The Breeders Cup Marathon is a unique race. It was contested for the first time last year. It allows horses whom are strong at “ultra route” distances to have a chance at the spotlight. Muhannak won the race at 12-1 last year, and will be back for another try in 2009. The Marathon will be ran on Friday which is “Ladies Day” instead of Saturday as it was last year. The distance of the race has increased from 1 1/2 miles to 1 3/4 miles.  Let’s take a quick look at some of the potential entries!

There isn’t a horse that really jumps off the page when handicapping the Marathon. It looks like the pacesetter is going to be Hawthorne Gold Cup runner up Night Lite. The five-year-old son of Thunder Gulch earned an automatic entry to the race when he won the Turfway Park Fall Championship by 5 3/4 lengths. He earned a BSF of 100 for that effort. Jockey Jon Court will probably retain the mount. I’d love to see Court get a win in the Breeders Cup.

Muhannak will try and defend his title in the Marathon. He enters this race with better form than last year, finishing 5th of 12 in a Group 3 at Ascot last out. He earned a Racing Post Rating of 111 for that try. Depending on the pace situation he should be laying mid pack or towards the rear of the field. His jockey would wise not to strike the lead too early, as he was nearly caught last year.

The nine-year-old gelding Cloudy’s Knight will have a big shot at winning for trainer Jonathan Sheppard. The son of Avie’s Lord has raced just twice this year with wins in the Kentucky Cup Turf, and Sycamore. Both were Grade 3 events.  The old warrior was a Grade 1 winner in 2007, and looks to still have that form. Sheppard is a genius with horses that race at exceptionally long distances and he will have this one ready to run the race of his life.

The three-year-old colts Man of Iron and Mastery both looks tough shipping in from Europe. Man of Iron is a son of Giant’s Causeway and Better Than Honour. Some may recall Better Than Honour as the dam that produced Belmont Stakes winners Rags to Riches and Jazil. She also produced Japanese star Casino Drive. He is certainly bred to win a Breeders Cup race.  Mastery won the Grade 1 St Ledger Stakes last out. He looks to be on the improve and should hold a very strong hand in this race.

Other interesting entries include Black Astor, Father Time, and Sir Dave. Who do you like in the Breeders Cup Marathon?