Post positions have been drawn for the 2008 Breeders’ Cup, and here are notes for all 14 races…

Friday, October 24th

Ladies Classic

Zenyatta drew the rail and is the 3-5 fav for Friday’s feature race. Defending champ Ginger Punch is the 7-2 second choice.

Filly & Mare Turf

Wait A While is the 3-1 morning line favorite. Juddmonte Farms Visit is listed at 15-1 on the line, and she is expected to move to the Robert Frankel barn following the Cup. Forever Together drilled a 4f bullet in :47 at Keeneland.

Juvenile Fillies

Stardom Bound is the solid 2-1 late running choice.

Filly & Mare Sprint

3yo filly Indian Blessing is the 2-1 fav over multiple grade one winner Intangaroo. Classy turf mile specialist Ventura is the 5-1 3rd choice. Magnificence went 3f in :35-1/5, and Tiz Elemental went the same distance in :36-4/5.

Juvenile Fillies Turf

The speedy Laragh is the 7-2 fav over off the pace type Saucey Evening.

Saturday, October 25th

Classic

Curlin will break from post 9 and has been installed as the 7-5 favorite. The pace will likely be carved out by 10-1 Fairbanks.

Turf

Arc show finisher Soldier of Fortune is the 7-2 morning line choice. He is a classy, fresh and deserving fav. Red Rocks could be a vulnerable 5-1 2nd choice on the line. Spring House worked 4f in :47-4/5.

Mile

Classy overseas filly Goldikova is the 3-1 morning line fav…and rightfully so. Her only recent losses were to undefeated Arc heroine Zarkava. Whatsthescript is the 4-1 2nd choice stuck out in post 11. Defending champ Kip Deville is the 5-1 3rd choice and could end up offering value. Probable pacesetter Daytona worked 4f in :47-4/5. Bold Chieftain went the same distance at Golden Gate in :48-2/5.

Sprint

3-1 fav Street Boss had his 5-race win streak snapped in the Ancient Title last time, but that was only a prep for this and he could easily rebound from off the pace. Defending champ Midnite Lute is the 7-2 2nd choice looking to rebound. Fabulous Strike and Cost of Freedom share 3rd choice status at 4-1.

Juvenile

7-2 fav Munnings lands the rail and tries synthetic footing for the first time. 9-2 second choice Square Eddie looked good at Keeneland in his US bow.

Dirt Mile

Well Armed is the 3-1 fav in a competitive event. 20-1 Pyro has been purchased by Darley Stable. He will run in the silks of Ron Winchell on Saturday, and new owner Sheikh Mohammed will decide if he stays in training or retires. Mast Track has a small quarter crack and opted for this race instead of the Classic. Surf Cat drilled a 4f bullet in :45-4/5.

Turf Sprint

Get Funky is the tepid 9-2 fav breaking from post 13, but there is nothing wrong with outer posts in downhill sprints. Mr. Nightlinger is an outside speed threat at 6-1. Idiot Proof finished his morning preparations with a 1/2 mile breeze in :49 seconds.

Marathon

Overseas invader Sixties Icon at 2-1 and SoCal based Zappa at 5-2 will vie for role of fav in this new Cup event. Cedar Mountain breezed 4f in :49 seconds.

Juvenile Turf

Bittel Road is the late running 7-2 fav from post 11. Coronet of a Baron is the 9-2 second choice trying turf for the first time. City Style breezed a 1/2 mile in :49-2/5 at Retama in his final morning drill.

Curlin Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Lovely Isle is the inside speed for 24% first grass trainer Robert Frankel, and Dominguez was aboard for her most impressive score. Come and get the daughter of Double Honor.

Sweeter Still is razor sharp and versatile, and she projects the first run trip should Lovely Isle falter.

Gorgeous Goose was on her game late last year, but she was a bit flat in her last pair versus similar. She reunites with her favorite pilot Valdivia and is 1-1 over the local green. Expect a decent late run in her 3rd race off the shelf.

Bel Air Sizzle has won three races on the turf this year, and that is not surprising with Unusual Heat on top. She packs a strong stretch kick and Abrams has been on a roll at the current stand.

Street Boss makes his much anticipated stakes debut in the Los Angeles Handicap (race 9). Versatile son of Street Cry is a neck away from four straight tallies. His last figure was his best yet, and that race was validated when place finisher Tropic Storm returned to score.

Bonfante always runs his race on any footing, and his off the pace rally should be good for a share at the very least.

Win type Doppio defeated Street Boss in February and is 4-5 on synthetic ground. He failed to fire his best shot at Keeneland (polytrack) last time but should appreciate a return to Southern California.

Bilo, shown above winning the Triple Bend last July, is a dangerous synthetic sprinter. He meets multiple speed types but can handle pace pressure.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The runner-up looms a tough customer at this level when he returns to action, and 4th place finisher Silver Stetson Man dueled from the negative rail in a needed outing.

Colonel John handily logged four furlongs in 47.40 seconds on Monday (April 14th) at Santa Anita. The intriguing Kentucky Derby candidate will work once more in California before shipping to Kentucky next week.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Talented son of Street Cry started his career off in dramatic fashion with a smashing late running tally, and he followed that up with a clear place finish in his first start versus winners. I used him in the ShowVivor contest in his 3rd start, and he surprisingly attended the pace and weakened in a disappointing effort. Another below par race followed, and he is seemingly on his way to the stakes ranks after returning from a layoff and firing three straight bullets. Bruce Headley knows his way around a talented sprinter, and this exciting colt continues to train forwardly for this.

Silver Stetson Man has inherited the heart and winning spirit of his sire Silver Charm, and a ground saving stalking trip from the negative rail post is anticipated.

Tropic Storm does his best work in sprints and projects a great outside speed trip. He looms the value play at 3-1.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever