2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic Contenders
Event: 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships
Date: November 6th + 7th, 2009
Location: Santa Anita Racetrack, Arcadia CA
Updated Breeders Cup Odds: Click Here
The 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic will be run on Saturday, November 7th at Santa Anita racetrack in Arcadia, CA. This race is the feature event of the Breeders’ Cup schedule which includes 14 races over a two day schedule. The Classic is a 1 ¼ mile weight for age dirt track race for Thoroughbreds 3 years old and up. This race also has the largest price money purse of the Breeders’ Cup at $5,000,000.
The 14 horse field will be determined by point totals that each horse can accumulate from previous races as well as four Challenge Cup races where “you win and you’re in”. Those four races are the Whitney Cup at Saratoga (Aug 8th), Washington Park Handicap at Arlington Park (Sept. 5th), Pacific Classic at Del Mar (Sept. 6th), and the Goodwood Stakes at Oak Tree (Oct. 10th). While these events will go a long way toward shaping the final field for the Classic, here is a look at the current top contenders and their point totals for the Classic division year to date.
Mine That Bird- 20 Points
Before May not too many people were talking about this horse, but after winning the Kentucky Derby as a 50-1 long shot he became a household name. He went on to place second in the Preakness, and third in the Belmont. As long as he stays healthy, he will most likely be the odds on favorite to win this race by the time November 7th rolls around.
Musket Man- 19 Points
This Horse has had an impressive 2009 racing season winning the Tampa Bay Derby and the Illinois Derby before finishing third in the Kentucky Derby. He followed that performance with another third place finish in the Preakness. His next outing is scheduled for the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on August 2nd.
Einstein- 18 Points
Einstein who is trained by Helen Pitts-Blasi has won twice this year, first at the Santa Anita Handicap in March and then again at the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill in May. In his last outing he finished third in the Stephen Foster at Churchill. A Challenge Cup win would greatly raise this horse’s stock for the Classic.
Rail Trip- 18 Points
This horse is beginning to create quite a stir after winning the Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park earlier this month, moving him near the top of the rankings for the Classic. He also won three races earlier this year all at Santa Anita Park making him an early home track favorite.
Jonesboro- 16 Points
While only winning one major race so far this season, The Texas Mile at Lone Star Park back in April, he has 6 major victories in his racing career. He is expected to run next in the Governor’s Cup at Remington Park on September 6th, then possibly the Hawthorne Gold Cup in October as prep races for the Classic.
Quality Road- 16 Points
After winning the Florida Derby earlier in the year, Quality Road was considered a favorite to win the Kentucky Derby but was scratched five days before the race due to a nagging injury in his right foot. He has not raced since, but is expected to run in the Amsterdam Stakes on August 3rd at Saratoga. If he can return to his winning form prior to the foot injury, he should be one of the top contenders for the Classic.
While there is a full racing schedule ahead of us before the Breeders’ Cup, my early favorite would be Rail Trip with Quality Road and Mine That Bird right behind.
Much can happen between now and November, but look for these three horses to still be right in the mix for the Classic.
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