Welcome to the BettingChoice Horse Racing Blog. Here you'll find all the tips, insights and opinions for the world's biggest races including: Cheltenham, Breeders' Cup, Dubai Racing, the Grand National and more.
After a high-profile score in the 2011 BTC Cup at Doomben last weekend, the world-class turf sprinter Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) has been sent to the sidelines for a freshening and will not run in the Doomben 10000. It should come as welcome relief to the rest of the Australian turf sprint division who have been getting taken to the woodpile time and again as Black Caviar continues to pad her undefeated streak – pushing it to a full 13/13.
Hay List (Statue of Liberty) and Crystal Lily (Stratum) have been getting the worst of it, with both them coming in as runner-up over the past few forays on the track against Peter Moody's world-beater.
Skipping the Doomben 10000 likely confirms what many racing observers have been speculating about in reference to Black...
Bob Baffert saddles Ventana (Toccet) for the Maryland Sprint Handicap – the eighth race on the day and a Grade 3 encounter for three-year-old's and upwards. He's got a Grade 2 win under his belt and appears to be strongly-backed for the day with a slim 8/5 morning-line price that looks destined to drift downwards if things continue as they have been. So far win-less this season in three starts he will need to improve and get back to basics if he is going to live up to expectations as he has finished on the board in more than half of his starts. There really aren't too many who catch the eye in this one and several contenders are still without pilots so it's probably worth checking back on this one closer to post time.
The 2011 Preakness Stakes post position draw and morning-line was released yesterday and the entire day's card has also been announced – a number of high-profile stakes contests will be going off on the under card and race fans can look forward to the best day of the year at Pimlico. Many expect mascot Kegasus to provide a truly legendary day in the infield. Hopefully nobody jumps on the track to punch a horse again this year...
The card opens with a trio of allowance contests though I believe one of them is run as a short purse starter handicap contest. The initial stakes race on the day runs fourth and we're set to see the reappearance of the (in)famous Life At Ten (Malibu Moon) who caused a real controversy when not appearing to be at her best during the build...
One of the other key shippers is the talented Wigmore Hall (High Chaparral) but some negative news hit the wires this morning that he chipped a plate and failed to take a gallop on Tuesday morning. His race certainly isn't said to be in jeopardy but, with every other contender getting on-track at least once today, you have to wonder whether he might be a step behind. It hasn't affected his ante post price and he remains listed at a competitive 7/1. The four-year-old will made a forgettable debut on the Asian continent when he finished a well-beaten eleventh at Sha Tin two weeks ago. This one might be coming just a bit too soon – especially if we're seeing complications arising with his workout schedule. He finished third to Presvis in the Dubai Duty Free and he...
Things are definitely getting interesting down at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore as a number of first-rate globetrotters have all shipped in for a crack at the 2011 Singapore Airlines Cup. This high-profile contest boasts one of the most impressive purses in world racing and, with so much talent competing in Asia at the moment, there are plenty of interesting regional contenders looking to stake a claim against the glossy shippers.
The most recognizable invader is the irrepressible Presvis (Sakhee) and the bookmakers have already installed him as the early favourite, saddling him with a 3/1 price. He put in a game performance to conquer the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free to cap off a relatively successful stint at Meydan Racecourse during the carnival. However, his next race came at...
Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno) is really going to be one to watch as he hit the board in the Derby, as I predicted, and really could have done more under a different set of circumstances and a hotter early pace. I like his raw ability and the fact that he can get bumped around and still keep focused. Look for him to maybe go a little closer to the pace, although I think Mucho Macho Man's day could very much be predicated upon what stall he winds up in. If he gets a nice draw, say 6th without too much speed to his right, I think that sets things up nicely for him. The #1 stall is what he doesn't want.
You'll find Mucho Macho Man at around 6/1 ante post for the Preakness.
Dance City (City Zip) is a really big variable here and I can foresee a nice price on him at...
Tuesday morning saw the withdrawal of Nehro (Mineshaft) from the Preakness and this could possibly push Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimeaux) and his price down even further. Several UK books have already set his odds at 6/4 and Wednesday will see the complete morning line. A number of racing observers had predicted that Nehro would probably be considered a second-favourite for the Pimlico contest with many venturing a guess that the betting pools would propel him to 5/2 favourite status at the off.
Owner Ahmed Zayat of Zayat Stables spoke to the media today and remarked that, while Nehro was looking in pristine shape during workout sessions, that the Preakness would come just a bit too soon and that his late-running colt could use a few weeks off. He went on to declare that the...
We've got plenty of excitement set to unfold on Saturday in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury as the 3:45 plays host to one of the most exciting contests happening anywhere in the world this weekend. The flat season is well and truly underway with the Guineas and Dante Stakes now behind us and this is a high-profile stopping point for contenders on the older handicap division who prefer the 1m distance.
There is a full-blown gamble underway on Canford Cliffs (Tagula) and he's already been bet down to 4/5 and that's an extremely short price despite the fact that he'd really proven that he's the real deal during his three-year-old campaign. Odds-on indicates a lot of confidence for a seasonal debut that comes against a number of exciting older contenders...
Shackleford (Forestry) was a real surprise on the day and wound up finishing a very respectable 4th after being in front for about 90% of the race. This guy looks like he could be a real threat once he matures a bit and can unleash a bit more tactical speed – he certainly has the conformation and ability. Shackleford looks to be a really nice purchase for his connections and his second to Dialed In back in Florida doesn't look a fluke at all anymore. He is getting more respect this time and you'll find him trading around 8/1.
A pair of new entrants to the Triple Crown Trail add a real element of spice to this contest as the enigma-like Dance City (City Zip) and Peachtree-owned Flashpoint (Pomeroy) both carry very plausible Preakness prices. You'll remember...
The ante post betting markets for the second jewel of the American Triple Crown has been released by several European bookmakers and it appears as though the bookies expect a significant amount of volume to pour in on Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimeaux). At the time of this writing, the Team Valor-owned colt is trading at a 6/4 price tag with popular UK bookmaker Ladbrokes and when one thinks about the fact that this guy came out of the gate on Derby day at 30/1, you have to wonder whether he's even playable at this point.
I have a lot of respect for Animal Kingdom and I'm glad he won the Derby, not as glad as I would have been if Midnight Interlude (War Chant) would have won, but chuffed for a pleasant colt with interesting connections. Regardless,...
