NEWS
Fields and morning-line odds for Breeders' Cup races
Posted: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 8:31 PM
Dylan Thomas tabbed morning-line favorite for Turf
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere (G1) winner Dylan Thomas (Ire) was tabbed the 7-to-5 morning-line favorite for the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
The four-year-old Danehill colt, who has won four Group 1 races in Europe this season for trainer Aidan O’Brien and owners Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor, drew post seven in the eight-horse field.
English Channel, a multiple Grade 1 winner on the Monmouth Park turf, is the second choice at 5-to-2 on the morning line and drew post six.
Red Rocks (Ire), winner of the 2006 Turf, drew post two and is listed at 7-to-2, while ’04 Turf winner Better Talk Now, who finished second in the 1 1/2-mile race last year, is 9-to-2 on the morning line.–Mike Curry
The field, in post-position order with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Fri Guy (Theatrical [IRE]), Kent J. Desormeaux, 126, Dale L. Romans, 50-to-1;
2. Red Rocks [IRE] (Galileo [IRE]), Lanfranco Dettori, 126, Brian Meehan, 7-to-2;
3. Better Talk Now (Talkin Man), Ramon A. Dominguez, 126, H. Graham Motion, 9-to-2;
4. Shamdinan [FR] (Dr Fong), Julien R. Leparoux, 121, Angel J. Penna, Jr., 20-to-1;
5. Grand Couturier [GB] (Grand Lodge), Calvin H. Borel, 126, Robert Ribaudo, 10-to-1;
6. English Channel (Smart Strike), John R. Velazquez, 126, Todd A. Pletcher, 5-to-2;
7. Dylan Thomas [IRE] (Danehill), John Patrick Murtagh, 126, Aidan P. O'Brien, 7-to-5; and
8. Transduction Gold (Formal Gold), James Graham, 126, John Glenney, 30-to-1.
Indian Vale morning-line favorite, Hystericalady draws outside post in Distaff
Six horses were tabbed at less than 10-to-1 on the morning line in a deep, talented field for the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
Melnyk Racing Stables’ homebred Indian Vale is the 3-to-1 morning-line favorite and drew post ten. The five-year-old A.P. Indy mare enters off a runner-up finish in the Beldame Stakes (G1) on September 30 at Belmont Park for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Ginger Punch (post four) is pegged at 7-to-2, Unbridled Belle (post 11) is tabbed at 9-to-2, Lady Joanne (post five) and Lear’s Princess (post seven) both are listed at 6-to-1, and Hystericalady (post 12) is 8-to-1 on the morning line.
“Oh, gee whiz. I’m not happy with that. Not at all,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said about Hystericalady’s draw of post 12. “I’d liked to have drawn anywhere but the 12. Does it compromise her chances? Oh, I don’t know about that. We’ll have to see. But I can tell you, I’m not happy.” –Mike Curry
The field, in post-position order with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Balance (Thunder Gulch), Victor Espinoza, 123, David E. Hofmans, 20-to-1;
2. Prop Me Up (Reparations), Joe Bravo, 123, Gregory D. Sacco, 50-to-1;
3. Tough Tiz's Sis (Tiznow), Mike E. Smith, 119, Bob Baffert, 20-to-1;
4. Ginger Punch (Awesome Again), Rafael Bejarano, 123, Robert J. Frankel, 7-to-2;
5. Lady Joanne (Orientate), Calvin H. Borel, 119, Carl A. Nafzger, 6-to-1;
6. Bear Now (Tiznow), Jerry Baird, 119, Reade Baker, 15-to-1;
7. Lear's Princess (Lear Fan), Eibar Coa, 119, Kiaran P. McLaughlin, 6-to-1;
8. Octave (Unbridled's Song), Garrett K. Gomez, 119, Todd A. Pletcher, 10-to-1;
9. Teammate (A.P. Indy), Cornelio H. Velasquez, 123, H. Allen Jerkens, 30-to-1;
10. Indian Vale (A.P. Indy), John R. Velazquez, 123, Todd A. Pletcher, 3-to-1;
11. Unbridled Belle (Broken Vow), Ramon A. Dominguez, 123, Todd A. Pletcher, 9-to-2; and
12. Hystericalady (Distorted Humor), Eddie Castro, 123, Jerry Hollendorfer, 8-to-1.
Excellent Art draws challenging post in Breeders’ Cup Mile
European Group 1-winning miler Excellent Art (GB) drew post 13 in a 14-horse field for the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), but despite the unfortunate draw, the three-year-old Pivotal (GB) colt is pegged as the 3-to-1 morning-line favorite.
