Breeders’ Cup Longshot Picks
I’m going to be selective with my longshot picks because there aren’t too many bombs I love and several of the races either have a standout who looks too tough or are very strong at the top, with a number of short-priced contenders who appear too formidable to look past. ~ Steve Haskin
Breeders’ Cup 2021 Longshot Picks
By Steve Haskin
If you’re looking for short-priced horses in this year’s Breeders’ Cup you’ve come to the wrong place. The fun of handicapping these races is looking for the longshots or overlays because there are always plenty of both.
With that said, several of the races this year are terrible betting races if you like depth. Gamine towers over her six opponents in the Filly and Mare Sprint on her best day, with Bella Sofia the only real threat pressing her from the outside, and the Dirt Mile looks very uninspiring with Life is Good a standout. Yes, there is the Met Mile winner Silver State and you always have to respect him, but this year’s Met Mile was not a strong field or a fast run race, and the top California hope Ginobili does not have an extensive resume, with his reputation based on one seven-furlong victory, so he is still unproven. Both these races would be good features on a given Saturday, but they are not “World Championship” caliber.
In the Sprint, another race that lacks depth, it’s going be very tough defeating Jackie’s Warrior, who can run you off the track or beat you in a dogfight.
Letruska obviously looks strong in the Distaff, but there are several other older fillies in there who are on a great speed figure pattern and appear to be peaking, and Malathaat is tough as nails and you know is going to be hounding Letruska from the start. In addition, there are a couple of fillies in there with early speed, one of whom is Shedaresthedevil, who has already defeated Letruska this year, handing her her only loss. But the favorite, who is in the running for Horse of the Year, will still take a lot of beating. It’s just that this might not set up for her as much as her other races when she was in control from the start, and she is not the fastest horse in the field on Thoro-Graph. That filly, Royal Flag, actually is on a stronger Thoro-Graph pattern and is really peaking right now.
As for the turf races, we have a huge contingent of foreign horses from Europe, Japan, and South America, and let’s be honest, the three distance races are wide-open with no standout, except for possibly Tarnawa in the Turf, who drew post 13, so that could compromise her chances, and she is coming off a hard race in the Prix de ‘Arc de Triomphe over a bog. In fact, the three top Europeans in the Turf drew posts 12, 13, and 14, which makes the race even more wide open. War Like Goddess is the top American horse in the Filly and Mare Turf, but has to contend with three top-class Euros — Love, Rougir and Audarya, and one of the leading international stars, the Japanese-trained Loves Only You, who was only a half-length behind the outstanding Mishriff in the Dubai Sheema Classic. Audarya won the Filly and Mare Turf last year, but couldn’t handle Rougir in the Prix de l’Opera and drew post 12 on the far outside.
Love looked like a world beater last year romping in the 1,000 Guineas, English Oaks, and Yorkshire Oaks. She faced the boys for the first time in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in her 4-year-old debut and beat Audarya to keep her winning streak going, but has been beaten in her last three starts, with two solid thirds in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Juddmonte International, but was upset in the Group 3 Blandford Stakes at 6-5 in her last start.
The 2-year-old races look pretty wide-open in general and you never know who is going to step up on this day. Echo Zulu has looked all the rage, but she has never faced opposition this strong, with several other brilliant fillies in there with spotless records and big-margin victories. But good luck trying to beat Echo Zulu at 4-5. The Juvenile favorite Jack Christopher drew the rail, and I’m not sure that’s where they want him in his two-turn debut, as they’ve been teaching him to sit behind horses. But with second choice Corniche, a speed horse, on the far outside, he will be charging to the lead, leaving Jack Christopher down on the inside behind him. The 2-year-old turf races are usually crap shoots, with the Europeans total guesses.
Finally, the Classic is going to be all about strategy. Knicks Go is the fastest horse in the race and has enjoyed uncontested leads in his races, and I doubt he’ll get that this year with Bob Baffert well aware that Medina Spirit’s best races have been on the lead. But he’ll have a tough time getting it from post 8 and Knicks Go breaking from post 5. Art Collector wants to be right up there as well and he’s right outside Knicks Go in post 6. But last year I was sure Tiz the Law and some of the others were not going to let Authentic waltz around there with an easy lead, which is the way he won all his races, but lo and behold everyone went to sleep and let him do it again. My one issue with Knicks Go in addition to never having been a mile and a quarter is that, other than the Whitney, he really hasn’t beaten anyone even remotely in the class of those he’ll be facing in the Classic. I would imagine Brad Cox would prefer swapping the post positions of Essential Quality and Knicks Go and have the former breaking outside Knicks Go instead of directly inside him.
So here are some of the longshots who look as if they are ready for a big effort or simply will be overlooked by the bettors. There are a number of races where I really don’t like any longshots, so I will spend more time on those I do like. I have already given you Tripoli in the Classic, so no need to repeat that. But he is more of an exotics pick, with a shot to win if everything sets up perfectly for him.
PAPPACAP (JUVENILE)
Although my first Derby sleeper, Commandperformnce is in the race, he won’t be anywhere close to a longshot, but if he’s up around 7-1 or higher I will bet him. But remember, he is my Derby sleeper and I am looking past the Juvenile, but if he lures me in with his odds I will be happy to comply. His best days surely are ahead of him. Post 10 is a little too far outside on this track, but he’s a big long-striding colt, so better there than down on the inside. As long as he makes his presence felt and takes another step forward I’ll be happy.
That brings us to another horse whose best days are ahead of him when the distances stretch out and definitely looks like a Derby horse with a classic pedigree. I don’t know if Pappacap is quite ready to knock off these horses, but I feel he is going to run the best race of his life, and if that’s not good enough to win it should be to put him in the exotics. However, if I see him at around 15-1 or higher I would put a win bet on him, because you never know with these 2-year-olds, who mature quickly, and I believe he is sitting on a big race.
Mark Casse’s original plan after the colt’s maiden victory at Gulfstream was to run in the Saratoga Special, Hopeful Stakes, and then the Breeders’ Futurity before heading to California for the Breeders’ Cup. But Casse called the owners and told them he had a new plan, which was to go immediately to Del Mar for the Best Pal Stakes and Del Mar Futurity to get a couple of races over the track and avoid all the brilliant 2-year-olds in Saratoga, knowing this colt would be much better going two turns, and that would come in the American Pharoah Stakes. So the son of red-hot freshman sire Gun Runner headed to Del Mar where he crushed his field in the Best Pal Stakes, galloping out a dozen lengths clear of the others and was difficult to pull up, as if he wanted to do a lot more.
In the Del Mar Futurity, he broke from the rail and ducked in sharply passing the gap to the clubhouse turn and then got rank, throwing his head up when restrained by Joe Bravo, while being stuck right behind a scorching half in :44 3/5. He came up empty in the stretch, finishing fourth. Stretching out to two turns in the American Pharoah, he drew the outside post this time and got caught four-wide wide into the first turn. He moved into second and chased the Baffert-trained Corniche all the way. Despite getting beat 3 ¼ lengths he actually got a faster Thoro-Graph number than the winner. A fast-closing Oviatt Class charged by him after the wire, but when he did, Pappacap got competitive again and went right by him on his inside on the turn.
He was always immature as a youngster and when they put him in the Keeneland yearling sale he didn’t get a second look, so they withdrew him. It’s a different story now. Casse’s assistant who has had him in California told him he has put on weight and grown, and it’s amazing how much bigger and muscled up he is now, and how much more mature he’s gotten, which is what you want to see with a 2-year-old. So far he seems more of a grinder, but he is able to sustain his run a long way, never gets tired, and is a beautiful moving horse.
So, although I am looking at him more as a Derby horse, he is a horse I have to pay attention to now in his second start at two turns and with more pace to run at. But I want to see him farther back this time. They would be more than happy to see him finish in the money, but with a little bit of luck he could be a win play at a pretty big price.
There are not a lot of horses in here who have fast closing speed figures on Brisnet, so if there is enough pace, most of the favorites could be vulnerable in the stretch. The horse who has the best closing figures and decent early pace figures to go with it is OVIATT CLASS and he is a must in the exotics. This could be another Texas Red for Keith Desormeaux. The sneaky good closer at a huge price is the maiden winner GIANT GAME, who could be any kind. But his early and middle pace figures are very slow, so he would need a pace meltdown.
CASA CREED (MILE)
First let me say this was written before he drew post 13, which certainly is far from ideal going a two-turn mile on a tight course. So keep that in mind. He needs every break he can get, but at least there are no major standouts in this field, with the top American being the house horse Mo Forza, winner of his last four and eight of his last nine, who looks like the horse to beat, and the one-two finishers of the seven-furlong Prix de la Foret, Space Blues and Pearls Galore, topping the European contingent. Space Blues is a seven-furlong horse, but his turn of foot in the Foret was spectacular and he is likely the horse to beat. All three are top-class horses, but Mo Forza has narrowly beaten the same two horses, Smooth Like Strait and Hit the Road, in his last two starts, and if you want a California horse at a price you can feel comfortable betting Smooth Like Strait, who hasn’t been worse than fourth in his last 17 starts. But we’ll go for a bomb in here.
Casa Creed has had his ups and downs over a four-year career, but his up may be good enough to win this race. He earned a career-high 104 Beyer figure and career-best “0” Thoro-Graph figure winning the six-furlong Jaipur Stakes in 1:08 flat before finishing a strong third in the one-mile Fourstardave, getting a career-best Thoro-Graph number (“1/2”) at a mile. He then dropped back to six-furlongs in the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint and was way too far back in 12th, but rallied through traffic to finish fifth, beaten three lengths in 1:07 4/5.
