Frosted and I’m a Chatterbox look primed and ready for the 2015 Breeders’ Cup. (Photo credit: Breeders’ Cup Ltd.)
With all the major Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races coming up over the next few weeks, it is Parx along with their larcenous 30% takeout that could produce the winners in back to back years in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
Last year Bayern used the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G2) and Untapable parlayed victory in the $1 million Cotillion (G1) into victories in the Breeders’ Cup.
Frosted was no match for American Pharoah in his fourth place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and second in the Belmont Stakes (G1). After running second to last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Texas Red in the Jim Dandy (G2), he again came up short to the Triple Crown winner when third behind Keen Ice and American Pharoah in the Travers (G1).
The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee snapped a four race losing streak by winning the Pennsylvania Derby off a three week break, drawing away smartly to win by two lengths and earning a career top 106 Beyer Speed Figure.
By comparison, American Pharoah earned a 105 for his runner up finish in the Travers and only his 109 in his Belmont Stakes win is higher than Frosted’s career top.
Currently at BetOnline Frosted is +1400 in Breeders’ Cup Classic future betting. American Pharoah remains the betting favorite at +250.
I’m a Chatterbox finally got her first Grade 1 win in the Cotillion, earning a 95 Beyer Speed Figure, a career top, in her two length victory.
She could not catch Embellish the Lace in the Alabama (G1) in her previous start, and was disqualified in the Coaching Club America Oaks (G1) for interference in the stretch.
It looks as if she is going to get a break with Beholder targeting the Classic against the boys. She still is going to face a tough group that will include facing older foes in Sheer Drama, Stopchargingmaria and Untapable.
Coming up on Saturday, we have five Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races at Santa Anita and a pair at Belmont Park. I will include all of the stakes in Saturday’s Best Plays Report.
Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races:
Santa Anita
FrontRunner Stakes (Sentient Jet Juvenile)
Zenyatta Stakes (Longines Distaff)
Rodeo Drive Stakes (Filly & Mare Turf)
Chandelier Stakes (Juvenile Fillies)
Awesome Again Stakes (Classic)
Belmont Park
Vosburgh Invitational Stakes (TwinSpires Sprint)
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (Longines Turf)
Newmarket
Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Juvenile Turf)
Belmont Park Fall Championship Meet Special:
Michael Dempsey’s full card reports for the entire Belmont Park Fall Championship meeting from September 11 until Nov 1! SPECIAL BONUS: Includes the two-day Breeders’ Cup Report!
