The Breeders’ Cup is sneaking up, it is less than seven weeks away.
Over the next four weeks, there are 33 Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races. The winner of each of the races will earn a automatic starting berth in the corresponding Breeders’ Cup Race.
The Breeders’ Cup is being held this year at Santa Anita on Nov. 6-7.
Only five of the 33 Breeders’ Cup Challenge will take place at Belmont Park, which has me scratching my head. There is one in Australia, three at Ascot, nine at Keeneland, even one at Calder.
There should be plenty of exciting racing over the next six weeks leading up to the two-day Breeders’ Cup.
Breeders’ Cup Ltd. announced on Monday that the Marathon has been moved to Friday, joining the five races restricted to females.
That means there will be a Pick 6 on Friday and Saturday encompassing the Breeders’’ Cup races.
Four of the five “Win and You’re In” races this week will be contested outside of the U.S.
Friday's Cleanevent Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley will be the first Breeders' Cup Challenge race held in Australia.
The winner earns a starting berth to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.
There are three races at Ascot on Saturday that are Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, and the winner of the $150,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park will earn a starting berth in the Filly & Mare Sprint.
The likely favorite in the Gallant Bloom will be Indian Blessing, a two-time Eclipse Award winner. She will likely face five foes in the race: Any Limit, P.S.U. Grad, Sara Louise, Simplify, and Thunders Dove
We have a good card today at Belmont Park, with several very vulnerable favorites and a few live longshots.
To purchase my full card report for Belmont Park that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for today click here.
Here is today's opening race from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:
BEL Race 1 Alw $45,000N1X (1:00 et)
#2 Soda Pop Kid 7/2
#7 Captain Rio 2/1
#1 Richmond 5/1
#4 Precious Package 5/2
Analysis: #2 Soda Pop Kid beat $50K starter allowance company last out at the Spa in the mud, the lone win the barn came up with at that meeting where the normally high % barn went 1 for 48. The gelding has moved forward nicely in two starts since coming east and going from plastic to conventional dirt. I usually don't like backing horses in first level allowance races with so many starts but this gelding should get a good pace set up here as this race is top heavy with early speed types.
#7 Captain Rio was a good second last out on the opening day of the Spa meeting. The colt tracked a sharp early pace and could not get to the gate to wire winner Saratoga Russell, who faded to finish seventh against Alw-2 foes in his next outing. In fact, nobody really came out of this guy's last race and ran well. The colt's races have been spaced out which is a cause for concern, but his last two figs are a good fit, but can't get real excited about his 2/1 ML.
Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 2,7 / 1,2,4,7
TRI: 2,7 / 1,2,4,7 / 1,2,4,5,7
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:
BEL Race 8 OClm $50,000N2X (4:45 et)
#8 American Cruiser 3/1
#2 Perfect Casting 9/2
#1 Fateh Field / #1a Iguazu Falls 5/2
#6 Meriwether Jessica 5/1
Analysis: #8 American Cruiser is returning off a 2 1/2 month break, winning at this level last out at Philly going 5 furlongs. The gelding has won twice at today's Alw-2 condition and has a couple of wins over the Belmont Park turf. This guy has not run a bad one since the Tony D. barn claimed him for $35K last August at the Spa. The barn is 26% winners with horses coming back off a 46-90 day break.
#2 Perfect Casting is making his first start since last November for the Clement barn that is 10% winners with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff. This gelding has a pair of wins over the turf here including beating Alw-3 optional claimers here last fall. The gelding had a rough trip at Calder in his most recent start last November. The barn can have them ready to go off the bench and this looks like a good spot for his return here facing Alw-2 company.
Wagering
WIN: #8 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 2,8 / 1,2,6,8
TRI: 2,8 / 1,2,6,8 / 1,2,3,6,8
Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
Belmont Park
R2: #7 Kettle One 10/1
R3: #4 Pamona Ball 12/1
R4: #9 Mineswept 10/1
R4: #5 Bridge to Nowhere 10/1
R5: #3 Don’t You Linger 20/1
R6: #7 Roaring Belle 10/1
R7: #2 Has Spoken 8/1
R7: #1 Stephen’s Even 8/1
Good luck today!
