2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks & Odds
Saturday, November 6, 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1); 1 1/4 miles; 3 Year Olds & Up; $5 Million; post time 6:45pm ET on ABC and ESPN
The 27th annual running of the Breeders’ Cup will end on Saturday with an evening race under the lights at Churchill Downs, as super horse Zenyatta will attempt to defend her Cup Classic title on the way to a perfect 20-0 record.
Zenyatta stunned racing fans everywhere when she became the first female horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year, and will try and become the first repeat winner of the race in a decade as she takes on a field of 12 of the world’s best thoroughbreds.
Will she make history once again?
If she does, she will have to beat out some serious contenders including Blame, Quality Road, and Derby contender Lookin at Lucky.
Weather conditions calls for clear skies with the temperature hovering in the 50s, and maybe a few degrees cooler when the Classic goes off at 6:45 p.m.
Here I take look at the contenders in this year’s Classic listed in order by postposition. Good luck and enjoy what should be a spectacular race.
1 QUALITY ROAD -VELAZQUEZ 5/1 - Quality Road scratched at the gate in his first attempt at a Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2009, but should be considered in the exotics and is third best pick to win. The rail is not the best place to be for speed in this race but trainer Todd Pletcher doesn’t seem worried.
2 PADDY O’PRADO-DESORMEAUX 15/1 – Kent Desormeaux will have his hands full breaking from the two post, as it is not a great spot at Churchill Downs either. However, Paddy O’ Prado is strong enough to overcome the spot, and at 15-1 is worth a look. Paddy placed third earlier this year in the Kentucky Derby on this track in May, and is a horse that will settle in the pack and make a move late in the race.
3 HAYNESFIELD-DOMINGUEZ 12/1 – The Jockey Club Gold Cup winner has looked consistent over the past couple of weeks. He has as won his share of big stakes races over the last two years, but has had two bad races in his career, both when agitated at the starting gate. Slipping in early at the three hole should keep him calm.
4 FIRST DUDE-ALBARADO 15/1 – Paddy’s stable mate has only placed first once, but did finish second in the Preakness Stakes and third in the Belmont Stakes. Definitely, a consideration for the exotics and maybe a small Win/Place/Show bet.
5 BLAME-GOMEZ 9/2 – The 4-year old gets the prime starting spot out of the gate, and couldn’t have looked better in his final prep, a five-eighths drill at Keeneland. A good place bet here.
6 FLY DOWN- LEPAROUX 15/1 – This is Nick Zito’s gutsiest horse and made one the most remarkable runs in the Travers Stakes, as he swung wide and then made an inconceivable stretch run to fall just shy of the win. Consider Fly Down at 20-1 as a choice in an exotic.
7 MUSKET MAN-MARAGH 20/1 - Musket Man ran third in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and third in the Churchill Downs Stakes on this year’s Derby undercard. At 20-1, he’s a serious bettor’s horse.
8 ZENYATTA -SMITH 8/5 - Undefeated in 19 starts, Zenyatta is a living legend as she heads to the gate on Saturday night. She looked good in her first two gallops since arriving from the West Coast and should be ready to deliver. She should be on everyone’s card.
9 PLEASANT PRINCE-ROSARIO 30/1 - Coming off a two and a half lengths win over Timely Pursuit in the Oklahoma Derby, Pleasant Prince looks good as Joel Rosario gets his second chance in the irons on Pleasant in the Classic.
10 ETCHED-GARCIA 30/1 – Etched beat out fellow Cup Classic entry, Musket Man in this year’s Monmouth Cup, and is currently on a two race winning streak. He will likely fall off the pace from the start and well have a difficult time catching up to the field late in the race.
11 ESPOIR CITY -SATO 20/1 – Japanese horse racing champion, Espoir City, has won 11 of 20 in his career, and has run his best races on dirt. He will be running his first race after taking a loss in his final prep race. Consider Espoir City in some exotics.
12 LOOKIN AT LUCKY- GARCIA 6/1 –This horse at the very least should be considered as part of one’s trifecta. Like Blame, he is very consistent. An outside postposition may not be a bad spot as he was run into the rail early this year in here in the Derby. Has looked good in his first two gallops since arriving from the West Coast and looks ready to deliver a career-best effort in the Classic.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.