Author: Patrick Moquin

Breeders’ Cup Analysis: Filly and Mare Turf

Race 7

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf for Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward, 1 3/16 Miles on the Turf

1- Starship Jubilee

Before her last race, this mare would have had to improve a little to have a chance. That performance against the boys in the Woodbine Mile was very impressive, however, and qualifies her as a contender here. She has a stalking style that’s suited to any situation, but I’m not sure of the quality of the horses she was beating up there in Canada,

2- Sistercharlie (Ire)

It may seem like she’s over the hill at this point, but that’s what people said about Got Stormy earlier this year too. The truth is that she’s one of the best turfers in recent memory, and while she’ll have to get back to some of her better performances last year to win here, I’m not ruling it out entirely. She’ll likely be overbet on that premise though. read more

Breeders’ Cup Analysis: Dirt Mile with Guest Lucas Ludgate

Race 6

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) for Three-Year-Olds and Upward, One Mile on the Dirt

1- Art Collector

Lucas: very good horse, might want a little more distance

I liked him in the Preakness, but that was apparently a little too far for him, which explains the cutback. There’s not too much to say about this one, because he’s a reliable pick. He’s a professional that can certainly make a difference here, but it’s notable that he’ll have to take a small step forward against older to win.

2- Sharp Samurai

Lucas: great horse, odds, J/T combo (not a closer) read more

Breeders’ Cup Analysis: Turf Sprint

This race is absurdly wide open, to the point that dart throwing might be as effective as handicapping. Potentials profits abound.

Race 5

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint for Three-Year-Olds and Upward, Five and a Half Furlongs on the Turf

1- Big Runnuer

Lucas: bit slow, but a good J/T combo (success with early speed)

This is one of those horses that I dismiss out of hand for weak speed figures and an early running style, and then they somehow wire the field. He’s been running really well in several wiring efforts recently out west, but his figures have been consistently light in comparison to others in this field. I believe he loses a duel as well as a stretch drive to superior opponents here. read more

Breeders’ Cup Analysis: Filly and Mare Sprint w/ Guests Emma Moquin and Lucas Ludgate

The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint can sometimes be a little overshadowed by other events on the massive Saturday card. This rendition, however, could be one for the ages, given its collective star power. Several extremely talented sprinters, new and old, have made their way onto the scene this year, setting up for an excellent race.

Emma Moquin and Lucas Ludgate will be weighing in as guests with me for this race and many others today. They’re arguably the two best students of the game I’ve happened to have, and they’ll be giving analysis for races all day for this epic event. read more

Breeders’ Cup Analysis: Juvenile w/ Guest Tyler Zorn

The feature race of Breeders’ Cup Day seems to be a race between Jackie’s Warrior and the rest, but there are plenty of competitive challengers for him to defeat.

My guest for this race is Tyler Zorn, a Regis High School graduate who’s quickly putting the pieces together when it comes to handicapping. He has some excellent observations in here, surprising the writer that originally put him on as a change of pace.

Race 10

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) for Two-Year-Olds, 1 1/16 Miles on the Dirt

1- Camp Hope

Tyler: “He looks somewhat promising, but in this race, he’s definitely outmatched. He won his last race but doesn’t have much experience other than that and is riding with a different jockey, Robbie Albarado (who hasn’t been very successful this year). Real low Beyer in his first start as well. read more

Breeders’ Cup Day: Analysis Master List

The world championship of racing has finally arrived. For analysis on each of Friday’s Breeders’ Cup races as they’re released, click the corresponding link below. Each race has my full, horse-by-horse analysis along with at least one guest’s take on the race. This list will be updated as the weekend rolls along. Best of luck to everyone as they prepare for some of the hardest handicapping days of the calendar year.

Breeders’ Cup Analysis: Juvenile Fillies Turf w/ Guests Jill Rice and Gillian Russo

This is yet another stout field of turf runners, but in this case, the American contingent may have the edge. Like so many other Breeders’ Cup races, however, finding the winner is nearly impossible due to the field size and talent on display. It’s as potentially profitable as it is frustrating. 

Jill Rice and Gil Russo will be joining me as guests after their mixed success on Travers Day. Jill has continued on as an elite copy editor on The Observer, while Gil has continued to sharpen her satire skills while also running The Observer’s website as Online Editor. read more

Breeders’ Cup Analysis: Juvenile Fillies w/ Guests Juliana Burke and Kristina Stevanovic

This year’s Juvenile Fillies race has the smallest field in this year’s Breeders’ Cup, but it doesn’t lack at all in terms of competition. Many of these fillies are better than their male counterparts in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, although this race still retains its entrants because very few trainers want to try against Jackie’s Warrior. This is a compact field representing the top dirt fillies from Kentucky, New York and California, which should make for a very interesting race. read more

Breeders’ Cup Analysis: Juvenile Turf w/ Guest Maggie McNamara

This year’s Juvenile Turf one of the most difficult races I’ve ever handicapped. In a 14-horse field, there are very few runners that I didn’t view as a legitimate contender. It’s a race that will inevitably fall through the cracks on such a big racing weekend, but those that remember it will be the ones that cash massive tickets.

My guest for this race is Maggie McNamara, the Assistant Sports and Health Editor for The Fordham Observer. She’s the only person I’ve ever allowed to co-write an article with me, and her prospects as a future editor on the newspaper continue to rise with time. However, her favorite movie is Cars 2, which will inevitably hold her back in all facets of life. read more

Breeders’ Cup Analysis: Juvenile Turf Sprint w/ Guests Esmé Bleecker-Adams and Grace Getman

On this momentous race weekend, the Breeders’ Cup will commence with a characteristically difficult juvenile turf race. 14 of the best juveniles from around the country will be competing for turf supremacy, and they’ll be moving through lightning quick fractions to do it. It’s an exciting and potentially profitable race.

My guests for this race are Grace Getman and Esmé Bleecker-Adams, both of which will be returning after providing guest analysis for Travers Day. Since then, Grace has become a force of nature as the Social Media Editor for The Fordham Observer, while Esmé has continued in her Observer role of “doing everything at all times.” Neither had the fortune to win on Travers Day, but neither are at all deterred by that unfortunate loss. read more