Mr. Ed’s Best Bets for the Breeders’ Cup, Friday, November 3
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Breeders’ Cup, like the Kentucky Derby and Christmas rolled into two consecutive days for horseplayers, kicks off Friday at Santa Anita, CA, with five championship races, each worth at least $1 million in purse money. On Saturday, handicappers will be treated to nine more pricy stakes contests, highlighted by the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
VSiN.com’s fearless, life-long, suffering horseplayer and recovering journalist Ed Sehon (aka Mr. Ed) offers a snapshot of each contestant ending with his exclusive picks on each of the five races. Win or lose on Friday, Mr. Ed assures us he’ll return here with commentary and selections for all nine races on Saturday.
BC Race 5: $1 Million JUVENILE TURF SPRINT (5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT)
Five furlongs
1. CRIMSON ADVOCATE (4-1)
Record: 3-2-0-1
Trainer: George Weaver
Jockey: John Velasquez
Best Speed Figure: 88
Earnings: $138,047
2. NO NAY METS (4-1)
Record: 4-3-0-0
Trainer: George Weaver
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Best Speed Figure: 78
Earnings: $183,000
3. TIGER BELLE (15-1)
Record: 5-3-1-0
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness
Jockey: Christian Demuro
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $99,157
4. BIG EVS (3-1)
Record: 5-3-1-0
Trainer: Michael Appleby
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $228,283
5. GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS 15-1)
Record: 5-2-0-1
Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Jockey: Shane Foley
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $107,131
6. STARLUST (30-1)
Record: 7-3-2-0
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $119,877
7. SHARDS (15-1)
Record: 4-1-1-2
Trainer: Kelsey Danner
Jockey: Adam Beschizza
Best Speed Figure: 75
Earnings: $70,750
8. CHERRY BLOSSOM (12-1)
Record: 5-1-2-0
Trainer: Aidan O’Brian
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $362,267
9. ADMIDST WAVES (8-1)
Record: 5-3-0-0
Trainer: George Weaver
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Best Speed Figure: 76
Earnings: $240,875
10. VALIANT FORCE (12-1)
Record: 4-1-1-0
Trainer: Adrian Murray
Jockey: William Buick
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $100,227
11. SLIDER (8-1)
Record: 3-2-1-0
Trainer: John Sadler
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Best Beyer Speed Figure:
Earnings: $125,600
12. COMMITTEE OF ONE (8-1)
Record: 3-1-2-0
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Christian Torres
Best Speed Figure: 77
Earnings: $190,713
ALSO ELIGIBLE
13. HEDWIG (20-1)
Record: 2-1-1-0
Trainer: Eoin Harty
Jockey: Umberrto Rispoli
Best Speed Figure: 69
Earnings: $138,600
14. ASEAN (20-1)
Record: 7-2-1-2
Trainer: Donnacha O’Brien
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $39,556
15. APRIL VINTAGE (20-1)
Record: 3-1-0-1
Trainer: Peter Miller
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Best Speed Figure: 64
Earnings: $61,700
MR. ED’S PICKS: Savvy trainer Weaver has three in field — and I’ll take the runt of his litter, #9 AMIDST WAVES. Experienced, ultra-consistent filly can handle class upgrade. Prat a plus … Take a shot with #11 SLIDER, home track favorite, to Place … Classy British invader #4 BIG EVS, for young Appleby, hangs tough for Show … I’ll bet 9 to Win and box 4, 9, 11 in Exactas.
