2009 Breeders Cup Profile - Aidan O'Bren's Horses

Breeders’ Cup: Aidan O’Brien’s Deck is Full for an Irish Invasion

Every year, Aidan O’Brien brings a slew of horses to the Breeders’ Cup to contest America’s richest races. He almost never leaves empty handed although many times the horse that everyone figures will win for the O’Brien barn loses and the horse that does well is the one that nobody has paid attention to.

That could be the case this year. Let’s take a look at which O’Brien horses figure to come up big on both Nov. 6th and Nov. 7th.

Aidan O’Brien Horses

Man of Iron - - Breeders’ Cup Marathon - - This field is much tougher than last year’s Marathon field. Man of Iron has a big shot, but the Godolphin runner, Mastery, looks like the hands down winner in this. Man of Iron is going to be so far away from Nite Light in the early going that Nite Light’s jockey, Jon Court, is going to need binoculars on the back of his head to see this guy. Pass. Bet Odds: 15 to 1.

Lillie Langtry - - Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf - - Expect Lillie Langtry to go off the favorite in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Her form is terrific with a 3-2-1 record out of 6 races. Her breeding, sired by Danehill, means that she excels on all turf surfaces, firm, good or soft, and that she will relish the distance. She should be the favorite in the Juvenile Turf. I suggest not betting against her. Bet Odds: 2 to 1.

Viscount Nelson - - Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf - - Sired by former O’Brien champion Giant’s Causeway, Viscount Nelson has the best chance out of O’Brien’s horses for victory. He’s got the entire package. His 2-1-1 record with a Grade II victory in his last, his breeding, his ability run on the lead or stalk the pace and the fact that O’Brien trains him should add up to a victory in the Juvenile Turf. He won’t even be the favorite which is another reason to like him. Bet Odds: 7 to 2.

Mastercrafstman - - Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile/Breeders’ Cup Classic - - If he goes in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, then he’s the class play. If he doesn’t, then expect him to go off at close to 20 to 1 in the Classic. O’Brien will probably go for the Dirt Mile which means that he will be one of the top 4 or 5 betting choices after Midshipman, Pyro and Regal Ransom. In that case, getting odds, he might be worth a shot as he’s definitely a classy horse. Bet Odds: 5 to 1.

Alfred Noble - - Breeders’ Cup Juvenile - - He’s 3-1-1 out of 7 lifetime races, including a Grade I and Grade II victory and is all class. He’s bred for the turf but O’Brien can get them good on the Pro-Ride and this guy has all the makings of a serious upset special in this. The Americans are tough, but Alfred Noble was bought for close to $400,000 and figures to bounce back off of his last two terrible starts. Bettors could see a reverse in form at huge odds. Bet Odds: 10 to 1.

Beethoven - - Breeders’ Cup Juvenile - - He’s a Grade I winner which means he has a shot, but this race is loaded with very, very, very good American horses. He could pull a big upset but most horseplayers should look towards one of the state-side horses that could win this race. Out of O’Brien’s two in here, I like Beethoven less than Alfred Noble. Bet Odds: 12 to 1.