Horse Racing Betting - Reflections on the 2009 Breeders' Cup

• Who: Thoroughbreds – Informed Decision, Goldikova, Presious Passion, Zenyatta

• What: Breeders’ Cup Betting Results– Last Weekend’s Breeders’ Cup Races

• Where: Santa Anita

• When: Friday and Saturday, November 6th and 7th

Holding the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita in consecutive years was a lousy idea, if for no other reason than it cost racing fans everywhere the opportunity to witness a showdown between Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra. As is usually the case, however, much good came from a bad situation. Following are several Breeders’ Cup highlights from my perspective as a horse racing fan and handicapper.

9YO Cloudy’s Knight ran his eyeballs out in the Marathon only to lose by a nose to Man of Iron. Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard did a fabulous job with this old war horse. Informed Decision knocking off prohibitive favorite Ventura in the Filly and Mare Sprint was a classic example of the adage “pace makes the race”. Jockey Julien Leparoux established a perfect stalking position through a slow (:23 1/5) first quarter, and the race was all but over at that point. Ventura made her patented late run, but was left with too much to do.

Life Is Sweet emerged from the huge shadow of stablemate Zenyatta to capture the Ladies’ Classic in a dominant performance. She paid a generous $18.20 to her backers at the racebook.

Favored Lookin At Lucky was dead-game in defeat, done in by the dreaded (an apparently unlucky) Post 13.

Goldikova once again was magnificent in winning the Mile. She’s the best Euro-miler to come along since 2-time BC Mile winner Miesque (1987, 1988). Coincidentally, Freddy Head rode Miesque and now trains Goldikova.

Presious Passion is one of my all-time favorite horses. He was gallant in defeat, finishing a half-length behind odds-on favorite Conduit after establishing a huge early lead. At least he left second choice Spanish Moon and third choice Dar Re Mi in his wake.

I must admit, I wasn’t crazy about Zenyatta’s chances in the Classic, but she proved me wrong with her powerhouse finish. Now the debate will rage on...Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra for Horse of the Year. If you’re into horse racing betting, who will your money be on?

Check out the Horse of the Year Prop at Betonline.com. Happy gambling!

Pete Mitchell is BetOnline.com's horse racing expert.