Jockey Club Gold Cup, Vosburgh, and Beldame just a few of the great races this weekend!

It doesn’t get much better than this weekend when it comes to Breeders Cup preps. The Classic Division has the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Hawthorne Gold Cup, Ohio Derby, and Indiana Derby. The Sprint Division will see some of its best bang heads in the Vosburgh, and the Beldame will boast some of the best females in the country. The Flower Bowl and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational will also take place on the grass. Wagering or not, you will want to keep tabs on the winners of these races. I also advise watching and analyzing the videos when they are uploaded to the internet.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup has a very deep field that includes Belmont and Travers Stakes winner Summer Bird. He has been working up a storm leading to this race. Older horse and Stephen Foster Handicap winner Macho Again will also be competing after finishing second to Rachel Alexandra last out in the Woodward. I’ll be wagering on Florida Derby winner Quality Road. While hindsight is always 20/20 he wasn’t the best bet last time. This time he will be making his third start since the lay off, and has experience at the distance. For a closer look at the Jockey Club Gold Cup check out my Breeders Cup Blog for the NTRA by clicking here.

Fabulous Strike will favored to win the Vosburgh Stakes for the third time in three years. He finished second last year after complications with a shoe. He has brutal speed, and can go fast while still hanging on late in the race. Trainer Todd Beattie is open to running in the Breeders Cup again, but he obviously wants to see how the gelding does here first. His biggest challenge will come in the form of Tom Fool Handicap winner Munnings. The three-year-old is highly regarded but is probably more optimal at seven furlongs. Go Go Shoot, Kodiak Kowboy and Peace Chant will also seek to take the cake in this race.

I loved her chances last out, and Careless Jewel was a dominating victor of the Alabama Stakes. She is going to be favored to take the Cotillion Stakes at Philadelphia Park this weekend. The gray filly has excellent early zip and will have a hell of a chance to win. There are many capable fillies in the race, but I like Cat Moves for a price. Already a Grade 1 winner early in her career, she has never raced this far. If she can translate her sprint form then she will be very tough in this one. Betting her is contingent with getting at least her 8/1 morning line price. I wouldn’t take less than that.

I’ve always thought that Music Note was an absolute monster, and last race was no exception. She won at a nice price in her first try sprinting, taking down Indian Blessing and Informed Decision. She will only have to beat four other fillies in the Bel Dame, but that doesn’t guarantee victory. Unbridled Belle has been hit and miss lately, but has enough talent to win this one on her best day. I’ll be rooting for Music Note, and I look forward to seeing her in this years Breeders Cup.

The Flower Bowl looks like a nice race. Pure Clan is the 3-1 ML second choice, and I expect a big run from her. A Grade 1 winner at three, Pure Clan has yet to show her true form this year. She finished third last out in the Beverley D last out, and will have to down the winner of that race (Dynaforce) to be successful here. Dynaforce has always looks like a nice mare, but had tailed off in form until last out. Kent Desormeaux worked his magic and won the Bev D at a nice price. It seems like everything he rides on the turf wins.

Gio Ponti would have to run a very bad race to lose the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational. He is easily the best turf horse in the country, and Christophe Clemente says he is the best horse he has ever trained. Perhaps a horse that has a shot at pulling the upset is Grand Couturier. He had been tailing off in form lately until winning a stakes race in New York last out. It would take a big effort from him or any other horse for that matter to take down Gio Ponti. I don’t’ see it happening.

Win Willy shocked the racing world earlier this year when he won the Rebel Stakes at a big price. He will try to win his second graded stakes race this weekend in the Indiana Derby. He has raced just once since the Kentucky Derby, but has looked sharp in the morning. Misremembered, winner of the Swaps Stakes, is the likely favorite. Gone Astray will be favored in the Ohio Derby after romping in the Pennsylvania Derby. That race also includes Join In The Dance, runner up in the Pennsylvania Derby. Gone Astray probably could have won the Indiana Derby which has a much larger purse and I find myself wondering why he wasn’t entered there.

I’m a bit disappointed with the quality of the Hawthorne Gold Cup, but excited at the same time because Awesome Gem might be able to get a marquee win. The old gelding has been running strong lately, particular when switching to the dirt at Emerald Downs two races back. His best competition will come in the form of Turfway Park Fall Championship winner Nite Light. I hope that Night Lite sets a blistering pace and Awesome Gem is able to run him down in the late stages of the race.