Now he stretches back out to a mile, his favorite distance, and should return to his regular style of running, which is to lay third, fourth, or fifth. But he can be deadly from anywhere. The key to him is timing your move right and if Junior Alvarado does I can see him coming on strong late. He hasn’t won a lot and ran poorly in last year’s BC Mile, but he does have four stakes victories at four different distances, and we are looking for longshots to either win or fill out the exotics and he is going to be a huge price. And I do love the way he worked at Del Mar, so just maybe he is sitting on a big race coming off that sprint.
UNITED (TURF)
This is another race without a true standout, and you don’t have that classic European glamour horse. In addition, most of them drew outside posts, with Teona, Tarnawa, and Japan breaking from posts 12, 13, and 14, respectively. The leading American hope looks to be Domestic Spending, but he has never been a mile and a half and has run only once at a mile and a quarter and was beaten at 2-5. But he’ll be closing for sure. The main danger could be Gufo, who made a very premature move in his last start, but when his move is timed right he is a powerful closer who has gotten a lot more mature with the addition of blinkers and stretching out to a mile and a half. But he is not an easy horse to ride, so Joel Rosario will have to time his move perfectly.
The horse that intrigues me and should be a big overlay is the gutsy, hard-knocking 6-year-old gelding United, who very well could be the most under-appreciated and underrated horse outside of California. He is even disrespected by his own jockey, as Flavien Prat deserted him to ride Domestic Spending, despite having ridden United in his last 16 starts.
All United has done is finish on the board in 17 of his last 18 starts, with his only poor effort coming when he shipped east for the only time in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf, and we all know his trainer Dick Mandella is far more effective defending his home turf than shipping back east. The last time they ran the Breeders’ Cup in California, United was beaten a head by eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar at odds of 51-1. I bet him that day so he owes me one.
United can beat you on the lead, just off the pace, from midpack, or as far back as 10th. In his last two races he was seventh at the eighth and flew home to win the John Henry Turf Championship and was beaten three-quarters of a length after a disastrous trip in the Del Mar Handicap.
Mandella is old school and is not afraid to work his horses long. He worked United seven furlongs in 1:25 3/5 before his victory in the John Henry and went one better by working him a mile in 1:37 1/5 last Thursday.
Although he loses Prat, he gets John Velazquez, who is as big a money rider as there is, so all he loses is familiarity. Also, remember, United has three victories and two seconds in six starts over the Del Mar turf course, with his only other race being the fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length, in this year’s Del Mar Handicap when he came from far back, encountering traffic problems in the stretch. I feel he’ll be an overlay and will be fighting to the end.
If you’re looking for European longshot, keep an eye on the 3-year-old German invader, SISFAHAN, a horse with a strong closing kick who won the German Derby and then, taking on older horses in Grosser Preis von Baden, was second, beaten only a length, by Torquator Tasso, who came back to score a shocking upset in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at 80-1. In his last start, the Preis von Europa, Germany’s version of the Arc, Sisfahan ran on well to finish third, blowing by the first two past the wire. The big difference is that the Preis von Europa is run right-handed around one big turn like the Arc, while the Grosser Preis von Baden is run left-handed around two turns like American racing. And I never underestimate the German horses. They are tough.
Another Euro who I find intriguing is BROOME, who has been used as a pacesetter by Aidan O’Brien, and was 56-1 in the Arc. But earlier in the year he won the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud wire to wire and was beaten a nose in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, so he does have class and could be dangerous if he goes out there by himself. He was also beaten a half-length in the 2019 English Derby, coming from well of the pace, which is another reason I find him intriguing. And he gets Frankie Dettori, which moves him up even more.
DUNBAR ROAD/CLAIRIERE (DISTAFF)
We’re being realistic here. It’s difficult enough trying to beat Letruska, but to beat her and Malathaat and Royal Flag is an extremely daunting task. So we’ll just throw these two fillies out there and mention the reasons why either one can run a big enough race to threaten the three top choices or at least be part of the exotics.
Dunbar Road seemed to lose her way after winning last year’s Delaware Handicap and was far from the filly that had won the Mother Goose and Alabama Stakes in 2019. But after an uninspiring fifth in this year’s Shuvee Stakes behind Royal Flag she seemed to wake up in the Personal Ensign Stakes and was flying at the end to be beaten three-quarters of a length by Letruska in a four-horse blanket finish, finishing two heads behind Bonnie South and Royal Flag. She lost a lot of ground, going six-wide at the top of the stretch, was bumped by Royal Flag, and probably would have been second if she hadn’t shied from a left-handed whip and drifted out at a critical point inside the eighth pole and losing just enough momentum.
In the Spinster Stakes, Letruska was allowed to coast along on an easy uncontested lead, and Dunbar Road, racing in fifth in the six-horse field, ran a huge race to finish second, cutting Letruska’s 3 ½-length lead at the eighth pole to 1 ¾ lengths at the finish, while pulling 2 ¼ lengths clear of the late-running Bonnie South. So it was impressive on two counts – gaining on Letruska and pulling away from a strong closer like Bonnie South.
She had run a pair of “1 ¾” Thoro-Graph numbers last year, which is slightly slower than Letruska has been running this year. In her last four races she has gone from a “5” to a “3” to a “2 ¼” to a “2,” so she looks like she is on pattern to take another step forward and be right there with Letruska. She has already been running as fast as Malathaat, but it is Royal Flag who is coming off a “negative-1 ½” in the Beldame, so she actually is the fastest filly in the race right now on Thoro-Graph and is really getting good at the right time, and this race should set up well for her. She could be the overlay in this field as third choice, but is still short for a longshot pick.
As for Clairiere, she is only 3 and has never faced older fillies, and has finished behind Malathaat three times. In her defense, however, she made a premature move in the four-horse Coaching Club American Oaks to put pressure on Malathaat, setting it up for Maracuja, who was able to take back and wait to strike. And that is not the way Clairiere wants to run. She basically was used as a sacrificial lamb to prevent Malathaat from having things her own way on the lead.
She really looks to be peaking now after an impressive victory in the Cotillion Stakes, in which she jumped from a career-best “4 ½” Thoro-Graph figure to a “1 ¼.” What really impressed me was how good she looked working in company with BC Classic contender Max Player last week, in which he was under the whip and she was not being asked, but still finished ahead of him and galloped out ahead of him. So, even though she is a 3-year-old going against exceptional older fillies and mares and the leading 3-year-old filly in the country, she looks ready to run the race of her life. Whether that’s good enough we don’t know, but she, like Dunbar Road, is in great form and will be big odds.
TIZ THE BOMB/DAKOTA GOLD (JUVENILE TURF)
One is an overlay and the other is a megabomb. There is no way I am claiming Dakota Gold is in the same class as Mackinnon, Tiz the Bomb, Dubawi Legend, and the Godolphin pair of Modern Games and Albahr. But if you are looking for a monster price to play with them you had to be impressed with the way Dakota Gold burst clear of his opponents in the Nownownow Stakes at Monmouth Park, winning by 2 ¼ lengths, with another six lengths back to the With Anticipation Stakes winner Coinage. This was Dakota Gold’s grass debut and we really have no idea how good he is. So why not take a shot that he is as good as he looked at Monmouth, and that his turn of foot in the stretch was for real.
Tiz the Bomb is not going to be much of a longshot, but still should be a decent price behind Mackinnon and Dubawi Legend and maybe a couple of others. When Tiz the Bomb broke through the gate in the Bourbon Stakes and ran off a short distance it looked like he had lost all chance, but for him to win anyway from post 12 and looking like he was dropping back nearing the top of the stretch, only to pour it on in the stretch shows how talented he is. And remember, his sire, Hit it a Bomb, trained by Aidan O’Brien, won the Juvenile Turf from post 14.
I try to stay away from the Juvenile turf races, because you never know what’s going to happen, especially figuring out the European form and how they’ll do here. The Euro standout in the Juvenile Turf is the group 1 Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Dubawi Legend, but he drew post 14. So unless he gets lucky and has a dream trip the horse to beat looks like the house horse Mackinnon, who has the turn of foot to match the Europeans and is undefeated in two starts on the Del Mar turf course. Tiz the Bomb’s trainer Kenny McPeek, who is always dangerous in these 2-yar-old races, lost his big Juvenile hopeful Rattle N Roll to a minor injury and I can see him winning this one.
C Z ROCKET (SPRINT)
This is not a longshot pick, but a possible overlay to either save on or put under Jackie’s Warrior. What intrigues me most about C Z Rocket is that he is coming into this race looking very similar to Whitmore last year, who proved to be the overlay of the Breeders’ Cup. Both of these old geldings appeared to have lost some of their fastball, but still were competitive against top-class company. Whitmore got things his own way and fired his best shot.
After winning seven of his eight starts, including back-to-back victories over Whitmore this year, and with his only defeat a second behind Whitmore in last year’s BC Sprint, C Z Rocket has lost his last four races, finishing second twice and third twice, closing well but not with the same punch he had shown earlier. But one race was at seven furlongs and one at a mile, and he has been most productive at six furlongs since being claimed by Peter Miller, and this is the type of race in which Miller is most dangerous, as he showed twice with Roy H in the Sprint at age 5 and 6 and twice with Stormy Liberal the Turf Sprint at age 5 and 6. Now he tries with C Z Rocket at age 7. C Z Rocket’s last three starts were his only races without Lasix and I have no idea if that has any bearing on anything. I just know this is when Miller is most dangerous and he just might have the old gun loaded again when the big money is on the line.
