We got through election day and are so glad to see all the signs being removed from the edges of every road in the state, not to mention the absence of the endless commercials.
The Breeders Cup begins tomorrow. A couple of very interesting things going into tomorrow. Remember, Churchill has had only an inch to an inch and a quarter of rain (which was last weekend) since about August 19th or 20th. So to say we are dry is an understatement. The track superintendent has had to do all the watering artificially, which is not the same as mother nature. The Churchill track is usually slower in the fall than in the spring anyway, mainly due to weather conditions. The track is in good condition, but it might be a little cuppier and some horses will probably not like it. The grass course does have a sprinkler system and is very green and looks great. But, it is still dry and very hard. He does keep the grass longer in the fall because of the lack of growth this time of year compared to the spring. The Europeans are already whining about it, because they are use to softer turf. Tomorrow night we have a whopping 30% chance of showers/and or snow showers with a low of 36 degrees which will also effect the amount of water that will be put on the tracks. Saturday night we are suppose to get to a low of 28, which as you know is below freezing. Usually the track doesn't freeze until 26 or 27 degrees depending on wind chill and moisture in the track. But the Classic is ran at 6:45 p.m., so the track could change a little as the sun sets. I do think Butch Lear and his crew do an exceptional job and will do an exceptional job. Just a little something you should all think about in your handicapping, but remember the weathermen are not always that accurate.
I do think the fields are very good, very deep and very hard to handicap so there will be some very big payoffs. I do think racing will get some much needed media exposure, but we need to have no accidents and we need Zenyatta to win.
The Breeders Cup starts at 4:00 PM and ends at 7:30 PM with the Ladies Classic. Here are a few of my picks for Fridays card.
For The Marathon I give you ATONED as a long shot and A.U.MINER to win, which is doing exceptionally well this week. She is trained by a young guy (Clark Hanna) that has worked his way around here for years.
The Breeders Cup Juvenile Filly Turf: WINTER MEMORIES (chalk) MORE THAN REAL as the long shot, owned by Chef Bobby Flay
The Filly and Mares Sprint 7/8ths: Because it is 7/8ths, I am going with CHAMPAGNE D'ORO with RIGHTLY SO as a back up.
The Juvenile Fillies- Dirt: DELIGHTFUL MARY to hit the board (as we own a share in Limehouse) and one of the TAPIT fillies to win it. It is kind of hard to handicap as some of these babies have never run on real dirt.
The Breeders Cup Filly Turf Mile and 3/8ths: It is awfully hard to bet against MIDDAY, so I won't. As a back up I will pick ECLAIR DE LUNE.
The Ladies Classic: We have to root for BLIND LUCK (since we own a share in Pollards Vision) and she is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer who is way past due being in the Hall of Fame. Back up is UNRIVALED BELLE
Good Luck and may the horse be with you