This is one weekend of racing that you don’t want to miss. I had no problem at all writing over 1,000 words for this because there is SO MUCH happening this weekend. I probably didn’t say enough, but I digress. I’m looking forward to the Jockey Club Gold Cup the most. I hope Quality Road runs a great race like he is capable of doing. Who do you like in this weekends big races? Leave a comment and let me know what your thinking!

Kentucky Cup Recap

I had a wonderful time at Turfway Park this Saturday watching the Kentucky Cup races. The only way it could’ve been better is if Garrett Gomez hadn’t won all three races, causing the horse I bet to run second in each of his wins. That is racing though; I should’ve realized Gomez wasn’t going to waste a Saturday if those horses weren’t live. Perhaps his best ride of the day came in the Kentucky Cup Classic. He had to shake up the reigns and get at Furthest Land, but was able to get the victory over Dubious Miss. Unfortunately, I don’t think we will see anyone from Turfway at the Breeders Cup later this year.

I wrote several hundred words about the Kentucky Cup Classic on my new blog located at http://www.ntra.com/blog.aspx?blogid=32. I will be blogging there about things pertaining to the Breeders Cup Classic from now until the race takes place. My top pick was the heavy favorite Hold Me Back, but I also gave a big look to runner up Dubious Miss and also ran Your Round. I believe that Hold Me Back and Your Round were victims of the track bias. It has been very to close at Turfway of late. I was surprised that the trifecta and superfecta payouts were so low with 4-5 Hold Me Back out of the money.

I was fortunate enough to meet David Schneck of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Assocation while I was enjoying the races. The KTA was running a program in conjunction with Turfway Park to give scholarships away to local students. The Kentucky Thoroughbred Assocation also provided free food and drinks for college students. They also provided two large TVs so we could keep up with the college football world while betting the horses. While I didn’t win a scholarship, I’m highly appreciative of their efforts. It’s not often that an organization goes out of its way to help people while getting nothing in return.

The KTA is a trade organization dedicated to its members, according to their website located at http://www.kta-ktob.com/.They are responsible for creating a purse development fund that has offered over $134 in purses since 1995. They do excellent work to represent the industry and to improve the sport. To learn more about them, click here. I’m hopeful that they will continue to thrive, and I salute them for all the good work that they do!

Rail Trip headlines big day at Del Mar in the Pacific Classic

I love the place where the surf meets the turf. Del Mar is easily one of the best places on this planet, and Sunday will be its best day of racing. Some of the events include the Grade 1 Pat O’Brien Stakes, Grade 2 Del Mar Derby, and the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. It doesn’t get much better than that. The winners of each of these races will almost undoubtedly find a place in the upcoming Breeders Cup.

Battle of Hastings looks like the best horse in the Del Mar Derby. He is returning to California after a successful campaign on the east coast that included victories in the Colonial Turf Cup and the Virginia Derby. The son of a British sire named Royal Applause, he has a great turn of foot and doesn’t win by big margins. He got up by a head in each of his last two wins. Tyler Baze has done very well on him thus far. I really like his chances to win this.

Papa Clem also looks interesting in the Del Mar Derby. The Arkansas Derby winner has yet to make a start over the turf, and has been running poorly since peaking to run fourth in the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Gary Stute has given the mount to Garrett Gomez for the first time. Perhaps that can help the son of Smart Strike get out the current rut he is in. I really like his works of late, especially the four furlong move around the dogs in :45 4/5 H.

The Pat O’Brien Stakes produced last years Breeders Cup Sprint winner in Midnight Lute. It is likely to do the same again this year, but the horse is a three-year-old named Zensational. Trained by Bob Baffert, he is getting better with each start. He has already defeated older horses and jockey Victor Espinoza fits him very well. I highly doubt he loses this race. Bigbadleroybrown has been running better every time he races. I’ll look for him underneath.

I really like Rail Trip in the Pacific Classic at odds of 4-1. He ran exceptionally well to win the Hollywood Gold Cup last out by about 3 lengths. He proved his doubters wrong in that race after losing two races in a row. The son of Jump Start proved that distance wouldn’t be a problem last out going 10 furlongs. He will be going the same distance in today’s event. If Rail Trip is able to get a win here then he will be the early favorite for the Breeders Cup Classic.

