Breeders Cup Rankings – Nov 6th Races Part II

Breeders’ Cup:  Nov. 6th Races Power Rankings – - Part II

As the Breeders’ Cup quickly approaches, it’s time to come out with rankings for each race.

We’ll start with the races on Nov. 6th.  There are 6 Breeders’ Cup races on Nov. 6th.  The featured race is the last, the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic.  In the Ladies Classic, Zenyatta may or may not be running, but the word so far has been that her connections will keep her with her own kind.

Since it’s likely that Zenyatta’s connections will run her in the Ladies Classic, our Breeders’ Cup Power Rankings will reflect that.

Let’s get to it!

Breeders’ Cup Power Rankings – - Nov. 6th Races

** Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Emirate’s Airlines Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic

** Based on Prospective Entrants

Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

1. Devil May Care – - Any time Todd Pletcher send a 2 year old to a Breeders’ Cup race, gamblers had better pay attention.  When that two year old is coming off of a Grade I victory in only her second lifetime start, then favoritism is likely.  When that two year old scored in that Grade I after stumbling at the break, then winning that Breeders’ Cup race could be a foregone conclusion.

2. Blind Luck – - The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee won the Grade I Oak Leaf Stakes in her last, at the 1 1/16th mile distance of this race and on the Pro-Ride surface.  She showed a fantastic turn of foot in the Oak Leaf and should only be better in the Juvenile Fillies as their should be more pace for her to run at.

3. Awesome Maria – - She lost by a head to Devil May Care in the Grade I Frizette as the 6 to 5 favorite.  She should absolutely love the extra 16th of a mile in this and like Blind Luck, the pace can only help her.  Of course, she’s never run over the Pro-Ride which could be an issue, but her talent cannot be questioned.

4. Hot Dixie Chick – -  She’s won three in a row, including the Grade I Spinaway at 7 furlongs and figures to improve at the distance, but her style, she’s a front-runner, could leave her vulnerable in this race.  Still, they didn’t buy her for $435,000 for nothing and her speed ratings are far and away better than anything else likely to start in this race.

5. She Be Wild – -  Trainer Wayne Catalano saddles this daughter of Offlee Wild who lost the Grade I Alcibaides by half a length in her last over Keeneland’s Polytrack.  Her Polytrack form should transfer nicely to Pro-Ride and she has the ability to stay right behind the speed before running to the wire.  She will have a shot if she enters.

Emirate’s Airlines Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf

1. Chinese White – - This Grade II winner trained by Dermont Weld figures to vie for favoritism in this race after running very well at the Curragh in Ireland in September.  She’s won three in a row, is a 4 year old filly, and Weld has saddled winners at Santa Anita before.  She’ll be tough.

2. Dar Re Mi – - If she does enter, there is no doubt that she will be the favorite as she is a multiple Grade I winner and she finished 5th in the Prix to Sea of Stars.  Trainer John Gosden has won races all over the world and Dar Re Mi will be looking at the cheapest field she has faced in a long time should she enter the gate for the Filly and Mare Turf.

3. Forever Together – - The defending Filly and Mare Turf champion has lost her last two races, but those were at 1 1/8th miles and 1 mile.  Now, she returns to the 1 ¼ mile distance of the Filly and Mare Turf.  That should be much, much more to her liking.  She figures to put in a great run again in this race.

4. Magical Fantasy – - She’s won four in a row.  Two of those victories were on Santa Anita’s turf course and two were at the 1 ¼ mile distance of the Filly and Mare Turf.  She’s not only a horse for course, but she’s a horse for distance and a Grade I winner to boot.

5. Pure Clan – - The 2008 American Oaks Invitational winner obviously likes this distance with a 3 out of 5 record.  She’s also coming off of a victory in the Grade I Flower Bowl Invitational which no doubt should set her up perfectly for this.  She’s yet another that horseplayers must think about.

Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic

1. Icon Project – - As good as Zenyatta is, Icon Project is better.  Yes, of course, I’m taking yet another stand against the brilliant Zenyatta, but Icon Project has won 4 out of 11 including a Grade I at Saratoga at 1 ¼ miles and figures to lay behind the speedsters until the time is right.  She won’t be caught by the over the hill Zenyatta who hasn’t posted a triple digit speed rating since the 2008 running of this race.  Icon Project will be one of my bigger wagers of the day should she enter.
2. Careless Jewel – - She’s won 5 in a row including the Grade II Delaware Oaks by 7 ½ lengths, and the Grade I Alabama at 1 ¼ miles by 11 lengths.  She’s getting better and better and could be the lone speed in this race as no other filly or mare figures to want to run with her early.  She might run this field off of their feet at nice odds. 

3. Zenyatta – - Zenyatta is 13 for 13, has won close to 2.8 million and will be racing over her home track in this.  The issue, of course, is whether or not she can step her game up off of 4 victories in 2009 against suspect competition.  Icon Project and Careless Jewel are serious racehorses and should they show up to take the gigantic mare own, expect Zenyatta to be in a tussle.

4. Seventh Street – - This half-sister to Zenyatta, they’re both out of Street Cry, could provide some value in the exotics, or maybe even win this race, but she’s up against it in this.  She’s got a terrific record, but like her sister she hasn’t been facing the toughest competition on the planet and her style is to be close to the pace.  Carless Jewel could run her into the ground.

5. Proviso – - Sure, she was taken down in the Grade I Spinster and Mushka was placed ahead of her, but it was her first race for Bobby Frankel.  If any trainer can get her ready for something like this, it’s going to be Frankel.