OTHER RACES
I haven’t taken a long hard look at the Turf Sprint, but I was very impressed with GEAR JOCKEY’S last three races since dropping back to sprints, especially his most recent victory in the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint. But, again, he probably won’t be big odds. I try to stay away from this race, because everything has to go perfectly to win and there is so much room for error.
I will leave the Filly and Mare Sprint to Gamine and the Dirt Mile to Life is Good. And the Filly and Mare Turf is just too strong at the top. Echo Zulu also looks too good, and if she’s beaten it likely will be by the second or third choice, Hidden Connection or Juju’s Map.
As I mentioned earlier, I have already written a column on TRIPOLI and his upset chances in the Classic, based on his wide trip in the Awesome Again and getting a faster Thoro-Graph number than the victorious Medina Spirit, but to be honest, anyone can win this race, and it’s very difficult separating Knicks Go, Essential Quality, Hot Road Charlie, Medina Spirit, and Art Collector — the five top choices. But it sure wouldn’t be a shock to see Tripoli, Max Player, or Express Train pop up and run big. So, other than a minimal win bet on Tripoli and maybe Max Player, this looks like a race to sit back and enjoy rather than try to figure out who to bet in the exotics. If you like one of the favorites just be prepared to make a fairly large bet if you want a big return. The overlay of this group could be HOT ROD CHARLIE, who finally is back home after traveling all over the country and having quite an interesting and eventful campaign. But boy does he run hard and never backs down from a fight, and his second in the Belmont Stakes may be the most impressive losing effort of the year. He could be fourth or even fifth choice, and if he is, he certainly would be worth a win bet. But he does have a following, especially in California, so we’ll see how he gets bet.
Look out for our Breeders’ Cup wrap-up column either late Monday or early Tuesday.
Rockefeller confirming the stature of Corniche with a gallant win in the Nashua Stakes a minute ago…!
Baffert speed continue its dominance…
At least he was governor! Another 2yo that will (probably) eventually be on Steve’s upcoming Derby Watch list: Mackinnon, who has Triple Crownish bloodlines, and a Derby trainer!
Knicks Go! Fast and derserving champion and horse of the year.
Deserving. I did a quick check of the faster BC races, and none had 1st half in under 46 like Knicks Go, some were 47. So, the idea that it was a moderate pace? This could be the fastest 1/2 in event history, and one of the fastest finishes. On a slug-ish track.
Agreed!
2021 Breeders Cup……Charlie Appleby brought runners!….Japan won two races on the big day!….Medina Spirit now 2-0 v Essential Quality and 3-0 v Hot Rod Charlie! (BUT…will likely turn out his neck win in the Travers, v Midnight Bourbon…will propel him to an Eclipse Award .)
“Him” being Essential Quality
Have never liked the dirt mile race being added to the BC….if there was no dirt mile, no way Knicks Go gets an easy lead……the Classic was won on the clubhouse turn, when nobody went after the winner, who ran his usual race— good horse, but…..if just ONE more three year old had entered.. .
Knicks Go vs Life Is Good on the Pegasus!
OK LAST comment….
You have tens of thousands of races, all over the WORLD….and what happened on Friday has never happened but it HAPPENS at the BREEDERS CUP??!!…. WHY?…WHY?….because there was too many vets at the starting gate, and when you get too many CHIEFS….
Tremendous results for Dubawi/Godolphine and the Japanese horses. Similarly, to the last time the Breeders’ Cup races were held at Del Mar, it was slim pickings for the favorites. Horses for courses results.
There was a brief time-mostly the ’70s- when the US, arguably, bred the best turf horses in the world, due almost entirely to our then stallion population. Today, Europe unquestionably breeds the best of those and, likely, Japan has also passed us here (turf).
You miss the days when Gainsway, among many farms, once stood Blushing Groom, Lyphard, Green Dancer, Irish River, Lear Fan, Digression, Quest for Fame, Riverman, Trempolino and that was just in the early 90s.
Agree with you, entirely.
Gainesway, that is.
Vaguely Noble, Nijinsky II, Herbager, Alleged, Arctic Tern, Norther Dancer (turf sire, himself), The Minstrel, El Gran Senor, Danzig (turf sire), Forli, etc., etc. No comparison to what we have now, and this despite the fact that our turf racing has never been more expansive and rich.
Misplaced reply- I added Roberto and Sea Bird. Digression, Quest For Fame, and Trempolino really don’t make the cut, quality-sire-wise.
Yes, agree re: the later three. You sensed when Bering left Walmac International back to France, European Classic winners were loosing their appeal for US stud farms. Noting that Nureyev remained at Walmac.
Stamina influence in the US appears to be reliant on predominantly the A.P. Indy line. Hopefully, the turf racing interest continues to rise and there is a ‘reversal of fortune’ with more European Classic winners standing in the US.
In case you guys don’t know……..getting 2nd is not winning………the eclipse awards go on accomplishments…….NOT WHO IS BEST HORSE……Medina should not win…..Essential Should……he accomplished more…….
I very rarely agree with you, but this time I do.
“Accomplishments” is his word. The Eclipse voting is subjective by nature. There are no specific criteria for Eclipse voting other than the horse having at least one start during the year in the U.S. or Canada. Voters aren’t given any instructions about how they should select a horse or how they consider the performances of the eligible horses.
MS and EQ faced each other twice. MS finished ahead of EQ in both races. How voters process that fact against the Derby controversy is anyone’s guess.
Agree Eddie regarding coin toss. Thinking EQ wins,however.
Essential Quality not winning 3 year old champion over Medina Spirit, easily, is as illogical as putting up Shedaresthedevil over Letrushka for the Eclipse Award Shedaresthedevil has been ahead of Latrushka twice this year in their three meetings. Good luck with that.
What’s the betting that Medina Spirit is disqualified as the Kentucky Derby winner. Lol.
And he will be disqualified.
To me, the intriguing, unanswerable question is: What if Life Is Good had won the Jerkens? Who, then, would have been 3 yr. old Champ?
Too close to call!! The Eclipse for “Sprint Horse” is an intriguing question now, though.
He didn’t.
Remiss not to have at least mentioned Roberto and Sea Bird.
You don’t mean “accomplishments”, but rather specific (quality-wise) victories. For example, placing 2nd over E. Q. is an accomplishment, so to speak; i.e. there are degrees of accomplishments.
In the hear and now,EQ prevails for end of year award.
You wouldn’t do well in an analytical philosophy class.
Error of course, ‘here’.
I wasn’t referring to your spelling.
I’ve done okay. lol
Wow what a BC. Congratulations to Knicks Go and connections, fitting a grandson of Tiznow won the Classic on the 20th Year Anniversary of Tiznow’s victory (cannot believe that was twenty years ago), not only that but grandson of Awesome Again.
Love to see granddaughters of Sunday Silence prevail, too; Loves Only You and Marche Lorraine. Congratulations to them and their connections.
Life is Good… just love that horse 🙂 looking forward to (hopefully) seeing him next year at 4.
Big weekend for not only Godolphin, Charlie Appleby, and William Buick, but also Dubawi.
Has anyone heard how the gate attendant who was injured on Friday is doing?
Also I never tire of seeing Lava Man
Knicks Go has no Tiznow in him, he ran faster than him also.
Well, Paynter’s dam is a full sister to Tiznow. So at least there’s that. 🙂
She said he was his grandson, which is wrong. His name does not appear in Knicks Go’s pedigree and he’s not a direct descendant.
“Well, Paynter’s dam is a full sister to Tiznow. So at least there’s that. ”
Do you understand what that means? Sheesh!
Huh?
Goodness should’ve corrected this, yes, the relation to Tiznow through Paynter (dam is a full sister to Tiznow) is what I meant.
Odds of Coldfacts taking ownership he was wrong regarding KG covering 10f?
Secretariat, 1:59 2/5
Knicks Go, 1:59 2/5
3Turns
Still no love for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby?
Why are you asking me that question? What does it mean? And what is “3Turns” in reply to the final times of Secretariat and Knicks Go?
You know what he’s doing-avoiding the obvious he’s wrong regarding KG.
Cheers Eddie!
I didn’t bet and I wasn’t in any contest, but I picked horses in each race, and I have a question. If you picked Tiz the Bomb in the Juvenile Turf, do you take credit for a winner? He did not win but he paid as if he did.
I’m pretty sure that Modern Games is considered to be the official winner of the race.
The official chart says otherwise. But then it doesn’t give the pedigree for the winner, either.
obviously Tiz the bomb is contest winner…..winner in all but purse
No, he’s only the winner when it comes to payoffs, nothing else. For example, if he hadn’t been a stakes winner before the race, he still now wouldn’t be a stakes winner.
Check Equibase. Modern Games is the official winner (and his pedigree is included). Can’t be any other way. Purse winner is the winner.
Yes you take credit, Modern Games was considered a non entrant.
Modern Games was the winner; he was not a “non-entrant.” Parimutuels are secondary. MG is the official winner of the BC race, his owner gets the WINNER’S share of the purse, he is in the record books as the winner, and the trainer and jockey get credit for a win. If somebody who didn’t bet but wants to take credit for selecting the horse whose win tickets pay out, that’s fine with me. But it really is irrelevant.
The question was do you get credit for a contest pick and you do, because I played Mackinnon, win/place in the Del Mar Beach Boss contest, and I got credit for place money— didn’t say MG was a non-STARTER, and didn’t say I deserved place money on Mac—I didn’t deserve it. People who were closing big wagers with Modern Games got screwed.
Great historic win by Knicks Go!