Colonel John will hold a strong hand after winning his first start of the year over the turf in the Wicker Stakes. He won the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at this distance last year. Parading was the favorite in the Hollywood Gold Cup, but couldn’t get it done. Will he run better here? I think not. I didn’t like him at all last out, but I would probably include him on exotic tickets at a bigger price this time around.

Who do you like in the Pat O’Brien Stakes, Del Mar Derby, and the Pacific Classic? Leave a comment and let your voice be heard!

Grade 2 Saratoga Special

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I’d like to begin by talking about the horse who is headlining this race, but that could be  just about anyone in the field. I personally think China is the most impressive so far. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez, he broke his maiden first out at Keeneland by 6 lengths in a time of :50 1/5 for 4.5 furlongs. The son of Tale of the Cat was purchased for $110k by super owners Michael Tabor and John Magnier. That is quite a bargain price considering what those guys usually pay (They purchased The Green Monkey for $16 million).

China is working well coming into the race, but I’ve seen many horses run a huge first race over Poly Track only to disappoint next out over dirt. Mr. Mistofolees is a perfect example. He ran a record breaking performance first out at Keeneland only to flop next out in the Tremont Stakes.

Thiskyhasnolimit ran a huge race to break his maiden by 7 lengths over a sloppy Churchill Downs track. Prior to that he was second to future multiple graded stakes winner Backtalk. Sky Mesa has proved to be a good sire of two-year-olds thus far, and Steve Asmussen is as good as anyone in the nation with babies. He should show plenty of early zip from the rail.

Zip Quick and Tiny Woods are both shipping in from the west coast. Zip Quick will be adding lasix for the first time after running second in the Grade 3 Hollywood Juvenile Championship at Hollywood Park for trainer Patrick Biancone. He has been improving with each race, but his success today could depend on how he reacts to the dirt surface. Julien Leparoux fits his closing style to a tee

Tiny Woods went wire to wire in his first start at Del Mar on July 25 for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Mike Smith is flying in to ride the son of Roman Ruler, so you know he likes this colt’s chances. He enters the race after a 1:00 4/5 B move at Saratoga, so I don’t think the surface will be a problem for him. He may even be better on dirt. It’s hard to go against anything that is coming from Baffert’s barn.

Fearless Cowboy, winner of the $150k Colin Stakes at Woodbine, is the only stakes winner in the field. He is also another horse that may or may not handle the surface. His works at Saratoga were OK but nothing flashy. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin certainly isn’t a spring chicken so I’d say this one will be in the thick of it late for jockey Alan Garcia.

I like the chances of Tiny Woods in this race. There are plenty of stakes races back west that Bob Baffert could have put this one in, but he decided to come to the Spa. Not only that, but Mike Smith thought enough of the colt to give up a day of rides at Del Mar to pilot this one. The Saratoga Special will certainly be a good race. Who do you like? Leave a comment or send me a tweet via Twitter @gradedstakes and let me know your thoughts.

Bet on the Grade 2 Saratoga Special at Sportsbook.com and get 8% back on all wagers!

Grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational

Betting horses in Grade 1 races is as good as it gets. I love betting races where the competition is top shelf. The 3-1 morning line favorite in this race is Grand Couturier. Purchased for just $7k, he  has won this race the past two years and will seek to take it for a third time. Commentator tried to do the same thing last week in the Whitney Handicap, but tired to finish third. He was subsequently retired. Will Grand Couturier suffer the same fate, or will he defy the odds and pull off the three-peat? This handicapper things not. Grand Couturier has been tailing off in form for a few races and I don’t think he is Grade 1 caliber any longer. However, he has rebounded in the past. Below is a quote from his trainer.

A horse of his caliber, it’s just tough to pick and choose races for him and then go because sometimes his feet or his ankles don’t cooperate with him. But right now he seems to be doing very well. I wish the race were yesterday; that’s how good he’s doing. He’s as good a 1 1/2-mile horse as there is in the country.”-Bloodhorse

My sentimental pick will be the ten-year-old son of Talkin Man, Better Talk Now. Winner of the 2004 Breeders Cup Turf, Better Talk Now is the definition of a warrior. He continues to run strong in his old age. His last race resulted in a third place finish in the Grade 1 Manhatten at huge odds. If he wins this race he will become the oldest horse to have ever won a Grade 1 race. I’ll be rooting for him, and I can’t think of a better way to end a spectacular career.

