2010 Breeders’ Cup Saturday Tips Part Two

The big races on Saturday are all looking exceptional, and a number of European punters are looking at the turf conditions on the course to determine whether bankers such as Midday (Oasis Dream) or Workforce (King’s Best) will actually wind up running.

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile is easily one of the day’s most wide-open affairs and there is no discernable favourite for this one. Here Comes Ben (Street Cry) and Crown of Thorns (Repent) look the early betting favourites will prices floating around 5/1.

Of the two, you’d have to concede that Here Comes Ben boasts the better record, having taken his last four on the bounce, and he does look a bit more progressive. Lightly-raced, he blew out of the allowance circuit with two straight scores before capturing a non-graded stakes race at Churchill and then securing his first Grade 1 score in the Forego Stakes when sent off at around 9/1.

He’s got tactical speed to spare and looks a decent shout. However, we’re going to be playing a longshot here and some might consider us crazy but we’ll be backing MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone) to add a bit of crow to the critics’ diets priced at a whopping 25/1 with various bookmakers. He’s been punching a bit too much above his weight and his last race against Quality Road was just a step too far for the 4 year-old gelding. Look for another off-the-pace dash down the rail.

Breeders’ Cup Turf

This tiny field could get even tinier in the next 24 hours if Workforce’s connections decide that the turf simply isn’t up to their standard. You can understand their logic as Workforce is shaping up to be a very valuable horse and they’re likely looking for a 4 year-old campaign from the majestic King’s Best colt.

He’s a slim 2.25 here with the European bookies but we can’t get behind Workforce unless we know he’s actually going to run or not. WINCHESTER (Theatrical) gets the nod here, having bested the likes of Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) and Paddy O’Prado (El Prado) in a pair of Grade 1 stakes events at Belmont.

The long stretch at Belmont plays to his advantage and you’ll see something similar at Churchill. He’ll likely stroll in from off the pace and he pulled off his Joe Hirsch Stakes victory under a hand ride against proven Grade 1 level opposition. He’s well-priced at 13.0 and looks the play here.

Breeders’ Cup Mile

The legendary GOLDIKOVA (Anabaa) will be looking for a magical third score in the Breeders’ Cup Mile despite being drawn in the widest post position. The banker for most Europeans, Goldikova oozes quality from every orifice but she’s up against a talented bunch here and it will take every ounce of effort for her to pull off another victory.

This is very much a winnable race for her though. Globetrotting Gio Ponti doesn’t look quite the force he used to be and many punters expect this one to come down to a duel between Goldikova and Paco Boy (Desert Style). Goldi has gotten the better of Paco Boy on more than one occasion and he hasn’t exactly had the most impressive year. Paco Boy seems to lack a 5 star late kick and that tends to do him in on the final few gallops.

The big spoiler here looks to be The Usual Q.T. (Unusual Heat) who is a multiple graded stakes winner over the turf and acquitted himself very well in a place finish at Woodbine. This is a straight-up miler who would pair well in an each-way forecast with Goldikova. He’s priced at a titanic 21.0 with the Europeans.  

Breeders’ Cup Classic   

We’ll cut right to the chase here and let you know that ZENYATTA (Street Cry) has got what it takes to pull this race off and the big mare will go down in history this Saturday as one of the greatest of all time if she pulls this one off. She’s up against the best field of her career (this field is better than last year’s) but the fact that Quality Road (Elusive Quality) and Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) have been drawn in the extreme post positions gives her a bit of an advantage.

The only thing that will stop Zenyatta is traffic but you reckon that she’ll be heading out wide around the turn on this one. Only extremely messy conditions will undo her. Play her and play her hard. The biggest possible spoiler here is likely to be Blame (Arch) who, with a perfect trip, could get the job done. Keep your eyes on Musket Man (Yonaguska) for your exotic tickets as he has never finished off the board in his 11 career starts.

He likes the Churchill surface and has finished second to Quality Road, third to Blame and second to Etched (Forestry) last time out at Monmouth. Your Breeders’ Cup Classic superfecta is Zenyatta – Quality Road – Musket Man – Lookin At Lucky.