2009 BREEDERS CUP CLASSIC FREE PICKS AND TIPS

Punters are retreating from Rip Van Winkle, in the Betfair markets at least, and his price now trades at 3.3, which is one of the lengthiest listings we've seen for Rip since the antepost markets kicked off a few weeks back. I've been advising punters that he isn't going to win this race since then and I guess today is the day when we find out if I eat my words or not. Rip Van Winkle retains the 7/2 morning line slot as second favourite.The truth is, Zenyatta has captured the hearts and attention of everybody out there, regardless of nationality. For the mare to pull off the victory here, in possibly her last race ever, wouldn't likely win her horse of the year but would instill her into America's racing consciousness and truly secure 2009 as the year of the female horse in America. Rachel has changed how many people look at the sport and Zenyatta's gutsy step up today will put her undefeated record on the line to break the bank and shock the world. Zenyatta is at a low Betfair price of 4.4 and carries a listing as 5/2 favourite in the morning line. Speaking of shock the world, I never really quite got over Mine That Bird winning the Kentucky Derby over my pick Pioneerofthe Nile, who has since been retired. I've got plenty of respect for Chip Wooley and his gelding and I actually think he could be here to pull off another fantastic victory. He drew the inside stall, which I think means he's going to drop right to the back and make a move from the far outside. This is a lot of ground to cover in a race that is expected to be fairly quick, but I think his closing ability could really make the difference here, particularly in a tough stretch duel. He hasn't done that well on the surface, but there is something between him and Calvin Borel and when they both get things right, they truly are unstoppable. Mine That Bird is listed at 12/1 in the morning line and trades at an insane 44.0 on Betfair. The other Bird, Summer Bird, comes into this race having been my tip for most of the run-up to the Breeders. I think Tim Ice's wicked 3 year old colt has most of the boxes ticked to win this race and my only real concern is the surface. This is a horse coming into the race in good form with multiple graded stakes victories here, and he pushed Rachel Alexandra to the wire in the Haskell Invitational. He is 1211 since his Belmont Stakes victory and this son of Hong Kong Squall and Birdstone could be set for another big victory. I will be backing Summer Bird to win and he is listed at 10.5 on Betfair and 9/2 in the morning line. Quality Road is Todd Pletcher's 3 year-old colt that, in my opinion, never really clicked this year. He's been beaten by Summer Bird twice in a row and pulled off victories against second tier American horses like Capt. Candyman Can and Dunkirk- quality runners, but not Triple Crown winners. He posseses the ability to win here, but I just don't think the stars will line up for him. He is a very good bet for your show and place tickets and I also think he does represent a value bet for some. He's at 12.5 on Betfair and 12/1 in the morning line. Gio Ponti is going to be a very popular selection here. This is a horse that's won virtually everywhere in America, from Keeneland to Del Mar to Belmont to Colonial Downs. Christiane Clement's 4 year-old chocolate colt would gain a huge amount of prestige from this win and he boasts 2009 form of 511112 with all those victories coming in prestigious Grade 1's that included the Arlington Million and the Manhattan Handicap. I like that he's won in handicap company and I'm given even more confidence by his ability to handle the distance. He's won at a mile, a mile 2 furlongs and a mile and 3 furlongs- all on turf. This is a genuine contender and represents enough value to be an extremely solid each-way selection. Gio Ponti trades at 15.0 on Betfair and 12/1 in the morning line. Use him to bottom-end your exotic tickets. Twice Over is the British Invader here and will be attracting plenty of patriotic bets. He's with Juddmonte Farms and boasts a quality pedigree out of Double Crossed by Observatory. He comes into the race with three wins on the bounce. He's had victories in stakes and listed races at Doncaster and Goodwood and really showed his potential by taking the Emirates Airlines Champion Stakes at Newmarket in mid-October where he topped a field of 14. He came seventh in the Coral Eclipse to Sea the Stars and, here is your big reason to back him, he defeated last year's Classic winner Raven's Pass at Newmarket in April of last year in the Group 3 Craven Stakes. You'll find Twice Over at 20/1 in the morning line and a competitive 14.5 on Betfair. This indicates where the Europeans are putting their money. Other notables include Colonel John at 34.0 on Betfair and 12/1 ML. Bob Baffert's Richards Kid (tipped by many pundits as a potential dark horse) trades at 16.5 on Betfair and 12/1 in the morning line- he's a solid pick to bottom end exotic tickets. The 7 year-old Einstein is 20/1 in the ML and 29.0 on Betfair. Saeed Bun Suroor comes in with long-shot Girolamo at 40.0 on Betfair and 20/1 in the morning line. It would be poetic justice for Godolphin to win the Classic having had a reasonably poor first day out. Regal Ransom is another one from Saeed Bin Suroor and he trades at 20.0 in the morning line and a whopping 70.0 on Betfair. Awesome Gem is the real long shot here at 30/1 in the morning line and 85.0 on Betfair. I am backing Zenyatta, Summer Bird and Gio Ponti as my winners with Twice Over and Mine That Bird on the bottom ends. I don't think Rip Van Winkle will show. I think Mine That Bird could be the story of the day. These are all speculations though and I am really hoping that Zenyatta's makes it happen. There a lot of great stories in this year's 2009 Breeders Cup Classic and I'm anxiously awaiting the final chapter.