ANALYSIS
3rd
BC MARATHON
Birdrun 2. Brigantin 3. Harrison’s Cave
Who says you can’t find a sports betting speed play in a mile and three quarter race? There might be one right here in Birdrun, who draws cozy slot, has the ability to lead, but can sit just off of it and still compete. If Andre Fabre thinks Brigantin and can dirt, that’s good enough for me and he just ran third in a 2 and a half mile fray. If Harrison’s Cave is anything close to his 30-1 morning line, you should take a look. He beat 23 horses to graduate and beat 17 for his other score. Pleasant Prince is the money pick for Wesley Ward.
4th
BC JUVENILE TURF
Wrote 2. Farraaj 3. Majestic City
Get the dartboard out for this event, it’s that wide open. Wrote did not get the best of trips last time, and he has shown the ability to close the deal in his short career. Farraaj won twice and has not been out of the betting sites exacta. He seems to have plenty of upside to him. Majestic City has never run a poor race. Another price play just might be Animal Spirits.
5th
BC SPRINT
Jackson Bend 2. Amazombie 3. Big Drama
Don’t blink or you will miss these Breeder’s Cup betting speedballs. Jackson Bend will need help up front but this race has fallen apart a few times over the years and this runner is coming off a 112 Beyer. Bill Spawr doesn’t ship for frequent flyer miles so fact he is here with recent Grade 1 winner Amazombie speaks volumes. Defending champ Big Drama has made no mistakes this year. How can one not take a longshot look at Giant Ryan, who is shooting for his seventh win in a row?
6th
BC TURF SPRINT
Chamberlain Bridge 2. Broken Dreams 3. Hoofit
Hop on the bandwagon of Chamberlain Bridge here. He has looked very good locally of late, won this race last year, should be a handful. Prices could be the order of the day in the other slots so scrutinize Broken Dreams, Hoofit and the long-fused Havelock.
7th
BC DIRT MILE
Jersey Town 2. Irrefutable 3. Wilburn
The Situation and Snookie have a vehicle here in Jersey Town, who has to run back to the back class he showed taking the Grade 1 Cigar Mile last year. Irrefutable will be the higher priced of the Beyers and he will be coming. Wilburn has never been sharper while Shackleford may round out the superfecta.
8th
BC TURF
Sea Moon 2. Sarafina 3. Await the Dawn
The advice here is to embrace the Europeans. Sea Moon is repeatedly proven fresh and can run all day long. Sarafina is the one to deny while Await the Dawn is a Group 2 winner. St Nicholas Abby had a coming out party in his Group 1 win in the spring and was not disgraced in the Arc.
9th
BC JUVENILE
Union Rags 2. Creative Cause 3. Drill
Looking for a Rags to riches story? Union Rags fits the bill. He’s done everything asked and has two West Coast runners to thwart and they are Creative Cause and Drill. Hansen could get away on the tote but he has run twice and has crushed his foes both times.
10th
BC MILE
Goldikova 2. Mr. Commons 3. Gio Ponte
When one is looking at pure class, you have to give up the props and Goldikova is pure class. She can win her fourth straight Mile with anything close to a decent trip. Mr. Commons has a super late punch when he gets honest splits while Gio Ponte has revenge on his mind after losing to the top horse in this race last year. For those in a bombs away mood, Zoffany will be a number and he was beaten just a head in a Group 1 in July.
11th
BC CLASSIC
So You Think 2. Havre de Grace 3. Uncle Mo
This doesn’t appear to be one of the stronger Classics so something strange may be in the air. With that in mind, So You Think fires every time and if he takes to the surface, he could nail down the top prize. Havre de Grace is a very nice filly and she must be respected, but not quite sure she is one of the ones. Uncle Mo will take them as far as he can but the Classic distance is pushing the envelope. Stay Thirsty will give backers a thrill on the front end and if he can repeat the form he showed at Saratoga, he’ll be very dangerous.
Best Bet: Union Rags