Breeders' Cup 2010 Friday Picks

Filed under: Horse Racing


The Breeders' Cup 2010 begins its two-day run at fabled Churchill Downs in Lousiville, Kentucky Friday. The biggest female star, Zenyatta, awaits her shot at fame and a 20-for-20 record Saturday in the $5 million Classic there will be plenty of talent on display on the first day of thoroughbred racing's big show.

Friday's races will be on ESPN2. Saturday's coverage begins on ABC and switches over to ESPN for the final five races.

Breeders' Cup Marathon. Grade III Purse $500,000; 1 3/4 miles

1. Awesome Gem: Hard-knocking 7-year-old gelding makes his 39th career start. Solid mark on dirt tracks, 8-for-10 in the money.

2. Eldaafer: Enters off back-to-back wins and also has solid dirt record with three wins and three thirds in 10 starts. Versatile sort can close or control the pace. Figures to be tough in wide-open scramble.

3. Price Will I Am: Has a win over the Churchill surface and appears on the improve.

Breeders' Cup Juvenille Fillies Turf, Grade II , $1,000,000 1 Mile

1. Winter Memories: Two races, two impressive wins. Figures to be closing stoutly and will be difficult to beat in this one.

2. New Normal: Canadian invader arrives with consecutive victories, also. Figures to be out there winging and could prove dangerous to top pick is able to set moderate fractions.

3. Nina Fever: Probably won't last the mile, but could play large part here if she is sent winging and hooks up with New Normal. Could set this race up for top pick if takes sting out of NN

Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Grade I, Purse $1,000,000 7 furlongs

1. Rightly So: There will be no question where this daughter of Read The Footprints will be: on the front end. Three-for-three at the distance and coming off stirling effort in the Ballerina at Saratoga.

2. Informed Decision: Gets the nod over Dubai Majesty off her stellar 7-0-3 mark in 11 starts at the distance.

3. Dubai Majesty: Topped top pick in last, but that was at six furlongs. Stretching out to the mile, and has not won at this distance in seven tries, placing once with three thirds. Eight-for-nine on the board this year. However, the mile appears to be too far.

Chicago Blackhawks Phil Jackson Charles Woodson Shaq Derek Jeter