2010 BREEDERS CUP BANKERS: A CLOSER LOOK

The final declarations are almost upon us for the 2010 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs and, while many eyes are focused on the Classic, it’s important to remember that some of your best money-making opportunities will be unfolding on the undercard come November 5 & 6.
The four contenders that look to be locks from an antepost perspective include Workforce (King’s Best), Goldikova (Anabaa), Midday (Oasis Dream) and Blind Luck (Pollard’s Vision). You’ll find them lining up in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares Turf and the Ladies’ Classic; respectively. A four-horse accumulator pays out at a solid 24/1.
Workforce has definitely been the story of the summer coming out of Great Britain with a score in the prestigious Epsom Derby and an emphatic victory in the 2010 Arc De Triomphe at Longchamp. This multiple Grade 1 winner is widely-considered to be the UK’s Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) and he has really gone from strength-to-strength this year. You reckon the punters will be backing him even harder as a number of them missed out when he was a 6/1 shot in the Arc. He probably won’t want to get to the front too early and it will be important to keep your eyes on his workouts as his best shot here is to settle in midfield and then unleash that tactical speed.
A friendly post position will see his price drop further so get in while the getting’s good. His biggest challenge likely won’t come from fellow European Behkabad (Cape Cross) who is considered the second favourite at 4.5. Instead, keep your eyes on Arlington Million winner Debussy (Diesis) or American powerhouse Winchester (Theatrical). Winchester took a shot at this one back in 2008 and got completely skunked but that was two years ago and he’s been in great form since.
Blind Luck has spent the better part of the summer facing off against the accomplished Havre De Grace (Saint Liam) and the two will be lining up again for the fourth time this year. Blind Luck conquered the Kentucky Oaks in fine fashion and should revel in this repeat of course and distance. Havre De Grace got up and beat her last time so that’s probably what’s keeping the price hovering in the 2.5 region.
Goldikova has represented Europe so well at the past few Breeders’ Cups and she’s coming back to tackle the boys again in an attempt to three-peat the mile. Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) has been beaten a few times this year by horses that have got nothing on Goldikova so he’s not really one to keep your eye on here. Irish runner Paco Boy (Desert Style) ran second to Goldikova in the Prix De La Foret at Longchamp and isn’t a bad bet to do the same here. She’s tough to bet against and will take a pile of money.
Midday has been absolutely pounding the Group 1 fillies and mares all over Europe this summer scoring at Goodwood, York and Longchamp and she’ll be looking to add Churchill Downs to that prestigious list. She took this race with regular jock Tom Queally aboard at Santa Anita last year and this classy four year-old bay just eats up the turf. The real ace up her sleeve is the relatively mediocre field she lines up against- there are no real standout spoilers here aside from Ave (Danehill Dancer). She’s been campaigned state-side for this season and just grabbed her first score of the season over talented Japanese shipper Red Desire (Manhattan Cafe) to take the Grade 1 Flower Bowl Stakes at Belmont. Ave has guts and can move through tight traffic so she’s the likely outsider and trades at a tidy price of 17.0. It’s tough to put her past Midday though and these two may make a dangerous each-way exacta.