It is hard to believe that it is Breeders’ Cup time. This has been such an exciting year for me in the world of horse racing. My involvement with Horse Racing Nation has exceeded all of my expectations. My BC11 picks are focused on the Pick 4 wagers on both days. I look for a couple of the Monmouth Park based horses to make some noise for “Racing at the Jersey Shore”.
FRIDAY
Juvenile Sprint – Secret Circle - Breeders’ Cup 2011 starts off witha single. I can’t bet against Baffert in a sprint with a two year-old. This race is the last leg of the 50¢ Pick 5.
Juvenile Filly Turf – Elusive Kate – If the Euros are that much better on the turf than our horses then Elusive Kate is the best in this race. Somali Lemonade, Stopshoppingmaria, Stephanie’s Kitten, and Dear Lavinia can’t be dimissed.
Pick 4
Filly & Mare Sprint – Turbulent Descent is my top choice but I will use Pomeroys Pistol as an “A” in the first leg of the Pick 4. Great Hot and Her Smile are backups.
Juvenile Fillies – My Miss Aurelia - I realize that I am quite chalky to start but it is what it is. Grace Hall and Weemissfrankie will be considered top choices on my Pick 4 ticket. I will back those three up with Miss Netta and Awesome Belle.
Filly & Mare Turf - Nahrain – Now I am off the favorite here with this undefeated Euro monster. Potential WPS bet if above 5-2. Nahrain will be the only “A” in this leg of the Pick 4. Announce, Misty For Me, and Stacelita will be use as “B”s.
Ladies’ Classic – Royal Delta – The word is that Royal Delta has been training up to the BC better than anyone in any race. Miss Match and Plum Pretty have a place in the Pick 4.
SATURDAY
Marathon – Eldaafer – The Monmouth based runner has been aimed all season for this race that he won last year. He blazed in his last work at the Shore. This one will be a great price and should be bet WPS.Early Pick 4
Juvenile Turf – Animal Spirits – gets my nod at 8-1 and should be a WPS bet. Stall knows how to win the big one. Finale and State of Play will be top choices in the early Pick 4. Fantastic Song and Lucky Chappy will be used in the Pick 4 as backups.
Juvenile Turf – Animal Spirits – gets my nod at 8-1 and should be a WPS bet. Stall knows how to win the big one. Finale and State of Play will be top choices in the early Pick 4. Fantastic Song and Lucky Chappy will be used in the Pick 4 as backups.
Sprint - Amazombie – This horse was my Best Bet of the Day until Jackson Bend opted for the Sprint, but I will leave him as my top choice. I will use Jackson Bend and Euroears as “A”s in the Pick 4.
Turf Sprint – Havelock – Love his last race and he knows how to win these short sprints. Hoofit and Regally Ready will be used in leg 3 of this Pick 4.
Dirt Mile – Caleb's Posse – The Indiana Derby was not the goal for this horse. Two turns is not his thing. The one turn mile will suit him perfectly. Wilburn will be included on my multi-race tickets.
Late Pick 4
Turf – Sea Moon – This one has never run a bad race even with a horrible trip last time and he is trained by the master of this race Michael Stoute. As the Late Pick 4 starts I have to include Sarafina, Await the Dawn, and Midday.
Juvenile – Union Rags - I love the horsemanship of Michael Matz and this horse has been so impressive. Only other horse I will include is longshot Fort Loudon. Didn’t a 2YO filly from Calder win big last year?
Mile – Turallure - Leparoux on the Kentucky turf with a horse that has run two great races. Of course I will be routing for Goldikova to win her fourth.
Classic – Flat Out - This Monmouth Park runner has been so tough and so determined to win. It feels like everything is aligning for this horse. I think the mile and a quarter is not the best distance for Havre de Grace and Uncle Mo. You all know how much I like Mo. I will use both of them on my Pick 4 ticket along with Stay Thirsty and To Honour and Serve.
In the 70’s I was another one of those kids that went to the track with their fathers, and I immediately became enthralled with the excitement and challenges of handicapping. And then the charisma and dominance of Secretariat gave me a hero to follow. To this day, I still get emotional when I hear Chic Anderson’s call of the 1973 Belmont, “Secretariat is moving like a tremendous machine”. 
