2013 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint – 6.5 Furlongs Turf (Race 6, Post Time: 2:05 Pacific Time)
1. Jeranimo (12-1) – Here is a very classy horse who finally won his second Grade 1 this past July in the Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar. He is known for being a turf router so it is a bit surprising to see him in this spot. Also keep in mind that he does not have a trip over this downhill turf course. He is a very good horse, but I do not think this is the right place for him. I will pass on his win chances.
2. Rock Me Baby (30-1) – In his last race he ran 7th beaten only 2 lengths in the Grade 3 Eddie D stakes here at Santa Anita. He does have 3 starts over this downhill turf course with a win, a second, and the aforementioned 7th place finish. This guy has been very competitive in Allowance and Cal-Bred races, but this is a whole different ball game. Pass.
3. Chips All In (5-1) – He won the Grade 3 Eddie D. Stakes here at Santa Anita by a nose over Boat trip and continued to show his affinity for the downhill turf course. He has won 2 of his 3 career starts over the course and finished 2nd in the other race. I’m a bit worried that he does not have the same amount of class as some in this field, but you cannot ignore him.
4. Reenesgotzip (5-1) – She is the first of two females to take on the boys in this race. She ran in this race last year finishing 3rd after sitting off the leaders. In her two starts this year she has ran off in both races while winning with ease. One of the races was the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap. I am expecting her to go to lead and hold on for as long as she can. I am going to bet that she will hang on. She is a must use in the win spot.
5. Caracortado (8-1) – This guy is tough to get a handle on. He made his first start in 20 months in the Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes and he ran well finishing 4th only beaten 3/4 of a length. Given that he ran so well, will he repeat that effort or will he bounce of such a big race? His workouts suggest he will run well again and he is a classy horse. My gut tells me to pass on him winning, but I will include him in the exotics.
6. Boat Trip (8-1) – He broke his maiden over the downhill turf course and his latest race had him finishing 2nd to Chips All In in the Eddie D. We know what this guy will do and that is take back and make one big run. He should have the pace to close into as well. I cannot discount this guy from winning.
7. Tightend Touchdown (12-1) – He has been racing on the East Coast in mostly claiming and optional claiming events until the last few races. He has participated in 4 straight stakes races including two Grade 3 events. He has 1 win and 3 seconds from those 4 stake races. He will be on the lead and he will have plenty of company. I do not like his chances of winning here. Pass.
8. Handsome Mike (30-1) – He has made 2 starts since late August and both of those races were poor to say the least. He got crushed in the Grade 1 Pat O’Brien finishing 10th of 12 and then finished last of 10 in the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland. He does have a win on the downhill turf course, but he looks way out of his league in this race.
9. Capo Bastone (8-1) – He was last seen on August 24th when he came from the clouds to win the Grade 1 Kings Bishop at 28-1. He has never ran on turf, but is certainly bred to like it. I think this guy is better suited as a one turn horse, but this is an odd spot to place a horse for their first turf start. I am going to lean against him.
10. Havelock (10-1) – He ran in the 2011 edition of this race at Churchill when he finished last of 14. He’s had an odd road to the Breeders Cup this year as he started his year in the U.S. and then went overseas where he failed to make any impact in two Group 1 races. He returned to the U.S. and raced in the Grade 3 Woodford at Keeneland where he came from last to win by 2 lengths. He will have plenty of pace to run at the only question is will he be able to get going in time. If he is double digit odds, he may be worth another look.
11. Spring to the Sky (30-1) – He ran in the Grade 3 Woodford where he pressed the blazing pace and then weakened to 3rd beaten 2 1/4 lengths. He will probably employ the same strategy and if he does he will probably suffer the same fate. Pass on him.
12. Mizdirection (4-1) – She is the other female taking on the boys. She won this race last year here at Santa Anita coming off a 5 month layoff. I am willing to put a line through her last race in the Grade 1 Just A Game at Belmont. She is better suited to this Santa Anita downhill turf course where she has only recorded 5 wins from 5 career starts. She is a tactical horse that can adapt to any pace scenario. She is the one to beat here. Leave her out at your own peril.
13. Dimension (GB) (12-1) – He started his career in Great Britain racing in Stakes Handicaps. Since arriving in the U.S. in October 2012, he has raced 7 times and has only won once. His best game is sprinting on the grass, but he figures to be on an extremely hot pace. Pass on his chances here.
14. Unbridled’s Note (8-1) – He also ran in the 2012 edition of this race at Santa Anita. He went off as the 9/2 favorite and finished 2nd by a length to Mizdirection. He used the Eddie D as a prep race in 2012 (finished 1st) and did so again this year. He finished 3rd this time around by half a length. He should be coming off the pace and will have plenty of pace ahead of him. I like this guy as a long shot possibility.
Bets
With such a deep field here I will have to key in on a few horses for the top spot. I will use the 4-12-14 on top in exactas with the 3-4-6-10-12-14. If I were forced to choose only 1 horse in this race I would have to take the chalk and #12 Mizdirection. She has a knack for winning on this downhill turf course.