My logical pick will be Americain, a four-year-old son of Dynaformer shipping in after a Group 2 win at Longchamp in France. He should love this distance, and while it pains me to say this the turf horses overseas are better than ours. He worked five furlongs in a snappy :59 3/5 H over the turf  on Sunday. John Velazquez will pilot, and I expect a huge run from this colt.

Brass Hat is another interesting horse; I mean gelding. The son of Prized is likely to surpass $2 million in earning in this start. He took the Grade 3 Louisville Handicap at this distance two back, and put in a good showing to run third behind Pressious Passion in his most recent start. He finished a DQ’ed second in the Dubai World Cup earlier in his career. One of his best wins came in the $500k Massachusetts Handicap. He enters this event after a sharp five furlong move, and regular jockey Calvin Borel will be back aboard. Anything could happen.

I’ll make Americain my free horse racing pick in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational. Who do you leave? Express yourself by leaving a comment!

Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes

They’re back; after dominating last years Breeders Cup World Championship races, the European runners are preparing to do so once again. Three fillies have arrived from across the pond to try and take the Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes, and the automatic entry to the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf that comes with it. Perhaps the most interesting of the three is Mad About You, runner up in last years Group 1 Irish One Thousand Guineas. Jockey Pat Smullen has accompanied her to compete in the race.

Alnadana won a Group 3 event by 3 lengths in her last start at Maisons-Lafitte in France. She is a very nice looking daughter of Danehill Dancer, but I question if she will appreciate the distance. Denomination is a three-year-old daughter of Smart Strike. She has won a Group 2 and 3 event this year, but flopped in her biggest race, the French Oaks.

The Americans aren’t without hope. Pure Clan represents our best chance of winning the race. She was a winner in the Grade 3 Modesty Handicap last out, which was over this turf course and at the same distance as this race. Ridden by Julien Leparoux, she won the Grade 1 American Oaks last year. This will be her third race of the year, and she could be sitting on a huge run.

Black Mamba won the Grade 1 MaBee Handicap last year, and will be making a rare start outside of California. The closer took a Grade 2 at Hollywood Park last out under Eclipse Award winning jockey Garrett Gomez. It would be no surprise to see her win for trainer John Sadler.

It’s been a while since we have seen her best form, but Dynaforce is capable of winning this one. She took the Grade 1 Flower Bowl last year at Belmont Park. Changing jockeys from Robby Albarado to Kent Desormeaux could work in her favor. I’d like to see her drop a little further off the pace then usual.

Tizaqueena will be a big price despite finishing second to Pure Clan in her last start. She is a daughter of Tiznow, and she won a Grade 2 event at Churchill Downs earlier this year. Points of Grace will also be a decent price despite winning the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes in her last outing at Woodbine. She will be piloted by Ramon Dominguez, and she enters the race after a :59 1/5 B bullet at Woodbine on the first of the month.

This race could go to any of the entrants, but I’ll make my top pick Black Mamba. She ran a hell of  a race last out, and I love the connections. If she can’t get it done, I’ll be rooting one of the other American horses. Who do you like? Leave a comment and express yourself.

Breeders Cup Classic Preview

Curlin is the horse who needs no introduction. Winner of races such as the Breeders Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, and Stephen Foster Handicap, Curlin will probably be racing for the last time in his career. If you ever play video games, then you are familiar with the concept of the final boss.  The purpose of the final boss is to test the skills one has accumulated. The final stage has arrived for Curlin. His place in history is already cemented, but with a repeat win in the Breeders Cup Classic he can go out on top. He must first overcome the final boss.

Who will play the role of the final boss? That depends on who you ask. I personally believe that the Bill Mott trained Go Between will provide the best competition for the reigning Horse of the Year. From six starts on synthetic surfaces, Go Between has three wins and three second place finishes. His year finally came together in his last start, the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. He rallied pass Well Armed to win that race by a neck. Well Armed would return to win the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes, and is the favorite in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile.