You didn’t mention that you had him! 🙂
I entered late, down below. I picked Art Collector in another contest, but KG was my preferred choice, I thought he looked good in a workout, did the heavy lifting by running closest to Knicks, not sure you could call it pressing him, though.
I know you had him. That’s why I mentioned it. You were too modest. 😉
I thought it was a great day of racing — losses by heavy favorites, close finishes, longshots. Best news: no controversies (today) and no apparent injuries. The Classic was a surprise, but not because KG won. It was how nobody challenged him. Race over 100 yards from the gate.
Looks like Matthew W won the contest. Congrats to Matthew! Nelson Maan and yours truly had the 11-1 Aloha West, so we probably tied for the second slot. We await official word. 🙂
Congrats to Matthew W who won the contest wire to wire…!
I was also surprised to see Knicks Go getting away with an uncontested lead… I believe the ridiculous pace in the Distaff made many Jockeys change the tactic of “going for the jugular” but Knicks Go is one of the greatest Two-turn runners seen in long time…
Johny V was not able to put Medina Spirit closer to Knicks Go earlier but kudos to Medina Spirit for a very gallant second.
Now the discussion about champion 3-year-old is more animated
Yes, speed duels all day were not kind to the speedsters. But how could it be intentional to let KG all alone on the lead? If there’s no racing god and CD/Ky Commission announces before voting that Medina will not be DQed, the Baffert runner will likely be the 3yo champ.
I agree, thought both yesterday and today were really great racing. Always a plus when there are safe trips back to the barn.
Appleby/Buick and Godolphin had a great two days of racing. And I am just thrilled that the Japanese won two races. I know the race Modern Games won upset all the bettors and handicappers but I have to say I am just in love with that horse and look forward to following him nest year. Turf is fast becoming my favorite over dirt.
I’m with you, Lynda. This was the best Breeders’ Cup I’ve seen in several years. So many exciting finishes! And I’m delighted about the Japanese too. This will encourage more international participation in coming years, which is always fun.
I agree about this year’s event, arlingtonfan. The Classic field let Knicks Go get loose on the lead, and it was all she wrote.
I liked that Loves Only You is a granddaughter of Sunday Silence! As for the other winner from Japan…she was my first toss in that race. 🙂
I liked LOY’s pedigree, too!
Her tail female is completely U.S. bred back to 1806 (even though her third dam is Miesque!) Must be an all-American knick.
Medina Spirit was wide both turns and still beat Essential and Hot Rod—
I am alive in the P3 to two entrants. One paying $00+ and the other $3K+
$800+
KNICKS GO!!!!! lol
If the favorite in the 11th wins and Essential Quality wins I will have a nice P3. Given my luck it will not happen.
EXTRACT FROM POST BWLOW
‘The faster they leader and chasers go, the better it will be for Aloha West. The BC sprint has been mostly won by entrants coming from behind. Aloha West exhibited in the Pheonix that he has satisficed the 1:08+ winning threshold for the sprint. The projected race set up favors a late closing sprinter and Aloha West is that, plus more’
Well, this colt rewarded my confidence handsomely.
Whoa! Steve, you picked a live one in Loves Only You. Congratulations to the Japanese owner group, who showed how much they love this sport. She so deserved to win, and about time for Japan.
Now more will come! Loves Only You is a top horse, and we will be seeing more like her from Japan…..
Like just now. Look out, there will be FIVE Japanese horses in next year’s Kentucky Derby.
I bet it won’t change things much. I was more impressed with My Sister Nat, she came from far back, slowed down a little in the last few yards though. She’s off to be a broodmare.
There’s only one slot for Japan … from the Japan Road to the Derby. Otherwise, they’d have to come to the U.S. to run in the points races.
Was talking about the Breeders Cup! Japan won two, you can bet they’ll be back.
I was replying to Ms Blacktype predicting five Japanese runners in the Derby.
D’oh! Wesley Ward steals the Turf Sprint at the start with Golden Pal.
Irad beat the break yesterday, as well.
Congratulations to everyone who had Ce Ce! She ran a great race!
Waffled all morning between Bella Sophia and Ce Ce, ended up going with Bella Sophia but am positively thrilled that Ce Ce and Victor won!!!
Wow! Matthew W and Mark S take the early lead with a $14.40 winner!
Just for fun, Saturday picks:
Dirt Mile – Ginobili
Filly and Mare Turf – Bella Sofia
Sprint – Jackie’s Warrior
Turf Mile – Space Blues
Distaff – Malathaat
BC Turf – Gufo
Classic – Essential Quality, Hot Rod Charlie, Knicks Go, Art Collector
BC Contest:
Bella Sofia
Golden Pal
Life Is Good
War Like Goddess
Jackie’s Warrior
In Love
Letruska
Rockemperor
Knicks Go
Thanks secretariat.com
I’m rooting for Rockemperor, too. Good luck!
No good, Chad Brown did better on dirt this year, that’s not good. Too bad Jack Christopher was scratched.
Yeah, but with any luck we’ll get to see what he can do next year. As for Rockemperor,he’s a nice horse and I was hoping for some luck to see him get a piece of the placings. When he stayed stuck on the rail so long, that didn’t seem too lucky for him. Yibir ran a great race.
Had tickets to an out of town concert so surreptitiously checked results on my phone before, during and after the BC races yesterday. (Rhiannon Giddens was out of this world, sort of like Corniche, BTW.) Interesting to watch the races after midnight knowing the results. The incident with Albahr at the gate was truly terrifying. That horse clearly needs to be gate schooled, although he may be ruined for racing after that experience. But Modern Games was magnificent! Early pick for next year’s Epsom Derby.
Baffert seemed quite subdued after Corniche raced away with the Juvenile. Sure, the horse can be transferred to another trainer, but Bob has a way with 3YOs like no one else. Will be interesting to see which direction the owners take.
Absolutely agree about Modern Games. He is my new turf star and will be following him very closely as a three year old.
Express Train won’t run….
Race 4, F&M Sprint: BELLA SOFIA
Race 5, Turf Sprint: EMARAATY ANA
Race 6, Dirt Mile: GINOBILI
Race 7, F&M Turf: POCKET SQUARE
Race 8, Sprint: ALOHA WEST
Race 9, Mile: IVAR
Race 10, Distaff: ROYAL FLAG
Race 11, Turf: TEONA
Race 12, Classic: HOT ROD CHARLIE
Wow! An Interesting list. No love for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.
LOL! So I have “no love” for 80+ runners?
May you cash on all your bets, Eddie!
Thanks, Ms B. I’d be happy with just one or two of those, but preferably one of the higher priced ones. Good luck to you!
So far, it’s going the usual way. Good thing I only used virtual money.
So…..his name was CHUCK………the bad luck vet that messed this wrole thing up…….they actually scr the horse while he was still in front of the gate…..this is ridiculous……no exam……there is no rule for auto scr when a horse even breaks out….he didnt…he was let out….but it wouldnt matter….the vet exam makes the decision….
Solve this by ruling that no scr until horse examined……which is pretty much the rule now………..chuck…….you were the vet for turf races….not dirt….you are the goat…..and its not the good goat……..Baaaaaah!
“Chuck” was not a regular Del Mar vet….they have several for the Cup—this isn’t the same thing, but–I was a basketball ref for years, and before games, if you didn’t know the other refs, you get together, and discuss how you are going to call the game—if it’s rowdy, you tighten it up, as an example….the vets should have discussed this, what happened should not have happened, especially in the Breeders Cup! He scratched without even looking, because he thought horse broke thru the gate—I think they are auto-scratching horses who break thru, this year—and THAT’S a bad thing, too—the Tiz The Bomb broke thru the gate and actually ran a bit–in his BC prep, and he won the race!
wrong……no auto scr…..the rule is you examine
Steve, I think your Juvenile longshot Pappacap might have won if not for the scratch of Jack Christopher. He looked very powerful in the stretch run and I think he’s going to do well at longer distances. Also looking forward to Smile Happy’s next race.
Selection for the Secretariat.com BCC Contest facilitated by Steve Haskin
Race 4 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint: 5-Gamine
Race 5 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint: 6-A Case of You
Race 6 Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile: 5- Life is Good
Race 7 Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf: 6-Love
Race 8 Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint: 2-Jackie’s Warrior
Race 9 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF: 3-Space Blues
Race 10 Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff: 3-Malathaat
Race 11 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf: 13-Tarnawa
Race 12 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic: 3-Hot Rod Charlie
In todays society……everyone hates the “man”……governments, bosses, presidents, ceo’s, it really doesn’t matter…..coaches, owners …….all the above are all bad people……..
Now its the breeders cup……people blaming the man……..for one person’s mistake……
Do we blame NASA for a guy not closing the door?……
This scratch fiasco was one person screwing up……the rules were followed….
How does this person go to work tomorrow?……How do you keep going……”nice weather today huh?”
It’s asterisk.but spell check failed.u know what I mean!t.My husband used to call it an asteroid! I’m going with Medina Spirit in classic.he might not be the greatest but he’s a fighter. Always loved Sunday Silence.40 9nr..they were fighters and they did pretty well at stud.
Thoughts and prayers for the assistant starter who was injured when Albahr flipped upside down in the starting gate.
#2 was out….#1 needed vet check. Passed in flying colors….but someone told the totalizator guys he’s out—and all tickets are VOID…..speaking of void, someone’s job just became void!
Unfortunate but ‘S’ happens from time to time. I feel bad for those with P3, P4, P5 & P6 wager closing on Modern Games. It’s tough game in may ways.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED
This colt has to be the the most appealing longshot on day #1. Grafton Street FINISHED 3rd on debut. He was then directed to the G1 Summer Stakes. It took a brilliant son of Dubawi with 3 wins and making his 5th start, to prevent him form winning a G1stakes as a maiden. If such a performance doesn’t signal exceptional ability. Nothing does!.
