Another beautiful day at Santa Anita for day 2 of the Breeders Cup.  Yesterday I had one sunny moment and one tough beat in a very competitive card.  In race 5, The Juvenille Fillies, listed the exacta box for $144 and the triple box for $814.  In race 3, The Marathon, my best bet Cloudy’s Night took a clear lead in mid-stretch and just got beat by a nose at 8-1…oh well, let’s be a little luckier and a bit smarter on today’s card.

In race 9, the wide open Breeders Cup Classic, use your head and take advantage of Zenyatta’s favoritism to find real live alternatives at great prices.  Einstein (#8) loves this track, has been freshened for the race and can be close to a slower pace and run down the leaders in mid stretch and hold off the closers.  I’m boxing him with Richard’s Kid (#6) and Summer Bird (#3), making a big place and show bet and using all my picks in doubles and pick 3’s.

In race 3, the totally unpredictable BC Turf Sprint, Noble Court (#1) gets the nod to run down California Flag (#3) in the late stages of the race. I’m throwing in live longshot Square Eddie (#8) in an exacta box and playing him up and down with the rest of the field. I’ll use my top two choices in doubles and pick 3’s.

In race 2, The BC Juvenile Turf, Interactif (#11) gets a wide post but has been extremely impressive in last two turf starts — I’m boxing him with Codoy (#3) and Pounced (#4) and keying in doubles and pick 3’s.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 1, 7 and 3

Race 2: 11 (Best Bet) with 3 and 4

Race 3: 1 (Best Bet) with 3 and 8

Race 4: 8, 3 and 5

Race 5: 9 with 6 and 10

Race 6: 3 and 11

Race 7: 8, 3 and 1

Race 8: 6, 5 and 7

Race 9: 8 (Best Bet), 6 and 3

Race 10: 9, 7 and 1

What a great weekend of racing coming up at Santa Anita!  The best horses in the world are running in the Breeders Cup and the best handicappers in the country are trying to make sense of it all!  I hope to be up to the challenge.

In race 3, The Breeders Cup Marathon at 1 3/4 miles, trainer Jonathan Sheppard has 9 year old Cloudy’s Night (#4) in great form, the distance and synthetic track should be no problem and there is enough speed in the race to set up his late kick.  I’m playing an exacta box with Muhannak (#2) and Mastery (#6) and keying in all doubles and pick 3’s.

In race 4, The Juvenile Turf, Smart Seattle (#3) gets back on turf and the mile distance may be perfect for her to get a good stalking trip and hold off Hatheer (#9) and House of Grace (#7).  I’m playing an exacta box and keying her in doubles and pick 3’s.

In race 7, The Sprint, Ventura (#9) and Informed Decision (#7) will be the heavy choices and figure to run well.  But in a race devoid of speed, Seventh Street (#8) can stay close and 7 furlongs may be just her thing and you know Bin Suroor will win at least one BC race.  I will play an exacta box and use her in doubles and pick 3’s.

Overall, you are probably better off playing horses who have run well on the track and have connections that have done well on Breeders Cup day.  However, keep on mind that speed may be a premium in some of the turf races and you will see that I picked some longshots.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 4 with 7 and 9

Race 2: 7, 5 and 9

Race 3: 4 (Best Bet) with 2 and 6

Race 4: 3 (Best Bet) with 9 and 7

Race 5: 3 with 4 and 8

Race 6: 7, 4 and 1

Race 7: 8 (Best Bet) with 9 and 7

Race 8: 1 and 6

Race 9: 6, 9 and 11