Handicapper's Corner: 2017 Breeders' Cup Distaff & Classic

2017 Breeders' Cup Picks

The ThoroFan Handicappers pondered the past performances, diligently watched prep races, and counted the hairs on the tails of all contenders entered in this year's Breeders' Cup Distaff and Classic. Below are their top 3 picks and best longshot bombs.

Breeders’ Cup Distaff

The 1 1/8 mile contest over the Del Mar dirt oval is carded as Race 9. 

Handicapper	First	Second	Third	Longshot
Michael Amo	Forever Unbridled	Stellar Wind	Paradise Woods	Abel Tasman
Nick Costa	Elate	Paradise Woods	Stellar Wind	Mopotism
Reinier Macatangay	Forever Unbridled	Stellar Wind	Elate	Romantic Vision
Michael Mills	Stellar Wind	Elate	Abel Tasman	Champagne Room
Nicolle Neulist	Paradise Woods	Forever Unbridled	Stellar Wind	Champagne Room
Laurie Ross	Elate	Stellar Wind	Abel Tasman	Champagne Room

Breeders’ Cup Classic

The 1 1/4 mile Classic may carry Horse of the Year implications. Ten horses, colts and a lone gelding make up the eleven horse field, which is the closing race on Breeders’ Cup Saturday.

Handicapper	First	Second	Third	Longshot
Michael Amo	Gun Runner	Collected	Mubtaahij	Gunnevera
Nick Costa	Gun Runner	Arrogate	West Coast	Churchill
Reinier Macatangay	Arrogate	Gun Runner	West Coast	Gunnevera
Michael Mills	Arrogate	Collected	Gun Runner	Gunnevera
Nicolle Neulist	Arrogate	Gun Runner	West Coast	Win the Space
Laurie Ross	Collected	West Coast	Gun Runner	Mubtaahij

 



The 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I) 
By Robert Marks, They're in the Gate (and on Twitter @theyreinthegate)

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is a Saturday 11/04/17 held at Del Mar Racetrack where the Surf meets the Turf.  

Here is who we like

Bolt d’Oro

Hard not to like an undefeated colt coming into a race (3-0). Plus 2 of these 3 wins come on the Del Mar surface. We never know how others who have not raced on at Del Mar will fare, so we have to weigh this heavily. On paper the fastest horse in the field.

Free Drop Billy

This Dale Romans trained colt has raced 4 times with 2 wins and 2 place finishes over 3 different tracks. We like his ability and his last race was a win at 1 1/16^th mile, so we know he can get the distance. He has looked good all week in workouts- a definite exacta and trifecta use.

US Navy Flag   

This Kentucky bred has raced the most-10 times, all overseas. Now he ships back to the US. Love his experience but don’t quite like the post position and question his ability to get the route. But we are looking for value and if he can get out of the gate quickly he has a chance. Put him in your exotics, especially if his odds float above 10-1 by post time. light raced 4-year-old did run this same race last year, finishing 6^th. Has only 1 win in 8 starts, but that one win did come at Woodbine in last year’s Breeders Stakes. He hasn’t raced since May, that being at 1 ¼ miles at Belmont Park. But he has looked good at workouts and could clunk up to grab a piece of the exotics.

Wagering/Betting Handigambling Bankroll: Here is our $100 worth of betting for the race

Exacta Box: $20 Exacta Box ($40)

5,11

Trifecta ($10 Box for $60 Total)

1,5,11

As always, watch the Board and if at the track watch how the horses look in the Paddock and adjust your bets accordingly. Good Luck!