When this colt turn in on top I was screaming for him just finish behind the #1. He tried hard and that’s the most I could ask for. The $9.40 to show still landed a profit.
If….you played a $10 pick four…singled Modern Games…was looking at hitting the pick four–TWENTY TIMES…..instead get the race favorite, OUT— and Modern Games wins by three……
So bafferts horse won the juvenile.going to 2 yr old champ.but currently not eligible for derby.ridden by “has been” Mike smith.Churchill is going to look like a fool if this horse advances and owners stay with baffert. I can already see the astericks should he win Preakness and Belmont.eeewh.bleh.,. personally I prefer baffert over Churchill.
“Personally I prefer Baffert over Churchill Downs.
The celebrated book of ridiculous stories contains one in which Barabbas was chosen over Jesus. it’s not uncommon for the badguy to be favored. The big question has to be. Should there be acceptance where there should be disgust?
The filly Gamine was DQ from her 3rd place finish in the 2020 KY Oaks for a medication overage. In 2021 Medina Spirit’s post race sample contains a mediation overage for the same drug. Some questions:
Whose fault was it?
Who are responsible for the horses under their keep nad care?
How many other trainers horses returned medication overages in consecutive years in CD’s signature races for 3YO?
Does BB have a pattern of provided ridiculous reasons for the overages associated with his horses?
Was Churchill Downs trying to either sabotage or cancel Bob Baffert?
I find it incomprehensible that there are folks that pertinent facts are excluded from their decision making process. Gullibility will be the death of us all. The uniformed who are easily influenced can do serious harm to an industry and/or a nation.
Horse,if remaining sound will be in another barn soon.
Probably…..or— horse keeps winning and runs in Preakness…..
Possibly,but you know how some go nuts with Derby fever.
That last-race fiasco is an embarrassment.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED
From 2005 to 2020 Giants Causeway has been represented by 4 entrants in the BCJ. They are Listed below. I will be relying on the history of their performances to influence my decision to make Giant Game colt my longshot play.
2016 – Not This Time – 2nd
2015 – Brody’s Cause – 3rd
2014 – Carpe Diem – 2nd
2005 – First Samurai – 3rd
Well, Giant Game can be added to the list. I was hoping for at least 2nd but I cannot complain. He out ran his odds.
Pappacap — Early trouble, stayed with Corniche the rest of the way. Derby?
Yes, I think so.
Command Performance the best looking in this group. What a hip for a two year old.
BOB IS GOOD!
Horse will be in another barn in near future.
An accomplishment running point,as usual for ONE trainer. Actually,it’s tired and predictable. Same song!
Commandperformance looks great on the track—should show more speed today–would not surprise me if he’s 3rd or 4th early.
Serious fractions—really nice win by Corniche—I did think he was the best two year old at Del Mar, but thought he would not win today—and now I think he’s looking like a Classic contender!
He did get 4th. He is one fine looking Thoroughbred.
That’s a rather interesting question.
He finished ahead of the entrant that finished 5th and behind the one that finished 3rd. The colt was surprisingly the 2nd choice in the betting. A top 4 finish was surprising given he was not deserving of being the 2nd choice.
I still like Commandperformance alot.
5-2 only on command performance…….bummer……..
Saturday Breeders Cup Picks!
R4—-Ce Ce why not not? Gamine hasn’t dazzled, like last year, and Bella Sophia might get onto apace battle, with her…
R5—-A Case of You …my heart tells me to play the ginormous Cal bred…my head tells me there’s likely a Euro that has beat better.
R6—-Life Is Good maybe the most brilliant horseof the weekend, played exacta, on top of SNAPPER!
R7—-Loves Only You…she’s pretty good, and will need to be
R8—-Dr Schivel…sits the trip, with the spectacular Jackie’s Warrior having to fend off early pressure.
R9—-In Love ….looked good winning last two….
R10—-Clariere….has run two good ones in a row, her last, especially….gut feeling she’s going to blow the field away, late.
R11—-Teona….also has run two in a row good ones, and she wants firm ground….and she loves 12 fur…..and she beat Snowfall like a rug!….and she’s 6-1! …..AND…….
R12—-Hot Rod Charlie…there’s a real good looking horse named Express Train in the race……there are other good lookers…..there’s a short, smallish just ok looker named Hot Rod Charlie, that I think is going to sit, wait—and win!
I am only going to focus on the BBC. I have no pulse for any of the other races. Like Steve said, hard to bet chalk every race.
I like the 3 year olds and won’t waver from that.
1. Essential Quality- as consistent as they come
2. Medina Spirit – very good horse with a lot of heart and he is home.
3. Hot Rod Charlie- another honest hard hitting horse. Kinda like a throwback to the horses of long ago.
I will bet the exotics on these three & maybe throw in a 4th horse for a possible Superfecta.
Good luck to all……..
Mr. Deacon,
I hope all is well at your end.
I find it interesting that there are two older horses that in combination have won 17 races and both are excluded from your exacta consideration.
Medina Spirt has contested two 9F races with final times of 1:50+ & 1:49+. Art Collector has won all five of his 9F starts in significantly faster times than Medina Spirit. His 3turn 9F win in the Charles Town Classic was faster than MS win in the 2Turn 9F Awesome Again.
Max Player is the only winner of two 10F races in the field. He is likely to one of the beneficiaries of a contentious pace.
Express Train simply loves Del Mar. He has been working brilliantly although his form leaves a lot to be desired. He has never lost a return race at Del Mar particularly off a previous poor effort elsewhere.
Medina Spirit has never won a race closing from off the pace. His rider has definitively stated that he will be sending him to the lead. That will result in a speed duel with expected leader knacks Go. MS got into it with Midnight Bourbon in the Perkiness and result was not positive. He will now be on the headline with a much faster and battle hardened 5YO. I contend if the race unfold in such manner. Medina Spirit is unlikely last.
Just some opinions not intended to get you off your intended wager. Got luck!
You are merely reading/accepting what you want to hear. Countless research investigations and articles refute what you preferred source expounds. Since you are no scientist/esp. nutritional scientist you are in no position to compare those disparate opinions- again, you are merely accepting what you prefer to believe. Your anecdotal examples prove nothing, and you should be wise enough to realize this. Steve- by all means keep it up- for so many good reasons.
The above misplaced response was directed to pro vet’s misguided assertions about the veg. diet.
I’m right…..dr’s study books….if the material is wrong….it doesn’t make them right…..Did you try the diet?…..no……did you read up on it?…..no……..you don’t even know why it is becoming popular……you believe what they told you……check the research…..
IT IS A CRIME that people don’t know about this.
Friday’s races just for fun.
Juvenile Turf Sprint – Twilight Gleaming
Juvenile Fillies – Echo Zulu
Juvenile Fillies Turf – California Angel
Juvenile – Pappacap
Juvenile Turf – Modern Games
Good luck everyone with your bets and safe races for all.
Nice pick in the Juv Turf Sprint!
Thanks. So far two for two with one to go.
Loving these Gun Runners.
Papacap, so happy for his second.
Angel just got caught wide out of the gate (post 14), lot of ground to make-up but she did not quit. Strong gallop out. I think we will see her again. .
And the Juvie Fillies! That’s two out of the first two.
A reasonable and enforced set of rules would be a welcomed addition to this blog.
Hey Eddie… how about Astronomer winning the Qatar Golden Mile Stakes…
with a ML of 8 ends up being at 30 to 1…. $62.60 win payout… expecting a couple of those in tomorrow’s turf races…
That was crazy! I noticed the odds and figured it must be one of those rare errors, but it stayed that way. 😮
I’ll probably not make a single wager on TYOF*. Why go into the big day with $3 in my pocket???
*Two Year Old Friday
I can reply to a post…….why don’t you go burn some books
Why don’t you purchase a new mop?
Whoever told you to be a vegetarian……is OUT OF THEIR MINDS……….explained below on your veg post……
Eat rib eye steaks….lots of fat….lots of salt……bacon….eggs, lamb, fatty meats are better than lean meats…..
You think this is crazy, because you were lied to….the experts were wrong…..
You are messing with your health. This diet changes your gut….your veggie diet makes your gut not work right…..your gut is like your 2nd brain. They now are realizing this…..Youtube Dr ken berry…..watch and learn…..
Fire your DR……..
You have alot of waste on your veg diet…..it’s because your body doesn’t absorb it……….try carnivore diet…..you eat one meal a day….you have very little waste…….why?…..your body absorbs almost everything……..
Common sense tell you this is GREAT for your body……1 meal = weight loss……….these foods make you feel full…….1 meal means you fast most the day……fasting is one of the best, healthiest things for your body……
LEARN
Happy BC Weekend To Steve and all the “Regulars” on this Blog.
Quite often, you hear handicappers state, “This race, or that race is wide open”. That phrase is probably overly used, but a case can be made that several BC races are indeed “wide open”. On Friday’s BC card, the 8th race, (Juvenile Fillies Turf) is the most wide open of the day, IMO. When I was compiling my Pick 5 sequence of races, the 8th race gave me the most trouble. So after scratching my head looking for three or four fillies to use on my ticket, I decided to take the easy way out, and use “ALL” on my ticket. To make the ticket affordable, I’ll single Echo Zulu in the 7th, and Pinehurst in the 9th. I’ll probably use 3 horses in the 6th race, and 4 horses in the 10th (yet to be finalized). That $.50 cent Pick 5 ticket will cost $84.00 dollars.
