• Only six in the Sprint and Juvenile Fillies – never been one Breeders’ Cup race with less than seven, let alone two.
• Most will say the Europeans drew poorly in the Juvenile Turf with Modern Games (5/1) on the rail (which I do not mind too much - think Mendelssohn) and Dubawi Legend (4/1) in post 14. It looked like they had predetermined the morning line odds regardless of post, so the 4/1 morning line on Dubawi Legend did not have the post considered into it.
• The two favorites bookend the Juvenile with Jack Christopher (9/5) drawing the rail and then Corniche (5/2) on the extreme outside in post 12.
• In the Juvenile Fillies Turf the four outside fillies likely drew poorly – they are all at fairly medium odds. Haughty (10/1), Malavath (8/1), Mise En Scene (6/1), and California Angel (8/1). I do not mind the rail nearly as much, especially in a turf race, but I know there will be rumblings about the lukewarm morning line favorite of 5/1 on the rail in Pizza Bianca. There are 12 horses between the morning line of 5/1 and 12/1 – that is a LOT of contention.
• Have not seen the TG numbers yet, but was surprised that Albahr was not made the favorite in the Juvenile Turf – the morning line of 6/1 was higher than I thought it would be. Another contentious race as half the field s between 4/1 and 8/1.
• While Echo Zulu (4/5) looks like a beast, I like the draw for Tarabi (12/1) along with a morning line. Not sure why I was surprised Hidden Connection was the co-second choice at 5/2 along with Juju’s Map in the Juvenile Fillies.
• It was a bit of a surprise to me that Golden Pal had a morning line of 7/2 as I thought it would be lower for Turf Sprint. Was also a bit surprised that Kimari was as low as 6/1. I guess that is a bit of a tip of the hat to Ward. Fast Bost might be worth a look as 12/1.
• What have been more appropriate if Eight Rings, who drew the number 8 post would have been installed at 8/1 in the morning line. Life is Good will be the heavy favorite at 4/5 (or less).
• Already confusing enough to have two “Love” horses entered the FM Turf but making them both 4/1 in the morning line makes it even tougher. They sandwich the favorite War Like Goddess, who is 7/2. Audarya (5/1) probably got the worst post in number 12 there.
• Bella Sofia (5/2) drew outside Gamine (3/5), which may give her a tactical advantage. Only four others bothered to take them on in this short field of six.
• Thought the favorite Space Blues (3/1) drew well in in post 3 as he was going to have to find a seam anyways in that race. Maybe he gets to sit in the pocket and find a seam late although those European 7f specialist have rarely done well in this race. This is probably the race where a good draw becomes most important, so I would say Ivar and Casa Creed likely got the worst in post 14 and 13 respectively. It may not be so bad for Casa Creed as he was likely going to dip in early and then dip out late but for Ivar it could present some issues.
• Letruska only 8/5 in the distaff? Have to think she will be much closer to even money than 8/5. Thought that was an odd morning line. Private Mission (8/1) was a go from the bell no matter where she drew, but she has to get out and on top from the rail I think.
• While Teona (6/1) did not draw well in the 12 hole, she did better than defending champion Tarnawa (9/5) in the 13 hole. Japan (20/1) drew the worst likely with post 14. Acclimate and Tribhuvan drew right next to each other and will likely assure a fairly quick pace early.
• Jackie’s Warrior (6/5) drew the 2 post right outside Following Sea (6/1). Was a bit surprised Special Reserve was as high as 6/1 – those two seem like the two most likely to press the favorite early.
• Not sure posts matter too much in the Classic with only nine entered and a long run to the first turn to sort things out. Thought Knicks Go was going to go to 2/1, but 5/2 makes sense in this field. The 3YO then make up the next lowest odds - Essential Quality (3/1), Medina Spirit (4/1) and Hot Rod Charlie (4/1).