Breeders betting will see a record number of foreign horses entered in this year’s Breeders Cup which takes place on Friday, November 6th and Saturday, November 7th.
Last year in Breeders wagering the foreign horses won five of the fourteen races. Breeders betting this year could see a record number of horses entered in the fourteen races. There were 37 horses pre-entered including three horses that won last year in Breeders betting; Muhannak who won the Marathon, Goldikova who won the Mile and Conduit who won last year’s Turf.
It may not be as easy as it was last year in Breeders wagering for the foreign horses even though there are more of them than ever. "Obviously, we’re hoping to repeat some of that success, but I think we should be under no illusion that it’s not going to be very, very tough to do that," Director of the International Racing Bureau Alastair Donald said. "I think the overall quality of the fields is outstanding, and while we have some very good chances in some specific races, I think it’s going to be tough."
Three of the 37 horses that could be favorites or second favorites in their races in Breeders betting are Goldikova in the Mile, Conduit in the Turf and Rip Van Winkle in the Classic. Conduit has raced four times this year and has a win, a second and a third. Goldikova is coming off a loss in her last race as a 2-5 favorite. Rip Van Winkle is adored in Europe and would be the favorite in the Classic but not against superstar filly Zenyatta. Rip Van Winkle has won four of his eight career starts.
The Classic is the biggest race in Breeders betting. It is also the last of the 14 races in Breeders wagering over the two days. Breeders wagering begins on Friday, November 6th with a six-race card. The Marathon kicks things off in Breeders betting on Friday followed by the Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Juvenile Fillies. The Filly & Mare Turf is next in Breeders betting followed by the Filly & Mare Sprint and the Ladies’ Classic.
Saturday’s Breeders betting begins with the Juvenile Turf and is followed by the Turf Sprint and the Sprint. Those three Breeders betting races are on ABC. ESPN picks up the last five races in Breeders betting beginning with the Juvenile. It is followed in Breeders betting by the Mile, the Dirt Mile, the Turf and the Classic.