Horse Racing: Breeders' Cup Bets

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Last Updated on Saturday, 05 November 2011 11:27
Written by James Hipwell
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A memorable Flat season concludes at Churchill Downs in Kentucky tonight when Goldikova bids for an unprecedented fourth consecutive success in the Breeders' Cup Mile. What are the best bets to make on the biggest night on the US racing calendar?

Breeders' Cup Mile (6.07pm Kentucky, 10.07pm UK)

If Goldikova wins the Breeders' Cup Mile, for the fourth year running on Saturday , the tens of thousands of fans inside America's most famous racecourse will agree that there will never be another horse quite like her.

Goldikova's greatest quality is that she never disappoints. In 26 starts spread over the last five years, she has finished outside the first three places only once, and at the Breeders' Cup, she has been unbeatable. Whether it is at Santa Anita in California or, as this year, in Kentucky, she dispatches her field in the Mile with the same irresistible efficiency from one season to the next. She travels, she quickens, she wins. 

Goldikova is so at home over a flat, tight, two-turn American mile that the fans have adopted her as one of their own. No European challenger in 28 runnings of the Breeders' Cup has ever received the fervent support from the grandstands that Goldikova will enjoy. 

All is in place for one of the greatest Breeders' Cup moments. No other horse in the history of the meeting has won three times, never mind four. Victory would put Goldikova out on her own, so far ahead of the field that she might remain there for as long as the Cup endures. Now, it is down to Goldikova, and her regular jockey Olivier Peslier, to make it happen.

We aren't going to entertain the thought that she will be beaten. 

Breeders Cup Classic (7.00pm Kentucky, 11.00pm UK)

We're backing Havre de Grace in this one. Zenyatta showed a filly can win this race and HDG beat the boys in the G1 Woodward two runs back. She clearly stays the distance of 1m2f, she is versatile and looks sure to reach the first three. At the price she is good value. 

Our Lay of the Day is So You Think. The Aidan O'Brien/Coolmore team is only 1-for-38 at the Breeders' Cup since 2004 and we think this year will prove fruitless for the Irish handler once again. Although SYT has shown amazing versatility and ability in turf races the fact is he has never raced on a dirt surface before. It is worth betting against him in the Place Market on Betfair as there's a good chance he won't take to the dirt. 

BR Betting Advice

Back Golikova in the Breeders' Cup Mile at 7/4 (General) 

Back Havre de Grace in the Breeders' Cup Classic at 9/2 (General) 

Lay So You Think in the Breeders Cup Classic at 2.5 or less on Betfair (Place Market)