Breeder's Cup 2013 ....... the aftermath

Thoroughbred racing's biggest day is in the books. The 30th edition of the Breeder's Cup World Thoroughbred Championships was quite eventful to say the least! Last weekend's two day events were full of great finishes, minor upsets and some nice payouts. Here are my thoughts of the 13 races leading up to the feature race, the Classic and the coverage that NBC and their sports network afforded racing's world series. Unfortunately, it's disappointing for wagering fan of our sport.

The coverage kicked off on Friday afternoon around 4:45pm eastern standard time with five races until around 8pm. The Breeder's Cup Marathon is a nice race to wager on and make a few bucks (which I did with my second choice; London Bridge - $20.00) but, this race means very little during the season leading up to this grade II event. Both Juvenile Turf races have been dominated by the European runners. For the third straight year (6 out of 7) with the colts and back to back with the fillies. Speed was "golden", when Goldencents wired the field in the dirt mile and capped a $150 - fifty cent pick 3 with my top two selections from the first three Breeder's Cup races. The distaff was billed as the showdown between two-time champion of this race; Royal Delta and three year old filly phenom; Princess of Sylmar. But, that battle never materialize, when the five year old mare came up empty and the sophomore filly was never a factor.

It was a big day at the windows for me and I was looking forward to Saturday's races which were another late afternoon start at 3pm. Here's where the television coverage got very skewed in my opinion. We only saw the first BC race of the day; the Juvenile Fillies, as they went into the gate and the running of the race. The NBC Sports Network was TOO busy with their coverage of Notre Dame Football and their pre-game show versus Navy. Of course, something would happen in this race and the outcome was very interesting from a wagering stand point. Unfortunately there was a spill in the race and Hall of Fame jockey; John Velazquez was hurt and was off all his remaining mounts on the rest of the card. In the closing stages of the finish, race leader; She's a Tiger drift out in the stretch and interfere with longshot Ria Antonia and was disqualified, which placed the 32-1 outsider into the top spot paying $66.60!

The next three straight races would be won by the betting favorites. Europeans run one/ two with Dank running another big race stateside on the weeds, Groupie Doll became the first back-to-back winner of the filly and mare sprint and Mizdirection remained undefeated on the Santa Anita downhill turf course and also was the first two-time winner of this race. The wide open Juvenile had an upset with New Year's Day trying "real" dirt first time and scoring at a $23 mutual. Again, it was a one/two finish on the grass for the Europeans with Magician ($27) narrowly defeating favorite filly; The Fugue and so far, ALL the Europeans dominated Breeder's Cup distance turf races. The event which I really didn't have a major opinion in (the Sprint) was won by top selection; Secret Circle at an "underlay" price of $7.00 in my opinion. This set up for the two "showcase" races of the entire two days next!

The defending Horse of the Year and winner of last year's Turf Mile; Wise Dan, showed that he is STILL the top horse in North America with another impressive victory with subbing pilot aboard; Jose Lezcano for the injured John Velazquez. So after that great victory, we head to the main event / featured race and a switch from NBC's Sports Network to NBC for the Classic. Here, we go from straight forward horse racing coverage to something like "Entertainment Tonight". Stay tuned next week, for my full coverage of the 2013 Breeder's Cup Classic with the rundown results of the race and my critique of what we saw on NBC's prime time coverage of racing's biggest event.

It's the 30th running of the BREEDER'S CUP!

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!

2013 Friday BREEDER'S CUP selections

Breeder's Cup Marathon (6th - 4:45pm post)

Ever Rider (#4) - a year ago, a Argentine / South American import won this race at a big price, in a relatively evenly matched field this distance specialist gets the call with a renaissance Hall of Fame rider in the irons!

London Bridge (#7) - this European import tries the dirt for the first time, by the way; it's the first time stateside also for the N.Y. bred, worth a shot with another Hall of Fame jock in the irons.

Exotic & multi race runners : Cease (#2) - Commander (#3) - Indian Jones (#6)



Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf (7th - 5:25pm)

Out Strip (#4) - recently 3rd in group I race at Newmarket sprinting seven furlongs, his dam was a grade I winner at Keeneland on their polytrack & grade I winner on turf also, wide open event.

Bobby's Kitten (#5) - impressive effort in the grade III Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont in last, getting rave reviews off his last two efforts, Chad Brown trainee is named in honor of his mentor, the late Bobby Frankel.

Exotic & multi race runners : Giovanni Boldini (#2) - Bashart (#13) - Shamshon (#12)



Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile (8th - 6:05pm)

Hymn Book (#3) - this McGaughey trainee makes his final career start today versus a very salty bunch, lots of speed sign on here and his late kick may prove worthy at his
15-1 morning line odds.

Goldencents (#12) - was all ready to pick this talented 3 year old "on top" until he drew the far outside post, has been the runner-up three straight times since his Derby trail races, stretches back out to his best distance.