These are my selections for the BC Contest
Nov. 5th
6th race, Time To Party
7th race, Echo Zulu
8th race, Koala Princess
9th race, Pinehurst
10th race, Mackinnon
Nov. 6th
4th race, Bella Sofie
5th race, Kimari
6th race, Life is Good
7th race, War Like Goddess
8th race, Jackie’s Warrior
9th race, Mo Forza
10th race, Letruska
11th race, Tarnawa
12th race, Essential Quality
Safe trips to all.
Unfortunately I had Grand Jury Duty yesterday, just listened to yesterdays at the races part 2. It was great to hear your voice again.
1. ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING: 9- Spirit Maker
2. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S.: 3- Cupid’s Claws
3. Goldikova S. Presented by PNC: 3- Abscond
4. Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint: 3-Edgeway
5. Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint: 6-A Case of You
6. Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile: 1- Silver State
7. Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf: 6-Love
8. Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint: 5-Aloha West
9. FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF: 12-Pearls Galore
10. Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff: 3-Malathaat
11. Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf: 9-Sisfahan
12. Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic: 4-Essential Quality
I will be watching as I can and good luck to all. Of all the comments here I scrolled through no mention of California Angel. Yep outside post and very much a longshot. Would be sweet revenge for her daddy if she wins. She looked good her first time going over the track. Yep a cheap horse, but isn’t that the American Dream?
In a roundabout way I mentioned her in post way down when I commented that I hope that horse with Angel in their name wins.
Yes, Mr. Leonard did purchase her for the owner, Chris Walsh for $5,500.
She has a really good pedigree. Sea Mona, her dam is by Tiz Wonderful (by Tiznow).
Just getting to the Breeders Cup has been an amazing journey for Mr Leonard (her trainer), her owners and of course for her.
It is the kind of story that dreams are made of and I too am somewhat surprised that she has not received any acknowledgment on this post.
The odds are against her having to break from post 14 and she will be surrounded by million dollar babies with millionaire trainers and millionaire owners but if the racing gods decide to smile down on her and Mr. Leonard, I think she has a chance to win it or at least place or show.
I have watched her work over the track at Delmar and she moves beautifully. A very feminine version of Chrome with his turn of foot and an incredible burst of speed in the stretch like head.
I for one will be cheering her on.
She lost but she was starting to pick some off. Once she had to go that far wide it was over. Hat off to the winner and the jockey. He saved ground and punched through the holes. Now they regroup. Give her time to grow up some more. Most of what I watched tonight were small fields. Well that’s racing.
Reminder to everyone, you can include all your picks for Friday and Saturday, but as I mentioned the contest only applies to Saturday.
REEDERS CUP SPRINT
Can the Hard Spun colt Aloha West get up in time to secure victory in the subject sprint? I think yes!
Since Jackie’s Warrior is purported to be a Free Square and/or a single on all tickets. A comparison of their 6F record might just shed a some light :
JACKIE’S WARRIOR
Saratoga Special -1st by 3L in 1:09.62 (Led from gate to wire)
Gallant Bob – 1st by 6 3/4L in 1:08.62 (Led from gate to wire)
ALOHA WEST
Allowance -1st in 1:09.94 – (Last of 6 by 8L; won by 3/4L)
Allowance/OC – 1st in 1:09.77( Last of 7 by 4; won by a NS)
Pheonix – 2nd – 2nd in 1:8.54 (Last of 7 by 61/2L; 2nd by NK)
Well it appears the two are not in the same league, but pace makes the race. It is unlikely JW will be the early leader. Special Reserve is a gate specialist and is likely to be in front from the off. He is a 1:08+ runner that will be tough to pass. It is to be anticipated that JW and Dr Schivel will be chasing and that will make them vulnerable to an entrant with explosive acceleration in the lane. That entrant has to be Aloha West
The faster they leader and chasers go, the better it will be for Aloha West. The BC sprint has been mostly won by entrants coming from behind. Aloha West exhibited in the Pheonix that he satisfices the 1:08+ winning threshold for the sprint. The projected race set up favors a late closing sprinter and Aloha West is that, plus more.
Here’s my picks! Was very hard to just pick one in each race! Friday’s races were a crap shoot. Good Luck!!
Friday:
Race 6 Juvenile Turf Sprint: Darynane
Race 7 Juvenile Fillies: Tarabi
Race 8 Juvenile Fillies Turf: Pizza Bianca
Race 9 Juvenile: Giant Game
Race 10 Juvenile Turf: Dakota Gold
Saturday:
Race 4 F&M Sprint: CeCe
Race 5 Turf Sprint: Kimari
Race 6 Dirt Mile: Silver State
Race 7 F&M Turf: War Like Goddess
Race 8 Sprint: Jackie’s Warrior
Race 9 Turf Mile: Hit The Road
Race 10 Distaff: Shedaresthedevil
Race 11 Turf: Gufo
Race 12 Classic: Essential Quality
The famous “who farted” call of the race horse Hoofhearted……..still on youtube….whofarted? over and over….louder and louder…..
Bobby Flay makes a great pizza! Good pick!,
It’ll be interesting to see if there is a distinct bias as there was last time. Let’s hope everything goes perfectly, racing’s triumph. Good luck to everyone.
Friday:
Race 6 Juvenile Turf Sprint: 5. Hierarchy
Race 7 Juvenile Fillies: 1. Desert Dawn
Race 8 Juvenile Fillies Turf: 13. Mise En Scene
Race 9 Juvenile: 3. Oviatt Class
Race 10 Juvenile Turf: 13. Coinage
Saturday:
Race 4 F&M Sprint: 6. Bella Sofia
Race 5 Turf Sprint: 1. Glass Slippers
Race 6 Dirt Mile: 7. Snapper Sinclair
Race 7 F&M Turf: 12. Audarya
Race 8 Sprint: 7. Lexitonian
Race 9 Turf Mile: 1. Master of the Seas
Race 10 Distaff: 2. Royal Flag
Race 11 Turf: 13. Tarnawa
Race 12 Classic: 6. Art Collector
The more I look at Oviatt Class, the more I like….in as much as he is running better races, not as fast as a few…will be last, early….but you have Kent D, a great timer of closing moves! And face it, the favorites are going to be motoring, so I’m playing Oviat wp, exbox with Barossa and Commandperformance, maybe throw Jack Christopher in the tri box, and try to beat Corniche! Oviatt is a NICE horse…getting good…..and there may be a pace collapse.
Nevermind!
Jack Christopher out according to Michelle Yu on Twitter. Chad Brown loses second big one
Thanks for the breaking news Steve … Corniche has it a bit easier now…!
Something you don’t see much… a 2-year-old filly running against 4-year-old and 5-year-old mares. The filly Thunder Love is a 2-year-old entered in the Senator Ken Maddy Stakes at Del Mar tomorrow (4th race)… perhaps an accommodation to some visitors by the Breeder’s Cup organization so they can recoup some expenses…
The European invader Thunder Love is Also Eligible (AE) in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint waiting for one scratch to enter in the 1 million Stakes.
Interesting to see that Florent Geroux is able to make 112 pounds receiving 13-pound-advantage from the older opponents …
not
Well put. It’s difficult to counter your argument.
Not indeed…!
I don’t recall ever seeing a 2yo and up race. Very strange.
Never mind … it was just a smoke mirror to the poor fans trying to handicap today’s races…!
Thunder Love is scratched everywhere now…
Sisfahan resonates with me as a viable longshot in the BC Turf. His last race was better than seemed on paper. He lost momentum in the last furlong when Nerium got in his path by the rail but. Despite that subtle holdup, he was nonetheless able to finish very strongly behind the star mare Alpinista. This daughter of the great Frankel is undefeated this year and was very impressive when defeating Torquator Tasso and Walton Street in the G1 Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin last August.
The pace in the Turf appears to be a fast one which benefits strong closers like the 3-year-old Sisfahan.
BTW Steve, regarding the Handicapping contest, is the selection supposed to win to get the points (payout)?
For instance, if my best fancied Sisfahan finishes second or third paying around $12 or $10 for place and show respectively I don’t get any Return Of Investment (ROI)… ? or the assumption of the game is that we are betting virtually $2 across the board on each selection? In this case the players can get points with longshots despite them not winning… thanks in advance for the clarification…!
I’m giving Sisfahan a lot of consideration. The only concern is whether he takes to the firm ground. Steve made a great point about his last race being right-handed around one turn.
BTW, Cyberknife is the 7-5 ML favorite in the 10th at CD tonight.
The $2 win bet for the contest is fine. No need to make it more complicated for the judging committee (i.e., Steve).
Thanks for the reply Eddie F… it is $2 to win then and see who comes up with a 50 to 1 winner…
HRC will win the Classic. Don’t sleep on Shedaresthedevil and As Time Goes By is my longshot. Like Pinehurst in the Juvenile and Special Reserve in the Sprint
EQ or KG.
Equibase has the following notation regarding the Champagne – RACE TIME ADDED AFTER VIDEO REVIEW
The fractions displayed on the video are totally different form those on Equibase for the race. The Champagne was completed in 1:36.72 and not the 1:37+ initially recorded.
Commandperformance is getting a lot of love. What has this maiden displayed to suggest he can emerge the winner of the BCJ. Well, since Good Magic broke his maiden in the BCJ it is only appropriate to compare the two.
On Debut Good Magic raced 1L off the leader and eventual winner Hazit. He was unable to get by and finished 2nd by 1L. In the Champagne he raced in 6th position early by 2 1/2L. He gradually improved his position and was able to secure the lead deep in the final furlong only to be mowed down by Firenze Fire close home.
