With the World Series just ending, NASCAR wrapping up in two weeks and the NFL season at the midway point, many of the major sporting events are coming to a seasonal close as we get to the last two months of 2013. Today, the major season for thoroughbred racing has it's biggest day; the Breeder's Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park in Southern California . We have nine grade I races on tap and many divisional year end honors to be settled today. It's an exciting day of racing with money to be made. Even though this sport has more "downs" than "ups" in recent years, one thing can be said; it's never boring!
We've talked about in recent columns how the past 30 running's of this day has evolved and changed throughout the years. Some good and others bad in my opinion. But, today we'll gather with our phone-a-bet accounts fully funded and televisions tuned to these championship races. Yes, the televised segment of this year's Cup is the first thing I'll talk about. The NBC network along with it's own Sports network has televised the Breeder's Cup for the past few years. They have done an excellent job with their coverage. But this year during the 14 race coverage over the two days, only one race (the Classic) will be shown on a regular network channel. Even more disturbing about this is that the race is part of NBC's pre-game Notre Dame Football coverage. Looks like thoroughbred racing will now be relegated (much like ESPN did in the past) as a secondary sport during their biggest day on NBC.
Now on to better things today; the many ways to make large amounts of money, by wagering small increment bets. The potpourri of wagering opportunities can be done with small bankrolls. We have 50 cent triples, pick 3 & 4 and ten cent superfectas. With the large fields and many betting combinations, a small wager could garner you, big bucks! Last year, I invested a dime superfecta totally $1.20 in combinations and got back a $150 return. Not a bad return on investment! Even wagering horses to "show" can get back payouts with double digit returns when the favorite fails to fire. It's the one time of the year when the "chalk" is few and far between.
But most of all, it's the stage to showcase the best thoroughbred in the world. Like I said earlier, many champions will be crowned today. Groupie Doll in the Filly & Mare Sprint is set to defend her title, coming into this race with sketchy form and the same can be said for the male counterpart in the Sprint; Trinniberg. Youth will be serve in both Juvenile races and maybe future champions will be unveiled. Will the two European fillies (Dank & The Fugue) prove best in both Turf races? The pick six for today, starts with the toughest of the 14 Breeder's Cup races, the Turf Sprint. But as the day draws to an end, the final two races may play a big part in who will become the 2013 Horse of the Year. Wise Dan is entered to defend his title in the Mile and in the Classic, 9 out of the 11 runners entered are either grade I or group I winners. Plus, both last year's winner; Fort Larned and runner-up; Mucho Macho Man are back again this year! If we can get this many returnees from last year, maybe racing at Santa Anita for a second straight year (and next year too) can't be all that bad! Enjoy the day of racing everybody and let's make some money!
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