The $250,000 Grade II Bernard Baruch August 30 at Saratoga signifies the return of two-time reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan who is back from a bout with colic that was potentially fatal and required surgery but nothing stops a champ.
Eight runners line-up to face Wise Dan (3/5 ML) in the mile and a sixteenth race on the turf. Wise Dan has not raced since winning the Grade I Churchill Downs Turf Classic on May 3, and could be vulnerable of the layoff and physical issues. In that race, he was uncharacteristically rank early before surviving a late charge from the unheralded three year-old Seek Again. Still, Wise Dan’s nose for the wire is undeniable. In 14 lifetime turf starts, the multiple Breeder’s Cup winner has 13 victories worth over 5.7 million dollars.
Trainer Charles LoPresti has taken a very cautious approach with Wise Dan’s return, allowing the horse to dictate the tempo of his workouts. Originally targeted for the Fourstardave Stakes in early August, Wise Dan did not show his usual zest for training, leading LoPresti to give the seven year-old gelding more time to recover. Wise Dan’s four furlong move at Saratoga August 24 was clocked in 47 and two fifth seconds – good for the 7th fastest of 102 horse working the same distance.
Lea (4/5 ML) is entered for the main track only, leaving Bio Pro (5/1) the likely second choice for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Bio Pro has never won a graded stakes race and is four of fifteen lifetime on the grass.
Saturday, January 29 at Gulfstream Park is one of the biggest races of the year: the Pegasus World Cup (G1)! This $3 million race, covering a mile and an eighth on the Gulfstream dirt track, drew a field of nine handicap horses. The eyes of the racing world will be on Gulfstream on Saturday, and you can bet it from the comfort of your own home here in Canada!
The Kentucky Derby trail makes its way to Oklahoma on Friday, December 17 for the Remington Springboard Mile! The race drew a field of nine up-and-coming two-year-olds to go a mile on the main track. The prizes are rich: a $400,000 purse, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points (10-4-2-1) for the first four horses across the wire.
The Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), California’s most important Kentucky Derby Prep in December, is coming up on Saturday, December 11! The race features the most promising two-year-olds in California, set to go a mile and a sixteenth over the dirt at Los Alamitos Racecourse. The race offers a purse of $300,000, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points, apportioned 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers.
Let's have a look at the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf betting picks and predictions.
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