Commandperformance has not displayed the speed of Good Magic. Firenze Fire closed from 10th some 9L off the pace to defeat Goof Magic in the Champagne. He was followed by enticed who finished 3l away. In the two races contested by Commandperformance he was the only one that closed ground. All other were in reverse.
In the BCJ there are several closers. Oviatt Class, American Sanctuary, Giant Game, Borassa and Jasper The Great. All the aforementioned are winners. American Sanctuary won 5F in 57+ and was beaten by 2L in 6F completed in 1:10+. The big question has to be. Can Commandperformance out close faster closers?
I am not knocking this colt but if he going to win this race closing from off the pace. it will not happen. He just isn’t fast enough despite the big Beyer assigned for the Champagne.
Command performance…….looks like a very good horse to me……i see him being a top horse……big wps bet
I hope so. He’ll be better next year than he will on Saturday. But he can still win if the tight track and short stretch dont hurt him. But I still think of him more of a Derby horse
Me also.
Here we are in Handicappers Overload, and we love it. Diving in to PP”s ,Beyers, Thoro-graph, Brisnet, Clockers and all the PRO’s and Touts. But lets not forget one thing. YOUR GUT or just that certain feeling. Your last post Steve I told you how I bought a photo of Cigar and then bet Skip Away. Well I was able to do that because of the KELSO Handicap that day. Here I am looking at the racing form and I know Da Hoss is going to be hard to beat . I’m going down the form and I come to SAME OLD WISH. I look at the board he’s 20 to 1.I ‘m ok with his PP’s I look up he’s 25 to1. Shane Sellers is up and I love him. I look up he’s 30 to 1. What am I seeing here. am I wrong I look at the form at his Breeding and he’s an April foal. Then I see it. Synchronicity or random chaos kicks in. Same Old Wish was born on my Birthday. April 7 and what does everybody get on their birthday is that SAME OLD WISH. 20 across the board and 20 ex box with DA HOSS. Cavalry Charge coming to the line. Photo finish. Probably one of the longest photos I have ever sweated out. I got my wish!. So don’t forget your gut. It’s anther handicapping tool that you should listen too. Good Luck to everybody and to you Steve and May the Horse be with You!
I go by my gut often, especially at the last minute when something hits me.
Do you mean when you go for just one more serving of moo shu pork at the Chinese buffet?
I’m a vegetarian
They can make a moo shu tofu as a special order. It’s easier on the gut.
That is a bad diet……..forget everything they have told us about nutrition……they were WRONG………people believe what they are told….just look at the virus……..EXPERTS are wrong……..from nutrition, to ozone holes, to WMD’s, to global warming……..
You want to see a miracle?……..try the CORNIVOUR DIET for a month or 2………mostly fatty beef(rib eye steaks) eggs, bacon, etc…..
You would not believe how you feel……
Lower inflammation, it fixes your gut…does so many things…….
Yes, i’m right…….this diet is getting very popular…..it fixes type 2 diabetes, arthritis, many diseases are greatly improved..
KNOW ANYONE WITH PROBLEMS?…..this diet help most of them greatly…..crohns, so many…..
Beef, lamb, bison, etc…are the best food you can eat……
LOOK IT UP……….I’M RIGHT…..
OLDER PEOPLE ARE HELPED GREATLY…….INFLAMMATION IS THE ENEMY………
veggies are what causes inflammation….carbs are horrible……wheat causes problems……..
Youtube DR Ken Berry…………YOU HAVE BEEN LIED TO……..THE EXPERTS WERE WRONG…..
tHINK ABOUT NATURE……….how many people are allergic to beef?……how many are allergic to plants?
We only consume a tiny amount of plants that grow….
In general, plants are an inferior source of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) compared to animals.
This is true for several reasons:
There are some essential vitamins that do not exist in plants at all.
Some of the vitamins in plants have to be converted before the body can use them, reducing their bioavailability.
Antinutrients prevent the body from absorbing many of the vitamins and minerals found in plants.
Plant protein has an incomplete amino acid profile and is poorly absorbed.
Most plants contain unfavorable ratios of certain fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6.
You are merely reading/accepting what you want to hear. Countless research investigations and articles refute what you preferred source expounds. Since you are no scientist/esp. nutritional scientist you are in no position to compare those disparate opinions- again, you are merely accepting what you prefer to believe. Your anecdotal examples prove nothing, and you should be wise enough to realize this. Steve- by all means keep it up- for so many good reasons.
There’s a very good rundown on the breezes this morning of the European runners. Interesting that the works weren’t “officially” timed, but they were timed anyway. Sisfahan was reported as perhaps the most impressive.
DRF: “2021 Breeders’ Cup clocker report for Nov. 4: Teona among good-looking European breezers”
I like Teona much more now that she has dropped in two spots.
As the saying goes, she can run all day…but it would not be advised!
I love to look at the Average Winning Distance of sire and dam sire. Because European-bred and raced runners have so many opportunities to compete in 12f and longer races, their AWDs often far exceed their U.S. rivals. Teona’s sire has a 10.5f AWD and the dam’s sire 11.2f. Wow!
I “found” Teona, as well—she likes firm turf—gets firm turf…has run two good races in a row and last was 12 furlongs, and she pasted a top filly….
I too agree with your choice of Pappacap to win or outrun his odds in the Juvenile. In the Juvenile turf sprint Go Bears Go at 15-1 is another live longshot. He has been facing the best sprinters in Ireland and England all season. In all his races except the last 7F, he has been right there at the wire. He has speed, Johnny V and the cozy 3 post. Have a profitable weekend Steve.
You too Marc
Domestic Spending and United are a scratch
Yep. Doesnt shock me with Dick. I remember Beholder and Omaha Beach.
I still have Sisfahan and Broome in the Turf as longshots, and that moves the Godolphin pair way up. Totally wide open race. It also moves Gufo, Tarnawa, Teona, and Japan in two spots and puts Bolshoi Ballet and good old Channel Maker in the race
With Domestic Spending out, Tarnawa will be a heavy favorite — not necessarily a good thing to be in the BC Turf. Often in recent years, a longshot wins with the big fave coming in second. United missed doing that by a head at 51-1 two years against Bricks and Mortar. Talismanic at 14-1 beat Beach Patrol and favorite Highland Reel in 2017. Then there was Found over Golden Horn, Magician over The Fugue, and Little Mike over Point of Entry. All in the past 9 years.
Sisfahan is a great long-shot pick, Steve. All of these horses are so good I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of them win, especially in the Turf.
I’d be flabbergasted if Channel Maker wins.
Hola Steve, estoy ansioso por esta serie de Breeders Cup, comparto tu op[inion de PAPPACAP…me agrada para los juegos exoticos. en el Classic..para mi no puede perder ESSENTIAL QUALITY. segun mi parecer es imbatible. Abrazo. ( estoy disfrutando Miami..)
Go Pappacap 🙂 diviértete en florida
BREEDER CUP MILE
MASTER OF THE SEAS:
To properly asses this 3YO Dubawi colt. An analysis of the 2020, Vincent O’Brien National Stakes is necessary. Mater Of The Seas entered the O’Brien undefeated in 2 starts that included a win in the G2 Superlative Stakes. He was made the post time favorite. Of the 10 O’Brien entrants, one was St Mark’s Basilica. His subsequent performances and those off The Poetic Flare are crucial to the assessment of Master Of The Seas’ potential
The Vincent O’Brien ended in an upset with favorite Master Of The Seas finishing 4th, just a1/2L behind 3rd place finisher St Mark’s Basilica. The O’ Brien was Master Of The Seas final start as a 2YO. However, St Mark’s Basilica was the next out winner of the group 1 Dewhurst a stakes ta race equivalent to the BCJ. The two colts would never match strides again as St Mark’s Basilica was never directed to any of the British TC races.
Master of The Seas was beaten in his 3YO debuts. St Mark’s Basilica won his 3YO debut which was a Group 1. In Master Of The Seas won the Craven next out. His next start was in British 2000 Guineas where he was beaten in head bob by Poetic Flare. After the 2000Guineas Master Of The Seas suffered a set back and was out for approximately 4 months.
During his absence. St Mark’s Basilica who was a 1/2L in front him in the O’ Brien, won 3 additional 3 Group 1s. In so doing he was regarded as the top 3YO colt in Britain at his recent retirement. Poetic Flare who defeated Master Of The Seas by a NS in the 2000 Guineas. Subsequently contested 6 Group 1s.He won the stallion shaping St James Palace Stakes and was runner up to top class hoses such as Alcohol Free and 5 times Group1 winner Palace Pier. In Poetic Flares last race before his recent retirement. He finished just behind St Mark Basilica and Tarawa in the Irish Champion Stakes..
So two colts that finished a 1/2L and a NS in front of Master of The Seas. Subsequently combined for 6 Group 1s wins, whilst racing at the highest level of British Racing. If either St Mark’s Basilica or Poetic Flare were in the BC Mile. Either would have been the ML favorite. Using their collective performances as a measure. Shouldn’t Master of The Seas be the ML favorite and the one to beat?
I am of the opinion tis colt will be ignored in the betting. I consider him a must use
If it were the conditions beat him last out and the inside post is not an impediment here you provide an excellent argument. The price is worth having a shot. Good luck.
Since I’m no gambler, I’ll go ahead and be the first to post. And since there are always surprises I’ve included a mix of upsets along with some obvious favorites. (No doubt I’ve picked the wrong ones.) Will also include my Friday selections below those for Saturday — no doubt they’ll all be winners). Finally, I’ll go out on a limb and predict a horse with LOVE in his/her name will win something. There are at least 3 of them.