After Market, the 7-to-2 second choice on the morning line, drew post three. The multiple Grade 1-winning Storm Cat colt enters off a runner-up finish in the Kelso Handicap (G2) on September 29 at Belmont Park for trainer John Shirreffs and owners-breeders Marty and Pam Wygod.
“I’m happy with it. He just needs a little time to get rolling and he’ll get it from there,” Shirreffs said. “I just didn’t want to be drawn outside the eight or the nine and it worked out.”
Nobiz Like Shobiz, tabbed at 8-to-1, drew post nine. The Albert the Great colt is unbeaten in three starts on grass. –Mike Curry
The field, in post-position order with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Rebellion [GB] (Mozart [IRE]), Eibar Coa, 126, H. Graham Motion, 50-to-1;
2. Icy Atlantic (Stormy Atlantic), Christopher P. DeCarlo, 126, Todd A. Pletcher, 30-to-1;
3. After Market (Storm Cat), Alex O. Solis, 126, John A. Shirreffs, 7-to-2;
4. Host [CHI] (Hussonet), Garrett K. Gomez, 126, Todd A. Pletcher, 30-to-1;
5. Jeremy (Danehill Dancer [IRE]), Lanfranco Dettori, 126, Sir Michael R. Stoute, 5-to-1;
6. Trippi's Storm (Trippi), Javier Castellano, 126, Stanley M. Hough, 8-to-1;
7. Cosmonaut (Lemon Drop Kid), Julien R. Leparoux, 126, Francois Parisel, 15-to-1;
8. Kip Deville (Kipling), Cornelio H. Velasquez, 126, Richard E. Dutrow, Jr., 6-to-1;
9. Nobiz Like Shobiz (Albert the Great), John R. Velazquez, 122, Barclay Tagg, 8-to-1;
10. My Typhoon [IRE] (Giant's Causeway), Eddie Castro, 123, William I. Mott, 30-to-1;
11. Silent Name [JPN] (Sunday Silence), Kent J. Desormeaux, 126, Robert J. Frankel, 30-to-1;
12. Purim (Dynaformer), Jamie Theriot, 126, Thomas F. Proctor, 20-to-1;
13. Excellent Art [GB] (Pivotal [GB]), John Patrick Murtagh, 122, Aidan P. O'Brien, 3-to-1; and
14. Remarkable News [VEN] (Chayim), Ramon A. Dominguez, 126, Angel J. Penna, Jr., 12-to-1.
Midnight Lute, Smokey Stover headline Sprint field
Forego Stakes (G1) winner Midnight Lute will break from post position two as the 2-to-1 morning-line favorite in the $2-million TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).
The Real Quiet colt trained by Bob Baffert has notched four wins in nine career starts.
“The post does not make much difference for Midnight Lute,” Baffert said. “He’s surrounded by really fast horses and will have to get lucky turning for home.”
Multiple graded stakes winner Smokey Stover is listed as the 7-to-2 second choice and will break from the far inside post. Trained by Greg Gilchrist, the Put It Back gelding won the Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup (G2) and Bay Meadows Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G3) Handicaps this year.
Grade 1 winner Greg’s Gold, who won this year’s Pat O’Brien Handicap (G2), drew post ten and was tabbed the 9-to-2 third choice in the 11-horse field.—Jenny Blandford
The field, in post-position order with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Smokey Stover (Put It Back), Aaron T. Gryder, 126, Greg Gilchrist, 7-to-2;
2. Midnight Lute (Real Quiet), Garrett K. Gomez, 126, Bob Baffert, 2-to-1;
3. Attila's Storm (Forest Wildcat), John R. Velazquez, 126, Richard E. Schosberg, 15-to-1;
4. Talent Search (Catienus), Ryan Fogelsonger, 126, Mark Shuman, 15-to-1;
5. Kelly's Landing (Patton), Lanfranco Dettori, 126, Eddie Kenneally, 20-to-1;
6. Commentator (Distorted Humor), Joe Bravo, 126, Nicholas P. Zito, 12-to-1;
7. Idiot Proof (Benchmark), David Romero Flores, 123, Clifford W. Sise, Jr., 10-to-1;
8. Benny the Bull (Lucky Lionel), Mark Guidry, 126, Richard E. Dutrow, Jr., 6-to-1;
9. Bordonaro (Memo [CHI]), Richard Migliore, 126, William Spawr, 15-to-1;
10. Greg's Gold (Lake George), Victor Espinoza, 126, David E. Hofmans, 9-to-2; and
11. Forefathers (Gone West), Kent J. Desormeaux, 123, William I. Mott, 20-to-1.
Nashoba’s Key draws post three for Filly & Mare Turf
Undefeated two-time Grade 1 winner Nashoba’s Key is the 3-to-1 morning-line favorite for the $2-million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).
