Watching and Waiting

By Jude Feld

Here is a list of horses I am keeping up with on the road to the Breeders’ Cup.

SENTIENT BC FILLY AND MARE SPRINT

INDIAN BLESSING – Best sprinting and trainer Bob Baffert is smart enough to keep her around one turn. She has learned how to rate and that will benefit her at the BC and beyond.

ELOPE – Huge allowance win at Saratoga followed by a second to Indian Blessing marks her as a filly to watch. She has a ton of talent and has plenty of improvement left in her.

VENTURA – Might be best as a late-running sprinter. Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel is the best at spotting his horses and she will certainly be the closer to fear in a speed-laden race if she runs.

BESSEMER TRUST BC JUVENILE FILLIES (G1)

STARDOM BOUND – Continues to destroy the competition. Hard to see her get beat if she repeats her Oakleaf (G1) victory. Her connections have loved her from the start and she has done nothing to shake their confidence.

SKY DIVA – Undefeated Frizette (G1) winner is hard not to like. Just a gut feeling Stardom Bound is better.

PERSISTENTLY – Troubled second versus Sky Diva in the Frizette (G1) points this filly out as an up and comer. Phipps horses usually run big on BC day.

DREAM EMPRESS – Beat a second-string field in the Alcibiades (G1) but did it impressively. A mild contender based on her all-weather form.

EMIRATES AIRLINE BC FILLY AND MARE TURF (G1)

FOREVER TOGETHER – Has developed into a monster since switching to turf. I just love this filly. She has been fabulous to me at the wickets and was a low-priced overlay once again at Keeneland last week.

MAURALAKANA – Had her impressive win streak broken in a phony Flower Bowl (G1) on a course that came up soft with no pace for her to run at. I expect a huge rebound in the BC.

VACARE – Seems to be rejuvenated since shipping back to the West Coast. Still not at her all-time best but really not too far away.

PURE CLAN – Three-year-old filly has found a home on the grass. She is classy and formidable but would need a top effort to beat the older girls.

WAIT A WHILE – Undefeated on the Santa Anita sod and that is why she makes this list. The top two fillies really stand out in this group.

BC LADIE’S CLASSIC (G1)

ZENYATTA – Doesn’t know how to lose regardless of the pace scenario. Home field advantage too. Propbably the day’s most likely winner.

MUSIC NOTE – Classy filly might be a lock if Zenyatta wasn’t in the picture.

GINGER PUNCH – Has been solid all year but may have been outclassed by Cocoa Beach.

COCOA BEACH – Very good filly beat Ginger Punch on the square and comes up to the BC fresh and ready.

BC DIRT MARATHON

DELIGHTFUL KISS – Looked great winning at Turfway and came back with a smasher at Golden Gate. He is really sharp right now.

TVG BC DIRT MILE

LEWIS MICHAEL – Perfect race for the half-brother of recently retired champion Dreaming of Anna. He is super sharp right now and headed to the stud barn after this race so all systems are go.

WELL ARMED – Usually a one-dimensional speed type, he rated kindly in the Goodwood (G1) and certainly has the ability and class to give Lewis Michael a tussle.

ZANJERO – Made over a million dollars with mirrors but has looked sharp in his last two starts. He is capable of a big closing kick and would be the beneficiary of a pace duel.

SLEW’S TIZNOW – My Kentucky Derby horse last year until he got sick. I doubt he’ll run, but he is a great looking horse with considerable talent.

BC TURF SPRINT

FORT PRADO – Old campaigner has been crying out for a bit more ground. His closing style suits the Santa Anita downhill course perfectly. I expect a big effort in the BC despite the fact he is winless in 10 starts this year.

FIRST DEFENCE – Only race on the grass resulted in victory. He is speedy and can finish. Frankel will have him ready to fire down the hill.

BESSEMER TRUST BC JUVENILE (G1)

MIDSHIPMAN – Tyler Baze getting the boot on Baffert trainee now owned by Sheikh Mohammed. Maybe Frankie Dettori will be up?

CHARITABLE MAN – Love horses bred to run long on the turf, that win sprinting on the dirt. Has never gone two-turns but should handle the distance easily.

SQUARE EDDIE – Super impressed with his Lane’s End Futurity (G1) run although I might be prejudiced with a few tickets in my pocket. Had shins earlier in the summer and seems more than recovered. Now in the stable of Doug O’Neill.

TERRAIN – Solid colt is hard to knock and it wouldn’t be a shocker to see him wearing flowers after the race.

BELIEVE IN HOPE – Trainer Ron Ellis has brought this colt along slowly and he might be good enough to cause an upset if Ron tightens the screws. One thing is certain, if he is entered, he is well-meant.

BC MILE (G1)

WHATSTHESCRIPT – Capable of big races and should be more consistent with Garret Gomez riding him instead of the owner’s son-in-law.

HYPERBARIC – Oak Tree Mile (G1) win was convincing but will face much tougher foes in the BC.

THORN SONG – Difficult to go wire-to-wire on the Keeneland turf course yet this guy pulled it off in the Shadwell Mile (G1). I have to respect that.

SENTIENT BC SPRINT (G1)

STREET BOSS – I think trainer Bruce Headley “gave him one” in the Ancient Title (G1) and he will be loaded for bear in the BC. He is the best U.S. sprinter by far.

FATAL BULLET – Three-year-old was visually impressive winning the Kentucky Cup Sprint (G3) and seems to relish artificial surfaces. I won’t leave him off my tickets if he runs.

EMIRATES AIRLINE BC TURF (G1)

RED ROCKS – One of my favorites. Beating Curlin was just another feather in his cap.

CHAMPS ELYSEES – Better now with Garrett Gomez replacing Ramon Dominguez in the saddle. He is due to run out of his bridle one of these days…maybe, “When the whole world is watching.”

RED GIANT – Right there every time. He cannot be dismissed and is a must use in tris and supers.

WINCHESTER – So impressive winning the Secretariat (G1), three-year-old might have enough class to beat older competition.

GRAND COUTURIER – Has won back-to-back Grade 1 races but they were both more like a weak Grade 2.

SPIRIT ONE – Has dangerous early speed. I don’t know if they stiffed him last time out but he never saw the front. Maybe they were trying to see if he’d rate – Bad idea! Interesting pace play on a course that can favor speed on occasion.

BC CLASSIC (G1)

CURLIN – Best dirt horse on the planet.

BIG BROWN – Best turf horse in North America.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 11:19 am and is filed under Featured Articles. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.