Another star is not coming to the Breeders’ Cup.
Sea the Stars, the top rated horse in the world with six Group 1 races on his resume in 2009 will be retired, ending any speculation the John Oxx trained three year old would make it to the gate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic next month at Santa Anita.
In a statement released to the press, Oxx said: "It has been decided after discussions with Mr. Christopher Tsui that Sea The Stars will not take part in the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita on November 7.
"He's had a long season and has been in regular fast work from March 3, with his final workout on October 2. He's been in intensive training for seven months with only a three-week break after the Eclipse Stakes at the beginning of July.
"We feel it is unfair to keep him going any further, given his unprecedented record of achievement in the last six months.
"He's come out of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in his usual good form. He is fit and healthy and has been cantering since the race."
The three year old overcame a tough trip to win the Arc in smashing fashion, increasing his bankroll to nearly $6.8 million and he was the 4/5 early favorite to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The fact he is not coming was good news to the Zenyatta camp, who won’t disclose whether the undefeated mare would defend her title in the Ladies’ Classic or take on the boys in the Classic.
Trainer John Shirreffs said the retirement of Sea the Stars would have no bearing on the decision of which race his star would go in.
He told The Daily Racing Form, “That has nothing to do with Zenyatta. Not at all. It's all up to her, how she's doing."
I’m not buying that at all. I’m guessing the chances of her going in the Classic went from 50-50 to 70-30.
Belmont Park is dark today after racing on Columbus Day, so we’ll have to make our money at Keeneland today.
To purchase my full card report for Keeneland that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for today click here.
Here is today's opening race from Keeneland to get our day off to a good start:
KEE Race 1 Clm $40,000 (1:05 ET)
#5 Trying Brian 2/1
#1 Ok Nothanksforaskn 6/1
#4 Alphabet Magic 5/2
#6 Faith's Magic 3/1
Analysis: #5 Trying Brian exits a Alw-3 optional claimer where the gelding checked in sixth after he was bumped and had to check in the stretch. Two back this guy won a $50K stake at Canterbury on turf in a gate to wire score. The runner up and fourth place finisher came out of that race to win next out. The gelding has won 2 of 3 in his career on poly including beating Alw-2L foes here back in '07. Runners making their last start at Arlington Park accounted for eight winners over the weekend.
#1 Ok Nothanksforaskn dueled for the early lead, opened up and was no match for a very sharp Sea Gaze, who came back to beat $10K starter handicap foes again in his next outing on Oct. 3 at Hoosier. The fourth place finisher Qsart also won next out, and fifth place finisher Atrium County came back to run second in the $100K Carey Memorial in his next outing at Hawthorne on Oct. 3. I'm usually quick to dismiss Hoosier shippers here, but this guy looks like he fits and we might catch a decent price.
Wagering
WIN: #5 to win at 9/5 or better.
EX: 1,5 / 1,4,5,6
TRI: 1,5 / 1,4,5,6 / 1,2,4,5,6
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Keeneland:
KEE Race 8 Alw $54,000N2X (4:35 ET)
#1 Tazarine 15/1
#6 Consequence 9/5
#9 Perfect for You 5/1
#8 Loveyou Everybody 15/1
Analysis: #1 Tazarine should be tighter for her second start off a 10-month layoff. She returned off the bench with a fourth place finish over the Tapeta at Presque Isle at this condition. Last fall here this gal missed winning at this level by a nose after battling for the early lead the entire trip. She has come back with a couple of good works over the main track here and while he faces what appears to be a tougher group than she saw here last fall if she runs her best she can be in the mix here at a generous price.
#6 Consequence cuts back in distance after a sixth place finish over soft turf in the Lake Placid (G2) at the Spa. She had to check in traffic nearing the 1/8 pole and was not a threat late. She was a good third here at the spring meeting in the Beaumont (G3) at today's distance. She did not beat a real tough field when she won her stake at Arlington, but she fits well here and is a logical exacta threat as the likely chalk.
Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 8/1 or better.
EX: 1,6 / 1,6,8,9
TRI: 1,6 / 1,6,8,9 / 1,5,6,7,8,9
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.
Keeneland
R3: #7 Austons Sure Cure 8/1
R4: #12 Cosmic Transit 8/1
R4: #11 They Call Him El 8/1
R5: #10 Windham Hill 20/1
R5: #8 Prosico 10/1
R6: #5 First of Rage 10/1
R7: #11 Your Round 10/1
R8: #1 Tararine 15/1
R8: #8 Loveyou Everybody 15/1
Good luck today!
