2011 Breeders' Cup: Bold Predictions for Top Contenders

The Breeders' Cup World Championships bring many emotions to the owners, trainers, jockeys and everyone else involved with thoroughbred horse racing.

A year's worth of work comes down to a single race lasting only a minute or two, depending on distance.

For two days, the top contenders will carry the expectations of their jockeys, owners and followers. A win is expected. Anything else is a disappointment.

Let's take a look at the top contenders for each race, and how they will fare on thoroughbred racing's biggest stage.

$500,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint: 4:10 PM (ungraded)

TOP CONTENDER: Secret Circle

Secret Circle has the fastest Beyer figures (97,97) of anyone in this field by a mile. He has won in-the-hands late with Rafael Bejarano on board.

He proved in his last race that he can sit on the leaders, take them on down the stretch and win.

His biggest threat is Hansen. He has won in a romp in his two starts, although they've been on synthetic. If he is like Animal Kingdom, watch out.

PREDICTION: Secret Circle will win easily.

$1 Million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G2): 4:50 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Elusive Kate

Elusive Kate has won four straight races, including a G1 in Europe. She seems to be the deserving favorite as the top Euro in her surface.

As was the case last year, it will be all about the trip. She will definitely be the one to beat in the race.

PREDICTION: Somali Lemonade will win this race. He has shown a great finishing kick and has posted among the best times here.

Elusive Kate will be good for place or show.

$1 Million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1): 5:30 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Turbulent Descent

Turbulent Descent has six wins and two second-places in her eight lifetime starts. This year she is three-out-of-five and has been dominant in her wins.

She has lost only to Zazu and It's Tricky this year—both are a cut clear above the field here.

Switch and the much improved Pomeroy's Pistol are her biggest rivals.

PREDICTION: Turbulent Descent is three-for-three at this distance. She wins here, again in dominating fashion.

$2 Million Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1): 6:10 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Grace Hall

Grace Hall is three-for-three thus far, including a G1 win at the Spinaway Stakes.

She showed in her last race that she can easily go a mile and win.

PREDICTION: My Miss Aurelia will win this race wire-to-wire. She showed she can go a mile and will hold off Grace Hall's charge during the home stretch.

$2 Million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1): 6:50 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Stacelita (FR)

Stacelita (FR) has dominated her biggest North American rivals on this field with ease in her last two races.

Nahrain (GB) and Dubawi Heights (GB) are her two main contenders in this race.

PREDICTION:  Nahrain (GB) comes off four straight wins, including a G1 in France. She is a stalker with a great finishing move and will win this race.

Stacelita (FR) will finish second.

$2 Million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (G1): 7:30 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Plum Pretty

Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty won her last race with an impressive 108 Beyer figure at the Cotillion Stakes.

She is the speed of the race and could wire the field if she is able to relax on the lead like she did in her last race.

Her biggest rivals are Royal Delta (who beat her once), and It's Tricky (with whom she's exchanged wins).

PREDICTION: Royal Delta will win this race, with Plum Pretty a close second. Royal Delta has beaten Plum Pretty already, has kept improving and is in the best shape of her career.

$500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon (G2): 1:20 PM

TOP CONTENDER: A.U. Miner

A.U. Miner will make his second start, after a three-month layoff.

He closed well in the Jockey Club Gold Cup race in his return.

Birdrun, Cease and Eldaafer should be his main rivals.

PREDICTION: A.U. Miner, with Calvin Borel (who knows Churchill Downs like the back of his hand) aboard, should be fitter for this race and will win it.

He has been running against far better competition than the challenge he'll face here, and he has the best Beyer figures.

$1 Million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1): 2:02 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Finale

Finale has won his last three races—all on turf. He will be ridden by big-race jockey John Velazquez, who is Todd Pletcher's go-to guy.

Dullahan and State of Play are his main rivals here.

PREDICTION: Should Dullahan stay in this race, he looks like a winner. His Breeders' Cup Futurity win gives him an edge over Finale here.

$1.5 Million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1): 2:37 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Big Drama

Big Drama wired the field last year in this race. He was able to relax on the lead and won with ease.

He should get more pressure on the lead this year—plus, there are questions regarding his fitness level.

Jackson Bend and Amazombie are his main threats.

PREDICTION: Jackson Bend and Amazombie are razor sharp right now. It took an 118 Beyer effort from Uncle Mo to beat Jackson Bend in his last race.

Among them will be the winner of this race.

It will be a close finish between them, but I see Jackson Bend with a slight edge. Big Drama will be good for show.

$1 Million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2): 3:21 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Caracortado

Caracortado will try this the distance for the first time, although he has won at both four and six furlongs.

He is the class of the field, and a good post could allow him to pass the leaders at the wire.

His main challengers are Havelock, Chamberlain Bridge and Regally Ready.

PREDICTION: Caracortado will fall short at the end. Look for the mare, Broken Dreams, with big-time rider Garrett Gomez to win here. She is in top form and will take the upset here.

$1 Million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1): 4:01 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Trappe Shot

Trappe Shot seems to have lost some of the form that took him to an impressive win in the True North.

A mile sits just right for Trappe Shot, especially as this is a one-turn race. John Velazquez gets the mount again.

Bob Baffert's speedster, The Factor, and the much improved Wilburn are his main rivals.

PREDICTION:  The Factor will not be able to get an easy lead here, and that will serve well for Trappe Shot to win this race.

Wilburn will make another great race but will be second this time.

$3 Million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1): 4:45 Pm

TOP CONTENDER: Sarafina (FR)

Sarafina (FR) had won three in a row prior to her seventh-place finish at the Arc de Triomphe.

Given that Danewin won by five lengths, Sarafina was just a length-and-a-half behind the second-place finisher.

Her main rivals are Midday (GB), St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) and Await The Dawn.

PREDICTION: Sarafina (GB) will win this race. Her Arc race has been seen as a failure by many, but she is the one to beat.

$2 Million Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1): 5:25 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Union Rags

Union Rags was impressive in his win at the Champagne after being bottled up, then drawing away in the home stretch.

His main rivals are Creative Cause and Drill.

PREDICTION: Union Rags will win with ease here. His last win is difficult to overlook, and no other horse has come close to his Beyer figures.

His jockey will be Javier Castellano, who's been on fire this year.

$2 Million TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1): 6:07 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Goldikova

The record-setting mare, Goldikova, is going for her fourth straight Breeders' Cup Mile win.

Some say she has lost a step, but her losses have all been hard-fought against top Euro horses.

Her top rivals are Gio Ponti and Courageous Cat.

PREDICTION: Goldikova might be a step slower, but she is still the top of this field.

Courageous Cat will be her main competition this year, Gio Ponti for third.

$5 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1): 7:00 PM

TOP CONTENDER: Uncle Mo and Havre de Grace

Uncle Mo is the favorite in the race of the Championships.

After overcoming a life-threatening liver disease during the summer, he has returned to top form. His last race at the Kelso was very impressive, scoring a 118 Beyer figure.

His biggest threat is Havre de Grace, who is in contention for Horse of The Year honors. Her win over Flat Out at the Woodward makes her worthy of her contending status.

Flat Out (who is working lights out) and To Honor and Serve (won the PA Derby) follow as their close rivals.

PREDICTION: Uncle Mo will sit off Game On Dude and run a race strategically similar to his Juvenile win last year.

Uncle Mo will hold off Havre de Grace's bid in the homestretch, with Flat Out a close third.