Exotic & multi race runners : Pants on Fire (#11) - Fed Biz (#5) - Verrazano (#10)




Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (9th - 6:50pm)

Al Thakhira (#2) - two for two in Europe with solid victories, draws more favorable post than morning line favorite, trainer does well when shipping stateside (3 wins in 6 starts).

Ready to Act (#11) - had a two length lead as the favorite in grade II stake at Woodbine when she dumped her rider, bullet work at Belmont on the inner-turf course, price here!

Exotic & multi race runners : My Conquestadory (#14) - Testa Rossi (#12) - Clenor (#10)


Breeder's Cup Distaff (10th - 7:35pm)

Princess of Sylmar (#6) - this is the Cinderella story of this year's Filly & Mare class, a dynamite runner with local connections, she has been supplemented to this race for 100k, tasted defeat only once this year, will be rooting for her BIG TIME today!

Royal Delta (#4) - the two-time defending champion here was second best behind my top pick, in 13 starts the past two years her only bad races were in Dubai, the "horse to beat" once again this year.

Exotic & multi race runners : Close Hatches (#3) - Beholder (#5)

The stars are abound! - Breeder's Cup 2013

This past Wednesday the pre-entries for this year's Breeder's Cup World Championships were drawn. A total of 172 horses were pre-entered, slightly down from 2012 and one less race carded (Breeder's Cup Juvenile Sprint). But, this year there is an upswing of pervious champions from the year before returning. Wise Dan (Mile), Fort Larned (Classic), Royal Delta (Distaff), Little Mike (Turf), Beholder (Juvenile Fillies), Groupie Doll (Filly & Mare Sprint), Trinniberg (Sprint), Mizdirection (Turf Sprint) and Flotilla (Juvenile Fillies Turf) are the nine 2012 winners pre-entered this year. It can be said that the "star power" will showcased this year at Santa Anita and the two day event looks better than ever!
Friday afternoon at 4:45pm eastern standard time, things get kicked off with the only non-million races of the 14 cup races, the Marathon at a mile and three quarters distance. I'd done very well in this race during it's short history and is a good money making way to kick off the championship races. The Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf races are also carded with the Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile in between them. In this race, we have horses who didn't quite make the cut going the "classic" distance of a mile and a quarter. Graded stakes horses like; Alpha and Verrazano meet solid miler types like; Goldenecents, Fed Biz and Easter Gift. The highlight race on Friday evening is the Breeder's Cup Distaff with a short select field of just six runners. Five of these talented filly & mares can win this race. It's the second showdown between defending champion; Royal Delta and top three year old filly; Princess of Sylmar. This races begins a special Distaff / Classic double wager.
Saturday's races start with three filly and mare races. Some of the highlighted runners here are; Sweet Reason (Filly Juvenile) , The Fugue (Filly and Mare Turf) and Groupie Doll (F&M Sprint). The toughest race of the 14 over the two days, starts the Pick 6 with the Breeder's Cup Turf Sprint. The racing sequence this year is a bit juggled from previous years starting in the 8th race. The Juvenile and Turf have been moved backward earlier and the Sprint and Mile moved forward closer to the Classic. All the Juvenile runners from both days will be racing without lasix per Breeder's Cup anti-medication rules. The year's Turf edition has improved over the past few years and the Sprint is as wide open than ever. But, the final two races will showcase the big named marquee stars.
The defending Horse of the Year - Wise Dan seeks to defend his championship in the Turf Mile. With him in this race, it's opening act for the Breeder's Cup Classic that will be shown on NBC at 8pm. All the pervious 13 races will be on the NBC Sports Network. Here, 10 grade I or group I winners are assembled here with the defending champion; Fort Larned and runner-up; Mucho Macho Man, two Jockey Club Gold winners (Flat Out & Ron the Greek), a horse with a six race graded stake win streak (Game on Dude), a Belmont Stakes winner (Palace Malice) & Travers Stakes winner (Will Take Charge) entered. It will be interesting if Wise Dan wins the Mile again and Game on Dude wins the Classic, which runner has the inside track at this year's Horse of the Year honors. Next week, we look at the contenders and longshots with selections for both days races.

New York bred Showcase Day 2013 ....... and .50 cent triples debut!

