2010 BREEDERS CUP ANTEPOST PRICES AND PREVIEW PART ONE

The 2010 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs is shaping up to be one for the ages and there is simply so much quality lining up in each of these races. Since the antepost markets are now in full effect for virtually all of the races for the de facto World Championships of Horse Racing we’ll be examining some of the standouts in the major races and contrasting their traditional antepost odds with the prices currently available on the exchanges.
BREEDERS CUP SPRINT
At the moment it looks as though Big Drama (Montbrook) and Girolamo (AP Indy) are going to be the ones to beat here in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Girolamo was more or less pulled up in the Classic last year when sent off at 33/1 but the Godolphin-owned colt has just captured his first Grade 1 score on his first drop back to a 6f distance. Previously thought to be a miler, Saeed Bin Suroor’s charge looks like a real contender.
Big Drama hasn’t finished outside the top two yet this season and was just mugged on the line in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga. This is a tried-tested-and-true sprinter and he could beat anybody in the world on his day.
Both Girolamo and Big Drama are trading at around 6.0 with most major bookmakers but they’re both available at 7.2 on the exchanges. Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen-winner Kinsale King (Yankee Victor) is expected to have a go in the sprint and the three year-old gelding was twice-beaten by Starspangledbanner (Choisir). He’s been laid off for a bit and looks a snip at 11.0 with the bookies as he is priced at 7.6 on the exchange.
BREEDERS’ CUP DIRT MILE
Arguably one of the most wide-open fields is out there for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. This is a supremely tricky antepost market as a number of these contenders may line up for other races so it’s important to proceed with caution. Girolamo (AP Indy) is considered to be the slim favourite to take this race if he lines up for it but you have to reckon Godolphin will stick with him at a sprint distance. He’s priced at 7/1 with the bookies and 12.5 on the exchange.
Musket Man (Yonaguska) has always been a great show bet, having never finished outside the top 3 at any point in his two year career. He wasn’t able to run at the Breeders’ last year due to injury but is considered a strong tip to run in the Classic this year, though the dirt mile may be a more winnable race for the Derek Ryan-trained colt. You can find Musket Man at 8/1 with the bookmakers and a 13.5 price on the exchange.
Other notables for this one include former Kentucky Derby favourite I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even) at 14/1 and the respected Kodiak Kowboy (Posse), who hasn’t raced since last November but could be set for a dramatic return in the dirt mile. He’s priced at 10/1.