Race 4 F&M Sprint: 5 GAMINE
Race 5 Turf Sprint: 2 EMARAATY ANA
Race 6 Dirt Mile: 8 EIGHT RINGS
Race 7 F&M Turf: 1 GOING TO VEGAS
Race 8 Sprint: 2 JACKIE’S WARRIOR
Race 9 Turf Mile: 7 IN LOVE
Race 10 Distaff: 11 DUNBAR ROAD
Race 11 Turf: 1 ROCKEMPEROR (this was the hardest one)
Race 12 Classic: 8 MEDINA SPIRIT
FRIDAY PICKS (just for fun)
Race 6 Juvie Turf Sprint: 7 ARMOR
Race 7 Juvie Fillies: 6 ECHO ZULU
Race 8 Juvie Fillies Turf: 8 SAIL BY
Race 9 Juvenile: 12 CORNICHE
Race 10 Juvie Turf: 1 MODERN GAMES
I’m hoping that a horse with the word Angel in their name places or wins!
Nice picks and a good mix, Ms Blacktype. Rockemperor is a tantalizing entry. He just beat Gufo in a G1 12f race after Gufo won a G1 12f race. And he didn’t have the cleanest of trips. I’m waiting until maybe Saturday morning to post selections to avoid having to re-post after possible scratches. Tentatively, I have no ML favorites, and have two at 8-1, two at 12-1, and two at 15-1. I doubt I’d be so bold with REAL money. 🙂
Thanks, Eddie! One of the beauties of this contest is that we have perfect freedom to change our minds when it comes to actual picks. Of course, there’s a possible downside to that freedom. Speaking of scratches, United just came out, as did Domestic Spending.
you can change your picks anytime you like…before the race. Of course were going to need a respectable sized field.
BREEDERS CUP JUVENILE TURF
This colt has to be the the most appealing longshot on day #1. Grafton Street FINISHED 3rd on debut. He was then directed to the G1 Summer Stakes. It took a brilliant son of Dubawi with 3 wins and making his 5th start, to prevent him form winning a G1stakes as a maiden. If such a performance doesn’t signal exceptional ability. Nothing does!.
The colt subsequently broke his maiden over 8 1/2F on synthetic. His last work was a quicks 58.40. I consider him a big upset candidate. In fact, this son of War front out of a Galileo mare could be the best of the US based entrants. He is a must used in exotics.
He will be my longshot play.
BREEDERS CUP JUVENILE TURF
‘History more that the path left by the past, it influence the present and can shape the future.’ A British MP.
From 2005 to 2020 Giants Causeway has been represented by 4 entrants in the BCJ. They are Listed below. I will be relying of history of their performance to influence my decision to make Giant Game colt my longshot play.
2016 – Not This Time – 2nd
2015 – Brody’s Cause – 3rd
2014 – Carpe Diem – 2nd
2005 – First Samurai – 3rd
There hasn’t been another stallion with a comparable progeny performance record in the BCJ. Giants Causeway last crop yielded 4 foals of which Giant Game is one. He wasn’t cheap as he fetched $500.000. Given the performances of his 4 progenies above. It wouldn’t be crazy to theorize that a $500,00 son of the great stallion could upset in the BCJ.
NB: Hot Rod Charlie finished 2nd @94/1 in 2020. He entered with the status of a last out MSW winner by a NK. Giant Game will enters as a last out MDW winner by 3L.
BREEDERS CUP JUVNILE -for Giant Game
I find Eight Rings to be very interesting. His last 3 works ahead of his Oct 2nd start were 59; 59.60 &46.80. He went out and jogged to victory by 4L in and 8 1/2F Allowance.
Fourteen days after that start he reappear on the work tab with another 3 works ahead of the BC Dirt Mile. They were 47.20; 58.40 & 59. Two of the 3 were the fastest for the respective days.
Eight Rings pedigree suggests he should excel at routing. But he has been restricted to sprints and middle distance races since his 6th place finished in the 2019 BCJ.. That was until his last start. The Triple Bend, Bing Crosby and Pat Obrien are contested at distances Eight Rings is unlikely to win the absence of a modest field.
The BC Dirt Mile is a better fit for Eight Rings’ pedigree. His last 2 wins were at a 8 1/2F. Given his last 6 blistering works; the Pat Obrien that would have put some speed into him and his cut back from 8 1/2F to 8F. He should enter the BC Dirt Mile as one of the fittest in the field. He could sit off the speed and close late for major piece of the $1M purse or bet yet, win the biggest portion.
He is my longshot in the BC Dirt Mile
Good choice, Coldfacts. I find him intriguing as an alternative to Life is Good even though both horses are trained by Baffert.
Great job, Steve. I’m surprised so many love Art Collector; I don’t see him doing well at all; as a son of Bernardini, I love him, but I think he’s being overrated in general, and I have never thought he wanted a mile and a quarter.
I’m certainly not predicting a win, but I think Max is going to blow up tickets – he’s primed for a huge race, and he wants every bit of the distance. I think he’ll run very well.
Steve to Jay Privman:
“The race is loaded with pace, but we’re going to stay aggressive and let him run,” trainer Steve Asmussen said.
I think if the pace is fast, Max will be no more than 5 or 6 lengths back. Since the pace will probably end up being moderate (that’s just how things work), I can see Max being maybe 2 or 3 lengths back.
AC will do better than Max.
“If you’re looking for short-priced horses in this year’s Breeders’ Cup you’ve come to the wrong place.”
Man! That gangster!
That’s Gangster!
Steve, this is one of your most thought-provoking handicapping columns ever. Thanks!
Why do we never (almost never?) see workouts for European runners after they ship to the U.S.?
Thanks, Eddie. Most dont actually work here except for a blowout close to the race
But why? Do Europeans train their horses in a different manner? If they have workouts as in the U.S., are the workout published? Just wondering…
They work at private yards, not a racetrack. They are not timed. European trainers train in sets of several horses to simulate races. They couldnt care about time. There are no poles.
The more I learn about horse racing in Europe, the more I prefer it to racing in the U.S.
On YouTube, “Johnston racing: Then to Now” and “A tour of the home of horse racing. The history of Newmarket with expert guide Sir Mark Prescott” might interest you.
Thanks!
People nowadays don’t know about “morning blowouts”—3 fur works on morning of—
because it is dumb
Wasn’t touting them, but it was once very common….
I’m making all my wagers on Friday, playing 62% of my bankroll on 4 horses, Mackinnon, Dr Schivel, Clariere, Hot Rod Charlie. The rest for pick 3′, pick 4’s, and of course a wps on Express Train! WOOH, WOOH!
Tripoli draws the rail! His two big dirt wins both came when he drew the inside post.
FYI John Sadler said he hopes he draws the inside, horse prefers inside, Del Mar has a weird inside “corner” when the horses hit the stretch, on the dirt course….some horses can make up lots of ground, the way they take that corner….
OK, instead of number of winners, it will be total return on $2 bets and will only be for Saturday’s races to give everyone ample time to handicap and make their selections. Just submit the winner of each of Saturday’s races and the highest total profit wins. I will try to be more specific on prizes tomorrow.
Excellent! Now I can steal all of your longshots.
gamine might be a lock, but bobby gives off that wrong rub,
a case of you, and me, awaits chilled, in an irish pub,
then off to the links for pingxiang, a japanese golf club,
for, i loves only you, and all that oriental, won ton grub,
aloha west is not just a midwest catalano, grade one sub,
mother earth, aiden & moore, must avenge, last year’s flub,
and malathaat, give him an “A”, he’s more than a curlin cub,
let’s sweep the broome, for we can’t forget that frankie bub,
then we’ll all celebrate, with douggie and prat, in hot rod charlie’s, tub…
Love it. LOL
If there’s a prize for the most creative contest submission, you are the one to beat! But I was a bit disappointed you couldn’t work in “schlub”!
Nice verse, ninefornine! Malathaat is a filly though, so you might want to change him to her there.
Sad to say I cannot participate even though I very much wanted to. Betting is illegal in Georgia.
Good luck to everyone who participates.
youre not putting up any money and youre not winning money. This isnt betting
Not what I meant Steve. Rules for the contest: it will be total return on $2 bets and will only be for Saturday’s races to give everyone ample time to handicap and make their selections. Just submit the winner of each of Saturday’s races and the highest total profit wins.
I cannot place bets from here in Georgia therefore I cannot post my winners and the amount I won on two dollar bets.
Lynda – you aren’t actually making bets. Make your picks. Write them down. Then, after the races, look up what your return *would have been* had you actually made them.
Depending on whether you’re in north or south Georgia, you should move to Tennessee or Florida. Not only can you legally gamble in those states, but there’s no state income tax!
For at least ten years horse racing fans, racehorse breeders and owners have been trying to get pari-mutual betting passed in the Georgia House and every year it has failed. Cannot even get it out of committee and out for a prop vote by the voters in the state.
One can gamble every cent of money they have playing the lottery (I do not play the lottery) but cannot bet on horse racing. I actually know people who gamble their paychecks on lottery and then go to the pawn shop and hock things to get more money to buy lottery tickets with. Supposedly a casino is in the works about 35 miles from me (close to the Georgia/South Carolina line) But no pari-mutual betting allowed. Go figure.
Thanks for the suggestion but if ever I were to leave my little farm here in Georgia it would be to go back home to Virginia.
Hi Steve- here’s my 9 winners for Saturday’s races. Gamine/Gear Jockey/Love/Dr.Schivel/Pearls Galore/Royal Flag/TeonaMax Player.
Forgot about Ginóbili . Those are my 9 Steve!