breeders cup
The Sam’s Town horse handicap team is playing very close to the vest in this Breeders’ Cup.
Gordon Jones, Patrick McQuiggan and Tony Vega believe they can bring home a winning Pick 6 or super-perfect Classic to the people who participate in their betting pools.
So they uncharacteristically keep many selections undercover and save them for customers who flock to the biggest day of horse racing next Saturday.
The eight-race card will be contested at Kentucky’s Churchill Downs.
The trio will not play the eight-run BC card on the radio as they usually do and will not distribute plays in the daily newspaper.
“We’re not going to give away much of the store,” said Jones, a former columnist for the now-defunct Los Angeles Herald-Examiner.
“We are being careful this year.”
However, just like in poker, Jones is willing to show part of his hand, such as in the $5 Million Classic, America’s richest annual race.
Most people think Preakness and Travers Stakes winner Bernardini is the cream of the crop as he takes on older horses for the first time.
Bernardini, who is owned by Dubai’s ruling family, is expected to come into the role as a heavy favourite.
Backing him is Discreet Cat, also owned by Dubai royalty, who will go if, for one reason or another, Bernardini doesn’t.
Jones agrees with the public on this, but warns that a pair of European invaders “who might be up to the task” are coming.
“Bernardini is very strong,” observed Jones, citing the 2000 Clasico, when Tiznow cut down the Giant’s Causeway, as a prime example of what the Europeans can do.
“He’s a pressure horse and exactly on par (Beyer rating of 117/118) with previous Classic winners.
“He has already shown that he is the best of the American horses.
“Lava Man, the pride of the West, is five or six boatlengths short.
“The other American horses are out of luck, rain or shine…brother Dereks and lawyer Rons.
“It’s fun that some of them, like (2005 Kentucky Derby champion) Giacomo, are there.”
Jones believes that the 1 3/8-mile Filly & Mare Turf, which is normally dismissed by the public as a bunch of fastidious guys who couldn’t qualify for Distaff, might offer the best cast from start to finish.
“I went through the list and it’s a decent bunch,” he said, clicking on the names of Ouija Board, Wait A While and Gorella.
“They look way above the rest.”
Henny Hughes (2/1) has been heavily promoted in the Sprint and Jones has no problem with that.
He assures, however, that others are capable of winning.
“Henny Hughes was good when he was 3 years old,” Jones said.
“However, Dubai Escapade is rated higher, and Bordanaro is another to watch.”
Four Irish breds are due to fill the Turf spot and Jones mentions only 5/2 Hurricane Run favorites while conceding the race to “the Europeans”.
Fleet Indian at 2/1 was his only mention in Distaff; ditto 4/1 Aragorn on the Mile.
The Juvenile, billed as a preview of future Run for the Roses hopefuls, and the Juvenile Fillies lead the BC card, but are not in Pick 6.
Jones is still studying the boys — “I don’t know if this year’s class is as good as the one we had last year” — but she likes the 3/1 Dreaming of Anna pick among the 2-year-olds.
Overall, Jones rates this year’s Breeders’ Cup as one of the best in the event’s history, which dates back to 1984.
“There are some good handicapped races and it should be a good weekend, if the weather cooperates,” he said.
“Churchill’s main pitch recovers quickly after a storm, but the grass pitch becomes soft and pliable.”
Jones is pleased that the event is returning to bluegrass country and says racing should take a cue from professional football and schedule the Breeders’ Cup where favorable fall conditions can be expected and hotels can accommodate a large influx of guests.
“Five Breeders’ Cups have been held at Churchill Downs and four of the biggest crowds have been at Churchill,” he said.
“The other biggest crowds have been in Santa Anita, Hollywood and Belmont.
“The television world thinks it’s smart to go to different tracks, but Lone Star (Texas) was the limit.
“They even took him to Toronto (Woodbine).
“The only thing I remember from the year that was in Arlington is seeing people huddled in the stands, trying to get out of the rain.
“The fans are lucky they didn’t race the Breeders’ Cup in Nome, Alaska.
“The championships must be held under championship conditions.
“Horse racing has done a foolish job of putting on a glamorous event.”