This year’s Breeders’ Cup takes place at New Jersey’s Monmouth Park, a little seaside track that has been giving racing fans thrills for over 61 years.
To prepare for the Breeders’ Cup races, Monmouth Park has been spruced up and a new turf course installed. This is a first for Monmouth Park as its season is from Memorial Day to Labor day.
The two greatest days in racing will unfold over the weekend of Oct. 26-27–three races on Friday and then eight races on Saturday.
Let’s take the Friday races first:
First race: The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (6 furlongs)
CONTENDERS:
Baroness Thatcher: In the money 6 out of 7 starts.
Dream Rush: A dream filly. Can go to the front or stalk. Winner of 4 out of 6 starts with two seconds.
La Traviata: Unbeaten. Won the Post Deb stakes over the Monmouth racecourse. Stepping up in class.
Oprah Winny: Has won 4 stake races and finished in the money in all 7 stakes starts. Won the Regret Stakes over this track. With a name like Oprah, how can she lose?
Rahiyah: Has never run on the dirt. All 7 starts have been on the grass.
THE PLAY:
1) Oprah Winny
2) Dream Rush
3) La Traviata
Second race: The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (one mile)
CONTENDERS:
Achill Island: Needs rain for a soft turf course for best running.
Domestic Fund: Should be running late.
The Leopard: Did not like racing over the dirt. Became a different horse when put on the grass.
Preachin Man: Could be in the money.
Prussian: Unbeaten. Has looked good winning.
THE PLAY:
1) The Leopard
2) Prussian
3) Achill Island
Third race: The Breeders’ Cup Mile (on the dirt)
CONTENDERS:
Corinthan: Winner of the Met Mile. Has beaten Lawyer Ron who runs in tomorrows Classic.
Discreet Cat: 3rd in come back race. Two best races were the Jerome Mile and the Cigar Mile. Working like a champ.
High Finances: Has a win and two seconds at the mile distance.
Wanding Boy: Has faced better horses in the past and won.
THE PLAY:
1) Discreet Cat ( Best Bet )
2) Wanding Boy
3) Corinthan
Now on to the Saturday races:
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (1 1/16 miles)
CONTENDERS:
Indian Blessing: Unbeaten. Will be tested around two turns.
Irish Smoke: Dominated the Saratoga season. Faced the best the East Coast had to offer. Lost the last race, didn’t like the track.
Zee Zee: All three starts have come over the grass. Could be a factor running on the dirt for the first time.
Grace Anatomy: Catcher Paul LoDuca owns part of this horse. May have better luck than the Mets.
THE PLAY:
1) Indian Blessing
2) Zee Zee
3) Irish Smoke
