HorseRacing Central November 5, 2009

START TIME SATURDAY: 1:20 P.M.

How’s this for a Saturday triactor at Hastings Racecourse: Customer Appreciation Day, Closing Day and Breeders’ Cup Day!

Live racing starts at 1:20 p.m. and will be interspersed with simulcast coverage of all the big stakes races Saturday from the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.

Check the HPI Centre for details about winning a share of 500,000 HPI Bonus Points. Pick the winner in each of the eight Breeders’ Cup races on Saturday and the contestant with the most winners will receive 300,000 HPI Bonus Points. Entry forms are available up until five minutes prior to the first Breeders’ Cup race on Saturday.

So let’s get started with our annual analysis and selections for this year’s 25th running of the Breeders’ Cup:

FRIDAY

Juvenile Fillies Turf (1:08 p.m.)

The Euro-runners should have an advantage in this category with far more opportunities to race on the lawn. JUNIA TEPZIA has been relatively unchallenged in her two victories in Italy (which is not traditionally the hotbed of turf stars) and looks like the skies the limit with her. The connections are strong (Kieran Fallon aboard) and should be the first winner of the day. Watch ELUSIVE GALAXY. She set the pace in her North American debut at Woodbine and held well down the long stretch. Bejarano stays on board and that’s a big plus.

Juvenile Fillies (1:45 p.m.)

ALWAYS A PRINCESS gained valuable experience and conditioning with her runner-up effort in the Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita. While she may have been a little too sharp early, today Gomez should be able to get her relaxed behind the speed and fire a big off-the-pace move like she did when breaking her maiden. It is asking a lot of CONNIE AND MICHAEL to go up against the top fillies with just one decisive win over maiden company. The connections are no strangers to the winner’s circle in big races; big pace threat.

Filly and Mare Turf (2:23 p.m.)

This is not the strongest renewal in this category with so many of these mares in and out of top form. It could lead to another European win with MIDDAY. She has been running in some tough Group 1 races and performing well. She’ll get Lasix for the first time.

Filly and Mare Sprint (3:02 p.m.)

Two hot contenders would be INFORMED DECISION and VENTURA, both of whom have been awesome this season. Informed Decision is undefeated on synthetic surfaces while Ventura continues to impress on both Poly-track and turf. They were only a head apart in the Madison at Keeneland earlier this year.

Ladies’ Classic (3:45 p.m.)

With Zenyatta opting to run with the boys Saturday this race becomes a far more interesting wagering proposition. MUSIC NOTE looks to be the best filly but still has to prove herself over synthetic surface. CARELESS JEWELL will be the sentimental pick as the Donver Stable owners raced OCHOA to a runner-up effort in the BC Oaks at Hastings. Careless Jewel has excellent speed and might be able to control a comfortable pace and lead to her sixth consecutive victory. The decision to put Zenyatta in the Classic was a little easier for the trainer when he also campaigns the good filly LIFE IS SWEET, a Grade 1 winner this year. She has home course advantage and can definitely win with a decent pace set in front of her.

SATURDAY

Juvenile Turf (10:45 a.m.)

BRIDGETOWN got hooked on a quick pace in the Summer Stakes at Woodbine but still toyed with his competition in the stretch. He gets a much tougher test here but should be up to the task. There are five European invaders to watch for and the best appears to be POUNCED, second in a quick seven furlong race at Longchamps last time out. He gets the great Frankie Dettori in the saddle which can only improve his chances.

Turf Sprint (11:23 a.m.)

Locally based CALIFORNIA FLAG is the one to catch. He’s very fast and knows the tricky downhill course. Look for him to set a comfortable pace; may not be caught. The main threats are LORD SHANAKILL, who’s been running with the best milers in Europe and has become familiar with his new surroundings having been in the Richard Mandella barn for the past six weeks. Another possible is GET FUNKY, second to California Flag last time they met. He gets a positive rider switch to Bejarano.

Sprint (12:10 p.m.)

GAYEGO has found new life this year racing only in one-turn races. ZENSATIONAL has drawn the worst post and it could end up costing him. He must avoid an early duel with Canadian champ FATAL BULLET and Vancouver-owned DANCING IN SILKS. FLEETING SPIRIT has some potential as a longshot play. His off-the-pace style and outside post will help in this dash; Frankie Dettori up.

Juvenile (12:49 p.m.)

D’FUNNYBONE has gone without pressure through the stretch in his last two starts and should be the favourite. It will be tough to go against him even though this will be his first attempt on a synthetic track. ESKENDEREYA is impeccably bred and might be worth a look. He just rang up his first career win, defeating an off-the-turf group and the price here should be large.

Turf Mile (1:28 p.m.)

JUSTENUFFHUMOR turned in a dreadful performance as the heavy favourite last time but had a valid excuse in the Shadwell Mile. The race was over an extremely soft course and he showed an immense dislike for it. He has an amazing turn of foot and with the threat of a lively pace his chances of looping the field for victory are excellent. It’s tough to leave out the Euro’s in this turf mile but other than GOLDIKOVA the field is a little weak.

Dirt Mile (2:12 p.m.)

In a strange twist, there really isn’t much speed in this race and that will make things easier for speedy MIDSHIPMAN. He went through his share of physical problems that have plagued him over the past season but was impressive in his allowance score when he battled on a demanding pace and drew off to win. Gomez could steal this one on the head end. MASTERCRAFTSMAN is the probable favourite since he’s been tackling the best in Europe on the turf and in his latest run he defeated a Group lll field on the polytrack. NEKO BAY is an interesting price play.

Turf (2:57 p.m.)

Usually the starting gate is full for this race but today only eight runners are signed on, headed by the speedy PRESIOUS PASSION who just needs firm turf for his best and he’s guaranteed to get that today. He had a perfect prep in the Clement Hirsch last month and should prove tough to catch. CONDUIT is the next logical play.

Classic (3:45 p.m.)

This one is next to impossible to handicap and shapes up to be a great race. COLONEL JOHN has been lightly raced this year so his best should still be ahead of him where others may have peaked. Colonel John was an unlucky loser in the Goodwood but the race still served as an excellent prep for a big effort today. He likes the track and the distance and gets one of the best pilots in Garrett Gomez. SUMMER BIRD is good enough but must prove that he’s not just an off-track specialist. GIROLAMO might be the best of them all but he could lack experience. EINSTEIN is an honest horse and ZENYATTA is a great filly but as the likely favourite, one must play against her.

BC BREEDERS CLASSIC SALUTES CASIE COLEMAN

As part of BC Breeders Classic Day at Fraser Downs on Wednesday, Nov. 11, top-ranked harness racing trainer Casie Coleman will be a special guest hosting a gigantic silent auction with proceeds going to the Burn Unit at Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital. The 29-year-old Surrey native suffered third-degree burns to her legs and right arm and first-degree burns to her cheeks and neck in an accident at Sandown Park when she was a teenaged groom. Since that time Casie has gone on to be recognized on two occasions with O’Brien Awards as Canada’s Trainer of the Year. She has trained some of the best pacers in the sport, including world record holder Sportswriter.

The four featured stakes races on Nov. 11 (1:15 p.m.) are the BC Breeders Stake for 2-year-old fillies; the BC Breeders Stake for 2-year-old colts and geldings; the Mary Murphy BC Breeders Stake for 3-year-old fillies; and the BC Breeders Stake for 3-year-old colts and geldings.