Kasept
11-10-2010, 07:32 AM
The second act of a remarkable Breeders' Cup happily shifted focus from Friday's embarassments to the kind of performances that resonate with horseplayers and fans alike, anchored by Goldikova, Uncle Mo and an unforgettable Classic. The Blame/Zenyatta finale will be replayed countless times, and while the result may not have been the one most widely desired, it provides an invaluable measure of the 6yo mare's quality, versatility and determination upon which everyone can agree.
As Andy Beyer perfectly summed up in his Cup post script, with a second outstanding Classic effort on a second racing surface, Zenyatta showed herself to be on a par with the best handicap horses of the era. Those that awaited this kind of verification, including myself, can be satisfied that Zenyatta fits nicely alongside the recent vintage high quality route-goers like Blame, Curlin, Saint Liam and Invasor. At the same time, those that anticipated Zenyatta's open length domination of the event and the eclipsing of Secretariat's Churchill record for 10f, should come away with a better understanding of the differences between the game's authentic greats like the Moss' mare and unapproachable immortals.
Overlooked in the mania of Zenyatta's 20th and likely final start, was the harmony and importance of Blame's victory for Claiborne Farm in its' 100th year specifically, and Kentucky in general. With the Commonwealth's racing and breeding foundation eroding under a tsunami of political, social and economic forces, Al Stall and Garrett Gomez authored a performance from the Arch 4yo that at least temporarily lightens the burdens of the Bluegrass. Seth Hancock came immediately under attack after the Classic, suggesting in hardboot fashion that the Horse of the Year discussion had been decided quaintly on the racetrack. And just as it has been virtually impossible to explain to the Zenyatta fan base the nuances of race dynamics and the methods by which horses are evaluated for their historical standing, it will be difficult to get them to recognize the value of the Hancock Family's breeding shed and why the Horse of the Year statue earned its' way to residence on Winchester Road in Paris, KY.
Post-BC coverage continues today on ATR and in this space in coming days as all aspects of the event come under consideration. A two day, $62k carryover is on hand at Aqueduct Wednesday...
AQUEDUCT
POST-SCRATCHES
TURF GOOD TODAY WITH ALL RACES STAYING 'ON'
4th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)
Most Likely: #2 Fleet Alaire 2-1 3rd
Best Value: #1 Crimson Tempest 15-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Playful Majesty 15-1 4th
Super Add: #4 In This Life 5-1 5th
5th: NY-OC/N2X, 3+, 6f (G/S, P3, DD, Super)
Most Likely: #6 Stormin Bolt 9-2 8th
Next Best: #9 Siete Machos 5-1 3rd
Best Value: #1 Vose the Host 8-1 7th
Super Add: #5 Heavenly Blaze 12-1 6th
6th: CLM, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)
Best Value: #1 Wild Awake 5-1 6th
Next Best: #8 Much Fanfare 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Ambidaxtrous 6-1 WON
Super Add: #2 SCR
7th: S/ALW, 3+, 7f (P3, DD, Super)
Most Likely: #4 Black Pen 2-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 In Just We Trust 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #1 Drink With Pride 3-1 6th
Super Add: #6 King Bo Bo 8-1 5th
8th: NY-OC/N2X, 3+, 8.5f-T (DD, Super)
DRF RACE OF THE DAY -- FREE FORMULATOR PP'S (http://www1.drf.com/formulator-web/FreeRace.do?trackId=AQU&country=USA&raceDate=20101110&dayEvening=D&raceNumber=8)
Abilio was inexplicably reined back after wire tactics at Spa. Is OK, but several here are as good at better numbers... And note that #14 (AE) Gimme Credit and #13 (AE) J L Bernstein are immediate top choices should they draw in..
Most Likely: #1 Midnight Billy 5-1 2nd
Best Value: #4 Silenced 12-1 11th
Exotics Use: #13 J L Bernstein 5-1 4th
Super Add: #10 Smart Enuf 8-1 6th
9th: NY-MSW, 3+, 6f (Super)
Most Likely: #5 Financial Storm 5-1 10th
Best Value: #10 Sully's Landing 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #6 Second and One 3-1 2nd
Super Add: #2 Jello Shot 12-1 6th
<$150 P6 Play:
4: 2
5: 1-6-9
6: 1-8
7: 1-4-7
8: 1-4
9: 5-10
1x3x2x3x2x2 = 72 x $2 = $144
<$75 P4 Play:
6: 1-5-8
7: 1-4-7
8: 1-4-10-13
9: 5-10
3x3x4x2 = $72
Good luck!
