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 a super perfect Classic for the people in their betting pools.
Therefore, they unusually keep many selections undercover and save them for customers who come to the biggest day of horse racing next Saturday.
The eight-race card will be held at Kentucky’s Churchill Downs.
The trio won’t be radioing the eight-run BC card like they usually do and won’t be handing out plays in the daily paper.
“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’re being careful this year.”
However, just like in poker, Jones is willing to show some of his hand, like in the $5 Million Classic, America’s richest annual race.
Most people think of Preakness and Travers Stakes winner Bernardini as 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 enter the job as a heavy favourite.
Backing him up is Discreet Cat, also owned by Dubai royalty, who will go if, for one reason or another, Bernardini doesn’t.
Jones agrees with the audience on this, but warns that a couple of European invaders “that might be up to the task” are coming.
“Bernardini is very strong,” Jones observed, citing the 2000 Classic, when Tiznow cut through the Giant’s Causeway, as a prime example of what 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 American horses.
“Lava Man, the pride of the West, is five or six boat lengths shorter.
“The other American horses are out of luck come rain or shine… Brother Dereks and Attorney Rons.
“It’s funny 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 jerks who couldn’t qualify for Distaff, could offer the best cast from start to finish.
“I checked 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 others.”
Henny Hughes (2/1) has been heavily hyped 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 retainers are to fill Turf’s position and Jones mentions only 5/2 favorites from Hurricane Run while conceding the race to “the Europeans”.
Fleet Indian at 2/1 was his only Distaff mention; 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 last year’s” — but she likes the 3/1 Dreaming of Anna selection among 2-year-olds.
Overall, Jones rates this year’s Breeders’ Cup as one of the best in the event’s history, dating 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 the event is returning to bluegrass country and says racing should follow the lead of 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 to Santa Anita, Hollywood and Belmont.
“The TV world thinks it’s smart to go to different tracks, but Lone Star (Texas) was the limit.
“They even took him to Toronto (Woodbin).
“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.
“Fans are lucky they didn’t run the Breeders’ Cup in Nome, Alaska.
“The championships must be held in championship conditions.
“Horse racing has done a foolish job of putting on a glamorous event.”