California Chrome is the heavy favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) after his win in the Awesome Again (G1) at Santa Anita.(Photo credit: © Cheryl Quigley | Dreamstime.com)
California Chrome really ran away with the Santa Anita Park fall meet, paying $2.80 for his impressive victory. The Santa Anita Parks fall meet turned sensational a little faster than most people expected, surprising many horse racing odds enthusiasts.
The second day of the meet (which features the Breeders Cup) generously rewarded those handicappers that had the foresight to correctly determine and pick the final six winners on the October 1st Card. The bankroll handed to these handicappers for the world championships was certainly overflowing.
There were quite a few favorites among the five Grade 1 stakes in the sequence; though only one choice attracted considerable renown and interest, and that was California Chrome who achieved an impressive victory in the Awesome again.
California Chrome’s regular rider, Victor Espinoza started the sequence. He performed as expected, winning the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes with Gormley. It is worth noting that Jerry and Ann Moss own Gormley, a horse that has had the privilege of being trained by John Sherriffs.
Sherriffs is a big deal in the horse racing arena; this is the same trainer who, along with Jerry and Ann Moss, brought Hall of Famer Zenyatta to the world. California Chrome is certainly set to end the year in style.
If all goes according to plan, this is one horse that could win the Horse of the Year title for the second time; Avenge isn’t doing too badly either, winning the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive (completing a $360.20 Pick 3 for $2).
Impressive as California Chrome was, a lot of people were even more impressed by the big showdown of the day. Beholder (three-time champion) took on Stellar Wind (three-year-old champion filly of 2015). This was the sort of Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes that spectators were expecting the day to deliver.
Beholder was the favorite of the bout, though Stellar Wind eventually came out on top in the stirring duel. Noted and Quoted triumphed in the final races of the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes. Belvoir Bay also came out on top.
Beholder has now come up shot twice to her main rival Stellar Wind. (Photo credit: Breeders’ Cup Ltd.)
It was a very busy day of Major Breeders Cup preps. And when all was said and done, those holding the 6 winning tickets cashed on last week’s most sensational score and went home $166,200 richer.
Over at the Presque Isle Downs (September 26th), there were a lot of fireworks to report, especially during the first race of the day and especially for longshot players. Heart Astray (First-time starter) kicked off mammoth prices when he delivered a 50-1 shocker.
Celtic Gold was second at 11-1. Kittens image followed with 14-1, with the fourth position going to 9-5 favorite Christmas Dinner.
No one was surprised when some big, bold numbers popped up on the tote board when all was said and done, especially with so many horses at double-digit prices thrown into the mix.
Superfecta players had a bonanza in the eighth race on October 8 at Churchill Downs, with Farrell paying a modest $7.80 and winning. Fairybrook came after, followed by Leisure and Bodes.
With a trifecta that paid $12,505 for a $2 wager (the $1 Superfecta ticket produced an even bigger payout of $49,747), no time was wasted in awarding the ‘how did you come up with that one?’ award at Gulfstream Park on September 30.