The son of Point Given is going to need some help from the early pacesetters and will have to avoid traffic. Jockey Garrett Gomez can and will make things happen for this horse. As I said for Grand Couturier in the Breeders Cup Turf, I also believe Go Between is set to peak in this race. The question is this; will his best be good enough?

Others will look to Japanese sensation Casino Drive. He has been bulletproof in his three career starts, but the 92 ESF in his last race is a bit worrisome. The potential is there, but for all intents and purposes, this colt is an unknown commodity. I won’t be surprised regardless of how he runs. If you do support this colt, 10-1 is a great price.

Henrythenavigator will be shipping from across the pond for his first start on the dirt. Trainer Aidan O’Brien will be using lasix for the first time in Henrythenavigators career. To the best of my knowledge lasix isn’t permitted in Europe, so this could effect his performance in a positive way. With five Grade 1 wins this year he definitely has the class to be the final boss.

I doubt Curlin will go down on Saturday. The only thing he has to do is take to the surface and the race is his. That could be a problem, because he usually does things better the second time. If he does conquer the final boss, and is consequently retired, he will likely be remembered as the greatest horse since Spectacular Bid, and rightfully so. Go get ‘em Curlin!

**Please check back tomorrow for live blogging from the beginning of the Breeders Cup racing at 3:35 EST until the conclusion of the event later in the day. We can communicate through the comments feature and I will share my bets and thoughts with you. I also hope to hear your opinions.

Breeders Cup Turf Preview

In the year 2001 trainer Aidan O’Brien campaigned the magnificent Galileo for the owner combination of Michael Tabor and Sue Magnier. They would win 6 of 8 races with the colt, including the Irish and Epsom Derbies. Galileo’s career ended disappointingly as he was well beaten in the Breeders Cup Classic in his last start. Seven years later, Aidan O’Brien, Micheal Tabor, and Sue Magnier have returned with one of Galileo’s finest sons to tackle the Breeders Cup Turf. They have returned with Solder Of Fortune.

Ridden by Johnny Murtagh, Solder Of Fortune was a dominating victor in the Irish Derby last year, taking the race by nine lengths. His best performance this year was a third place finish behind the undefeated Zarkava in Europe’s greatest race, the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe. Solder Of Fortune tends to race midpack and make a winning move late. He has raced almost exclusively in Grade 1 company. On the strength of his third place finish in the Arc, he has been installed the 7/2 morning line favorite. Historically speaking, horses coming out of the Arc do not run well in the Breeders Cup. I’ll be looking elsewhere for my top selection.

Grand Couturier will be racing in the Breeders Cup Turf for the second consecutive year. He is much more seasoned and probably twice as good this time around. In his latest race he delivered a thrashing to a very good field in the Grade 1 Turf Classic Invitational. He beat the likes of Strike A Deal, Dancing Forever, and Proudinsky as he powered home to win by ten lengths under a hand ride from Alan Garcia. That win earned him an ESF of 109, the highest of his career.

I love Grand Couturier’s flexible running style. He has the ability to lay right behind the stalkers or close from last. With a record of four wins from seven starts at the distance, the son of Grand Lodge is among  the best turf routers in the world. I believe he is set to peak in this race. If he runs like he did in the Turf Classic Invitational, its all over but the crying. Grand Couturier is my top selection for the Breeders Cup Turf.

Two former winners, Better Talk Now, and Red Rocks will give it another shot this year. Trainer Graham Motion said Better Talk Now is working “better than he usually does” at the ripe old age of nine. If he makes it to the starting gate he will tie Kona Gold and Perfect Drift for the most Breeders Cup starts by a single horse at five. He will also tie John’s Call and Bet On Sunshine as the oldest horse to compete in the Breeders Cup. Red Rocks enters the Breeders Cup Turf after a win over Curlin in the Grade 1 Man O’War. He missed a race due to a slight injury, but should be in mint condition by the time the starting bell rings.

I feel very strongly about Grand Couturier’s chances in this race. He has really come to life in his last two starts, and he looks like a different horse, a better horse. If something should go awry, then Out Of Control may be able to capitalize. He enters this race after a strong second place finish to Red Giant in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch. The combination of Garrett Gomez and Robert Frankel is one of the best around. Regardless of who  you end up going with, good luck and thanks for reading!