Steve
As Andy Beyer perfectly summed up in his Cup post script, with a second outstanding Classic effort on a second racing surface, Zenyatta showed herself to be on a par with the best handicap horses of the era. Those that awaited this kind of verification, including myself, can be satisfied that Zenyatta fits nicely alongside the recent vintage high quality route-goers like Blame, Curlin, Saint Liam and Invasor. At the same time, those that anticipated Zenyatta's open length domination of the event and the eclipsing of Secretariat's Churchill record for 10f, should come away with a better understanding of the differences between the game's authentic greats like the Moss' mare and unapproachable immortals.
Overlooked in the mania of Zenyatta's 20th and likely final start, was the harmony and importance of Blame's victory for Claiborne Farm in its' 100th year specifically, and Kentucky in general. With the Commonwealth's racing and breeding foundation eroding under a tsunami of political, social and economic forces, Al Stall and Garrett Gomez authored a performance from the Arch 4yo that at least temporarily lightens the burdens of the Bluegrass. Seth Hancock came immediately under attack after the Classic, suggesting in hardboot fashion that the Horse of the Year discussion had been decided quaintly on the racetrack. And just as it has been virtually impossible to explain to the Zenyatta fan base the nuances of race dynamics and the methods by which horses are evaluated for their historical standing, it will be difficult to get them to recognize the value of the Hancock Family's breeding shed and why the Horse of the Year statue earned its' way to residence on Winchester Road in Paris, KY.
Post-BC coverage continues today on ATR and in this space in coming days as all aspects of the event come under consideration. A two day, $62k carryover is on hand at Aqueduct Wednesday...
AQUEDUCT
POST-SCRATCHES
TURF GOOD TODAY WITH ALL RACES STAYING 'ON'
4th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)
Most Likely: #2 Fleet Alaire 2-1 3rd
Best Value: #1 Crimson Tempest 15-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Playful Majesty 15-1 4th
Super Add: #4 In This Life 5-1 5th
5th: NY-OC/N2X, 3+, 6f (G/S, P3, DD, Super)
Most Likely: #6 Stormin Bolt 9-2 8th
Next Best: #9 Siete Machos 5-1 3rd
Best Value: #1 Vose the Host 8-1 7th
Super Add: #5 Heavenly Blaze 12-1 6th
6th: CLM, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)
Best Value: #1 Wild Awake 5-1 6th
Next Best: #8 Much Fanfare 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Ambidaxtrous 6-1 WON
Super Add: #2 SCR
7th: S/ALW, 3+, 7f (P3, DD, Super)
Most Likely: #4 Black Pen 2-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 In Just We Trust 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #1 Drink With Pride 3-1 6th
Super Add: #6 King Bo Bo 8-1 5th
8th: NY-OC/N2X, 3+, 8.5f-T (DD, Super)
DRF RACE OF THE DAY -- FREE FORMULATOR PP'S (http://www1.drf.com/formulator-web/FreeRace.do?trackId=AQU&country=USA&raceDate=20101110&dayEvening=D&raceNumber=8)
Abilio was inexplicably reined back after wire tactics at Spa. Is OK, but several here are as good at better numbers... And note that #14 (AE) Gimme Credit and #13 (AE) J L Bernstein are immediate top choices should they draw in..
Most Likely: #1 Midnight Billy 5-1 2nd
Best Value: #4 Silenced 12-1 11th
Exotics Use: #13 J L Bernstein 5-1 4th
Super Add: #10 Smart Enuf 8-1 6th
9th: NY-MSW, 3+, 6f (Super)
Most Likely: #5 Financial Storm 5-1 10th
Best Value: #10 Sully's Landing 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #6 Second and One 3-1 2nd
Super Add: #2 Jello Shot 12-1 6th
<$150 P6 Play:
4: 2
5: 1-6-9
6: 1-8
7: 1-4-7
8: 1-4
9: 5-10
1x3x2x3x2x2 = 72 x $2 = $144
<$75 P4 Play:
6: 1-5-8
7: 1-4-7
8: 1-4-10-13
9: 5-10
3x3x4x2 = $72
Good luck!
Steve