Breeders Cup Predictions 2016
ARCADIA, Calif., Nov. 3 (UPI) -- The central question for Saturday's $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic seems to be: Is Arrogate for real?
- Breeders Cup Predictions 2016 Nfl
- 2016 Breeders Cup Classic Payouts
- Breeders Cup Predictions
- Breeders Cup Predictions 2016 2018
- Breeders Cup Results 2016 Payouts
2016 Breeders Cup Classic Final Preview and Predictions There has been much chatter about which 3+ year old horse will take the 2016 Breeders Cup Classic, but we finally learn who takes it this Saturday, November 5th. California Chrome (3rd at the BCC back in 2014) enters as the odds on favorite in a fairly underrated field. 2020 Breeders' Cup odds, picks: Expert who nailed last year's Pick 6 shares surprising predictions CBS Sports Staff 11/7/2020. 2015 with American Pharoah and 2016 with Arrogate. The 2016 Breeders’ Cup is coming up fast as the field of horses begins to take shape. The top horses, jockeys and trainers from all over the globe will travel back to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.
If he is -- that is, if he runs back to his track-record victory in the Grade I Travers Stakes at Saratoga this summer -- he will be a real threat to the likely favorite, Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup winner California Chrome.
If that effort in the 'Midsummer Derby' was just a fluke, the race is California Chrome's to lose.
And the kicker is, no one knows the answer to that question. (Saturday Classic post position and time, plus information on how to watch is posted below.)
'You don't know for sure,' Arrogate's trainer, Bob Baffert, said on the Santa Anita backstretch this week. But Baffert hastened to add the 3-year-old Unbridled's Song colt's three earlier races were far better than they looked. So, he reasoned, the 13 1/2-lengths Travers victory actually might not have been quite as surprising as it appeared.
California Chrome's trainer, Art Sherman, remains quietly confident, as well he might after watching his 5-year-old son of Lucky Pulpit rip through six straight wins this year, including the $10 million World Cup and a demolition of an excellent field in the Grade I Pacific Classic.
Sherman, a former jockey, was asked bluntly at a media event: Can any of these rivals beat him Saturday if he runs his race? Equally bluntly, he replied, 'I don't think so. I know I'm putting a lot of weight on my shoulders saying that.'
If form is any guide, there might be a little game-playing in the first furlong of the race between California Chrome's jockey, Victor Espinoza, and Arrogate's rider, Mike Smith. Each horse has won while leading throughout. Each has won while pressing the early pace.
Arrogate drew the outside stall with California Chrome set in No. 4. Who will go and who will wait? Or will they both go and risk burning out in the stretch?
There are eight others in the 1 1/4-miles race. California Chrome already has defeated five of them, some multiple times. The others aren't much better off. Effinex has finished behind a couple that California Chrome has defeated. Shaman Ghost is making only his second Grade I start. And Melatonin hasn't run since June.
A potential wild card is Frosted, who turned in a freakishly good performance of his own earlier this year at Belmont Park, winning the Grade I Met Mile by 14 1/4 lengths in a sparkling time of 1:32 3/5. He drew the No. 2 gate and if jockey Joel Rosario should send him to challenge for the lead -- as he did in winning the Grade I Whitney at Saratoga in August -- things might get complicated.
California Chrome's owners are hoping victories in the Classic and, all being well, in January's $13 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, could make him the all-time money-earning Thoroughbred, bypassing some Japanese rivals. Although that should be plenty to send him to the breeding shed, Sherman admitted he dreams of one more season.
'He could run for $27 million in purses' in 2017, Sherman said, perhaps understating the potential. 'I never dreamed I could train a horse like this.'
The Classic is only the exclamation point on a magnificent day of racing. Nine Breeders' Cup World Championship events include some of the toughest, most competitive races in the history of the event.
The $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile on the turf, in particular, is a massively tough heat, pitting some of Europe's best milers against an unusually strong American contingent. Several world-class horses will finish off the board in this one if it's not a multiple dead-heat.
The $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at 1 1/2 miles also sets incredibly good Europeans, including Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Found and globetrotting veteran Highland Reel, against old warrior Flintshire and a host of potential upsetters. Found won this race last year at Keeneland, defeating Golden Horn.
