Breeders’ Cup prognostications for the final day of this year’s extravaganza at Santa Anita will offer options and opinions for those that have the onions to take a shot at a life changer. There will seem to be some obvious selections, but as we all know in this game, nothing is written in stone.
The Saturday Breeders’ Cup prognostications open with a near impossible race to bet on with any degree of confidence but if one can unravel the Juvenile Fillies, value will be there.
The odds used for these Breeders’ Cup prognostications will be the morning line number that has been assessed.
Noted and Quoted (9-2) gets the nod off her Chandelier win last month. Use Union Strike (6-1), Daddys Lil Darling (12-1), Dancing Rags (12-1) and With Honors (10-1) in the exotics.
Lady Eli is the horse to beat in the Filly and Mare Turf. Trained by Chad Brown, who has won this race in three of the last four years, Lady Eli has only lost once in her career and she may have just needed the race that day. Think about using Seventh Heaven (3-1), Pretty Perfect (15-1) and Sea Calisi (8-1) in the gimmicks.
Californian runners seem to have an edge in the Sprint. Lord Nelson (5-2) is the pick but Masochistic (2-1) is the one to catch. Drefong (7-2) should be in the hunt and Delta Bluesman (15-1) could shock with the right trip.
The Turf Sprint is run on the tricky hillside course and once again Breeders’ Cup prognostications revolve around locally-based runners. The Turf Sprint has been held four times at Santa Anita and three times the winner has been California-based.
Obviously (6-1) needed his last race, he has won on the course and he has not earned over $1.7 million by being a slouch. Take a swing in the under bets with Karar (15-1), Washington D C (8-1), A Lot (8-1) and Pure Sensation (5-1).
Gormley (5-1) just may be the best of the Breeders’ Cup prognostications. He is in the right hands of John Shirreffs in the Juvenile and should be used with Klimt (6-1), Theory (12-1), Classic Empire (4-1) and Star Empire (30-1).
Flintshire (5-2) can make amends for his loss in the Turf Classic since he hated the yielding course. His effort in the Turf figures to be top notch. Found (3-1) is the one to deny. Key this pair with Texas Ryano (30-1), Highland Reel (3-1) and Ashleyluvssugar (15-1) and try to hit a big one.
Haveyougoneaway (3-1) will be seeking her fourth straight but she is not cinch. Take a long look at Tara’s Tango (8-1). She is a Grade 1 winner and was only beaten a neck the last time at this demanding distance of seven furlongs. Carina Mia (7-2) was at the wrong distance last time and must be respected.
Tepin (3-1) is out to defend her title in the Mile and she must be used but Alice Springs (4-1) may have her number. Breeders’ Cup prognostications must include long shots What a View (20-1), Tourist (15-1) and Hit It a Bomb (20-1).
The granddaddy of them all, the Classic, is all about California Chrome (1-1). If he runs the way he has been running, the rest are looking at minor awards.
In a different year, in a different era, Hoppertunity (15-1) would gather all the headlines. He has not won over $3.5 million by being a slouch but he has had his chances on the big stage and has not been able to get over the hump just yet. He has been in the exacta in seven of eleven at Santa Anita and could envision him being the stalk and pounce component of the Bob Baffert runners.
Arrogate (5-2) is Baffert’s ace. After the troubled debut, Baffert stretched Arrogate out and then let him go through his conditions. Arrogate’s hand was forced a bit when he drew the rail in the Travers and after brushing the gate, he just tow-roped his rivals the entire journey. Considering the legendary roster that have won the Travers over the decades, the fact this runner ran the fastest of all time setting a track record that had stood for 37 years and earned the lofty 122 Beyer Speed Figure is noteworthy. Look for him to challenge California Chrome from the sound of the bell and let the best horse win.
The bomb in the Classic could very well be Melatonin (12-1). He has won a pair of Grade 1s, and he has been working well since his last race in June. In his last race, Melatonin sat just off the pace in the mile and a quarter Hollywood Gold Cup, inched away late, to record a winning 109 Beyer.
Stay cool, be calm, concentrate, and cash some tickets.
