Jim Rome's Shared Belief Looking for Awesome Breeders' Cup Prep

Shared Belief was the champion juvenile of 2012, but missed the Triple Crown season with foot issues. However, that may not stop him from unseating Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome as the top three-year-old of 2014 and a shot at Horse of the Year if he can keep his winning streak alive in Saturday’s $300,000 Awesome Again (G1) at Santa Anita. 

Owned in part by Jim Rome’s Jungle Racing and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, the gelding makes his final prep for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 1.

The Awesome Again is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” race, with the winner earning an all-expenses-paid trip to the Classic. Shared Belief already has his ticket stamped by winning the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Aug. 24.

USA TODAY Sports

Rome has become a familiar face at the Breeders’ Cup, winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) the past two years with Mizdirection. Shared Belief may get him to the winner’s circle this year in the marquee event of the two-day championship event.

The gelding is currently the 2-1 early betting favorite in Breeders’ Cup Classic betting according to the latest odds released by Odds Shark.

He was perfect in three starts last year as a juvenile, including a win in the Hollywood Prevue (G3) and CashCall Futurity (G1), which wrapped up division honors. After coming back from foot issues this spring he has won all three of his starts, and will be an overwhelming favorite in the Awesome Again.

Eight will line up to go 1 1/8 miles over the main track at Santa Anita. The biggest threat to the gelding’s winning streak could come from Feb Biz, who is 6-1 on the morning line.

Saddled by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, the five-year-old is coming off a runner-up finish in the Pat O’Brien (G2) going seven furlongs over the polytrack at Del Mar. He won the San Diego Handicap (G2) two back in his first start off an 8 1 /2 month layoff.

A winner of three of seven trips over the Santa Anita main track, he draws the rail with jockey Martin Garcia aboard, and figures to be on the lead early.

The Awesome Again is one of five Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races on the Saturday card. The races will be televised on NBC Sports Network from 5:30 to 8:00 pm eastern.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Beholder turns up for a defense of that race when she goes in the $300,000 Zenyatta (G1). The filly is making just her third start of 2014. She has won seven of her eight starts at Santa Anita and is the 1-2 morning-line favorite.

We could see next spring’s Kentucky Derby winner in the $300,000 Frontrunner (G1) which is for two-year-old going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Baffert, who has saddled three Kentucky Derby winners, sends out the 8-5 morning-line favorite American Pharoah, who won the Del Mar Futurity (G1) in his last outing.

The Frontrunner is a “Win and You’re In” race for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).

The $300,000 Rodeo Drive (G1) serves as a prep for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). A full field of 14 will line up in one of the most wide-open stakes on the card.

Miss Serendipity is coming off a solid effort winning the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2) in her last start and is the lukewarm 4-1 morning line favorite.

In addition to five Breeders’ Cup preps at Santa Anita, there are four Breeders’ Cup Challenge races at Belmont Park on Saturday afternoon. The marquee event is the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), which features Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Tonalist and Travers Stakes winner (G1) V.E. Day.

Follow Michael Dempsey on Twitter @turfnsport

Morning line odds courtesy of Equibase