Here’s a guide to navigating Day 2 of the Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup fireworks are far from over as nine more stakes today will determine division champions at Churchill Downs, capped by the celebrated Breeders’ Cup Classic. This card is far more formidable than what we witnessed on Friday. Here are my selections for today:
■ MARATHON — No. 1 Birdrun (7-2) is one of many live runners sent out by trainer Bill Mott. Mott prepped this colt in the Jockey Club Gold Cup facing much tougher horses than he will face today. No. 11 A.U. Miner (3-1) also prepped with Birdrun in the Gold Cup. He has had a limited three-race season pointing for this. Long shot: No. 5 Giant Oak (9-2).
■ JUVENILE TURF — No. 12 Lucky Chappy (10-1) is part of an uncoupled entry from Team Valor. This colt had an eventful trip from dead last to finish third in the Bourbon. Joel Rosario is well-suited for his closer style. No. 5 Wrote (12-1) is one of Aidan O’Brien’s better juveniles. He ran third last time with a troubled trip. Long shot: No. 4 Farraaj (12-1).
■ SPRINT — No. 8 Big Drama (5-2) had a soft prep at Calder off a nine-month layoff. He has proven time and again he can fire well when fresh, which he surely is from a limited campaign. He’s a likely repeat winner. No. 5 Jackson Bend has been rejuvenated as a one-turn runner for Nick Zito. Expect him to sit far back and make one run. Long shot: No. 6 Force Freeze (10-1).
■ TURF SPRINT — No. 8 Regally Ready (3-1) has developed into one of the best turf sprinters in the United States. His lone poor race this year came when he was bothered badly on the far turn of the Turf Monster at Parx. No. 4 Perfect Officer (12-1) ran second in the Turf Monster but was not involved in the rough action that was behind him. Long shot: No. 10 Havelock (9-2).
■ DIRT MILE — No. 5 Wilburn (4-1) has shown steady improvement in each of his past three victories. He won at Monmouth, Parx and Hoosier so he showed he can handle many different dirt surfaces. No. 8 Caleb’s Posse (5-1) reacted badly in the Indiana Derby after a spectacular upset of Uncle Mo in the King’s Bishop. He can rebound today. Long shot: No. 2 Shackleford (7-2).
■ TURF — No. 7 Sea Moon (4-1) had a rough trip as a beaten favorite in the St. Leger. He is a first-class colt and can make amends in a race that figures to be dominated by the Europeans. No. 2 Sarafina (5-2) had a near perfect season before leaking oil in the Arc de Triomphe. Her best race is clearly good enough to win this. Long shot: No. 6 Await the Dawn (7-2).
■ JUVENILE — No. 7 Creative Cause (7-2) rates a tiny edge because he already has won a grade 1 stakes around two-turns in the Norfolk. His pedigree also suggests he will get better as the races get longer. No. 10 Union Rags (2-1) will be favored as strongly as Uncle Mo was last year, but the comparison ends there. Long shot: No. 1 Take Charge Indy (30-1).
■ MILE — No. 5 Gio Ponti (4-1) and No. 1 Goldikova (7-5) should be lauded for still racing as 6-year-olds when most superstars are retired early to the breeding shed. I give Gio Ponti a chance for the upset because a mile is his best distance, his incredible consistency, and Goldikova is showing small signs of losing her edge. Long shot: No. 3 Courageous Cat (8-1).
■ CLASSIC — No. 13 To Honor and Serve (12-1) is the third Bill Mott trainee I’ve picked to win a Breeders’ Cup race. I think he’s that loaded for bear. His two prep wins, including the Pennsylvania Derby, have been first rate. No. 10 Havre de Grace (3-1) would seal a Horse of the Year title with a win. This is heavy-duty lifting today. Long shot: No. 2 Flat Out (6-1).
Richard Eng can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick.