Loading ...Oct 09 2020
Belmont Park Saturday: 4 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races
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Saturday, October 10, 2020. It’s another big Breeders’ Cup preview day, this time at Belmont Park, which is hosting 4 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Races. That means the winner of each of these gets an automatic entry to a specific Breeders’ Cup race.
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Last week the bulk of the action was at Keeneland, which had 10 BCC races with strong fields and great action. We did a special Keeneland weekend recap of how the Grid had every winner until the last race on Sunday, and we took home almost $8000 just in Pick 4 payouts, along with a couple good trifectas and supers. So you’ll want to check that out to see the value created by the Grid.
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Admittedly, Belmont has a bit shorter fields this weekend in the graded races, but most of the other races have full fields of 12. So there will be plenty of options and bigger handles than usual for a Belmont Saturday. The Jackpot 6 carryover will likely go over $1 million so that will be fun too.
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First, get the free Belmont Grid here, just click and download. The Grid can be viewed on your computer or smart phone with any program that opens spreadsheets. In addition it is designed to be printed easily, but you can’t view the comments or delete scratches from the print out.
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Now you can follow along with what we’re talking about. This is a great way to learn how to use the Grid and then actually use it to make money. For brevity’s sake we’ll only break down the G1 races then you’re on your own. Weather outlook: Awesome with 70s temps and sunniness.
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The Champagne G1 in race 4 is the first stakes race. For 2yo’s of all sorts, it will be used as a springboard to not only the BC Juvenile next month but also to launch a Triple Crown campaign next year.
Jackie’s Warrior looks very difficult to beat, undefeated in 3 races with the best PF’s, including G1 and G2 wins, and hence is 3-5 on the ML.
Reinvestment Risk is at 8-5 after 2 races, closing in but not able to catch the favorite last out at Saratoga. The speed of these two favorites is a few lengths above the rest of the field, but neither has raced at a mile yet.
Midnight Bourbon 6-1 is the only other to give a serious look at, having run all 3 races at this distance and finishing 2nd in a G3 last out.
Save some money and just bet it straight 4 5 6 – all.
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The Frizette G1 is the counterpart race for 2yo fillies, also going a mile and is worth a berth to the BC Juvenile fillies and a Kentucky Oaks campaign. Now we have 4 main contenders, but all at short odds.
Don’t use a lot of combinations here either because at least 3 of the 4 will finish ITM. Mix in longshot Cilla at 30-1 because she will likely improve returning to dirt. (long shot special alert)
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The Flower Bowl G1 is providing an entry into the BC Filly and Mare Turf. The field of 7 presents some decent possibilities. At 10f you have to give a lot of credit to top LP, even if there’s not much speed.
My Sister Nat 3-1 is the top LP by far, and also has the 2nd best PF at this distance. She lost by a length to Civil Union, also 3-1 last out, but was running too far behind a slow pace set by Beau Belle at 12-1 who also lost by a length. BB has the top PF at this distance, and because of the questionable pace, has a good shot here.
To be honest, this race is kind of wide open, so there is value to be had in Beau Belle and La Signare. But definitely key the bets with the 1 2 and 3.
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The Jockey Club Gold Cup G1 only has a field of 5 which is embarrassing. But only one will get an automatic berth to the BC Classic.
The favorite Tacitus 1-1 will likely run in the BC Classic either way but will be tough to beat. He finished 2nd last out in the Woodward at this distance but still ahead of Prioritize at 4-1.
Happy Saver at 2-1 is supposed to finally run in a graded race after threatening to run in both the Derby and the Preakness. Only 3 career races, but all wins, and as the only true early runner, could set a comfortable pace and keep it. Not a good betting race but use those 2 in the rollers.
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On the undercard, there are several MSW’s with lots of first time starters and possibilities. For these races, use the Win and ITM figures to make the best picks.
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Some long shot specials to look out for:
R1: Cheatham Hill top LP is 10-1. .
R2: 2 Gotta Go Mo 3rd EP, 2nd best PF at 8-1, 1 Kinky Sox top LP at 30-1
R3: 7 M for Magic 2nd best PF 10-1, 1 Alemia 8-1 1st timer Clement.
Any of the first time starters with good trainer Win/ITM percents.
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OK that’s it for today’s lesson. It’s a great time to join the WWC! Why? Because just 1 month access of the Grid will get you all the great racing at every major track every day, through the Breeders’ Cup. You can cancel anytime or pay flat rate. Check out the options here.