BC Race 6 $2 Million JUVENILE FILLIES (5:40 p.m. ET/2:40 p.m. PT)
1 1/16th-mile
1. CANDIED (4-1)
Record: 2-2-0
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez
Best Speed Figure: 86
Earnings: $415,800
2. JODY’S PRIDE (15-1)
Record: 2-2-0-0
Trainer: Jorge Abreu
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Best Speed Figure: 72
Earnings: $140,250
3. SCALABLE (20-1)
Record: 2-M-1-0
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Best Speed Figure: 72
Earnings: $44,200
4. WHERE’S MY RING (30-1)
Record: 3-M-1-1
Trainer: Val Brinkerhoff
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Best Speed Figure: 71
Earnings: $35,720
5. OMAHA GIRL (30-1)
Record: 3-2-0-0
Trainer: Jorge Delgado
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Best Speed Figure: 55
Earnings: $76,110
6. CHATLAS (8-1)
Record: 3-2-0-0
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Best Speed Figure: 74
Earnings: $187,200
8. ESPRIT ENCHANTE (20-1)
Record: 2-1-1-0
Trainer: Peter Miller
Jockey: JJ Hernandez
Best Speed Figure: 71
Earnings: $38,240
9. BRIGHTWORK (12-1)
Record: 5-4-0-0
Trainer: John Oritz
Jockey: Ricardo Santana
Best Speed Figure: 89
Earnings: $461,376
10. ACCOMMODATE EVA
Record: 3-1-0-1
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Jockey: John Velazquez
Best Speed Figure: 74
Earnings: $41,730
11. LIFE TALK (20-1)
Record: 3-1-1-0
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Best Speed Figure: 74
Earnings: $126,750
12. JUST F Y I (8-1)
Record: 2-2-0-0
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Best Speed Figure: 75
Earnings: $227,750
13. ALYS BEACH (30-1)
Record: 3-1-0-1
Trainer: Tom Amoss
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Best Speed Figure: 75
Earnings: $133,500
MR. ED’S PICKS: Backside chatter points to late-bloomer #12 JUST F Y I for Mott to defeat odds-on favorite daughter of BC winner Beholder, #7 TAMARA. Mott has a knack of flying under the totes in big races. Today is no exception. Go-to guy Alvarado rides … For Show I like #9 BRIGHTWORK for the Ortiz barn. My money is on 12 to spring upset and Win, and Exacta box of 7, 9, 12.
BC Race 7 $1 Million JUVENILE FILLIES TURF (6:20 P.m. ET/3:20 p.m. PT)
One Mile
1. BUTTERCREAM BABE (30-1)
Record: 3-1-1-1
Trainer: Michael Maker
Jockey: Luis Saez
Best Speed Figure: 69
Earnings: $178,250
2. FLATTERY (20-1)
Record: 3-2-0-1
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Jockey: JJ Hernandez
Best Speed Figure: 66
Earnings: $133,200
3. BUCHU (6-1)
Record: 5-2-0-2
Trainer: Phillip Bauer
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Best Speed Figure: 80
Earnings: $294,955
4. LAULNE (15-1)
Record: 6-3-1-2
Trainer: Phillip D’Amato
Jockey: Manny Franco
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $110,762
5. CONTENT (15-1)
Record: 6-2-1-1
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $67,067
6. PORTA FORTUNA (5-1)
Record: 6-4-1-1
Trainer: Donnacha O’Brien
Jockey: Olsin Murphy
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $408,564
7. GALA BRAND
Record: 3-2-0-0
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Best Speed Figure: 71
Earnings: $153,050
8. LIFE’S AN AUDIBLE (15-1)
Record: 3-1-1-0
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Best Speed Figure: 79
Earnings: $104,050
9. CARLA’S WAY (6-1)
Record: 4-2-1-0
Trainer: Simon Crisford
Jockey: James Doyle
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $100,265
10. AUSTERE (12-1)
Record: 2-2-0-0
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Best Speed Figure: 78
Earnings: $340,950
11. SHE FEELS PRETTY (4-1)
Record: 2-2-0-0
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Jockey: John Velazquez
Best Speed Figure: 85
Earnings: $262,379
12. HARD TO JUSTIFY (6-1)
Record: 2-2-0-0
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Best Speed Figure: 80
Earnings: $2,62,379
13. DREAMFYRE (15-1)
Record: 3-3-0-0
Trainer: OJ Jauregui
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Best Speed Figure: 81
Earnings: $285,000
14. LES PAVOTS (8-1)
Record: 6-3-1-2
Trainer: Francis Grafford
Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Best Speed Figure: N.A.
Earnings: $205,379
ALSO ELIGIBLE
15. GO WITH GUSTO (15-1)
Record: 2-M-0-1
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Best Speed Figure: 74
Earnings: $38,923
15. MO FOX GIVIN (30-1)
Record: 2-1-1-0
Trainer: Leonard Powell
Jockey: Larry Dettori
Best Speed Figure: 66
Earnings: $61,400
MR. ED’S PICKS: I have no problem justifying #12 HARD TO JUSTIFY for Brown with Prat, giving rider second BC victory. No other trainer has stable ready to fire on big racing days. Choice offers excellent upside potential … For Place, #3 BUCHU has been tested in stakes vs. quality fields at the best tracks. Jock Garcia is 2-2 in saddle … Irish invader #6 PORTA FORTUNA, my Show pick, has won four of six. I’m betting on #12 Win and on 3, 6, 12 Exacta box.
