Breeders’ Cup Saturday Picks: Game On, Dude!
Enjoy the rest of my finalized picks for Saturday! Yee haw!
Juvenile Turf Top 3
1) Dundonnell
2) Artigiano
3) Fantastic Moon [GB]
Value Pick: Artigiano
Contest Wager: $20 win on Dundonnell
I think this was the toughest race of the 15 for me… I still like Dundonnell a whole lot, and because of the breadth of the field I hope to get some good odds on this Juddmonte colt. Artigiano’s sharp for the improve and Fantastic Moon [GB] factors as a fitting pacesetter. I also like I’m Boundtoscore’s chances and am intrigued by longshot Gervinho on his home turf.
Filly & Mare Sprint Top 3
1) Groupie Doll
2) Dust and Diamonds
3) Switch
Value Pick: Dust and Diamonds, Rumor
Contest Wager: $10 exacta box on Groupie Doll, Dust and Diamonds
Dust and Diamonds is bound to improve and dig this pace scenario and track, but can Groupie Doll ace her last test of 2012? I think so, but beware, she isn’t a lock here whatsoever! Switch is always good right here and at her home track.
Dirt Mile Top 3
1) Shackleford
2) Jersey Town
3) Rail Trip
Speedballs that want the lead like Fed Biz and Tapizar are sure to help set things up. Shackleford should dig the speed-biased main and is a miler at heart, not to mention one of the best horses this year. Jersey Town looks tough in his works and his Kelso (II) victory and should storm the pace late. Hard to dismiss the local Rail Trip, who takes a cutback here for Ron Ellis. I also like Emcee, but the two turn introduction causes me to wince a bit.
Value Pick: Rail Trip, John Scott
Contest Wager: $20 win on Shackleford
Turf Sprint Top 3
1) Corporate Jungle
2) Mizdirection
3) Next Question
Value Pick: Mizdirection
Contest Wager: $20 place on Mizdirection
Another tough race, I’m going “Brown” with Corporate Jungle, who has been a special horse to me this year and is taking a cut back in this race after working well on the turf course. Mizdirection is tough and has great morning line odds for some reason. Next Question’s been looking good on the grass course as well and is hard to fault.
Juvenile Top 3
1) Power Broker
2) Shanghai Bobby
3) Title Contender
Value Pick: Title Contender
Contest Wager: $20 win on Power Broker
All these colts are intriguing in their own way, and after a lot of flip-flopping about the two turns and the track, I’m going with Power Broker who has a win at this course under the same conditions and is in his element here. If Shanghai Bobby, who ships in and stretches out to two turns first-time, wins I’ll ease up on my criticism. Title Contender’s been looking real nice this week.
Turf Top 3
1) Trailblazer [JPN]
2) Point of Entry
3) Shareta [IRE]
Value Pick: Shareta [IRE]
Contest Wager: $20 win Trailblazer
While I hope Point of Entry has enough left in the tank for one more G1, Trailblazer is warmed up perfectly for this race and is good to go the distance. Shareta’s seriously underlooked as a top Euro performer. I also like Slim Shadey [GB] out on the lead.
Sprint Top 3
1) Capital Account
2) The Lumber Guy
3) Amazombie
Value Pick: Capital Account, Gantry
Contest Wager: $20 place on Capital Account
I feel pretty good about supporting Capital Account in a very tough field in a sprint (aggh I hate handicapping sprints!). The pace should be lightning as predicted, which The Lumber Guy could lay off of early and if Amazombie’s back up to speed, might want to watch out for that one too. I still also like Gantry who ships in with a lot of clout and skepticism.
Mile Top 3
1) Excelebration [IRE]
2) Wise Dan
3) Willcox Inn
Value Pick: Willcox Inn
Contest Wager: $20 win Excelebration [IRE]
Looking good on the American grass after a fresh G1 score in the Queen Elizabeth, Excelebration [IRE] is going to be Wise Dan’s greatest foe here as the latter is hot off a Shadwell Mile (I) score. I’m probably cuckoo for choice #3, Willcox Inn, who flew off the handle and was the only one closing in on Wise Dan in the Shadwell Mile stretch.
Contest Wager for Classic: $20 place Fort Larned