A field of seven has been assembled for the opening leg of the pick six, and Carnival Queen is the 2-1 morning line favorite. Note that the aforementioned fav likes to run from off the pace, and horses with that style are only winning about 1 in 8 races at six furlongs.

The 4th race is a claiming route for fillies and mares, and this event seems to boil down to Recess and Stanford Dolly. This is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Dinnr With Nikki C is the fav in the 5th, and she looms a factor from the outset as she stretches out in distance.

Over to the turf course for the 6th, and Discontent and Launching Pad were separated by a head in a similar local turf sprint on Nov 14th.

Bad Boy goes for three straight wins in the 7th, and he’ll have to run down Usurp.

8th and final race is a wide open maiden claiming route. Zohan was too close to a fast pace last time, and he predictably lost his punch in a 4th place effort. Pace should be on the tepid side today, and he is eligible to rebound. This is my Horse Racing Nation Play of the Day.

For information on Hollywood Park pick 6 races, please check out Pick 6 blog for free analysis and tickets.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The pick six begins in the 3rd race, and early-pressing speed has been the name of the game in six furlong races recently. If that trend continues, keep an eye on Yankee Romance.

They're off at Hollywood Park!

The 4th race will be run at a mile and a sixteenth on Cushion Track, and this is another speed friendly distance. Halo’s Law could be the one to catch as he stretches out in distance.

Back to six furlongs for the 5th race, and you might have to go deep to get through this wide open leg. Lady Alex is the tepid 7-2 fav breaking from the rail. This is my MySpace free pick of the day.

Six furlongs on the turf in the 6th, and this distance has played fair so far. There is a good mix of speed and closers in this contest, and this is my Horse Racing Nation free pick of the day.

The feature will be contested at the unusual distance of seven and one-half furlongs. This is a virtual replay of the On Trust Handicap as the top three from that event are back in action today. Star Nicholas, Bestdressed, and Enriched are the On Trust trio and the ones to beat in this compact 5-horse affair.

Six furlongs to end the card, and Bubbley Blonde is the one to catch if she breaks cleanly this time around.

For information on Hollywood Park pick 6 races, please check out Pick 6 blog for free analysis and tickets.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Hollywood Park Recap – Nov 18th

Three wire jobs in Cushion Track sprints. Lone turf race carded was nabbed by a stalker.

Quinonez and Rosario both booted home a pair. Two more wins for trainer John Sadler.

Note that I successfully tabbed the Wednesday pick six on my suggested $72 Budget Ticket on pick6blog.com. 6 of 6 paid $748.80, and that is my 4th winning pick six ticket on the site since Labor Day!

Hollywood Park Preview – Nov 19th

Another 8-race card is on tap for Thursday, and there is a pair of turf races in the pick six sequence.

Thursday’s 3rd race is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Thursday’s 7th race is my Horse Racing Nation free play of the day.

For information on remaining Hollywood Park pick 6 races, please check out Pick 6 blog for free analysis and tickets.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Hollywood Park Recap – Nov 13th

Horses showing early-pressing speed and staying within striking range did best on Cushion Track. Same can be said for the turf course.

Riding double for Rafael Bejarano.

Hollywood Park Recap – Nov 14th

Three wire jobs on Cushion Track as early-pressing speed continued to do well. Turf course also favored early-pressing types and produced a turf sprint (six furlongs) wire job for the 2nd straight day.

Hat trick for Joel Rosario. Riding double for Alex Solis. John Sadler saddled three winners, and Mike Puype doubled up in the training category.

Bestdressed finished full of run to take down the On Trust Handicap at 7.5f. He was the only late runner to win on synthetic.

Hollywood Park Recap- Nov 15th

Another good day for early-pressing types on synthetic. Edge to forwardly placed runners on turf as well. Note that the grass feature was nabbed by a patient runner, but that was a pace collapse as the three speed players brought up the rear.

Four bagger for Joel Rosario. A pair of wins for Rafael Bejarano. Jerry Hollendorfer saddled two winners on the card.

One of Hollendorfer’s winners was sharp debut runner She’s Funomenal (Fusaichi Pegasus). The juvenile filly coasted to an easy wire job (84 BSF) tally under Rosario and is one to keep an eye on.

There were five losing favs in the pick six sequence on Sunday, and the carryover pool for Wednesday is more than $86k.

Hollywood Park Preview – Nov 18th

An 8-race card is on tap for Wednesday, and as mentioned earlier, there is a pick six carryover of more than $86k.

Wednesday’s 5th race is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Wednesday’s 8th race is my Horse Racing Nation free play of the day.

