By Don Agriss Oct 26, 2006, 15:35 GMT
Louisville, KY - Pre-entries for the eight Breeders' Cup World Championship races were announced on Wednesday. Only two of the races did not attract at least 15 possible runners. The feature $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic had 15 thoroughbreds named for the 1 1/4 mile race.
The big three, Bernardini, Lava Man and Invasor, have and will garner the majority of the attention from the public. The Daily Racing Form's Mike Watchmaker put his early line on the race making leading three-year-old Bernardini the 8-5 favorite. Watchmaker then made another three-year-old, Discreet Cat, the 7-2 second choice.
Discreet Cat, another Maktoum family horse, is undefeated in five career starts with a victory over Invasor. He has won his last two starts by more than 21 lengths.
The early line has west coast runner Lava Man at 6-1 and Invasor is 8-1. No other horse is slated at under 10-1 odds.
Sun King, with just one win this year, is 12-1 in Watchmaker's posting. The winner of the 2005 Pennsylvania Derby was ninth in last year's Classic, but is normally in the money. He has earned more than $600,000 this year with three second place finishes.
A new name in the mix is George Washington. The Irish-bred three-year-old has raced exclusively in England and Ireland, winning his last start against older horses. George Washington has gotten some publicity in the United States because he was bred by Barbaro's owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson. The Classic will be his first start on dirt.
Since 14 horses will be permitted to start in the Classic, 2005 runner-up Flower Alley is currently listed as eligible for the race. Flower Alley has been disappointing this year. After winning the Salvatore Mile at Monmouth Park he has finished off the board the next two starts. The four-year-old is 30-1 in the Daily Racing Form line.
The remaining horses include veteran thoroughbred Perfect Drift, 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo and Santa Anita Derby winner Brother Derek. All are three are listed at 30-1 along with Arkansas Derby winner Lawyer Ron.
Brother Derek took on older horses for the first time early in October in the Goodwood Handicap. He finished second to Lava Man by 2 1/4 lengths with Giacomo a length back in third.
Lawyer Ron has raced only twice since his lackluster Kentucky Derby. He won the new St. Louis Derby and was second to Strong Contender in the Super Derby.
Sentimental favorite Perfect Drift will be making a record fifth appearance in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Perfect Drift has improved with each start in the Classic. In 2002 he was last in the 12 horse field. He then moved up to sixth place versus nine other starters. In 2004 Perfect Drift hit the board with a fourth place effort and last year he was third. This year Perfect Drift has earned more than $370,000 in six starts without a win. He has four second place finishes in 2006.
The purse increase to $5 million means that the winner will earn $2.7 million in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Only the $6 million Dubai World Cup has a higher purse.
The post-time odds will be slightly different than Mike Watchmaker's in the Daily Racing Form. Discreet Cat could be shuffled back behind Bernardini, Lava Man and Invasor. All other starts will remain longshots.
Outside of the top four, Sun King appears to be the best of the rest. His late running style fits well into this race. The favorites all like to be on or near the lead.
Sun King has had three different jockeys the last three starts and four different riders the last five races. A one-move horse like Sun King needs a patient ride. If Sun King gets that type of ride he could sweep past the favorites and upset the Breeders' Cup Classic.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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