Breeders’ Cup Challenge Picks for Saturday

Padding Your Bankroll: Saturday October 17

It’s last call for the Breeders’ Cup.

The final series of prep races for next month’s Breeders’ Cup takes place today, and there are three Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races at Woodbine in Ontario, Canada.

The action kicks off with the $500,000 Nearctic Stakes (G2), with the winner earning a starting spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Fillies and mares will be up next in the $1 million E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1), a race in which five of the eight runners will be making their North American debut including the highly regarded Group 1 winner Rainbow View.

The marquee event on the card is the $2 million Canadian International Stakes (G1), with the winner earning an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

The top four finishers in last months Northern Dancer Stakes (G1) are back. Marsh Side crossed the wire first but was disqualified for interference, giving the victory to Just As Well.

It is not one of the deepest fields, but there are three European invaders, and it is an intriguing betting race.

All three races will be featured in a two hour telecast on ESPN starting at 4:00 ET.

Here is a quick look at whom I am going to be wagering on today:

Woodbine Race 8: Nearctic Stakes (G2)
The winner of this race earns an automatic berth in next month’s Breeder’ Cu Turf Sprint. I am giving the edge to #9 Heros Reward, who did not have a great trip last out facing Maryland breds in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint. The gelding lacked running room in upper stretch and got up through the inside to rally for third. The gelding is a two time winner over the turf here, winning this race in ’07 and finishing fourth here last year. The gelding always seems to fire, landing in the exacta in 18 of 25 starts on turf. He is capable of better than his last start and I am hoping his price drifts up from the 7/2 morning line.

The others to look at are #11 Jungle Wave, #7 Chamberlain Bridge, and #6 Little Nick.

Woodbine Race 9: E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1)
Five of the eight runners in here are making their North American debut here, and the likely favorite #2 Rainbow View appears the one to beat. She won the Matron Stakes (G1) in her last outing for her fifth career win in ten starts. When she has not hit the winners circle, she has run into some very tough company including Goldikova, Midday, and Sariska. She looks too classy for this field and can run over any type of ground.

#1 Treat Gently came back off a nine month layoff with a smart looking win in the allowance ranks for trainer Bobby Frankel. She mixed it up with the top fillies last year including a solid third behind Zarkava and Dar Re Mi in the Prix Vermille (G1) at Longchamp last fall.

Woodbine Race 10: Canadian International S. (G1)
#1 Champs Elysees crossed the wire fourth in the prep for this race, the Northern Dancer (G1), beaten 1 ¼ lengths as the favorite. The six year old had to check sharply when cut off with a furlong to go and finished up well. He seemed to be sitting on a big one last out and may have got the job done with a better trip. Gomez sticks for another go and he may be able to turn the tables here. He was third in this race last year behind Marsh Side and Spice Route, who are both in the race again today.