Also on tap are the $2 million 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, the $1.5 million TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint, the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, the $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
Post time: 8:35 p.m. Eastern
Breeders Cup Predictions 2016 Nfl
Post Positions
Position – horse, (odds), jockey, trainer
1 – Effinex, (15-1), Flavien Prat, James Jerkens
2 – Frosted, (5-1), Joel Rosario, Kiaran McLaughlin
3 – Keen Ice, (20-1), Javier Castellano, Todd Pletcher
4 – California Chrome, (1-1), Victor Espinoza, Art Sherman
5 – Win the Space, (30-1), Gary Stevens, George Papaprodromou
6 – Melatonin, (12-1), Joseph Talamo, David Hofmans
7 – War Story, (30-1), Scott Spieth, Mario Serey Jr.
8 – Shaman Ghost, (20-1), Irad Ortiz Jr., James Jerkens
9 – Hoppertunity, (15-1), John Velazquez, Bob Baffert
10 – Arrogate, (5-2), Mike Smith, Bob Baffert
How to watch on television:
2:30-9 p.m. Eastern on NBCSN (cable or satellite)
The Breeders' Cup Classic will air 8-9 p.m. Eastern on NBC
Live streaming:
NBC Sports Live Extra will stream coverage throughout the day – access requires cable/satellite television subscription.
Early races will be streamed live from 1-4:30 p.m. Eastern via Facebook Live by the Breeders' Cup
By Gerry Cats
Race 6 – BC Juvenile Turf (1 Mile)
Good Samaritan. This colt was very impressive in his last start in the G2 Summer Stakes at Woodbine Race Track scoring a 94 Beyer figure. Woodbine Race Track Graded winners are often overlooked in the Breeders Cup, but not from me.
Oscar Performance. Coming in from the east coast off of two nice wins. He has previously raced with a big field and won from the 10 post so this will not be new to him. Shortening up to a mile will only improve his front running style.
My long shot pick: Ticonderoga (12-1). He broke slow from the 2 spot last race and was caught in traffic but still managed to finish 2nd in a G3 at Keeneland.
Race 7 – BC Dirt Mile
Dortmund. He’s been in the money in 12 of his career 13 starts (winning eight of them) and his only loses have been against California Chrome (three times this year) and twice to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah last year. It will be a big disappointment if he doesn’t win here.
Tamarkuz. Look for him to be closing at the end with Mike Smith on board. He hasn’t won in the U.S. yet but he should be in the money again.
My long shot pick: Texas Chrome (30-1). He has been steadily improving and will be coming in with three consecutive wins, two G3’s. Look for him to be rating the leaders and try to close fast.
Race 8 – BC Juvenile Fillies Turf (1 Mile)
Hydrangea. I think this is the best of the six horses shipped in from overseas for this race. If the turf is good look for her to finish strong. Running for the first time with Lasix is always a positive.
2016 Breeders Cup Classic Payouts
Victory to Victory. Winning a G1 on the turf at Woodbine proves you belong with the best.
Breeders Cup Predictions
La Coronel. I like everything about this horse except his 14 post. Won his last two starts on the turf easy by a combined eight plus lengths.
My long shot picks: Coasted (20/1). Throw out her last start on a yielding turf and with the jockey change to Mike Smith this filly may be in the money. Happy Mesa (30-1). She possibly could have come into this race 3 for 3 if her jockey didn’t lose the whip in her last start.
Race 9 – BC Distaff (1 1/8 miles)
Songbird. How do you bet against a horse who has never lost in 11 starts? Not only that…she has never been seriously tested, winning every start by at least 4 ½ lengths. It doesn’t bother me that she has never run against older fillies and mares.
Stellar Wind. If any horse is going to beat Songbird for the Distaff it will be Stellar Wind.
Breeders Cup Predictions 2016 2018
Beholder. Has lost only three starts out of her last 10 races the past two years. Two were to Stellar Wind and one was to California Chrome.
Breeders Cup Results 2016 Payouts
No long shot pick, it will be a three horse race.