Breeders Cup 2010: Predictions for Zenyatta and This Year's Classic
It's time to make some predictions for the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic.
As always, there are plenty of story lines around this year's Breeders Cup, and not all of them involve a fracas between two jockeys.
No, everybody really wants to know if Zenyatta will be the first horse to repeat at the Classic since Tiznow in 2000-2001. But then there's Lookin At Lucky, who is looking for redemption after a difficult trip in last year's Classic caused him finish second.
And then there's always the possibility of a longshot like Etched or Pleasant Prince coming away with the purse.
For your betting convenience, we have compiled a rundown of each horse in this year's Classic, and we'll tell you where they're going to finish.
12. Espoir City
1 of 12
Post: 11
Jockey: Tetsuzo Sato
Odds: 20-1
Need To Know: Espoir City has won 11 of 20 races in his home country of Japan, but this will be his first race in another land. He finished his half-mile warmup in 49.60 seconds, but many in the know are concerned about how he'll last over the 1.25 miles of the Classic.
Predicted Finish: 12th
11. Etched
2 of 12
Post: 10
Jockey: Alan Garcia
Odds: 30-1
Need To Know: Etched is a five-year-old with only a little racing experience to his name. He's moving way up in class for the Breeders Cup, and would be a huge longshot if he were to win.
Predicted Finish: 11th
10. Musket Man
3 of 12
Post: 7
Jockey: Rajiv Magagh
Odds: 20-1
Need To Know: Musket Man is a four-year-old colt. He hasn't won anything since the Tampa Bay Downs back in February, and many were perplexed when he was first entered for the Breeders Cup. He has already run against several of the Classic starters, and failed to defeat any of them. Then again, he's never finished worse than third.
Predicted Finish: 10th
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9. Pleasant Prince
4 of 12
Post: 9
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Odds: 30-1
Need To Know: Pleasant Prince is a three-year-old colt. He won the Oklahoma Derby by four lengths a few weeks ago, even despite some wide turns. He's a longshot in the Breeders Cup, but he is certainly improving.
Predicted Finish: 9th
8. Fly Down
5 of 12
Post: 6
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Odds: 15-1
Need To Know: Fly Down is a 3-year-old colt. He doesn't have any wins in big races to his credit, but he but did finish second in the Belmont. He does, however, have a win at Churchill Downs to his credit, so the track is certainly not that big of a challenge for him. He probably can't win, but there's no doubt that he is improving.
Predicted Finish: 8th
7. Paddy O'Prado
6 of 12
Post: 2
Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Odds: 15-1
Need To Know: Paddy O'Prado is a three-year-old colt who many think should be sticking to the turf. But he did finished third in the Kentucky Derby. He'll stay back early, and then make a charge late in the final half-mile.
Predicted Finish: 7th
6. First Dude
7 of 12
Post: 4
Jockey: Robby Albarado
Odds: 15-1
Need To Know: First Dude is a three-year-old colt with only a maiden win to his credit. Nevertheless, he has made more than $800,000 finishing either second or third, and he looked pretty good in his final paces a couple days ago at Churchill Downs.
Predicted Finish: 6th
5. Haynesfield
8 of 12
Post: 3
Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
Odds: 12-1
Need To Know: Haynesfield is a stallion who was foaled in 2006. He has an impressive win at the Jockey Club Gold Cup to his name this year, in which he beat out Fly Down. He is also not the best bet, but he could benefit if the race starts out slow for whatever reason.
Predicted Finish: 5th
4. Blame
9 of 12
Post: 5
Jockey: Garrett Gomez
Odds: 9-2
Need To Know: Blame is a bay colt who was foaled in 2006. His wins this year include the Whitney Stakes, in which he beat out Quality Road, and the Stephen Foster Handicap. Some consider him to be the best older male in the country, and has shown that he can be a hard horse to pass once he has a lead.
Predicted Finish: 4th
3. Lookin At Lucky
10 of 12
Post: 12
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Odds: 6-1
Need To Know: Lookin At Lucky is a colt who was foaled in 2007. He won the Preakness Stakes after his owner fired Garrett Gomez in favor of Martin Garcia. Many have noted that he and Zenyatta have similar race plans, which leaves him open to being overwhelmed by her charging ability.
Predicted Finish: 3rd
2. Quality Road
11 of 12
Post: 1
Jockey: John Velazquez
Odds: 5-1
Need To Know: Quality Road is a stallion who was foaled in 2006. He was the first horse ever to scratch at the gate in last year's Classic because he would not load, so redemption is certainly in the wings this year. This year, he has four wins in five starts. He's going to be at or near the lead at the start, allowing him to set the pace.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
1. Zenyatta
12 of 12
Post: 8
Jockey: Mike Smith
Odds: 8-5
Need To Know: A 6-year-old mare, Zenyatta is undefeated in each of her 19 career starts. She is the odds-on favorite to win the Breeders Cup Classic, which would be her second in a row after she became the first mare to ever win the event in 2009. Some will tell you that she's lost a step since then, but she can afford to after winning last year's Classic by a wide margin.
Predicted Finish: 1st
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