BC Race 8 $2 Million JUVENILE (7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT)
1 1/16th-Mile
1. THE WINE STEWARD (8-1)
Record: 4-3-1-0
Trainer: Michael Maker
Jockey: Luis Saez
Best Speed Figure: 92
Earnings: $370,260
2. PRINCE OF MONACO (4-1)
Record: 3-3-0-0
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Best Speed Figure: 103
Earnings: $327,000
3. WINE ME UP (15-1)
Record: 2-1-1-0
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
Best Speed Figure: 85
Earnings: $109,200
4. TIMBERLAKE (4-1)
Record: 4-2-1-0
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Best Speed Figure: 92
Earnings: $375,600
5. ECORO NEO — SCRATCHED
6. LOCKED (7-2)
Record: 3-2-0-1
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Best Speed Figure: 96
Earnings: $428,400
7. CUBAN THUNDER (30-1)
Record: 3-2-0-1
Trainer: Adrian Murray
Jockey: TJ Pereira
Best Speed Figure: NA
Earnings: $44,090
8. GENERAL PARTNER (8-1)
Record: 3-1-1-0
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Manny Franco
Best Speed Figure: 92
Earnings: $164,050
9. FIECENESS (6-1)
Record: 2-1-0-0
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Best Speed Figure: 95
Earnings: $62,750
10. MUTH (4-1)
Record: 3-2-1-0
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: JJ Hernandez
Best Speed Figure: 93
Earnings: $256,600
11. NOTED (20-1)
Record: 4-2-2-0
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Best Speed Figure: 77
Earnings:$259,625
MR. ED’S PICKS: Brad Cox-trained #4 TIMBERLAKE is my play-of-the-day. Champagne Stakes winner, the colt has tons of upside. Geroux knows him well … #6 LOCKED, my Place pick, is loaded, too. He’ll be tough in deep stretch … Baffert’s local favorite #2 PRINCE OF MONACO sports highest speed figure of 103 … I’ll wager on 4 to Win and buy Exacta boxes of 2, 4, 6.
BC Race 9 $1 Million JUVENILE TURF (7:40 p.m. ET/4:40 p.m. PT)
One Mile
1. AIR RECRUIT (20-1)
Record: 3-2-0-1
Trainer: Arnaud Delacour
Jockey: Luis Saez
Best Speed Figure: 67
Earnings: $139,750
2. RIVER TIBER (3-1)
Record: 5-3-0-2
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Best Speed Figure: N.A.
Earnings: $226,579
3. TOK TOK
Record: 3-2-0-0
Trainer: Graham Motion
Jockey: John Velazquez
Best Speed Figure: 69
Earnings: $120,581
4. CAN GROUP (12-1)
Record: 4-2-0-2
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Best Speed Figure: 72
Earnings: $307,013
5. MY BOY PRINCE (8-1)
Record: 5-3-2-0
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Best Speed Figure: 95
Earnings: $307,013
6. STAY HOT (20-1)
Record: 3-1-0-0
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Best Speed Figure: 77
Earnings: $46,940
7. AGATE ROAD (8-1)
Record: 3-2-1-0
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Best Speed Figure: 76
Earnings: $188,750
8. UNQUESTIONABLE (4-1)
Record: 5-1-2-1
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Larry Dettori
Best Speed Figure: N.A.
Earnings: $151,394
9. ENDLESSLY (5-1)
Record: 3-3-0-0
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: JJ Hernandez
Best Speed Figure: 80
Earnings: $229,200
10. FULMINEO (20-1)
Record: 3-1-1-1
Trainer: Arnaud Delacour
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Best Speed Figure: 74
Earnings: $80,180
11. LIAM’S JOURNEY — SCRATCHED
12. MOUNTAIN BEAR (12-1)
Record: 7-2-0-1
Trainer: Aiden O’Brien
Jockey: DB McMonagle
Best Speed Figure: N.A.
Earnings: $77,485
13. GRAND MO THE FIRST (20-1)
Record: 3-2-0-1
Trainer: Victor Barboza
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Best Speed Figure: 79
Earnings: $74,400
14. CARSON’S RUN (6-1)
Record: 3-2-1-0
Trainer: Christophe Clement
Jockey: Dylan Davis
Best Speed Figure: 80
Earnings: $314,529
MR. ED’S PICKS: Europeans are especially tough in this turf mile. Trainer O’Brien attracts legendary Dettori to ride Win choice #8 UNQUESTIONABLE for the first time. Who am I to question his judgment? … Another Irish import, #2 RIVER TIBER, also for O’Brien, gets the Place nod … And I like ultra-quick #5 MY BOY PRINCE with Rosario in saddle for Show. I’ll bet on 8 to win and box 2, 5, 8 in Exactas.