Does it feel like Christmas morning to anyone?
Breeders' Cup pre-entry day is upon us and for your convenience, below you will find the complete list of all 14 races. Next Tuesday, the final fields with post positions will be released.
As always, there were a number of surprises. I was most looking forward to seeing which Europeans were going to make the trip across the pond. In total, 35 Euros are pre-entered. The Classic, which of course lost Big Brown earlier in the week, looks very solid. Multiple group I winners Henrythenavitagor and Raven's Pass both have first preference in the Classic, which makes the marquee race that much more interesting. In addition, turf specialist Champs Elysees was a surprise entrant in the big race.
The turf is loaded with international talent - Soldier of Fortune, Conduit and Eagle Mountain all spicing up what should be a terrific race. The Marathon, which I think is the most anticipated of the new races, is also infused with talented Europeans.
It was fun to see Indian Blessing enter the Sprint, although she does have first preference in the Filly and Mare Sprint. We'll see what Bob Baffert decides. Either way, the Sprint looks like a tremendous betting race. I was also excited to see Precious Kitten and Ventura both entered against the boys in the Mile, although Ventura seems to be pointing towards the Filly & Mare Sprint.
I will be blogging from Santa Anita each day beginning on Monday. I'll analyze and handicap four races each day, and give out selections for each race. Be sure to watch That Handicapping Show too. I'm looking forward to getting everyone's input and selections.
For now, I'm mainly interested in what your take is on the pre-entries. Anything that surprised you? Any disappointments? Let the games begin!!
Friday races
Filly & Mare Sprint
Dearest Trickski; Dream Rush; Indian Blessing; Indyanne; Intangaroo; La Tee; Lady Sprinter; Magnificience; Miraculous Miss; Psalm (IRE); Tiz Elemental; Tizzy's Tune; Ventura; Zaftig
Juvenile Fillies Turf
Beyond Our Reach (IRE); C Karma; Consequence; Dream Empress; Emmy Darling; Evita Argentina; Freedom Rings; Heart Shaped; Laragh; Maram; Oui Say Oui (IRE); Renda
Juvenile Fillies
Be Smart; C. S. Silk; Doremifasollatido; Dream Empress; Emmy Darling; Evita Argentina; Palacio de Amor; Persistently; Pursuit of Glory (IRE); Renda; Saucey Evening; Sky Diva; Stardom Bound; Van Lear
Filly & Mare Turf
Communique; Dynaforce; Folk Opera (IRE); Forever Together; Goldikova (IRE); Halfway To Heaven (IRE); Mauralakana (FR); Precious Kitten; Pure Clan; Sealy Hill; Vacare; Visit (GB); Wait a While
Ladies Classic
Bear Now; Carriage Trail; Cocoa Beach (CHI); Ginger Punch; Hystericalady; Music Note; Santa Teresita; Zenyatta
Saturday races
Marathon
Add Heat; Big Booster; Booyah; Casino Drive; Cedar Mountain (IRE); Church Service; Delightful Kiss; Fairbanks; Jonesboro; King of Rome (IRE); Muhannak (IRE); Sixties Icon (GB); Spring House; Zappa
Turf Sprint
California Flag; Diabolical; Fleeting Spirit (IRE); Get Funky; Heros Reward; Idiot Proof; Mr. Nightlinger; One Union; Only Answer (GB); Rebellion (GB); Rouse the Cat; Salute the Count; Tropic Storm; True to Tradition
Dirt Mile
Albertus Maximus; First Defence; Jonesboro; Lewis Michael; Lord Admiral; Mast Track; My Pal Charlie; Pyro; Rebellion (GB); Surf Cat; Two Step Salsa; Well Armed
Mile
Awesome Gem; Bold Chieftain; Daytona (IRE); Kip Deville; Precious Kitten; Raven's Pass; Shakis (IRE); Thorn Song; U S Ranger; Ventura; War Monger; Whatsthescript (IRE); Goldikova (IRE)
Juevenile
Azul Leon; Believe in Hope; Bushranger (IRE); Coronet of a Baron; Elusive Bluff; Midshipman; Mine That Bird; Munnings; Pioneerof the Nile; Silent Valor; Square Eddie; Street Hero; Terrain; West Side
Juvenile Turf
Bittel Road; City Style; Coronet of a Baron; Del Conte; Elusive Bluff; Grand Adventure; Mine That Bird; Ninth Client; Paddy The Pro (IRE); Relatively Ready; Skipadate; Westphalia (IRE)
Sprint
Black Seventeen; Cost of Freedom; Fabulous Strike; Fatal Bullet; First Defence; In Summation; Indian Blessing; J Be K; Lewis Michael; Midnight Lute; Sing Baby Sing; Street Boss; Tropic Storm
Turf
Better Talk Now; Conduit (IRE); Dancing Forever; Eagle Mountain (GB); Grand Couturier (GB); Out of Control (BRZ); Red Giant; Red Rock Canyon (IRE); Red Rocks (IRE); Soldier of Fortune (IRE); Spring House; Winchester
Classic
Casino Drive; Champs Elysees (GB); Colonel John; Curlin; Duke of Marmalade (IRE); Go Between; Henrythenavigator; Mast Track; Pyro; Raven's Pass; Smooth Air; Student Council; Tiago; Well Armed
