Marathoners and The Ladies
In the next few weeks we’ll attempt to preview the Breeders’ Cup with every single race and we’ll kick it off here with the Marathon, the Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Filly and Mare Sprint.
These races will likely all be carded as action kicks off Friday November 5.
The $500,000 Marathon goes at a mile and three quarters on the main and there is little history to review as the race was inaugurated only 2 years ago.
In 2008 Muhannak came off a win on the synthetic in Ireland to sit mid-pack early but rally just in time to post the 12-1 upset.
Last year Iron Man used a similar race to Muhannak to cash as he came from second to last on the synthetic at Santa Anita to get up by a nose with a 98 Beyer. The bad news for the runner is he is 0 for 3 since.
Some of the main threats this year could be Temple City, who ran poorly in the Pacific Classic but had won a mile and a half stakes in July with a 100 Beyer. Eldaafer will be coming to the race right if he shows and he likely will after winning a Grade 3 at Turfway Park on September 11 with a 95 Beyer.
Pacific Classic hero Richard’s Kid may opt for the Marathon if not for the Classic and he would obviously be a legit threat.
Rezif would rate an upset glance as he comes off a clear win on the demanding Kentucky Downs turf course.
The Juvenile Fillies Turf has also only been run twice but let’s take a look at those winners. Maram took the first running in her third start after graduating in a maiden $75,000 claimer. She got a hot pace to close into and got up in the last jump.
In 2009 Tapitsfly was making only her 2nd start on turf, hence the fat 9-1 odds, and she got a super trip when sitting second before pouncing in time to get up by a half with a 84 Beyer.
This season Fancy Point and Kathmanblu must be respected as they just ran one/two respectively in a $70,000 turf stakes at Saratoga while those with an eye toward Alaska has a vehicle with Winter Memories, who was impressive winning her debut.
Memories also has a right to have a nice career as her dam, who was also conditioned by trainer Jim Toner, won a number of Grade 1s on way to over $1.4 million resume.
The Filly and Mare Sprint will be run for the 4th time this year as Maryfield, Ventura and Informed Decision took the first 3 events. The inaugural running was carded at 6 furlongs but changed since to the demanding distance of 7 panels.
Informed Decision dethroned former champ Ventura last year by sitting just off the pace to win inching away with a 103 Beyer.
Rightly So will be a handful in this fray. She was visually impressive taking the Grade 1 Ballerina with a career best 100 Beyer on August 28.
Champagne D’Oro has a pair of Grade 1 wins this year but has never posted a triple digit Beyer and she ran poorly the other time at Churchill when troubled in the spring.
Previously mentioned Informed Decision is always tough and she comes off a hard fought victory over Dubai Majesty in the Presque Isle Masters. Decision fires every time and will have to be respected.
The consistent Sweet August Moon could be the early value. She recorded back-to-back 96 Beyers in Graded company and could get away on the tote.
Next week we’ll delve into how the other Friday races, the Juvenile Fillies at a mile and a sixteenth, the Ladies Classic at 9 furlongs and the Filly & Mare Turf at a mile and three eighths are shaping up.
