Some great October promotions have been a theme for my writing the last few days and that continues today when the second week of our Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder commences later this afternoon. The promo allows 1/ST BET and Xpressbet customers to earn a $5 bonus for betting $25+ on select races leading up to the World Championships at the end of the month. Head to the promotional landing page to register if you have yet to do so and for more details. Here are my thoughts on each of the three stakes events included in the Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder over the next few days.
Friday: Sycamore (G2), Keeneland Race 9:
The feature later this afternoon in Kentucky is this $400k 12-furlong affair over the Keeneland grass where #2 Just a Touch was made the 5-2-ML favorite by oddsmaker Nick Tammaro. The son of Justify has won 3 of 4 since trainer Brad Cox moved him to the grass earlier this year, but the lone defeat came when facing Grade 2 foes like he does at 5:16 PM eastern. The fact he won his only start over this course in April, draws favorably along the inside, and lures Irad Ortiz Jr. are all positives, but he is likely to at least be somewhat involved in what should be a contentious early pace.
I respect the favorite, but cannot back at him at his likely price, so I will try to beat him with #8 Tiz Dashing. The son of Tiz the Law is one of just a handful in this field that does no exit an arduous race for a huge purse at Kentucky Downs, which has always seemed to be an overall positive at the Keeneland Fall Meeting. The Barclay Tagg trainee got a confidence boosting win against allowance foes last out after a mid-pack finish when against the flow in the Kelso (G3) in early July. Javier Castellano returns to ride the 4YO colt.
Play: #8 Tiz Dashing (9-2 ML)
Picks: 8-2-7
Saturday, California Flag, Santa Anita Race 9
Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder race is this $100k event for Cal-breds down the Hillside Turf Course named for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner goes through 6-5-favorite #1 Lonesome Slew. The son of Grazen has proven form over this course for Mark Glatt and meets a somewhat suspect field of fellow state-breds. It would be difficult to bet against the chalk in this spot if the race appeared to have more speed signed on and he did not draw the rail. However, both of those things make it difficult to get excited about betting on Lonesome Slew despite being the likeliest winner.
#6 Big City Lights has been a dirt horse throughout his career and a solid one at that for Hall of Famer Richard Mandella. I rarely like to bet dirt horses trying the turf later in the career with the expectation that they will be as fast or faster on the green, but in this case the price should be right to gamble on this son of Mr. Big that ran better than looks in his lone turf start last year at Del Mar in the Stormy Liberal. The slow start from the rail and wide move did he him no favors, but at his ML offering I am willing to give him another shot, especially with the move to an outside post down the hill.
Play: #6 Big City Lights (9-2 ML)
Picks: 6-1-7
Sunday, California Distaff, Santa Anita Race 9
The final crack this week at the BC Bankroll Builder is in yet another race for Cal-breds down the beautiful Hillside Turf Course. This time it is for the ladies where I will try #10 Liberation. The 3YO takes on older runners for the first time, which is always a big challenge, but trainer John Sadler is having a strong meet and this gal should sit a stress-free trip in the clear a few lengths off an honest early pace. Her lone turf effort came in late August when she went two turns at Del Mar against open company foes and went far too fast early from her inside draw. Hopefully, she is able to relax on the cutback in distance and move to an outside draw.
Play: #10 Liberation
Picks: 10-4-7
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