For information on remaining Hollywood Park pick 6 races, please check out Pick 6 blog for free analysis and tickets.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The fall meet has been scaled back to 27-days. The first two Friday programs will be run at night, and Friday racing will move back to daylight hours on Nov 27th.

Highlights of the meet begin with the Turf Festival, which kicks off with the Grade 1 Citation on Nov 27th. The Grade 3 Generous and Grade 1 Matriarch will be contested on Nov 28th, and the 3-day turf extravaganza ends with the Grade 3 Miesque and Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on Nov 29th.

Two-year-old males take center stage in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity on Dec 19th, and the juvenile fillies take their turn in the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet the following day.

I will have all of the Hollywood action covered in my daily pick six blog, which began with the Del Mar meeting earlier this summer.

I successfully pegged one pick six and Del Mar and two more during the recently concluded Oak Tree meet.

The opening night Hollywood (Nov 13th) pick six is now posted, and click here to view the free analysis and tickets.

Friday’s free Horse Racing Nation selection is the 8th race from Hollywood Park, and you can view my pick here.

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Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The undefeated miss breezed an effortless six furlongs in 1:12.40, and her morning jaunt was reportedly better than her final Cup move in ‘08. Earlier this year she did not seem to be quite as sharp as she was last season, but all of that has changed now, and she appears poised to deliver the goods in the Cup.

Zenyatta is approaching the Breeders' Cup on top of her game

In other Classic works, Summer Bird went five furlongs in :59.28 at Santa Anita. In his final work, he went fast early and slow late, and he might be worth trying to beat over a surface he might not particularly enjoy.

Gio Ponti worked four furlongs in :52.59 over a soft turf course at Belmont Park. He is enjoying a fine year and should be rolling late in the Classic.

Quality Road also drilled at Big Sandy, but he did his work on the main track, getting five panels 1:00.81. He should be a pace factor in the Cup, but his ability to handle synthetic ground is a major question.

2007 Classic show finisher Awesome Gem, coming off a win in the Hawthorne Gold Cup, went six furlongs in 1:13, and I would not be shocked if his late rally netted him another minor award.

Ky Derby winner Mine That Bird galloped a couple of miles on Oct 31st, and he will have his final Cup work on Monday.

Handicapping the Breeders’ Cup?

Use the BC Dashboard featuring over 100 replays, morning lines and handicapping analysis for all 14 races!

Results and video from all past Breeders’ Cup Classic races can be found here.

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Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Colonel John rates a longshot look in the Classic. 2-time local graded winner just missed in the Goodwood, and he won the Grade 1 Travers at this distance last year. He was my Ky Derby top in ‘08, and I have always had a soft spot for him. He was visually impressive winning the Wickerr on the turf earlier this year, and I would like to see him return to the weeds at some point.

Chocolate Candy's first preference is the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

Chocolate Candy is familiar to many because he was on the Triple Crown trail this year. He found trouble in the Ky Derby (5th) and Belmont Stakes (9th). He two starts since comprised of  a closing 2nd in the El Cajon and a respectable 5th versus older foes in the Goodwood. His speed ratings are on the upswing, and he should be sitting on a top effort in his 3rd race off a layoff. He clearly does his best work on synthetic ground, and note that the Dirt Mile is his first preference.

Bullsbay has a first preference in the Dirt Mile, and he is enjoying a career year. Go back to February of this year, and was a length behind Richard’s Kid in the Campbell at Laurel. Richard’s Kid won the Grade 1 Pacific Classic this summer at Del Mar, and Bullsbay nabbed the Grade 1 Whitney prior to finishing 3rd behind Rachel Alexandra when last seen in the Woodward at the Spa. The Graham Motion runner handles synthetic but owns stronger speed ratings on regular dirt.

Awesome Gem landed the show in Curlin’s 2007 BC Classic. Versatile late runner is a 2-time graded winner on dirt and exits a sharp tally in the Grade 2 Hawthorne Gold Cup. A win would surprise but he could rally for a minor award.

We have the 2009 Breeders Cup thoroughly covered on Horse Racing Nation. I am pleased to announce that we have launched the BC Dashboard!

Over 100 video replays. Fields and morning lines for all 14 races. Handicapping race outlook. Historical Race Profiles. Find it all at the BC Dashboard.

Results and video from all past Breeders’ Cup Classic races can be found here.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Mine That Bird shocked the world on the first Saturday in May with an improbable late running win in the Kentucky Derby. He had lost three straight before that, and he has dropped four starts since. Sustained runner is always at the mercy of the pace, and the 4-time synthetic winner finished last in the ‘08 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. He was 6th of 10 when last seen in the Goodwood, the final local prep for the Classic. He drilled a :58 and change five furlong bullet over the Pro-Ride surface on Oct 26th.

