2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic Cheat Sheet

Level: Beginner

By Dana Byerly, Hello Race Fans Co-founder

2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic Replay

2011Breeders’ Cup Classic Results Chart courtesy of Brisnet.com (pdf)

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So you want to watch the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic but you have no idea who’s running. Not to worry! Here’s a thumbnail of the field in order of post position with their morning line odds. Check out our full race picks for Saturday and see how our 2011 Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic Cheat Sheet fared.

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1. Prayer for Relief – SCRATCHED

2. Flat Out (6-1) – Has had a great year and seems to be at his peak. Some question his ability to win outside of Belmont Park, but he’s been garnering rave reviews at Churchill in the morning and seems poised for a big effort.

3. Drosselmeyer (15-1) – Last year’s Belmont Stakes winner was originally pointing toward the Marathon, but Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott thinks he’s good enough right now to try for the big bucks. WINNER

4. Ruler on Ice (30-1) Huge price for the winner of this year’s Belmont Stakes, who admittedly would be more convincing with more distance, but wouldn’t be that THAT big of a surprise. SHOW (3rd)

5. So You Think (5-1) – Transferred his good form from Australia to Europe, racking up several impressive wins. He’ll make his first start over dirt, but he wouldn’t be the first turf horse to score on the Churchill Downs main track.

6. Ice Box (30-1) – This poor guy has had a lousy year and in fact hasn’t performed well since his second in the 2010 Kentucky Derby. This will be his first time back at Churchill since that performance, but despite his trainer’s ability to pull off a crazy upset, his odds seem warranted.

7. Rattlesnake Bridge (30-1) – One could argue that any horse with Calvin Borel aboard at Churchill with long odds is worth at least a $2 bet, and this guy hasn’t really run all that badly. Stranger things have happened.

8. Game on Dude (10-1) – Comes in off a super game win in the Goodwood and has shown that he can duel and win, something that will probably come in handy here. He’s been impressing the California clockers in the morning and should be a decent price. PLACE (2nd)

9. Stay Thirsty (12-1) – Turned in two impressive wins at Saratoga over the summer and ran an OK third as the favorite last out against older (Flat Out, Drosselmeyer were ahead of him). In the morning, reports have gone from “not smooth” to “fantastic”. Certainly a fantastic price if you like him.

10. Havre de Grace (3-1) – She’s had an excellent year and many rightly consider her the horse to beat. She beat males two back in the Woodward at Saratoga, including Flat Out, and then tuned up against fillies and mares in the Beldame. She’s easily the Horse of the Year with a win here.

11. Headache (30-1) – King of the second string racked up a few nice wins against lesser over the summer but didn’t fare so well in the Whitney. He would be a surprise, but good for him if he can do it!

12. Uncle Mo (5-2) – Last year’s Juvenile winner over the course is a bit of a surprise as the morning line favorite, particularly given that he’s never run at the distance. He’s come back from a serious illness that kept him from the Derby, but questions remain. Plus: He won last out in his first start against older horses. Minus: his last two races were sprint distances. This will be the 2011 Kentucky Derby hype horse’s moment of truth.

13. To Honor and Serve (12-1) – Has rounded back into form after some issues in the spring and has been getting good reviews in the morning. The post position is a little tough given his running style, but a good performance would not be a surprise.