Today is New York bred Showcase Day at Belmont Park , featuring seven state bred stakes highlighting two year olds, turf & dirt races sprinting and route distances. It's one of the biggest race cards on the NYRA circuit and great betting opportunities are abound. The first two stakes of the day are for the juveniles going seven furlongs. The Joseph A. Gimma Stakes (2nd) is wide open filly race with two maiden runners included in the seven horse field. My top selection is Daddy's Little Saint (#1) coming off a sharp closing victory going six panels here. The horse to beat is Miss Narcissist (#7) who went wire to wire in her second start at Saratoga late in the meet. My exotic and multi-race runners for the 2nd race are; Court Dancer (#6) & Champagne Ruby (#4). The Bertram F. Bongard Stakes (3rd) is the boy's counterpart and has a prohibited favorite in my top selection; Wired Bryan (#8) who is both a state bred stakes winner and the grade II winner of the Sanford Stakes at Saratoga . Empire Dreams (#6) is my second pick coming off a maiden victory here and gets lasix for the first time today. Exotic and multi-race runners for race 3rd; Sol the Freud (#5) & Sing the Dream (#3). The 4th race - Iroquois Stakes for filly & mares going seven furlongs, also has an odd-on favorite and my Best Bet of the day; Cluster of Stars (#5) who is undefeated in six starts and beat the brilliant Dance to Bristol in her last start versus open company. Willet (#6) seems to be her only competition here and is my second choice. Miss Valentine (#1) & Vicki's Dancer (#8) round out my exotic and multi-race runners in the 4th.

We jump ahead to the 8th race and the late pick four of stake races starting with the Ticonderoga Stakes on the grass for filly and mares. Top selection here is the far outside horse; Wholelottashakin (#10) who just missed in the John Hettinger Stakes here going slightly longer last time out. My close second pick is the rail horse; Effie Trinket (#1) who has been rock solid in all four turf starts this year. Exotic & multi-race runners for the 8th are; Inimitable Romanee (#3) & Mystic City (#8). We split the two rturf aces with the Hudson Handicap (9th) six furlongs on the dirt. Top selection here is B Shanny (#4) coming off a wire to wire victory at Finger Lakes in a overnight stakes sprint. Moonlight Song (#6) is my second selection and faces stakes competition for the first time after three solid races this year. The exotic and multi-race runners are; Night Maneuver (#2) & Mine Over Matter (#3).

The boys are on the weeds in the 10th race - Mohawk Stakes, maybe the widest open race of the seven stake card. I'll try to beat the speedy favorite here with the three year old facing older horses for the first time; Notacatbutallama (#11) trained by Todd Pletcher. For the runner-up spot, the consistent Lubash (#6) will be my pick. I'll be attempting to leave off totally King Kreesa (#8) off his last effort in the grade I - Hirsch Turf Classic in my exotic plays. I'll be using; Hear the Footsteps (#1) & Kharafa (#10). The Empire Classic (11th) is the feature race of the day and with another odd-on favorite and horse to beat in Readtheprospectus (#8) who has a seven race win streak leading into today's event. He gets my top pick here with a out of town longshot for second; Warrioroftheroses (#6) who just missed in a stake at Delaware Park last time out. My exotic and multi-race runners are; Saratoga Snacks (#7) & Awesome Vision (#4).

When the BC races, "jumped the shark"

We are three weeks away from thoroughbred racing's championship day; the Breeder's Cup. The event was created as a year-end championship day for thoroughbred racing, . The Breeders' Cup was founded in 1982 by pet food heir; John Gaines, a leading thoroughbred owner and breeder who wanted to clean up the sport's image. The intention was to gather the best horses in North America and Europe through nominations for seven grade I races. In 1984 was the inaugural running at Hollywood Park and the seven races were a staple from then until 1999 when the Breeder's Cup Filly and Mare Turf was added. The total races remained at 8 until the event was split into two days in 2007 and the race total increased to 14. It was shortly after that when the Breeder's Cup would not only change, but would "jumped the shark" in my opinion.

Now for those who don't know the term; "jumped the shark", it comes for the 70's television show Happy Days. Coined by John Hien, it refers when television show begins a decline in quality. Then the writers use some type of "gimmick" in a desperate attempt to keep viewers' interest. The case in point, was when the Fonz water-skied over a shark tank. This was a idea to increase the show's dwindling ratings, which proved not good enough to bring back the show to it's formally high ratings. I believed in 2007, when the Breeder's Cup (now known as the Breeder's Cup World Championship races since 2002) was split into a two day event at Monmouth Park , the aura of this championship day would change forever!

First, the championships were run on two different days and nearly doubled to 14 races. That year was the first time in was at Monmouth Park and unfortunately both days were a complete wash out with heavy rains. It would also mark the last time that the Breeder's Cup would rotate from track to track, different each year. The past five years the races were only contested at Churchill Downs and Santa Anita Park. Then the days were split up by sexes with the filly and mares running on Friday and colts & geldings on Saturday. Throw in another race in 2011 to bring the total to 15 overall and change the name of the filly and mare dirt equivalent to the Classic, from the Distaff to "Ladies Classic" and you get ALL the makings of a championship that "jumped the shark."

