years.
This new ruling has prevented several trainers in shipping their young runners to California for these important year end two year old races. Nevertheless, both the juvenile races on the grass are wide open events. It's the three dirt races (for the juveniles) that have limited the size of the fields. But also, the trend in recent years has been for the connections of two year old runners (especially the colts) to skip this race and wait until the three year old season next year for their runners.
With addition of so many different races the past few years, certain race size fields have been effected. With introduction of the Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile and Filly & Mare Sprint, they have effected the Breeder's Cup Sprint race. In the past, the Sprint was a highly contested full field event. Recent years, have taken away those high price payouts because of those two new races. The Turf Sprint on the other hand has not really effected the Breeder's Cup Mile or Turf. Turf race sprinting has exploded on the thoroughbred scene in recent years and the usual runners here are sprinters and horses with up to a mile limitations. A full field in the Turf Sprint has no problem filling in any of the years since this race was introduced.
Looking at today's 9 race fields, several horses stick out on paper and a few races are wide open. Juvenile Turf, Turf Sprint, Sprint and Classic have to potential of getting a 3-1 odds on the favorites. In the Classic, Game on Dude should and will be the favorite. But, I wouldn't take less than 5-2 on him and question him at the Classic distance on "real" dirt. That's why I be using him underneath in my plays and will let him beat me, if he's is two and a half odds or less. Groupie Doll in the Filly and Mare sprint is listed at even money on the morning line. This is a legit number for her versus the competition she is facing. The Dirt Mile has several contenders that are all grouped together. Can't see a "longshot" here winning this event. The Juvenile comes up short and really is a three horse race between Shanghai Bobby from the east coast and Bob Baffert's two runners based here. The Turf race this year has a little more quality than in recent years. The Euros have a legitimate state-side contender to be afraid of in Point of Entry. In the Sprint, the same could be said like the Dirt Mile with evenly matched contenders. But, I can see a longshot running in the money and spicing up your exotics. The Mile on the Turf is the most intriguing race on today's card. The showdown between Wise Dan and Execelebration pits the best two milers in training at this time. All others in this event are running for third or lesser.
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