Breeders Cup Mile Preview

Kip Deville is thinking its good to be king. His connections are thinking the same, but for how much longer? I can’t answer that, but I will say the reigning Breeders Cup Mile winner has an excellent shot at repeating. His stalking style suit’s the race perfectly. He can lay right off Daytona’s flank and move by him whenever he pleases. The only question is will the Kip Deville from last months Woodbine Mile show up, or will the blazing fast Kip Deville from the Makers Mark Mile be present? I’m willing to go with the latter.

The three-year-old filly Goldikova should provide the best competition. She enters this race after a win over the boys in the Grade 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp in France. She beat Breeders Cup Classic contender Henrythenavigator in that race, and earned a Racing Post Rating of 123. Goldikova should lay close to the speed. I love her ascending Racing Post Rating pattern. If she moves forward yet again, she could be unstoppable.

John Sadler’s four-year-old colt Whatsthescript is finally living up to his potential this year. He has two Grade 2 wins in three starts this year, along with a second place finish in the Grade 1 Eddie Read Handicap. Whatsthescript earned a monstrous 107 BSF in his last win, the Del Mar Mile Handicap. The son of Royal Applause will be closing from the back of the pack, and has plenty of pace to help his cause. Whatsthescript is one to watch in the Breeders Cup Mile.

Thorn Song and Daytona figure to buck heads for the lead. Daytona was seemingly invincible earlier this year, before slowing down of late. He may have to resort to the stalking style we saw in his Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile win. Thorn Song latest race was a win in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile. Trainer Dale Romans will have him ready to go, but I question whether or not he is good enough.

Bobby Frankel has his five-year-old mare Precious Kitten entered in the Breeders Cup Mile for her first try against the boys. She is a multiple Grade 1 winner against her own sex this year, but racing against males will be a whole different ball game. Precious Kitten should rate just off the pace, and if she runs as usual she will have a furious run late. I can’t criticize Bobby Frankel for her putting her here, he is one of the best trainers in the business.

Its tough to say who will come out on top in the Breeders Cup Mile. Kip Deville and Goldikova are clearly the best in the field. I’d say its extremely likely that one of those two take the top prize. I’ll lean towards Kip Deville taking the cake for the second consecutive year. I love the fact that he has won at Santa Anita. There is no telling how Goldikova will handle this turf course. Regardless of the outcome, this is going to be a fun race to watch!

Breeders Cup Dirt Mile Preview

It’s hard to look past Well Armed in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile. He looks like a different horse since his trip to Dubai, where he finished third in the Dubai World Cup behind Curlin. Since that race he has faced only top competition.  Well Armed counts the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap, and Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes as his best wins this year. He also owns a second place finish in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic.  The Eoin Harty trainee beat Heatseeker earlier this year, who has since been retired.

Well Armed was given a BSF of 105 for his win in the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes. That number is higher than any other horse in the field has ran in their career. He has finished off the board only once in eight starts over synthetic surfaces. Jockey Aaron Gryder can go to the lead with Well Armed, or stalk the pace. I expect him to command the early lead.

Lewis Michael is a full brother to Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Dreaming of Anna. If he can get the job done in this race, they would become (as far as I know) the only full siblings to both win a Breeders Cup race. Lewis Micheal will enter the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile on the strength of his win in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Handicap. He won by two and three quarters of a length on his way to a 102 BSF.

This race is perfect for Pyro. I’ve always believed the son of Pulpit was better at 1 1/16 miles or less. His best wins this year are the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and Grade 3 Northern Dancer. In both races he was closer to the pace then usual. Jockey Shaun Bridgmahon may want to give that style a try again. The only concern with Pyro is his tenth place finish in the Grade 1 Bluegrass Stakes, his only synthetic start.

Mast Track was supposed to be sidelined with a quarter crack, but trainer, breeder, owner Robert Frankel has decided to run. He says the injury isn’t as bad as he was told. Mast Track’s best win this year came in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup where he was the lone speed. I liked his chances prior to learning of the quarter crack, but I can’t support him knowing he is hurt, even if only slightly.

Winning the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile would the perfect way to cap Surf Cat’s lengthy career.  He has won six Grade 2 events throughout his career, but hasn’t been able to transfer that form up to the Grade 1 level. The distance and surface fit him perfectly. The odds are against him, but he is my sentimental pick.

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