Breeders’ Cup Picks – Saturday, October 31
Veteran handicapper “Mr. Ed” Sehon provides his selections for Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup races.
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile — Race Sets Up for Upset
Keeneland, Race 6, Saturday, October 31 (2:26 p.m. ET/11:26 a.m. PT)
Eleven experienced milers go to the post, including a pair of morning line favorites, FURTHER ADO (2-1) for excellent trainer Brad Cox and top jock Flavien Prat returning to the saddle, and BRACKET BUSTER (7-2) for veteran trainer Vicki Oliver with Johnny Velazquez riding. While both sport impressive records, the betting edge goes to the former, having drawn the favorable inside post. Recent G2 Churchill Downs stakes winner 4YO CHUNK OF GOLD (8-1) cuts back in distance with young jockey Jaime Torres aboard for trainer Ethan West. If this speedball breaks, he may never look back.
Mr. Ed’s picks:
1. Chunk of Gold
2. Further Ado
3. Bracket Buster.
Breeders’ Cup Sprint — Two for the Money
Keeneland Race 8, Saturday, October 31 (3:42 p.m. ET/12:42 p.m. PT)
With a baker’s dozen of speedsters entered, the contest may boil down to a good old-fashioned, head-to-head duel between Kentucky-bred youngster ENGLISHMAN (4-5) and Japanese import T O ELVIS (7-2). The late-developing Englishman, based on his stellar previous efforts, may well be the fastest horse entered on today’s all-star card. Trained by up-and-coming Cherie DeVaux with Jose Ortiz riding, the 3YO colt should be able to handle the outside draw (post 13), while his opponent is an ice-cold closer who will be formidable in the stretch. T O Elvis, trained by Daisuke Takayanagi, will be ridden by Ryusei Sakai.
Mr. Ed’s picks:
1. T O Elvis
2. Englishman
3. Built.
Breeders’ Cup Distaff — With 3 Standouts, Bet Exacta
Race 10 Saturday, October 31 (4:58 p.m. ET/1:58 p.m. PT)
Much of the backstretch chatter has been about the standout Kentucky-bred daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, NITROGEN (6-5). Winner of half her 18 races and more than $3 million, she’s trained by HoFer Mark Casse and with Jose Ortiz in the saddle. She’s a proven commodity and looks just too good to be beat. If she were to falter, both FULLY SUBSCRIBED (8-5) for the powerful Chad Brown stable and SPENDORA (9-2), trained by Bob Baffert, might pull off the upset.
Mr. Ed’s Exacta Picks
Box of 1. Nitrogen
with 2. Fully Subscribed 3. Splendora.
BC ODDS & ENDS: Look for U.S. jockeys Flavien Prat and Tyler Gaffalione and British hot-shot Ryan Moore to visit Winner’s Circle more than once … Need a winning import? Don’t ask Mr. Ed … Put batteries in your remote (several network changes) … Undercards excellent both days … Don’t dismiss any import on turf listed as FAST … No inclement weather expected in Keeneland before Sunday … Mr. Ed likes his Buffalo Trace #7 BOURBON NEAT (8-1) for Resolute Racing in Race 1 on Saturday (11:15 a.m. ET post) … And remember, a losing day at the Breeders’ Cup beats a winning day anywhere else.
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