Online Horse Racing: 2011 Breeders' Cup Post Positions Drawn
Monday, October 31, 2011
by Bodog Racebook
Louisville, Ky, Oct. 31, 2011 – In all, 179 horses received post position assignments as three others were put on an also eligible list pending possible scratches in two of the BC races.
While no result is ordained by any post position assignment, it can be said that Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was not a happy camper after he got his post position assignments for four of the 10 horses he entered.
First IRSH GYPSY was given post number one in the $1 million BC Filly and Mare Sprint at 7 furlongs. Then EUROEARS drew the same inside post in the $2 million BC Sprint at 6 furlongs; THE FACTOR got number one in the $1 million BC Dirt Mile and longshot PRAYER FOR RELIEF received the same starting slot for the $5 million BC Classic at 1-1/4 miles. Yes, all four drew the #1 post position in their respective races.
In case you might not know it, but Baffert hates the inside post, for good reason.
Last year on this same track, Baffert watched in horror as his ZENSATIONAL lost his best chance to win the BC Sprint from post one when trapped inside through the first quarter mile. Zensational never was able to get into the clear to show the speed that led the public into making him the 9-5 betting favorite.
Six months earlier, Baffert endured a similar, even more gut wrenching experience when his star 3 year old LOOKIN AT LUCKY was severely bothrered early in the Kentucky Derby after breaking from the inside post.
Now, all the pre race planning and training for Irish Gypsy, Euroears, The Factor and Prayer for Relief may go right out the window if these horses do not break sharply away from the gate. One misstep, one half stumble, one horse cutting over to the inside rail could end their respective chances.
While Baffert has a way of deflecting tough beats and bad post draws with a self deprecating humor, this time, he can be forgiven for hoping against hope that his poor post draws in four important Breeders Cup races will not undermine their respective chances.
"I do not know how I can be so unlucky in these draws,” he said.
Nor does anyone else.
In other post draw issues, there were very few surprises, but the few were important.
For instance, JACKSON BEND, presumably being aimed for a shot in the Dirt Mile, instead was put in the BC Sprint by Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito.
“The pace of the (6 furlong) Sprint looks like it is going to be very competitive,” Zito explained. “I think my horse will be finishing very strong.”
The 4-year-old filly ARUNA defected from her first preference in the $2 million BC Ladies Classic at 1-1/8 miles on the dirt track to run instead in the $2 million BC Filly and Mare Turf at 1-3/8 miles. Trainer Graham Motion saw Aruna work on the main track Saturday morning and knew almost instantly that this proven grass filly would be better placed in the F and M Turf, even though the distance is beyond anything Aruna previously has attempted.
As expected, the lightly raced and extremely talented UNCLE MO is going in the $5 million BC Classic, even though many believe he will be challenged by that distance and would have been a more logical threat in the Dirt Mile.
Still, Churchill’s official line maker, Mike Battaglia installed Uncle Mo as the 5-2 morning line favorite. This despite the presence of several horses in the Classic field who have proven form at the Grade-1 level this year and will bring extensive experience at Classic distances.
Among the horses who deserve respect in this race are: The 4 year old filly HAVRE DE GRACE who beat males in the Grade-1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga; the hard hitting European SO YOU THINK, a winner of eight Group-1 stakes in three countries; GAME ON DUDE, a two time winner of important G-1 stakes in California this season; plus the 2010 Belmont Stakes winner DROSSELMEYER, the 2011 Belmont winner RULER ON ICE, as well as the 2011 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner FLAT OUT and the 2011Travers winner STAY THIRSTY.
Beyond the Classic which will close out the Saturday BC card, there is great anticipation for GOLDIKOVA, the French based 6 year old mare who will be seeking a mind boggling fourth straight win in the $2 million BC Mile. That race will in fact precede the BC Classic and will not only feature three other European imports with upset credentials, but two familiar rivals: COURAGEOUS CAT and GIO PONTI, who finished second to Goldikova in the 2009 and 2010 BC Mile races respectively.
Fact is there are tough horses in every BC race and as usual, horseplayers can expect a wide range of pari mutuel payoffs as nothing usually beat the Breeders’ Cup for it concentration of action and opportunities to play top class horses in top shelf races at fair and square odds.
The waiting is almost over. The party begins on Friday afternoon with six of the BC races and it will spill over into a glorious Saturday card that will offer nine more BC events. Get the bankroll ready to take some Breeders' Cup betting shots. The Breeders’ Cup comes along only once each year.
Bet on 2011 Breeders' Cup race with Bodog Racebook click here!
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bob baffert - breeders cup - courageous cat - drosselmeyer - euroears - flat out - game on dude - gio ponti - goldikova - graham motion
