Breeder’s Cup Betting - No Big Brown? No Problem!

The news came down like a bullet out of a shot-gun. IEAHA Stables, the owners of Big Brown, will retire their superstar Kentucky Derby winner eleven days before what would have been the biggest race of his career because he hurt his hoof while training at Aqueduct this morning.

For Breeders’ Cup Classic at between 1 to 2 to 1 to 5. That would make Curlin the shortest priced favorite ever in the history of the Classic.

But Big Brown’s exit also changed the make-up of the race which changed the strategy and chances of a few of the other horses.

Let’s take a look at a few of those horses.

Curlin - - Curlin is Curlin. He was going to beat down Big Brown with impunity in the race anyhow, but without Big Brown in the race, Curlin actually becomes much less formidable. The online betting odds I was willing to take on Curlin will rise quite a bit now that Brown isn’t running. Why? Check out what I have to say about a few others in here.

Well Armed - - Who’s going to challenge the front running monster son of Tiznow now that Big Brown is out of the race? Well Armed could get an easy lead. That means he could win easily. He might even deserve favoritism in my book because Curlin will have to navigate through a field of 13 other horses while Well Armed will be able to coast uncontested on the lead. I haven’t made my mind up, but I’m leaning Armed’s way.

Casino Drive - - He has the ability to lie close to the pace and he can kick it into gear without being asked. He might be the most talented horse in the race and without Big Brown, nobody should be closer to Well Armed with the ability to get past that one. But there are some knocks. I will go into those when I do a profile article on him.

Go Between - - Like Curlin, Go Between might have difficulty chasing down Well Armed in the race. Sure, Go Between has done it before, but Well Armed should be peaking in eleven days while Go Between will be coming off of a lay off. I like Go Between because he really is a good horse, but Big Brown pressing Well Armed would have definitely helped his cause.

Commentator - - Zito says he’s definitely not running in the Classic. Okay. Uh…dude, you only have to beat one horse to the lead, Well Armed, and your guy is a lot faster. I’d rethink not running Commentator in this race. He has the closest speed ratings to Curlin and there’s no doubt that he’s faster than Well Armed. Come on, Nick! Step up!