Trained by Carla Gaines, Nashoba’s Key is undefeated in seven career starts, including four graded stakes victories. Winner of the Yellow Ribbon Stakes (G1) and Vanity Invitational Handicap (G1), the Silver Hawk filly drew post position three.
Group 1 winner Passage of Time (GB) will break to the right of Nashoba’s Key from post four in the 1 3/8-mile turf race as the 7-to-2 second choice on the morning line. Trained by Henry Cecil, the Dansili (GB) filly won the 2006 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Fr-G1) and enters off a third-place finish in the Prix Vermeille Lucien Barriere (Fr-G1).—Jenny Blandford
The field, in post-position order with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. All My Loving [IRE] (Sadler's Wells), Patrick J. Smullen, 118, Aidan P. O'Brien, 15-to-1;
2. Honey Ryder (Lasting Approval), John R. Velazquez, 123, Todd A. Pletcher, 9-to-2;
3. Nashoba's Key (Silver Hawk), Joseph Talamo, 123, Carla Gaines, 3-to-1;
4. Passage of Time [GB] (Dansili [GB]), Ramon A. Dominguez, 118, Henry Cecil, 7-to-2;
5. Wait a While (Maria's Mon), Garrett K. Gomez, 123, Todd A. Pletcher, 4-to-1;
6. Lahudood [GB] (Singspiel [IRE]), Alan Garcia, 123, Kiaran P. McLaughlin, 10-to-1;
7. Argentina [IRE] (Sadler's Wells), Kent J. Desormeaux, 123, Robert J. Frankel, 12-to-1;
8. Timarwa [IRE] (Daylami [IRE]), Michael J. Kinane, 118, John M. Oxx, 20-to-1;
9. Danzon (Royal Academy), Julien R. Leparoux, 123, Francois Parisel, 12-to-1;
10. Arravale (Arch), Jose Valdivia, Jr., 123, MacDonald Benson, 30-to-1;
11. Simply Perfect [GB] (Danehill), John Patrick Murtagh, 118, Jeremy Noseda, 15-to-1; and
12. Precious Kitten (Catienus), Rafael Bejarano, 123, Robert J. Frankel, 30-to-1.
Unbeaten War Pass tabbed favorite in Juvenile
Undefeated Champagne Stakes (G1) winner War Pass is the 5-to-2 morning-line favorite for the $2-million Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
The Cherokee Run colt trained by Nick Zito drew post position two for the 1 1/16-mile race.
Robert LaPenta’s War Pass won an allowance at Saratoga Race Course on August 26 by 5 1/2 lengths and posted a 2 3/4-length victory in his career debut on July 28 at Saratoga.
Undefeated Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner Wicked Style is listed at 10-to-1 on the morning line and drew post 13.
“It’s a horrible post,” trainer Rusty Arnold said. “Obviously, I would have much preferred being inside, like where War Pass drew.”—Jenny Blandford
The field, in post-position order with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Z Humor (Distorted Humor), Kent J. Desormeaux, 122, William I. Mott, 12-to-1;
2. War Pass (Cherokee Run), Cornelio H. Velasquez, 122, Nicholas P. Zito, 5-to-2;
3. Kodiak Kowboy (Posse), John R. Velazquez, 122, Steven M. Asmussen, 8-to-1;
4. Slew's Tiznow (Tiznow), Julien R. Leparoux, 122, Francois Parisel, 15-to-1;
5. Shore Do (Include), Mike E. Smith, 122, Chuck Peery, 30-to-1;
6. Overextended (Monarchos), Lanfranco Dettori, 122, Doug F. O'Neill, 50-to-1;
7. Pyro (Pulpit), Shaun Bridgmohan, 122, Steven M. Asmussen, 6-to-1;
8. Globalization (Touch Gold), Javier Castellano, 122, Richard A. Violette, Jr., 20-to-1;
9. Old Man Buck (Hold That Tiger), Rafael Bejarano, 122, Kenneth G. McPeek, 20-to-1;
10. Tale of Ekati (Tale of the Cat), Eibar Coa, 122, Barclay Tagg, 7-to-2;
11. Dixie Chatter (Dixie Union), Richard Migliore, 122, Richard E. Mandella, 10-to-1;
12. Salute the Sarge (Forest Wildcat), David Romero Flores, 122, Eric J. Guillot, 12-to-1; and
13. Wicked Style (Macho Uno), Robby Albarado, 122, George R. Arnold, II, 10-to-1.
Indian Blessing tabbed morning-line favorite for Juvenile Fillies
Frizette Stakes (G1) winner Indian Blessing drew post four and was tabbed the 3-to-1 morning-line favorite for the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Saturday at Monmouth Park.
Trained by Bob Baffert for owners-breeders Patti and Hal J. Earnhardt III, the Indian Charlie filly has won her two career starts by a combined 9 3/4 lengths.
Cry and Catch Me (post 13), also trained by Baffert, and Izarra (post eight) are the co-second favorites on the morning-line at 6-to-1.
“Four is a good post for Indian Blessing but I would have rather seen Cry and Catch Me in five, six, seven, or eight,” Baffert said. “But they’re both doing well; that’s the main thing.” –Mike Curry
The field, in post-position order with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Phantom Income (Montbrook), Eibar Coa, 119, Richard A. Violette, Jr., 30-to-1;
2. Clearly Foxy (Volponi), Patrick Husbands, 119, Mark E. Casse, 30-to-1;
3. Tasha's Miracle (Harlan's Holiday), David Romero Flores, 119, John W. Sadler, 10-to-1;
4. Indian Blessing (Indian Charlie), Garrett K. Gomez, 119, Bob Baffert, 3-to-1;
5. Irish Smoke (Smoke Glacken), Julien R. Leparoux, 119, Francois Parisel, 8-to-1;
6. Set Play (Van Nistelrooy), Brice Blanc, 119, Peter Miller, 20-to-1;
7. Backseat Rhythm (El Corredor), Javier Castellano, 119, Patrick L. Reynolds, 12-to-1;
8. Izarra (Distorted Humor), Victor Espinoza, 119, Ronald L. McAnally, 6-to-1;
9. Smarty Deb (Smart Strike), Ricky Frazier, 119, Doris Harwood, 30-to-1;
10. Proud Spell (Proud Citizen), Gabriel Saez, 119, J. Larry Jones, 5-to-1;
11. Zee Zee (Exchange Rate), Robby Albarado, 119, William I. Mott, 30-to-1;
12. Grace Anatomy (Aldebaran), Lanfranco Dettori, 119, Doug F. O'Neill, 10-to-1;
13. Cry and Catch Me (Street Cry [IRE]), Mike E. Smith, 119, Bob Baffert, 6-to-1; and
14. A to the Croft (Menifee), Kent J. Desormeaux, 119, Kenneth G. McPeek, 10-to-1.
Grade 1 winner Discreet Cat tabbed favorite for Dirt Mile
Grade 1 winner Discreet Cat drew the inside post and was pegged the 2-to-1 morning-line favorite for the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Friday at Monmouth Park.
The four-year-old Forestry colt will attempt to halt a two-race winless stretch against eight challengers in the one-mile and 70-yard race. Trained by Saeed bin Suroor for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Godolphin Racing, Discreet Cat enters off a third-place finish in the Vosburgh Stakes (G1) on September 30 at Belmont Park.
Grade 1 winner Corinthian is listed as the second choice on the morning line at 7-to-2. Trained by Jimmy Jerkens for owner Centennial Farms, the four-year-old Pulpit colt won the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) on May 28 at Belmont, but is unplaced in two subsequent starts.-Mike Curry
The field, in post-position order with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Discreet Cat (Forestry), Garrett K. Gomez, 126, Saeed bin Suroor, 2-to-1;
2. Lewis Michael (Rahy), Joseph Talamo, 126, Wayne M. Catalano, 6-to-1;
3. Wanderin Boy (Seeking the Gold), Javier Castellano, 126, Nicholas P. Zito, 8-to-1;
4. Forefathers (Gone West), Channing Hill, 122, William I. Mott, 20-to-1;
5. High Finance (Talk Is Money), John R. Velazquez, 126, Richard A. Violette, Jr., 5-to-1;
6. Gottcha Gold (Coronado's Quest), Charles C. Lopez, 126, Edward Plesa, Jr., 8-to-1;
7. Park Avenue Ball (Citidancer), Joe Bravo, 126, James T. Ryerson, 15-to-1;
8. Corinthian (Pulpit), Kent J. Desormeaux, 126, James A. Jerkens, 7-to-2; and
9. Xchanger (Exchange Rate), Ramon A. Dominguez, 122, Mark Shuman, 6-to-1.
Prussian totes unblemished record into Juvenile Turf
Undefeated Prussian drew post nine and is the 3-to-1 morning-line favorite for the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Trained by Bill Mott for owner-breeder Monticule, the two-year-old colt from the final crop of influential sire Danzig enters off a 1 1/4-length win in the Summer Stakes (Can-G3) on September 16 at Woodbine.
“You know, you’d rather be in a little more,” Mott said. “At least we’re not on the complete outside. It would have been nice to be inside the seven for that particular race, but we’ll have to make due.”
European invader Achill Island (Ire) drew post seven and was pegged as the 7-to-2 second choice in the 12-horse field for the 1 1/16-mile Juvenile Turf.-Mike Curry
The field, in post-position order with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Your Round (Distorted Humor), Eddie Castro, 122, Mark Hubley, 30-to-1;
2. Cannonball (Catienus), Elvis Trujillo, 122, Wesley A. Ward, 50-to-1;
3. The Leopard (Storm Cat), John R. Velazquez, 122, Todd A. Pletcher, 8-to-1;
4. Cherokee Triangle (Cherokee Run), Robby Albarado, 122, Michael J. Maker, 10-to-1;
5. Strike the Deal (Van Nistelrooy), Lanfranco Dettori, 122, Jeremy Noseda, 9-to-2;
6. Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat), Ramon A. Dominguez, 122, Christophe Clement, 8-to-1;
7. Nownownow (Whywhywhy), Julien R. Leparoux, 122, Francois Parisel, 10-to-1;
8. Achill Island [IRE] (Sadler's Wells), John Patrick Murtagh, 122, Aidan P. O'Brien, 7-to-2;
9. Prussian (Danzig), Kent J. Desormeaux, 122, William I. Mott, 3-to-1;
10. Preachin Man (Songandaprayer), Cornelio H. Velasquez, 122, Ronny W. Werner, 50-to-1;
11. Texas Fever (Victory Gallop), Garrett K. Gomez, 122, Michael Stidham, 30-to-1; and
12. Domestic Fund [IRE] (Sadler's Wells), Patrick J. Smullen, 122, Dermot K. Weld, 5-to-1.
Dream Rush, La Traviata to meet in Filly & Mare Sprint
Dream Rush was tabbed the 2-to-1 morning-line favorite while unbeaten is listed as 5-to-2 La Traviata for the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
Multiple Grade 1 winner Dream Rush enters the six-furlong race off a two-length score in the Darley Test Stakes (G1) on August 4 at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Rick Violette for owners West Point Thoroughbreds, Lewis Lakin, and John Sikura, the three-year-old Wild Rush filly drew post three in the ten-horse field.
“I hope she’ll be able to live up to [being the favorite],” Violette said. “Concerning the post position, that’ll be up to Eibar Coa whether or not it’s a good one. …If she breaks really well, we might decide to put the heat on everyone else.”
La Traviata won her first two starts by a combined 18 and 1/4 lengths and subsequently posted a 9 1/4-length romp in the Victory Ride Stakes (G3) on August 25 at Saratoga.-Mike Curry
The field, in post-position order with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Miss Macy Sue (Trippi), Eusebio Razo, Jr., 123, Kelly R. Von Hemel, 6-to-1;
2. Miraculous Miss (Mr. Greeley), Jeremy Rose, 123, Steve Klesaris, 15-to-1;
3. Dream Rush (Wild Rush), Eibar Coa, 120, Richard A. Violette, Jr., 2-to-1;
4. Maryfield (Elusive Quality), Elvis Trujillo, 123, Doug F. O'Neill, 15-to-1;
5. Jazzy [ARG] (Mutakddim), David Romero Flores, 123, Mark A. Hennig, 20-to-1;
6. Oprah Winney (Royal Academy), Garrett K. Gomez, 123, Richard E. Dutrow, Jr., 6-to-1;
7. La Traviata (Johannesburg), Julien R. Leparoux, 120, Francois Parisel, 5-to-2;
8. Wild Gams (Forest Wildcat), Ramon A. Dominguez, 123, Benjamin W. Perkins, Jr., 10-to-1;
9. Shaggy Mane (Bertrando), Cornelio H. Velasquez, 123, Donald Chatlos, Jr., 12-to-1; and
10. Baroness Thatcher (Johannesburg), Kent J. Desormeaux, 120, Francois Parisel, 12-to-1.