Mine That Bird has lost four straight since winning the Ky Derby

Girolamo is an exciting 3yo with an outstanding pedigree. The Godolphin colorbearer has won all three of his starts this year and exits a strong tally in the Jerome Handicap at Belmont Park. He has never tried synthetic ground, but a more pressing matter is his lack of a route foundation. If he opts to go in the Classic, it will be his first start around two turns. He has a ton of raw talent, but he has a tall task confronting him.

Gio Ponti is an interesting prospect for trainer Christophe Clement. He had his four-race grade one win streak snapped in a place finish over boggy ground at twelve furlongs last time. He’s a 3-time winner at ten furlongs and won a graded event over the local synthetic track in Dec. ‘08. Classy colt is worth a look at playable odds.

Einstein is a graded winner on dirt, synthetic, and turf. He lone start over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface resulted in a Big Cap victory in March of this year. Versatile sort worked a strong five furlong bullet at Churchill on Oct 25th in advance of his Cup tilt. He tries to end a 3-race losing streak, and note that he only missed by a neck when last seen in the Pacific Classic.

The ‘09 Classic drew sixteen pre-entries, and I’ll be back tomorrow to look at the final four players.

We have the 2009 Breeders Cup thoroughly covered on Horse Racing Nation. I am pleased to announce that we have launched the BC Dashboard!

Over 100 video replays. Fields and morning lines for all 14 races. Handicapping race outlook. Historical Race Profiles. Find it all at the BC Dashboard.

Results and video from all past Breeders’ Cup Classic races can be found here.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Regal Ransom started his career in the US, and he was sent to Dubai for the winter following a disappointing effort in the ‘08 Norfolk at Santa Anita. He has been part of the exacta in 4 of 5 starts since, with his only below par effort a speed/fade trip in the Ky Derby. He returned from a 4+ month layoff to easily wire the Super Derby, and he continues to work well. Biggest questions are his ability to handle synthetic and his stamina.

Super Derby hero Regal Ransom is training well for Breeders' Cup

Richard’s Kid has found his best stride since moving to the Baffert barn and switching to synthetic. He smartly nabbed the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and he proved that was no fluke with a closing show finish in the Goodwood. He is a grade one winner at this distance and is a viable price player.

Summer Bird obviously has ability with wins in the Belmont Stakes, Travers, and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He might be best on a wet track, and the Classic will be his first try on an all-weather surface. Owns fine positional speed since donning the hood.

Twice Over has won three straight overseas turf races at the ten furlong Classic distance. Group one winner could threaten if able to handle the footing. In last year’s St James Palace Stakes, he finished 3rd behind ‘08 Classic 1-2 finishers Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator.

The ‘09 Classic drew sixteen pre-entries, and I’ll be back tomorrow to talk about the next four players.

We have the 2009 Breeders Cup thoroughly covered on Horse Racing Nation. I am pleased to announce that we have launched the BC Dashboard!

Over 90 video replays. Fields and morning lines for all 14 races. Handicapping race outlook. Historical Race Profiles. Find it all at the BC Dashboard.

Results and video from all past Breeders’ Cup Classic races can be found here.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The Shirreffs trainee has won all thirteen of her lifetime starts, and it would be great if she could go out on top in the toughest challenge of her career. 7-time grade one winner is 4 for 4 at Santa Anita.

Breeders' Cup Classic is Zenyatta's first preference

Overseas invaders dominated the 2008 Classic, with Raven’s Pass (John Gosden) and Henrythenavigator (Aidan O’Brien) leading the way. O’Brien is back for more, and he has possible favorite Rip Van Winkle.

The 3yo son of Galileo lost his first three starts this year to Arc winner Sea The Stars, and he promptly won his last two group one outings after fleeing that rival.

O’Brien also has Mastercraftsman. He pre-entered for the Classic, but it is his 2nd preference behind the Dirt Mile. The 4-time group one winner is a contender in either spot.

Quality Road has the raw talent to threaten in the Classic, but ten furlongs is a bit out of his comfort range, and he has never tried synthetic ground. This is his first preference over the crowded Dirt Mile.

The ‘09 Classic drew sixteen pre-entries, and I’ll be back later today to talk about the next four players.

We have the 2009 Breeders Cup thoroughly covered on Horse Racing Nation. I am pleased to announce that we have launched the BC Dashboard!

Over 90 video replays. Fields and morning lines for all 14 races. Handicapping race outlook. Historical Race Profiles. Find it all at the BC Dashboard.

Results and video from all past Breeders’ Cup Classic races can be found here.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever