Japanese Entry Casino Drive 8/1 Favorite to Win 2008 Breeders Cup Classic

Casino Drive

Japanese-trained Casino Drive arrives lightly raced but undefeated leading up to his fourth career start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com list him at 10/1 alongside three other thoroughbreds, as well as among the first level of contenders behind 6/1 Raven’s Pass and heavy favorite, Curlin.

Bet the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic Championship

If it’s possible to show diverse skill in just three career starts, then Casino Drive has done it. After debuting in Kyoto, Japan with an 11½ length win over inferior competition, the horse shrugged off a 14-hour plane ride and a layover in Alaska to win by 5¾ in the grade II Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park. After missing the intended Belmont Stakes with a rear hoof bruise, Casino Drive prepped well for Saturday in winning an October 12 allowance race on the same Santa Anita synthetic surface that he will encounter in the Breeders’ Classic.

Handicappers looking for something more to hang their hats on might point to Casino Drive’s regal bloodlines. His sire is 2003 American Horse of the Year Mineshaft and his half-brothers are Belmont Stakes winners Jazil and Rags to Riches.

Others might point out this a vastly untested horse, considering he has never gone the distance and has never faced anywhere near the level of competition he will see on Saturday. Considering his undefeated record may attract considerable attention from bettors on race day, the risk may exceed the value and shrewd cappers may choose to look elsewhere.

By: CHRIS ROCCO

RockBoxSports

Henrythenavigator

Leading the charge for the European contingent at this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic is American-born but Irish-bred Henrythenavigator.

Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com list the thoroughbred at 10/1 alongside stablemate Duke of Marmalade and behind only 6/1 Raven’s Pass and heavy favorite Curlin.

Bet the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic Championship

While he’s somewhat of a mystery in the U.S., Henrythenavigator has shown considerable class on European tracks, winning four consecutive Group I stakes this year. The fact that he won these on four separate courses suggests good versatility. Henrythenavigator first distinguished himself among European three year-olds before moving on to beat older horses as well.

European backers are expressing considerable confidence in this year’s crop. Said Colonel John trainer Eoin Harty, “The European group here is by far the best we’ve seen in the Classic. With the synthetic surface you have to respect them.” If that’s the case, Henrythenavigator may be worthy of consideration.

At the same time, it must be noted that Henrythenavigator is venturing into new territory in more ways than one on Saturday. Aside from running on his first non-turf surface, he’ll be asked to exceed a mile for the first time and will be making his first left-hand turn in a race.

While the horse has flashed the type of speed and athleticism that will be needed in the Classic, he may not have a full tank for extra distance after brutal turf wars in Europe, followed by a trip across the pond. There is risk here that trainer Aidan O’Brien’s horses may have peaked already and, on these grounds, there may be better options in the Classic.

By: CHRIS ROCCO

RockBoxSports

Curlin

With Big Brown out of the picture, Curlin will be the overwhelming favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday.

Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have established his odds to win at 7/5.

Bet the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic Championship

Curlin’s resume is as good as they come. Winner of the 2007 Preakness, the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and the 2008 Dubai World Cup – he’s 11-2-2 in fifteen career starts and 4-1-0 in 2008. He’s also the current top money winner in North America with over $10 million in earnings and was named American Horse of the Year in 2007. You get the picture – this horse can flat out race.

Although Curlin has never run on the synthetic surface, there is reason to believe he may not be fazed. His style of coming from off the pace is suited to emerging trends at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree Meet, as is his pole position (9), which avoids the troublesome rail. Curlin’s sire Smart Strike has established a reputation for producing all-weather and turf runners, including more than one winner on synthetic surfaces.

On the flipside, there are those who perceive the onset of decline for the great horse. After flashing brilliant athleticism in a series of multiple-length wins, Curlin has added girth of late and has won more recently in the role of the grinder. This was evidenced in his gritty but difficult victory over 40/1 long shot Past the Point in the August, 2008 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga.

No doubt the greatness of this horse must be respected. However, considering that he will likely be over bet on race day, those seeking real value might be better served looking elsewhere.

By: CHRIS ROCCO

RockBoxSports

British Horse Champs Elysees 25/1 Odds Long Shot to Take Breeder Cup

Champs Elysees

Trainer Bobby Frankel has decided to take a shot with five year-old turf specialist Champs Elysees in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the thoroughbred a 15/1 long shot to win this year’s Breeders’ Cup.

Bet the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic Championship

Champs Elysees is coming off a third-place showing in the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International Stakes on October 4 at Woodbine. Prior to this, the horse won in the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes also at Woodbine, making a strong move down the stretch.

Despite doing his best work on turf, Champs Elysees does have experience on the synthetic surface. He closed well once again in finishing third to Heatseeker in the Santa Anita Handicap in March.

Supporters are quick to note that Champs Elysees has world-class pedigree. Sire Danehill has been tops in Australia, France, Ireland, England and Hong Kong while producing 344 stakes winners, 25 champions, and last year’s European Horse of the Year. Dam Hasili was Broodmare of the Year in England in 2006 and all six of her racing foals are graded or group winners.

On Saturday, Champs Elysees will be running with blinkers for the first time. “I put the blinkers on him for this and he’ll run in them Saturday,” said Frankel. “I like the way he responded to them here, and I think they can move him up. He’s not usually a good workhorse; he’s usually lazy in the mornings. But he likes this track and he could run good.”

With bettors likely focusing on some of the other big-name entries, an overlooked Champs Elysees could offer value on Saturday. This is a horse with good bloodlines, experience on the surface, a proven ability to close over the required distance, and top three finishes in 15 of 19 career starts.