Back in 1986; when I first played the championship, Capital OTB could only carry wagering on four of the seven races. Simulcast restrictions kept them from showing anymore. Once simulating regulations changed, more all the races were available. It was common knowledge that the event would be at a NYRA track on five year internals (1990, 1995, 2001 and 2005) but with the upheaval at NYRA the past decade, they were put out of the mix with being a site in the future. The other tracks beside Churchill Downs and Santa Anita were soon forgotten; Aqueduct only had it once in 1985, when Gulfstream was remodeled lost important seating, it was left out. Hollywood Park will close after this year and hasn't been there in years. Woodbine, Arlington Park, Lone Star Park & Monmouth were one shot deals. So we are left with only two sites from here on out.

To make things worst (in my opinion) the event will be held the next three straight years at Santa Anita Park. The modern Breeder's Cup World Championships is NOT what John Gaines envisioned over thirty years ago! Plus, too many races, do not always equal "championship" events. Two races for the Juveniles are enough, the filly sprint, marathon and dirt mile aren't really needed. But, most of all the original rotation of sites and tracks brought forward the sport to every racing venue. Don't get me wrong, I love the day...... just isn't as meaningful anymore, that's my opinion!

Two year old Stakes take front and center toward the Breeder's Cup

The action this weekend is of the two year old variety, with four stake races for both sexes on dirt & turf. We have grade I races at a mile, both preps for the Juvenile Breeder's Cup championship races and two grade III races on the "proper surface Sunday, also BC preps. Along with these four races, today is a three year old turf race that could have possibilities for either the turf mile or turf classic. It's interesting that many of the two year olds who did well at Saratoga and were most successful, did it on off-track surfaces. Last weekend Belmont Futurity winner; In Trouble never raced on a off-track and the same could be said for the Matron winner; Miss Behaviour. This along with today's dirt races being a one turn mile, may come into play.

In the Frizette Stakes (9th) for the fillies, seven are entered with the rail horse; Sweet Reason (#1) winning both her career starts on a sloppy sealed track. Along with Stopchargingmaria (#4) and Repecta (#7) they also showed good efforts on off-track surfaces. We have a filly trying "real" dirt for the first time in; Ria Antonia (#5) for a new trainer today and shipping down from Woodbine. And Triple Crown winning trainer; Michael Matz has longshot runner; Tea Time (#3) entered. But, my top two selections have shown talent at this distance and with big time in debut at the Spa. Artemis Agrotera (#2) is my top selection after her smashing debut versus statebred at Saratoga this summer. My second choice is; Divided Attention (#6) broke her maiden in last start going this distance over the track. My selections are: 2-6-4-5.

The Foxwoods Champagne (10th) has nine runners entered and I'll dismiss the following horses; Casiguapo (#1), Long On Value (#6), Grand Arrival (#8). With these three I factor in their off-track efforts. Debt Ceiling (#4) and Strong Impact (#7) are already graded stake winners, but once again tend to dismiss them because of their better efforts on sealed sloppy tracks. Ride on Curlin (#2) had a good effort in his last start going two turns at Churchill Downs in stakes action, but don't know much about his trainer and Intense Holiday (#9) has a win at this distance, but that was a maiden effort at Monmouth Park. My top selection is; Honor Code (#5) who's maiden breaker at Saratoga in the slop was an eye catching one. I mention him in my Saratoga wrap-up column and go back to the NYRA replays on August 31st in the 3rd race and you'll see what I mean. For second, I'll go with Havana (#3) who had an impressive debut victory at Saratoga sprinting. My selections are: 5-3-9-2.

On Sunday in the first stake; the Pilgrim (9th) at a mile and a sixteenth for the colts, Bobby's Kitten (#5) gets my top billing after quite a interesting maiden breaker in his second career start at Saratoga . He was collared in mid stretch and re-rallied to win. My runner-up selection is; Blue Pigeon (#7) trained by top turf conditioner Christophe Clement. He was totally over looked in his debut and scored at 21-1. My selections are: 5-7-4-9.

In the Ms Grillo Stakes (10th) the filly equivalent of the above race, my top selection is Testa Rossi (#8) first time stateside from Chad Brown, shipping in from France where she has won three straight grass races. For second, Granny Mc's Kitten won the PG Johnson Stakes at Saratoga with a impressive late close. My selections here are: 8-10-4-7.

Going back to Saturday's card real quick, in the Jamaica Handicap for three year old colts on the grass going a mile & a eighth, my top pick is my Travers selection; War Dancer (#2) who didn't care for the dirt, but excels on the weeds with a powerful late kick. In this wide open, great betting event, my second selection is the ever consistent, Balance the Books (#4). Notacatbutallama (#12) always gives his best on any surface, but gets killed from the far outside post. Stormy Len (#7) always figures too and doesn't have to carry his track by racing five different venues. The picks in the Jamaica Handicap are: 2/4 with 2/4 with 5/7/12.